July 2016 - Conscious Community Magazine

Award Winning

CONSCIOUS C MMUNITY

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Dedicated to Elevating Consciousness

R.I.P Walter Perschke 1939-2016

WHERE YOU END AND I BEGIN

Millenials: Embracing the Rising Phoenix FREE!

JULY 2016 Volume 37, No.11

Discover the country’s finest holistic expo!

Skokie - August 20-21

OVER 120 EXHIBITORS & PRESENTATIONS ON NEW THOUGHT

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North Shore Center for the Performing Arts Sat 10-7, Sun 10-6 2 day entry $14

Columns

Features

8 12

July 2016

ALL ABOUT TOWN Celebrating the Dance of Life R.I.P Walter Perschke

BY THERESA PUSKAR

22

FROM THE HEART

24

THE SHARED HEART: HEARTFULNESS

11 WHERE YOU END AND I BEGIN

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

The Grace Factor

BY ALAN COHEN

Angels on the Road

BY JOYCE AND BARRY VISSELL

ON THE COVER 20

Rising Phoenix

By Laura Milnor Iverson zenbreeze.com

MILLENIALS: EMBRACING THE RISING PHOENIX

26

THE MAGICAL WORLD OF NUMBERS

14

NEVER ANOTHER TODAY

16

HEALING WITH HORSES

38

CYBERWEAVE: SPIRITUALITY AND THE INTERNET

JULY …. Rest, Relax, Vacation

BY ELIZABETH SUMMERS

A Chapter

BY JIM KAMINECKI

Exploring Grief through Horses

BY BLAIR MCKISSOCK

Sacred Acoustics: A Doorway to the Infinite

BY MARY MONTGOMERY

20

MILLENIALS: EMBRACING THE RISING PHOENIX

BY KASIA SZUMAL

42 COOKING UP SUMMER GOODNESS

42

COOKING UP SUMMER GOODNESS

46

COSMIC DAILY WEATHER: DEPTH ASTROLOGY PERSPECTIVES

BY SUE ODLAND

July 2016

BY KAYE BERJOT

4 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

America’s Oldest Spiritual and Metaphysical Magazine

Contributors 40

GET TO KNOW OUR ADVERTISERS

Take your Business to Another Level with a Personal Business Coach!

BY ANNA J. ANTHONY

11

18 19 50

WHERE YOU END AND I BEGIN

Publisher KASIA SZUMAL Circulation Manager KASIA SZUMAL Editors JULIE ROBERTS SUSAN PLUTO

SO LONG FOR NOW, MY FRIEND

Delivery Manager BONNIE TRALKA

BY DEBORAH ZAGORSKI

A TRIBUTE TO WALTER

BY ANITA WOJCIK

SENSORY SEARCHING VS SPIRITUAL SEARCHING

MIDWEST PULSE CALENDAR JULY Events, Happenings, and Announcements of Interest

LIGHTWORKERS CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY Resources for Better Living

Reviews 52

July 2016 Volume 37, No.11

Advertising KASIA SZUMAL ANNA ANTHONY

Connections 34

Formerly The Monthly Aspectarian

BY LARA PERSCHKE

BY STEPHANIE VAN DE VEN

28

Conscious Community

IN PRINT

BY KAYLA HANCOCK

Special Event Coordinator KASIA SZUMAL KAYE BERJOT KAYLA HANCOCK Media Coordinator KAYLA HANCOCK Mutlimedia Specialist MELISSA BOYAS Webmaster MELISSA BOYAS

Online

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

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© 2016 Conscious Community Magazine, LLC. Formerly The Monthly Aspectarian. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. Conscious Community does not necessarily agree with opinions of the writers, nor is it liable for advertiser claims or representations.

We believe in the reader’s judgment regarding the quality of any information. All ads should be received by the 10th of the month preceding publication.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 5

PUBLISHER’S LETTER Welcome, beloved Conscious Community! I am glad that you are joining me this month, as this is a special memorial issue in honor of the late publisher of Conscious Community Magazine, Walter Perschke. Walter passed away quietly and peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, May 20th. Within the following pages are several articles honoring Walter, focusing on his life, and highlighting the influence he had on those who were blessed to be a part of his life. The memorial articles are written from the perspectives of his daughter, friends and meditation students, and a business partner and fellow teacher. Several of our regular articles and columns are included as well.

I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Kasia Szumal, and I was the Circulation Manager (among many other jobs!) for Conscious Community Magazine (and The Monthly Aspectarian). I have known Walter for over nine years. During that time I have had the pleasure and privilege of working closely with him on many extraordinary projects. We met at The Spiritual Learning Center, where he offered a plethora of spiritual growth initiatives; among them showcasing the latest spiritual movies, and leading thoughtprovoking classes in dream analysis, metaphysics, and my favorite, business and spirituality.

I came to his screening and discussion of the movie “The Shift” (Originally called From Ambition to Meaning) by the late Wayne Dyer. That night we spoke non-stop for three hours!

We spoke of our life experiences, and got to know each other.

The connection was instant, and while I was not consciously aware of it at the time, Walter was “interviewing” me for a lifetime position working alongside him.

We had a wonderful time together - meeting new students, offering various classes, going to conferences, or making future plans. Fast-forward to the year 2012. The time was ripe for Walter to expand his spiritually-based entrepreneurial horizons, and The Monthly Aspectarian Magazine was for sale. I vividly remember the day he purchased it like it was yesterday.

He was so thrilled to be overseeing the oldest metaphysical magazine in the United States. At that time, my life was pretty comfortable. I was still working at Spiritual Learning Center, and studying business management in college. That all soon changed the day I asked him who would manage the magazine. Much to my shock, his response was “YOU!” I said yes, and from that day forward, I worked closely with him on a myriad of projects, most of which evolved around The Spiritual Learning Center, and The Monthly Aspectarian Magazine, soon to become Conscious Community Magazine. We organized the Conscious Connection Conferences, Faeries and Knights Conference, and Serendipity Festival. Walter kept me on my feet, constantly being stretched and challenged.

6 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

I enjoyed working with him because he totally accepted me, and placed complete trust in me to run the two of his most prized businesses. He showed me firsthand how to dream big for the community, the world, and myself.

Walter’s last will stated that I was to take over the role of publisher of Conscious Community Magazine. I am honored and grateful for this opportunity. I will do my best to serve this precious community, as it is my heartfelt mission to take this magazine to the next level of consciousness.

If you would like to assist me in continuing to support this legacy that was nearest and dearest to his heart, please provide your donations to the magazine by clicking on www.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com. You can also send checks or money orders to: Conscious Community Magazine, 47 W Polk Street, Suite 153, Chicago, IL 60605.

Thank you for all of your support, fellowship, and continuous commitment to evolving the world one member (of the community) at a time.

And finally, thank you, Walter, for the privilege of being your angel, and standing by your side on the magical and miraculous spiritual journey you had embarked upon!

The Best,

Kasia Szumal

Six Consecutive Days Saturday Aug. 27 to Thursday Sept. 1

Chicago 2016 $1,200 adv / $1,400 reg Optional: Two days only - $450 adv / $500 reg e $1,000 Early Pric 5 Your Trainers ...

by July 1 Gurucharan S Khalsa, PhD Shakta Kaur, E-RYT 500

www.ShaktaKaur.com

(312) 922-4699

COMMUNITY

Journey to Wholeness Center Intuitive Fair!

SATURDAY, JULY 16 11:00AM – 6:00PM SUNDAY, JULY 17 12:00PM – 5:00PM

Join us for a weekend of high vibrational energy and fun!

Are you unsure about which Intuitive Healer is best for your personal growth, health, and healing? Have you ever wanted to know how E.F.T/Tapping really works? Are you new to Yoga and just want to try it out? Would you like a quick reading to probe deeper into your career, relationships, or your life’s purpose? Could you use a Massage or Reiki tune-up?

Our Intuitive Fair will give you the opportunity to work with over 10 healing practitioners of your choice. Please log onto our website, www.journeytowholeness.org, or call to view the schedule and book your session. Walk-Ins are welcome, however pre-booking is strongly encouraged to receive your desired service and time.

• Healings/Readings: 30 Min - $40; 55 Min- $75 • Reiki • Chair Massages ($1/min) • Door Prizes daily for the first 10 visitors • Free Mini-Yoga Classes • Free 60-min Service Raffle • 10% Off all Gift Shop items Journey to Wholeness Center 9501 S. New England Ave. Oak Lawn, IL 60453 708-634-3664 www.journeytowholeness.org 8 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

Cherry Valley Spiritualist Camp Now Open!

We are a cozy little Spiritualist Camp in Northern Illinois, chartered by the National Spiritualist Association of Churches. We are excited to offer a new and extended list of classes and events this year. We have experienced and knowledgeable mediums, teachers, psychics, and healers on board who can help make your experience one that you will always remember.

Our grounds are nestled within the reach of the peaceful little village of Cherry Valley, and are convenient to the highways (20 and 90) which offer all the amenities of the larger city of Rockford, just a mile or two away.

Our classes this season will be primarily evenings and weekends. We have mediums available for private readings by appointment at your convenience, and offer a schedule of Mental Mediumship Demonstrations, Trance Demonstrations, Trance Healing, Reiki, Spiritual Healing, Gallery Readings, classes, workshops, and special events.

We have Sunday Services provided by Spiritualist Chapel in the Woods, which includes free Spirit greetings at the end of the service.

Take a look at our spectacular lineup, and join us for the fun and learning! For more information, visit our website: www.spiritualist1.org, or call: 779-207-8278.

HAPPENINGS Kirtan Fest Milwaukee

The 21 Stages of Meditation

JULY 29-31

AUGUST 27-SEPT. 1

Driving up the three-quarter-mile driveway at Blue Lotus Farm and Retreat Center in West Bend, Wisconsin, one can already feel a sense of calmness and peace. The excitement of the festival is balanced by the serenity of the natural setting, a farm that was converted into a not-for-profit serving those with special needs. For one weekend a year, the venue becomes an oasis for the nature-loving Yogi. A tent rests on the grass and inside, there is kirtan music (a devotional form of Yoga, expressed by call and response mantra chanting) from local and national artists. A meadow beside the tent is the site for all-levels yoga classes, and a labyrinth and hiking paths around a lake grace the property.

Best of all is the community that gathers; the friends that are made; the love that is shared; and the heartfelt sense of creating something wonderful together. The founder of the festival, Kaita Bliffert, is a kirtan artist in Milwaukee, and loves nothing more than bringing people together to create a higher vibration for the benefit of those in attendance, and for the rest of the world. We invite you to experience this bliss July 29-31.

For more information, please go to: www.kirtanfestmilwaukee.com or call 414-412-2473.

Six days of deep meditation. Journey through upset, boredom, and irritation to crystallize your Self. Experience delight, elevation, and graceful enlightenment! End with prayerful stillness, as you open the dimension of the Transcendent Self. Come deepen your contemplative capacity, broaden your understanding of meditation, and reawaken your passion for meditating!

Take two days, or all six days! Days one & two we recognize, experience, and crystallize the Self, which is needed for consciousness to work. Days three & four we learn to maintain our integrity in action, and ultimately find the stillness within each action. Days five & six open the dimension of the Transcendent Self. This is where we become a realized human being.

This is appropriate for meditators of all traditions!

Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Ph.D., the author of 21 STAGES OF MEDITATION: Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, co-teaches with Shakta Kaur, at Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL).

Visit www.ShaktaKaur.com, or call 312-922-4699.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 9

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR

WALTER PERSCHKE June 26 6:00 PM Unity Church Chicago, IL

1939-2016 Walter “Bud” Perschke passed away on May 20, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. He was 77 years old.

Later in life, he was the owner and publisher of Conscious Community Magazine, owner of Crystal River Gifts, Camp Infinity, and founder of SpiritWalter was born on February 25th, 1939 in ual Learning Center. Walter was one in a million, McHenry, Illinois to Walter and Marie Perschke. and will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

He attended high school at Lane Tech, in Chicago, and received his undergraduate degree from A public memorial service will be held on June The University of Chicago, where he ran track 26, 2016 at 6 p.m. at Unity Church in Chicago, and was the president of his fraternity, Psi Upsi- 1925 W. Thome Ave, Chicago, IL 60660. lon. He was an internationally-renowned numismatic expert and businessman, known for acquir- Memorial donations may be made to the Coning storied coins such as the Brasher Doubloon, scious Community Magazine to continue Walter’s and the American Quint. He was a finance col- most close to his heart legacy. Donations may be umnist for the Chicago Daily News, had his own made online at: ConsciousCommunityMagazine.

Emmy-nominated TV show, Ask an Expert, and com, or sent to: Conscious Community Magazine, appeared regularly on PBS’s Wall Street Week. 47 W. Polk St., Suite 153, Chicago, IL 60605.

10 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

Where You End

and I Begin By: Lara Perschke My father was a true enigma, beyond compare, paramount to who I have been, and want to become. I want to talk about his life.

My Dad was fascinated with the idea of salvation. It was the last word I watched him write, painstaking and deliberate, standing alone, all caps, on a sheet of loose-leaf paper in pencil, as he loved to use. He had been writing a book defining the metaphysical interpretation of the New Testament. He was also quietly passionate about salvation of knowledge, memories, history, people, stray cats, wild animals, even the coyotes and raccoons that roamed his properties. He believed in love after divorce, and lived to tell the tale of becoming whole after injury. He believed that anything can be healed.

When my father was a child, he was hit by a car, and his leg was crushed. He remained in a hospital for close to a year, and my grandparents were told he would never walk again. He healed. He walked, then ran. Dad was talented. He sprinted into a full scholarship at The University of Chicago. He ran in the Senior Olympics at age 55. After surgery, I watched in awe as he walked laps around the nurses’ station at Northwestern with stride. Even in his final days, he wanted to go for a run. He was a survivor.

My most vivid memories of my father are dissimilar to the ones I have of him in his later years. When we were children, he was regal and serious, always on his way to a meeting, never in a pair of jeans. He bought and sold coins, buildings, and first edition books, with a deep love for history at the helm. I spent many of my summers alongside my brothers, sorting through what seemed to be endless artifacts of what Dad saved. He cherished beauty, and collecting extraordinary art and cars. Dad also cherished experiences.

He reserved Box One at the Lyric Opera for many years, and front row seating at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He loved his sailboat, and fishing for trout on Lake Michigan. He taught me that it is always better to be overdressed; presentation is key; it is important to listen to people; and speak deliberately. He loved an early rise, stretch, Chicago Tribune, steak and egg breakfast at a diner.

He also taught me that every being has an intuition. He took me to see psychic mediums and past- life hypnotherapists. He taught me the proper way to use a Ouija board. He explained that I should never be afraid of the world beyond this Earth. He told me about fairies, elves, aliens, and co-existing realities and labyrinths. He gave me a pendulum, and gave me detailed instructions on how to create a frequency between object and human.

Last year at his home, I stepped into the living room and smelled burning sage. It took me a moment to spot my usually grumpy, grizzly Dad. He was whispering, “bless this house and all who enter,” sage aflame in his hand, in prayer. He meant what he was saying, and I could feel it in his voice.

It was the living, breathing, sage-burning metamorphosis of grumpy, grizzly Dad. His beliefs add a softness to my sadness, and a poetry to his life.

He watched as his four children made an unbreakable pact not to leave his side. We watched as reiki healers spread their love…

We learned as he made peace with his past, and exited this life.

Dad, we will be ok. You always reminded me that my presence and input is valued, an encouragement which is carried on in Kurt, Ian, and Adam. My bond and love for my brothers will never be equaled. We are saved. We are healed. We begin.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 11

Celebrating the Dance of Life R.I.P Walter Perschke May 20th, 2016 ALL ABOUT TOWN

By: Theresa Puskar

Life is a dance. The question remains, “Are you willing to get on the dance floor and move to the music of the divine, or will you choose to sit passively at the sidelines, and watch others as they allow the magic of the music to take the lead?”

May has been quite a month. As I continue my efforts to have faith and get out of my own way in my life, I am amazed at all that has transpired. I have experienced great joy and grief, and unleashed unabashed freedom, and subsequent restraint. I have ridden a rollercoaster of emotions, each of which played a part in my soul’s dance with life and death.

Many of you have probably heard that, after a valiant attempt to rid his body of cancer, on May 20th Walter Perschke, the publisher of Conscious Community magazine, passed away. He was anxious about leaving, as he really wanted to create a grand legacy before his death. He was bound and determined. In fact, right up until the moment of his death, I believe he thought he could beat the cancer. To fulfill his legacy, Walter planned on expanding The Spiritual Learning Center, and wanted to extend the magazine towards national readership. While these desires were not manifested during his lifetime, I know that Walter most definitely DID leave a legacy.

Whether analyzing a dream, struggling through an emotional challenge, or curious about one of Christ’s quotes in the Bible, I’d ask myself, “What would Walter say?”

12 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

At the beginning of the month, Kasia Szumal (the General/ Circulation Manager of Conscious Community magazine) and I went to a belly-dancing class. This joyful experience was another step towards my self-supportive commitment to incorporating more creative outlets into my life. While we shimmied around the room, I was reminded of Salome’s Dance of the Seven Veils, and a show that I once considered writing about Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary. I’ve always been perplexed and curious about the juxtapositioning of the two women closest to Jesus Christ; one who was believed to have been His virgin mother, and the other a prostitute and social outcast. As I mused on this anomaly while writing this article, I thought to myself, “Hmm, I wonder what Walter’s insights would be on this?” He was fascinated with the Bible, along with the life and times of Jesus Christ. He had done an incredible amount of research on this subject, and had some very poignant insights on the matter. I had no doubt that he could have taught me a great deal about this fascinating pair of women, and I wish I had a chance to learn more from him.

A couple of nights prior to his death, I had a very powerful dream. It was so vivid that I could relate everything I experienced with a great deal of detail and precision. It was one of those dreams that was so clear that it felt particularly important. Again, I thought to myself, “Now, if I shared it with Walter, I know he could help me interpret it, and make sense of it all!” But alas, I was left to muse on its meanings alone.

An opportunity to say “goodbye” to a dying friend is a rare gift to be appreciated and cherished.

A couple of days after Walter’s death, some of the key players in his Conscious Community network met to discuss his desires in relation to the future of his spiritual enterprises. As we met, it struck me that we will no longer have our monthly Saturday morning meetings with Walter. “If only I had known that our May meeting would be our last with him – I might have…”

In my heart of hearts, I knew that I would have done nothing differently. I might have held the hug a couple of seconds longer, yet that would have been the extent of it.

Among others, the team (Kasia, Jim, Melissa, Anne, and I) all were blessed with an opportunity to say “goodbye” to Walter during his final days. It was a great gift to be able to speak my final words of farewell to him. You see, like me, Walter was not always an easy person to relate to. We are both very opinionated, strong-willed, and at times, we are quite edgy.

Because of this, many times we butted heads, yet each time we did, I know we both shared a mutual respect for one another.

No one could accuse Walter or me of being too quiet, or intimidated. I frankly spoke my truth to him, and did so without hesitation. Sometimes he didn’t like to hear what I told him, yet I felt he listened. While many people might have rejected me, he did not. In fact, he was one of the few individuals in my life that gave me the freedom and safety to express myself without criticism or judgment. For this, I was and am extremely grateful.

Facing our fears, and feeling our pain – herein lies the path of the hero.

During one of my visits with Walter in his final days, I did a couple of emotional processes with him. As is the case with a disease like cancer, with the pain and imminent death, feelings of anxiety and fear are likely to come up. Throughout my years of experience in the self-help movement, and most recently with my studies at Oneness University, I learned that we need to fully feel into our deepest pain, fear, anguish, and guilt in order to heal it. So I asked Walter to allow his fears to speak to him.

After a short time, I then took him through a guided meditation where he honored himself for all of the good he has brought into the world. I encouraged him to breathe in, and welcome all of the goodness and light that his readers, seminar attendees, and colleagues received from him throughout the years.

As we did this exercise, I thought to myself, “At what point in our existence do we feel like we are enough? Did Walter feel like he had done enough? Do I feel like I am enough, just as I am, in all my imperfection?” You too might ask yourself, “What does being ‘enough’ feel like? Will I ever know, or will I die still wondering?”

We all do a dance with our own emotions. We sometimes feel worthy and accept ourselves, while at other times, we can be overwhelmed with feelings of self-criticism and even selfloathing. I find myself challenged, in that, while I know in my head that my divine does not judge me as I so harshly judge

myself, somewhere within me there is a disconnect. In some way, I must not truly believe this, for, if I did, I would not be so unyielding with myself.

If we touch others and shift their lives, even in the slightest of ways, we should never doubt that when we pass, we leave a legacy.

We all want to leave this earth having made a difference. We dream of leaving our mark in a great way, yet who is to say what that looks like? How is our legacy measured? Should it be measured at all? The way in which one affects one individual may have as much or more impact than the effect that a great master has had who has touched millions. How do we know how the energy that we put out into the world has shifted it? If one butterfly can affect the winds, and eventually be the catalyst for a major hurricane, how do we know what affect we might have on the life of one, who could eventually touch many?

May you rest in peace, Walter, knowing that you did, indeed, leave a legacy. To master the art of dance, one has to have discipline, flexibility, endurance, and most of all, passion. I don’t know if you liked to dance, yet I know you had all of the traits of un danseur extraordinaire! Adieu, my friend, adieu.

A memorial service for Walter will be held at Unity Church in Chicago, 1925 W. Thome Ave, Chicago, Il 60660, on Sunday, June 26th at 6:00 p.m. All are welcome.

Theresa Puskar, our All About Town contributor, is a writer, trainer, speaker, and inspirational audiobook producer. She recently authored The Terri Series – seven books that focus on bullying, honoring diversity, celebrating creativity, non-judgment of emotions, finding alternatives to technology-based entertainment, discovering a non-judgmental God, and overcoming fears. She has also recorded a powerful experiential audio program, How to De-Clutter Your Mind and live a Heart-Centered Life.

To place an order or learn more, log onto her website at theresapuskar. com.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 13

A CHAPTER

NEVER ANOTHER TODAY

On a sunny Chicago summer afternoon about 9 years ago, I left my office on Jackson Boulevard and went to Kramer’s for lunch.

Kramer’s Health Foods on South Wabash Avenue is a health and wellness store with a small upstairs restaurant, where I picked up a copy of The Monthly Aspectarian magazine. I saw an advertisement for a movie and discussion of the book The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell.

It might have been that night, or later the following week; I stayed late at work one evening, to attend the event at Dearborn Station on Polk Street. There were at least 200-300 books on the shelves around the room, all of which were for sale. There was an old computer and desk, an ‘on its last legs’ mini-refrigerator, 30 folding chairs, and a movie screen/projector. There were seven people in the room, including me, and the event coordinator, Kasia Szumal. In fact, I thought the man in the back row was an attendee, until he started the discussion after the movie.

That man was Walter Perschke, and it was a modest yet comfortable setting. Unknown to everyone but himself, he had big plans for the future. We continued doing things together; either personally attending events, or volunteering to help at them. Sometimes there were only three people in attendance at the presentations;

14 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

By Jim Kaminecki

sometimes there were 30 or more. The size of the crowd never mattered; Walter always showed the same level of enthusiasm. It wasn’t until I had worked with him for four years that he started to put some of those big plans into action. He would go on to buy and build the Spiritual Learning Center. He purchased The Monthly Aspectarian magazine, and become the Publisher for Conscious Community Magazine, its new name. He purchased and operated Crystal River Gifts, in South Elgin. He acquired a 50-acre property near Indianapolis, for what was to become Camp Infinity, with the idea of hosting children’s events, music festivals, and educational retreats. Walter always liked to say that people appreciated being part of something larger than themselves. I couldn’t agree more, and it was fun and a privilege to be a part of those plans.

We shared many common interests; economics, a hot cup of coffee, competitive running, entrepreneurship, coins, history, a love of Chicago, collectibles, small government, travel, trading, books, investing, education, and spirituality vs. religion. Many of these topics would come up while grabbing a slice of pizza or chicken parmesan at Falco’s together after an event. I can’t say that we solved the problems of the world during those weekly hour-long discussions, yet I can say that whatever the topic, we both enjoyed the time talking about them. One specific discussion comes

to mind that took place not long after we both attended Freedom Fest in Las Vegas, an event put together by Walter’s long-time friend Mark Skousen. It was a discussion about economics, as I was working on plans to position myself and my clients for the changing market conditions. He had long ago left the world of investing, yet I valued his opinion. It was not only valued because it was his, and also because I had great respect for his former professor at the University of Chicago, Dr. Milton Friedman. Walter told me he had to unlearn most of what he had learned at that institution, in order to be successful over the years. It was his way of saying that the path of the past may not serve me in the future.

As a former professor, he did not often give exact answers, but instead liked to point you in the right direction, and let you figure it out on your own. Or, ever the fan of the Socratic method of teaching, he would answer a question with another question to drive your own insights.

OSHO

About a year ago, Walter and I drove to Indianapolis to attend a Body Mind Spirit Expo conference. He had two speaking engagements there. One of the topics was ‘Living Your Dream,’ and during that hour-long presentation, he shared some tips with the audience that had helped him along the way. More importantly, for a person who had been a history professor, a numismatic expert, a floor trader, a business owner, a world traveler, and someone who paid a world record price for a single coin in 1979; he absolutely felt that of all of his experiences, he was living his own personal dream with the work he was currently engaged in.

Unfortunately, time did not work in favor of all of his ideas, and some did not reach fulfillment. For these things he built, the goal is to continue what he started, and keep moving them forward.

Until his last days, I almost had not given thought to the idea that he might not pull through. It seemed that there was nothing that he could not accomplish, when he set his mind to doing it. It was a short conversation with his son Adam that brought the new reality to light as he discussed the prognosis.

On Wednesday, May 18th, I stopped by the hospital to visit him in the evening, and then went to a martial arts class. After I arrived at class, my student Kristen and I struck up a conversation.

It was a continuation of the previous day’s discussion about the two five-pound dumbbells I gave her in order to help her work on her arm and shoulder strength. She hadn’t found the time to use them, so my suggestion was to start multi-tasking, by listening to an audiobook at the same time, since she is busy finishing her Master’s degree.

She mentioned that she had taken yesterday’s suggestion to heart, and had started in the morning.

“Which book did you decide to listen to?” I asked.

“A book by Joseph Campbell,” she replied.

“The Power of Myth?!” I asked.

“Yes!” she responded.

My chapter in Walter’s journey began and ended with The Power of Myth. There is a new chapter that follows, and we will all turn the pages knowing we are better off having had him as a part of our own journey.

Jim Kaminecki is a holistic health and wellness advocate; a lifelong learner; a sand volleyball, swimming, and skiing enthusiast; an amateur photographer; a career, investment, and business consultant; a music aficionado; a Shaolin Kung Fu, Qi Gong, and Tai Chi practitioner and occasional instructor.

21st Annual RETREAT

SEPT 16,17,18 SING, DANCE, MEDITATE, AND CELEBRATE

with

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ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 15

EXPLORING GRIEF THROUGH HORSES

HEALING WITH HORSES

As I write this column, I can’t help but think of the words transition, grief, change, loss, and sorrow. My heart breaks.

When my fingers touch the keyboard, they don’t want to move, and after every period, they hesitate again. When I first started my transition from traditional therapeutic riding to equineassisted learning, it was very hard to let go of what I had known, and find the openness that was required of me. The first thing I was asked to do was just to listen and observe the horses. What did I notice? What questions did I think they were asking me?

What was coming up for me while watching them? How might that emotion or sensation affect the dynamic between you, the horse, and a client? It is one thing to work with horses as a job, but to really watch and listen to them is entirely different.

Shortly after I started, I began to work with three mares that were related - a mom and her two daughters. After only a few short months of my working there, the mother passed away from complications from colic; a twisting in her intestines. It was very sad and difficult to see that happen. What was even more surprising was the grief that the two daughters went through.

Having opened myself up to them as part of my own work, their grief was palpable, it hurt to watch them. Their behavior changed, they became difficult to handle, as their ground training went out the window. They could not be separated, and therefore weren’t used as often. When they were separated, the one left in the pasture would panic, and the one in the session would be distracted, never connecting with the client.

This continued for almost nine months before they began to settle, and became willing to reconnect. The grieving process for horses is much as it is for humans; there is a varying range and complex combination of emotions happening as they process through the loss. I can’t help but think about my own complex emotional response to hearing about the death of our publisher and “teacher,” Walter Perschke. He taught me several lessons that confirm what the horses have taught me.

BE HONEST It sounds simple, yet it is not always easy to be honest about how you feel, especially when others’ feelings are involved. He taught me that sometimes in order for things to change, you have to be honest not only with yourself, and also with others.

16 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

Blair McKissock, MSEd, RYT

Horses are always honest, and their responses authentic. When they are afraid they respond by fighting, running away, or freezing. When they are angry, you know. When they are sad and grieving, they don’t try to hide their complex emotions, they move through them. Navigating a strong emotional response isn’t easy, but Walter taught me that friends support each other, even when you are honest. In salute to the difficulty of being honest, there was acknowledgement and gratitude. Horses respond in the same way. When you are honest, they respond with acknowledgment by responding through connection and willingness.

EMBRACE WHAT YOU CANNOT SEE Sometimes there’s a flesh-eating dragon in the shadows. You can’t see it, but it’s there. If you have ever worked with horses, you understand. A horse’s vision is such that they don’t always see the same thing out of each eye. For example, when you ride a horse in one direction in a circle, they may not spook at anything they see, yet when you turn them around and go in the other direction, they may spook at something they have passed several times. It’s because they are seeing anew out of the other eye. There are many things, forces, and mysteries in this world that we cannot see. That doesn’t mean we should be afraid of them. We should take the time to investigate, listen, learn, and embrace the unknown. We will never have all the answers and figure it all out; we are not supposed to. However, we can accept that they exist.

DREAM BIG Yes, horses dream. Like dogs, a horse can be laid out on its side and have a dream while they sleep. There is no telling what they dream of, but it could be something amazing! Walter was an accomplished dream interpreter. I would call him sometimes when I had a completely outlandish dream, and we would laugh at the potential meaning. He was also an expert at the other kinds of dreams, the kind that keep us moving forward in life; that give us purpose. He had amazing dreams of a Spiritual University, community festivals and retreat centers where likeminded people, our herd, could come together and share their visions. He met fabulous and colorful people throughout

his life, generating enough stories to fill hours of laughter and fun. I grieve the fact that his dreams will never be fully realized, and hope that someone will be able to pick up where he left off.

Equine therapist Linda Kohanov, in her book The Tao of Equus: A Woman’s Journey of Healing & Transformation through the Way of the Horse, discusses the emotional message surrounding grief. She describes grief as, “No choice in letting go. Grief often includes anger. Having something you value taken away, even by impersonal life circumstances, is experienced emotionally as a boundary violation.” She also examines the potential messages behind the emotions, and the questions those messages ask of us. The message behind grief may be, “a significant loss or death has occurred, usually due to circumstances beyond your control.” The question is “What must be mourned? What must be memorialized, appreciated, or celebrated?” She thinks about grief not just as an emotion that happens when you lose a person to death, but also as an emotion we feel when anything is taken away without our consent. Sometimes it is the loss of a friendship we grieve. It makes me think about the complex emotions I feel when I think about the loss of Walter. I mourn the loss of his presence in my life. I mourn the loss of the conversations that demonstrated his support of his entire “conscious community,” and his support for my work as well. I mourn the loss of unrealized dreams and potential. At the same time, I celebrate his colorful life, his stories, and his laughter. I celebrate his leaps of faith, and his unbounded belief in the goodness of the world. I will be eternally grateful for the amazing gift he gave me, of the opportunity to grow and explore the depths of the horse-human relationship with complete unconditional support. I celebrate the fact that I am a better person and horse person for having known him.

Blair McKissock, MSEd, RYT is a speaker and author on experiential and nature-based learning. You can learn more about coaching, OmHorse mounted yoga sessions, and the HorseWork Professional certificate training at stridestosuccess.org.

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So Long for now, My Friend By: Deborah Zagorski

It is with great honor and respect that I reflect on my friend and mentor, the former publisher of Conscious Community Magazine, formerly The Monthly Aspectarian, Walter Perschke. I am one of many who attended Walter’s weekly meditations held on Thursday evenings at his home. I would love to share some of the wonderful experiences I have had over the past two years.

Walter welcomed everyone to his meditation group, and was sure to acknowledge new participants and make certain they were comfortable. He happily answered any questions we had before getting started. Each evening’s meditation began with The Prayer for Protection. If you are not familiar with it, here it is:

The light of God surrounds us.

The love of God enfolds us.

The power of God protects us.

The presence of God watches over us.

Wherever we are, God is, and all is well.

In our meditations, we learned about chakra activation, and how to create a sacred space. We enjoyed meditations on healing, abundance, safety, gratitude, manifesting, and meeting your spirit guides, just to name a few. There was always time following our meditations for sharing questions and comments. Walter always thanked us for attending. We were happy to be a part of the group.

Walter felt it was very important to bring ritual regularly into our lives. Every quarter we participated in The Burning Bowl Ceremony. It was a letting go of what no longer serves us.

Sometimes we shared a toast following the event. We enjoyed potluck gatherings and great conversations. There was even a birthday cake to celebrate Walter on his special day.

Besides regular Thursday meditations, Walter offered many other classes. There were movie nights with discussions following; Gong meditations; harp meditations; Intuitive Galas, and also a special

18 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

event featuring Barbara Marx Hubbard of the Foundation for Conscious Evolution.

Gratitude meditations were some of my favorite meditations.

Walter spoke of the importance of being grateful for everything, both big and small. He said, “The more things you are grateful for, the more things the Universe will give you to be grateful for.” I shared with our group a gratitude jar I received from my niece and her husband at Christmas. The idea is to fill the jar with things you are grateful for and then, at year’s end, read all of the entries in your jar. I like to date my entries as well.

I asked Walter about a gratitude journal that I had completed several years ago. “I’m not sure if I should keep this journal or not, but there’s something that still draws me to it,” I said. Walter replied, “Well it sounds to me as if you’ve already received your answer.” Yes, thanks Walter.

Another item I would like to share is how Walter valued “signs.” He told us how he would place a post-it note on his bathroom mirror.

The note read “Ask for signs.” You have to look, and the signs will appear, sometimes not in the way or form you were expecting. The other day I was driving, and to my right was a land for sale sign, and it read, “Call Walter.” Well, that was my friend reaching out to me. Thank you Walter. I will continue to look for the signs.

Walter had a phrase that he used in his meditations and in his daily life. The phrase is, “I wonder what I will discover today.” I, too have adopted this phrase.

In closing, I wish to say thank you Walter for everything: your time, knowledge, teaching, listening, expertise, patience, and care.

We are all better people because of knowing you. God Bless You, Walter Perschke!

Deborah Zagorski is an Independent Distributor with Young Living Essential Oils and host of A Night of Grace, a monthly prayer group. Her interests include energy healing, crystals, Tai Chi and Feng Shui.

A TRIBUTE TO WALTER By: Anita Wojcik It all started with a class: Meditation 101. Walter was teaching us how to meditate. His messages were simple: “Focus; Be free of distractions; Say a prayer; Create a Sacred Space; Don’t dwell on negative things; Communicate with your Higher Self; Accept change; Calm the mind chatter; Ask for guidance; Your Guardian Angels are with you at all times, they will give you answers; You will feel the presence of the DIVINE; Don’t rush; Be patient; The Universe is not on your time schedule; It’s all about creating balance.”

These words of wisdom were powerful, spoken in a soft voice.

When I found out Walter led a meditation group, I immediately knew this was the right place for me.

Every Thursday night for a year and a half, going through the heavy oak door I entered the magical space of Spiritual Learning Center, Walter’s school. Infused with the smell of burning sage, floating on very high energy levels, located in a secluded spot surrounded by trees, it was unforgettable. Walter helped me create my Sacred Space, where I am safe and protected, where I travel quite often to find answers, make good decisions, eliminate fear and anxiety. “If you can imagine it, it exists,” he often said. Thru healing meditation, the Burning Bowl ceremony, chakra balancing, and gong meditation, it has been a journey of self-discovery. The ongoing result of meditation is a steadily growing expansion of awareness and appreciation for all of life. You get to the point where you feel the warmth on your face, and intense light under your closed eyes, and you know you are in the presence of the DIVINE. “…I can feel this soft blue electrical energy pulsing thru my body, in waves. It’s a little alarming, but also amazing.” “…I say to it, “I believe in you,” and it magnifies, volumizes, in response. It’s frighteningly powerful now, like a kidnapping of the senses...” This quote from the book, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert best describes how I felt during meditations.

I am very grateful for the Wisdom, Peace, and Light Walter brought to my life.

He will always be in my heart.

Anita Wojcik Anita Wojcik is one of Walter’s many students of meditation, and many other spiritual and metaphysical topics he loved sharing with people.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 19

MILLENIALS: EMBRACING THE RISING PHOENIX By: Kasia Szumal

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” ~Rumi

Artwork: Rising Phoenix By Laura Milnor Iverson zenbreeze.com

When I hear the word phoenix, the first thought that comes to me is a new beginning, starting something fresh, a shift, and a big change. The Phoenix, according to Wikipedia, is a bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn, … and arises from the ashes of its predecessor. This change happened to me in a moment when I was not expecting it.

As many of you know by reading previous issues, and/or this issue of Conscious Community Magazine, Walter Perschke was the Publisher of The Monthly Aspectarian/Conscious Community Magazine since 2012, and I was the Circulation Manager. I worked closely with Walter for the past nine years, and we had an awesome time, laughing, building, creating, sharing, and celebrating life.

On Friday, May 20th, there was a HUGE change that happened to me. Walter passed away. My friend, my spiritual teacher and business advisor died. I was not expecting this to happen; I believed that Walter would heal from his cancer surgery, and we would continue working together. If you read the “Cosmic Daily

20 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

Weather” column by Kaye Berjot for May 20th, you will read, “The Moon is hanging out in Scorpio today, and is helping to form the second of two astrological kites. When the Moon is in Scorpio it can be a sobering effect, because something could be coming to an end. On the flipside of that, something new is set to begin, and as soon as Mercury goes direct you’ll get a better glimpse at what that new thing is.”

That was the moment when everything changed for me for good.

As many of you may know, I am on my spiritual path for 33 years, and I am the “Millennial Generation,” or Generation Y. I believe that there are no accidents in life, but only experiences that our souls picked before we were born, for our spiritual growth. I want to share with you what happened exactly one week before Walter passed away. On Friday, May 13th, I decided that I needed to clean up my room, and I started with a closet where I had all my spiritual magazines that I’ve been collecting for decades. I’ve moved twice in my life, and both times, I took those magazines with me. I could not let them go. That day, something shifted in me, and I was ready to recycle all of those magazines without hesitation.

A week later, Walter passed away, and my inner voice wanted to reflect on something that happened a week earlier. I sat down and reflected, and I got the answer: “Kasia, by recycling all of those spiritual magazines, you created a space for your own magazine, and all of the answers are inside you, not outside you.” It was a “blow away” discovery for me, even though I did not know that Walter wanted me to continue Conscious Community Magazine. I never thought that I would become the Publisher, even though I got spiritual messages from my guides a year prior to Walter’s death.

Friday the 13th is very significant for me. I got all of my amazing opportunities on Friday 13th!

What I learned again this time, is to TRUST every aspect on your journey, and know that you are guided to become an enlightened person; everything that is happening to you right now are experiences that your soul picked before you born, to experience in this life. Enjoy your ride! Embrace all difficulties and smile, because in the end you will be happy with who you have become.

My Phoenix is rising so high, and I am excited for the future! I know that I am ready for it, and I hope you will be with me on my journey as well! Let’s fly together, and make this world a place we want to live in.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi I asked a few of my friends what “a rising of the Phoenix” means for them, and here are some of their answers:

“My generation has learned to deal with negative situations, like the recent shootings, and rise up beyond them, with even stronger positive action. For example: people will get tattoos to remind themselves that the person they are now hasn’t lost (sic) – they are just a new, stronger version of themselves. Our generation believes that power can drive a human more than fear.” Bernadette “Getting rid of all kinds of FEARS and calmly, confidently, taking steps forward.” Katarzyna “We have to be willing to feel pain, and embrace death in order to grow.” Kayla “If there’s any lesson to be learned from the symbolic Phoenix, it’s that transformation can occur even in seemingly simple scenarios-but only through awareness of our ashes can we alter the rate at which our evolving energies rise.” Crystal If you would like to assist me in continuing to support this legacy that was nearest and dearest to his heart, please donate on the website: www.ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com, or by sending checks or money orders to: Conscious Community Magazine, 47 W Polk Street, Suite 153, Chicago, IL 60605. Thank you all for your support.

Kasia Szumal is the new Publisher of the award-winning Conscious Community Magazine, formerly The Monthly Aspectarian, a co-organizer of The Conscious Connection Conference, Faeries and Knights Festival, and Serendipity Festival. She is also a healer, Reiki practitioner, and a student of life. If you have any comments or questions, please email: Kasia@ ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com.

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The GRACE Factor

FROM THE HEART

A woman phoned my radio show and reported that years ago when she became pregnant, her doctors told her that the baby would not survive. She and her husband prayed fervently for the child’s well-being, and the baby was born healthy and went on to live a happy life. Since that time she had a few miscarriages, and now the couple very much wants another child. “Do you think we each get a certain allotment of miracles, and when we use it up, we get no more?” she asked.

“That’s not how it works,” I told her firmly. “Miracles and well-being are our natural state, given freely without limit forever. Only the human mind lays bounds over the good available to us. It is not God’s Grace we need to beg for. It is our own. And we don’t need to beg. We just need to claim it.”

In celebration of the release of my new book The Grace Factor, I would like to cite three acts of grace that ultimately affected many people:

When Julio Diaz stepped off the No. 6 subway train in the Bronx, he was faced with a teenager pointing a knife at him. The

22 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

By: Alan Cohen

mugger demanded Julio’s wallet, which he gave willingly. As the robber began to flee into the night, Julio called to him, “Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you’re going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat to keep you warm.”

Stunned, the boy turned and asked Diaz, “Why are you doing this?”

“If you’re willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, then I guess you must really need the money. I mean, all I wanted to do was get dinner. If you really want to join me . . . Hey, you’re more than welcome.”

In a real-life scene that would strain credibility as fiction, the two made their way to a diner where they sat in a booth, shared a meal, and talked about their lives. When Diaz asked the teen what he wanted out of life, he couldn’t answer. He just displayed a sad face.

When the time came to pay the bill, Diaz told the fellow, “I guess that since you have my wallet, you’re going to have to treat.”

When Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III piloted his U.S. Airways airplane to take off from New York’s LaGuardia airport on a cold January morning, he had no idea where that flight would take him. Shortly after takeoff, the Airbus 320 encountered a flock of birds that were sucked into its jets, instantly disabling flight.

With no landing strip in range, Sullenberger’s only option was to set the plane down on the Hudson River. As the pilot executed a skilled landing on the icy waters, the crews of nearby ferry boats saw the crash and motored to the plane to rescue the passengers.

Sullenberger’s true bravery came forth when he made his way through the aisle of the sinking aircraft to be sure no one was left aboard. When he was certain that all of the 150 passengers and 5 crew members had exited safely, he stepped across a wing to helping hands.

The young man gave Diaz back his wallet, Diaz paid for dinner, and gave the fellow $20. Diaz asked for something in return—the kid’s knife—and he gave it to him. “If you treat people right, you can only hope they treat you right,” Diaz later concluded. “It’s as simple as it gets in this complicated world.” (To watch a touching dramatization of this encounter, go to YouTube, “Hey, You Forgot Something.”)

Fifty-year-old Wesley Autrey stood on a Bronx subway platform and watched a young man succumb to an epileptic seizure, and then fall off the platform into the path of an oncoming train. To onlookers’ astonishment, Autrey jumped onto the tracks, covered the man’s body, and pressed him into the gutter between the tracks while the train hurtled above both of them. Miraculously, when the train had passed, neither man was injured. The train’s undercarriage passed so close to Autrey’s head that he emerged with grease marks on his knit cap. People who believe they are bodies only do not jump onto subway tracks to save a stranger’s life. Only someone imbued with an awareness of his nature as an immortal spirit would effect such altruism.

The movie Starman tells of an extraterrestrial who visits Earth by cloning the body of a man who has recently died. The cosmic visitor meets the man’s widow, who, although initially petrified, proceeds to help him. Starman spends the larger part of his earthly visit fleeing from authorities attempting to capture him. Smarter than his pursuers, he eventually engineers a rendezvous with a rescue starship. Moments before he departs, he confides in a human companion, “Shall I tell you what I find beautiful about you? . . . You are at your very best when things are worst.”

Alan Cohen is the author of the new bestseller A Course in Miracles Made Easy: Mastering the Journey from Fear to Love. For more information about this program, his free daily inspirational quotes, online courses, and weekly radio show, visit alancohen.com.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 23 nest-conscious community ad-160412-3-TK.indd 1

4/12/16 4:09 PM

ANGELS ON THE ROAD

THE SHARED HEART: HEARTFULNESS By: Joyce and Barry Vissell Barry: If we only knew how many times we are rescued by divine intervention, we would completely trust this higher power. There would then be nothing to worry about – ever! Joyce and I had yet another powerful reminder of this truth – and divine miracle – last week.

In honor of both of us turning 70 in May (there’s no more denying it – we are both seniors!), we rented our favorite house in Hana, Maui, Hawaii, for eight days, and had a wonderful vacation with our three grown children, one of our children’s significant other, and our five-year-old grandson. Six weeks’ post-op from a partial knee replacement, it was a real joy for me to actually hike without pain for the first time in several years.

minutes later, the tire pressure was obviously too low to continue driving. I pulled over, and we repeated the process, hoping the “flat-fixer” might work after a second try.

No luck! I got another five minutes closer to the airport. (Note to self: never, ever, rent a car without a spare tire!)

Now we recognized we were in trouble. John-Nuri’s flight was 20 minutes earlier than ours, so we needed to reach our daughters, Rami and Mira, who were ahead of us somewhere. We finally did, and they doubled back to meet us. I had the brilliant thought to check if their car had a spare tire. It did! However, the tire iron did not fit our tire’s nuts! No luck there!

On the way back to the airport from remote Hana, we had a flat tire. No problem! Even at 70, I was confident that I could change a tire in less than 10 minutes. We had left an extra hour early just in case. I opened the trunk of the rental car, emptied out all our luggage, and lifted up the flap to expose the spare tire. There was no spare tire! Instead, there was a small 12-volt air pump, and a “flat-fixer” that somehow attached to it. Our son, John-Nuri, who was in our car, figured out how to attach the “flat-fixer.” I plugged in the pump and watched, satisfied, as the tire started to inflate.

John-Nuri squeezed into their car with his luggage, and off they went. Our children felt terrible leaving us on the side of the road.

Joyce and I understood the reality that we would very likely miss our flight home. First, we called the rental car company to see if they could help. All they could do was refer us to a taxi company, who we immediately called. They said they could come get us in three hours. Great! We were told that we could leave the rental car on the side of the road, and they would come and get it in a matter of hours.

Turning off and removing the pump, we heard the loud hiss, and realized the flat was not fixed. “Okay, everyone back in the car,” I ordered. “Let’s see how far we can travel with the leak.”

Joyce: My main discipline right now is to try to see everything as an opportunity to trust more fully in God. When the tire went flat, I was sure that somehow the angels would come down and magically fix the tire, or at the very least, allow us to get to the airport. While Barry and our son were using the pump, I put my

We were maybe 45 minutes from the airport. I started driving. Five

24 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

hands on the tire and prayed for a miracle. I visualized the tire surrounded in light. Then it became apparent that this car was not going to get us to the airport.

and closed my eyes, I distinctly heard my inner voice quietly say, “Trust Me, I have your back!” This was yet another opportunity to trust.

Barry and I pulled all of our luggage out of the car, and stood on the side of the road. We were both praying for help, and we must have looked rather pathetic, two senior citizens standing by their luggage, waving their hands and begging for help on the side of a very remote and winding road. Twenty minutes went by, and not one vehicle stopped. It was now 12:10, and our flight was at 1:20.

We were still at least 35 minutes from the airport, and knew that the airlines had a strict policy. We would not be able to check in less than 40 minutes before our flight. We got a very sinking feeling inside that the plane with our family would leave without us, and we would have to wait until the next day, with no place to stay, and no car to drive.

Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors near Santa Cruz, CA, who are widely regarded as among the world’s top experts on conscious relationship and personal growth. They are the authors of The Shared Heart, Models of Love, Risk to Be Healed, The Heart’s Wisdom, Meant to Be, and A Mother’s Final Gift.

Call 831-684-2299, or write to the Shared Heart Foundation, P.O. Box 2140, Aptos, CA 95001, for further information on counseling sessions by phone or in person, their books, recordings, or their schedule of talks and workshops. Visit their website at SharedHeart.org for their free monthly e-heartletter, their updated schedule, and inspiring past articles on many topics about relationship and living from the heart.

An old white van pulled up with two Hawaiian men. It was a son, perhaps in his 40s, and his elderly father. They listened to our sad story, and agreed to take us to the airport. The son told us he doubted we would make it in time for the flight, but the father said, “Let’s give it a try,” and off we went.

We told them how grateful we were, and the son said, “I’ve learned that all of life is meant to be lived in gratitude. Gratitude is the key to a good life.” When asked if we could pay them, the father said that the best payment would be to “pay it forward,” and help someone else.

The town of Paia, which is normally very congested with traffic, was totally clear, and we sailed right through what can take an extra half hour. The son knew of a shortcut that was just completed. He miraculously got us to the airport one minute before the 40-minute deadline. The Hawaiians told us to run, and we took off. The gate agents took our bags, and again told us to hurry as fast as we could.

We were the last people on the plane, sweating and out of breath, but we made it. Our children were thrilled and surprised! As I sat in my seat

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july...

Rest, relax, vacation THE MAGICAL WORLD OF NUMBERS Even though the month of July starts out with picnics, fireworks and parades, this seventh month of the calendar year is just the opposite energetically. Chill out, kick back, go on vacations in July should become the norm. Statistically, more people go on vacation in July than any other month of the calendar year. Somehow the soul knows it needs to rest.

Physically, one can feel moopy-doopy under this seventh calendar month influence. “And God rested on the seventh day” certainly explains the sabbatical energy of July.

As a transit in a personal chart during any given month, a Seven says slow down your life. If one does not slow down, their health can be used by the soul to just shut them down for many days with flu, colds, bodily injuries, disappointing relationships, financial woes that just need to be dealt with.

As a personality, I call this birthday Number Seven the Greta Garbo energy....”I want to be alone”! Have you ever been to a party where all are displaying physical signs of hilarity and yet there is this one individual who seems to be “somewhere else”? Appearing unemotional, aloof, quiet and reserved, one gets the distinct impression he is viewing all emotionalism as rather immature.

If you have had this experience, you just might be in the presence of a person born on the seventh, sixteenth or twenty-fifth of any given month. Don’t be misled, however. Beneath this analyzing, secretive energy breathes a sensitive and caring individual.

26 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

By: Elizabeth Summers

Frequently, the emotions of the Number Seven are so buried in its spiritual and intuitive chemistry that they may never see the “light of day”.

Finding spiritual connections in aloneness, this mystical and deep personality can drift off into philosophical dissertations that leave its listeners scratching their heads in wonderment.

The Number Seven is not one of the best financial energies so choices need to be made to keep monies in balance. The Number Seven temperament has the potential to be good in business but frequently does not follow through on its plans. On the other hand, there is a tendency to complete all projects in general.

The Number Seven is the ego Number causing an analytical and skeptical approach to life to be predominant. This then leads to a sense of perfectionism which in turn can cause difficulties in relationships. To be involved in a marriage with a Number Seven takes a special person who understands Number Seven’s need to be alone. This is not the best basis for a fifty-fifty arrangement!

The key is to unlock the bottled-up emotions that could create the rough times and once that is done and understood, Number Seven’s personality tends to be a loyal and faithful marriage partner.

Counteracting their fears and loneliness issues, Number Seven partners settle nicely into family life and greatly appreciate the affectionate gestures of loved ones. Number Seven energies tend

to express love and feelings from a spiritual base and thus seem to have difficulty returning all the “hugs and kisses” in an effusive, emotional way.

When adding the month, day and year of birth together resulting in a Seven Number, know there will be a quest to discover truth within as the hallmark of this incarnation. However, the ego and mind are extremely powerful in this individual thus causing thinking and analyzing to override the awesome intuitive and clairvoyant energy ability it possesses.

The natural urge is to intellectually know and then to obtain specifics from a technical point of view all of life’s experiences. The middle years of life from thirty to fifty-five, gently and intuitively nudges the human to develop a spiritual approach. It is this pushing by the soul that makes the personality want to be alone more. In the aloneness, the Higher Self can get through the ego and mind. Nature offers a very good support system by prompting the Number Seven to want to be in nature, around water, in the mountains or desert providing the solitude to just think.

At heart, Number Sevens love change and travel. They have a very restless nature. Their interest in far off lands often makes them extremely good writers, researchers, painters or poets. Interests also lie in computers, science or the occult. Whatever their interests, though, their own peculiar philosophy eventually creeps into their work.

Number Sevens care little about the material things of life. If they become wealthy from their ideas or methods of business they are just as likely to make donations from their wealth to charities or institutions.

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Although the Number Seven may say very little, he observes a great deal. His sense of dignity and the need for the finer things of life lead Number Seven to experience the joy of living. In an emergency situation, the Number Seven’s first response is to pray.

This deeply introspective Number Seven energy, if off course, can be interpreted as “depression”. To cover the hyper-intuitive rumblings going on within, Number Sevens may also turn to abuse of drugs and alcohol to quiet their inner selves down!

On a Sunday or Monday, the luck of Number Seven can intensify if various shades of green with white and yellow are worn.

Moonstone, “cat-eye” or pearls round off the Number seven’s lucky energy.

This quiet, introspective Number Seven personality brings to us all the gentle, spiritual vibrations that are so needed to slow us down in this fast-paced world we live in.

Number Sevens need to be a solitary figure, connecting the earth energy to all of us through it’s intuitive and clairvoyant abilities. In doing so, it would justify it’s reputation as the “Alone Ranger”.

Spiritually guiding clients since 1988, Elizabeth Summers provides practical information by combining Numerology, Astrology and Tarot interpretations in her personal readings For a private Numerology reading with Elizabeth Summers, please go here to review your choices: Website: www.elizabethsummers.com.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 27

CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY

MIDWEST PULSE CALENDAR

JULY 2016 Month YEAR

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CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY And Get 12 issues for $36 by 1st class mail

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On The Cover

Rising Phoenix

By Laura Milnor Iverson zenbreeze.com

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESD

26 27 28

3

4

5

10 11 12 • EFT - Oxford, WI • REIKI 1 - South Elgin • BHAKTI YOGA LECTURE - by HIS HOLINESS BHAKTIVEDANTA ASHRAM MAHARAJA - Chicago • PSYCHIC HOLISTIC FAIR Crystal Lake

• LEARN REFLE LEVEL #1 - Down

17 18 19 • CRYSTAL RIVER GIFTS GALA - South Elgin

24 25 26 • HYPNOTHERAPY CERTIFICATION WITH NLP – LEVEL I - Valparaiso, IN

• HYPNOTHERAPY CERTIFICATION WITH NLP – LEVEL I - Valparaiso, IN

31 1 2

FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTIO

DAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

29 30 1 2

• BI-WEEKLY MEDIUMSHIP CLASS AND DEMONSTRATION - Oswego

6

• WISH DREAM SPARKLE • GONG MEDITATION - South Elgin

EXOLOGY ners Grove

• WISH DREAM SPARKLE • UFO’S & NUCLEAR POLLUTION, CROP CIRCLES, ST. MALACHY’S PROPHECY Chicago

• WISH DREAM SPARKLE

• WISH DREAM SPARKLE

7

• ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE South Elgin

8

• ACUPRESSURE AND OTHER SERVICES WITH JR CARMANY - South Elgin • FOOT DETOX SESSION WITH JR CARMANY - South Elgin

9

• CHICAGO IANDS, SUPPORT/ STUDY/RESOURCE FORUM Evanston • INFORMATIVE CHAKRA CLEARING EVENT - FOX VALLEY HOLISTIC PROFESSIONALS Batavia

14 15 16

• ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE - South Elgin

• BI-WEEKLY MEDIUMSHIP CLASS AND DEMONSTRATION WITH AMY BIANK - Oswego

• CRYSTAL RIVER GIFTS GALA - South Elgin

21 22 23

• ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE - South Elgin • HYPNOTHERAPY CERTIFICATION WITH NLP – LEVEL I - Valparaiso, IN

• HYPNOTHERAPY CERTIFICATION WITH NLP – LEVEL I - Valparaiso, IN

• CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR CRYSTALS - South Elgin • GRIDDING - South Elgin • METAPYSICALLY FIT FEST Yorkville

28 29 30

• ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE - South Elgin

• SPIRIT FEST - Chicago

3 4 5 6 • LAMMAS GODDESS GATHERING WOMEN’S RETREAT - Sanibel Island, FL

• LAMMAS GODDESS GATHERING WOMEN’S RETREAT - Sanibel Island, FL • 12TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION THE WORLD OF FAERIES FESTIVAL - South Elgin

N OF EVENTS SEE NEXT PAGE

Midwest Pulse Calendar Friday, July 1

Wednesday, July 6

BI-WEEKLY MEDIUMSHIP CLASS AND DEMONSTRATION WITH AMY BIANK - Mediumship Class, Friday July 1st, 7-9 pm, and Friday, July 15th, 7-9pm, 83 Century Dr., Oswego, IL – Call 630554-7713 to register, by donation. www.theintuitiveangel.com

GONG MEDITATION – 7:30pm Price: $25 Gong meditations are one of the most deeply healing and restorative meditations possible, particularly because of the deep state of relaxation that is attained in response to the sound vibration. Gong meditation participants typically lie face up on a yoga mat or blanket in resting pose, or sit on a chair to experience the tremendous healing sounds and vibrations. Presenter: Andre Peraza. Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.

CrystalRiverGifts.com

Saturday, July 2 ACUPRESSURE AND OTHER SERVICES WITH JR CARMANY - 10:00am to 1:00pm Price: Varies. You may know her from the former Geneva Natural Foods store SOUP TO NUTS, but to us she is JR Healing Hands! JR has worked for years in the holistic arena. Let her hands work on your feet as she does reflexology, acupressure, or maybe a foot detox. Come and experience the healing powers of her hands. PLEASE CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.CrystalRiverGifts.com FOOT DETOX SESSION WITH JR CARMANY - 1:00pm to 4:30pm Price: $25/person (Normally $50) You may know her from the former Geneva Natural Foods store SOUP TO NUTS, but to us she is JR Healing Hands! JR has worked for years in the holistic arena. Let her work magic on your feet through an amazing foot detox. Come and experience the healing powers of her hands. A wonderful and enlightening experience to share with your friends.

PLEASE CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.

CrystalRiverGifts.com

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

Thursday, July 7 ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE Thursdays, July 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th. Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm Price: $30 per session, or $100 if all 4 sessions are pre-paid ($20 savings). Are you under stress and overworked? Do you struggle with your emotions? Have you been wondering how to exit the “rat race”? You can learn how to stop the energy leak by practicing total relaxation, and come back to yourself! Stress is self-generated, and is the byproduct of fear. Deep down, we all know this. The root cause is that we all live in the past or future in our thoughts— without consciously realizing that both are out of reach and out of our control. Negative thoughts have a destructive effect on our mind, and ultimately they manifest in the form of stress. You may know intellectually that stress can be dealt with, but do you really know of a proven technique that can help YOU? Learn Vipassana.

Gautama became Buddha (the enlightened one) with the help of

Attention Advertisers 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 20 words minimum.

Copy is due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Copy submitted after the deadline is not guaranteed to be included in the next issue. Check or credit card must accompany calendar listings.

For questions, please email: Kasia@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com or call 847-966-1110.

30 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

Vipassana. If he could, why can’t you? Sitting on the floor is not a requirement. You may sit on a chair, if need be. Comfortable clothes will be helpful. Sessions will consist of Breathing, guided meditation, and silent meditation. Participants will learn about stress and its root cause, body, mind, and energy connection, the law of karma, and the effects of stress on a cellular level. Presenter: Bharat Kalra. Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.CrystalRiverGifts.com

Tuesday, July 12

Saturday, July 9

UFO’S & NUCLEAR POLLUTION, CROP CIRCLES, ST. MALACHY’S PROPHECY in 1139 AD - Last Pope, Jesus, Maitreya, Save our Planet. All related? Free literature. Interesting discussion. Nothing to join. Garrett Wellness, 3020 N. Kimball, Chicago. FREE 6:308:30pm. Tom, 708-955-3634.

CHICAGO IANDS, SUPPORT/STUDY/RESOURCE FORUM for near-death, out-of-body, & spiritual experiences, losses. Saturday, July 9, 2016: Guest Speaker: JOANNE KOENIG-MACKO; 3x NDEr, internationally known spiritual and angel artist, coach, author, lecturer and teacher. Don’t miss it! Frank Auditorium in Evanston Hospital. 2-5 pm. Free covered parking. Suggested donation $20.

For more info: 847-251-5758 or http:www.chicagoiands.org INFORMATIVE CHAKRA CLEARING EVENT - FOX VALLEY HOLISTIC PROFESSIONALS. Approaches include Tuning Forks: Kathleen Reedy, Yoga: Charisse Crisci, Singing Bowls: Mike McGuigan & Rodrigo Duque’s Beyond the Chakras. 10-4 pm. $75.

To register call Wende @ 815 3852 3255 (lunch on your own) Location: Healing Arts Metaphysical Center 4 E Wilson Batavia, IL 60510.

LEARN REFLEXOLOGY LEVEL #1 - meets 10 weeks Tuesdays: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Register for Reflexology classes on-line: www. sohmar.com School of Holistic Massage and Reflexology Downers Grove, IL 60515 www.sohmar.com 630-968-7827.

Wednesday, July 13

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

Thursday, July 14 ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE Thursdays, July 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th. See listing for Thursday, July 7th for full details.

Friday, July 15

PSYCHIC HOLISTIC FAIR @ Enlightened Balance Chakra Spa 11am until 6pm. Doors open at 9am for Retail Shoppers, Classes and Waitlist. Event is run on a first come, first served basis. Each day of the event has different offerings. Enlightened Balance Chakra Spa 30 North Williams, Brink Street Market Suite F, Crystal Lake. www.

EnlightenedBalance.com 815-307-1180.

BI-WEEKLY MEDIUMSHIP CLASS AND DEMONSTRATION WITH AMY BIANK - Mediumship Class, Friday July 1st, 7-9 pm, and Friday, July 15th, 7-9pm, 83 Century Dr., Oswego, IL – Call 630554-7713 to register, by donation. www.theintuitiveangel.com

Saturday-Sunday, July 9-10

CRYSTAL RIVER GIFTS GALA – Saturday July 16th - 10:00am – 5:00pm Sunday July 17th – 12:00pm – 5:00pm RoseWolf – Psychic and Physical Medium Daved Beck – Psychic Medium Ken Bentley – Intuitive Psychic Reader Stacy Chandler – Psychic Medium Bharat Kalra – Chakra Reader, Reiki Master Pearl Tabbert - Akashic Record Consultant Orion – Classic Lenormand Card Reader Roxanne Bjorklund – Tarot Card Reader and Reiki Practitioner (Saturday Only) Fran Verzosa – Psychic Palm Reader (Saturday Only). Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-5358708. www.CrystalRiverGifts.com

EFT Oxford, Wisconsin. Tom Masbaum, 708-955-3634, www.EFTTom.com REIKI 1 – 10:00am to 2:00pm Price: $200 Pre-registration and $100 deposit are required ($100 deposit may be used for an alternate class presented by Bharat Kalra if student is unable to attend original class.) Learn how to heal yourself, your family and friends with reiki energy. After completing level one reiki you will know how to: heal yourself, help your family and friends, manifest goals, and use reiki as a preventative tool. Pre-registration is required. Contact Crystal River Gifts. Presenter: Bharat Kalra, Reiki Master and Instructor. Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.CrystalRiverGifts.com

Sunday, July 10 BHAKTI YOGA LECTURE - His Holiness Bhaktivedanta Ashram Maharaja provides a Bhakti Yoga lecture and Kirtana at AfriCaribe Cultural Center, 2547 W. Division St., Chicago. 3:00 pm-6:00 pm.

PSYCHIC HOLISTIC FAIR @ Enlightened Balance Chakra Spa -11am until 4pm. Doors open at 9am for Retail Shoppers, Classes and Waitlist. Event is run on a first come, first served basis. Each day of the event has different offerings. Enlightened Balance Chakra Spa 30 North Williams, Brink Street Market Suite F, Crystal Lake. www.EnlightenedBalance.com 815-307-1180.

Saturday-Sunday, July 16-17

Wednesday, July 20 WISH DREAM SPARKLE, Internet Radio Show – 7 pm CST – www.247thestream.com

Thursday, July 21 ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE Thursdays, July 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th. See listing for Thursday, July 7th for full details.

Thursday-Monday, July 21-25 HYPNOTHERAPY CERTIFICATION WITH NLP – LEVEL I Do you love helping people? Can you imagine a career that utilizes the most powerful vehicles for change in existence? Are you a healer, yoga instructor or a massage therapist wanting to add highly advanced and effective tools to your toolbox? With Hypnosis

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 31

and NLP training your clients can heal rapidly, reduce stress, build confidence, resolve childhood issues and remove barriers to success. Certified Instructor Randi Light, MS, CHt is a Master Facilitator, Transformation Specialist, Mental Trainer and Healer, 219-929-8726 9:00-5:00 CST $999 Valparaiso Women’s Alliance, Valparaiso, IN. www.RandiLight.org RandiLight@gmail.com

Saturday, July 23 CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR CRYSTALS - Noon to 2:00pm. Price: $25 for each Jody Evans class on Saturday, or join both Care and Maintenance of your Crystals & Gridding for $45.

Did you know that some crystals really don’t like water, some will fracture if placed in salt, and others will fade in the sun? Find out in our latest class offering. We will explore topics such as: crystal id, distinguishing characteristics of common crystals, cleansing, maintenance, and uses. We will also discuss programming Quartz crystals, and why you would want to. Participants are encouraged to bring in crystals for programming and/or identification.

Presenter: Jody Evans. Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.CrystalRiverGifts.com GRIDDING – 2:15pm – 4:15pm Price: $25 for each Jody Evans class on Saturday, or join both Care and Maintenance of your Crystals & Gridding for $45. Ever wonder what a crystal grid is, and why you would want to create one? From the basic grid for manifesting love, to the more intricate medicine wheel. Join us for our latest class where we will explore the various techniques of gridding with crystals. Presenter: Jody Evans. Crystal River Gifts 310 N LaFox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.

CrystalRiverGifts.com METAPYSICALLY FIT FEST -12pm - 8pm, Bicentennial Riverfront Park, Yorkville, IL. Yoga all day. Riverfront Workshops. Gong wash, crystals, handmade/unique items. Musical Line Up: 4 pm The 7th Sons; 5 pm Indika Reggae Band; 6:30 pm The Giving Tree Band. www.metaphysicallyfitfest.com 630-881-1095.

Wednesday, July 27 WISH DREAM SPARKLE, Internet Radio Show – 7 pm CST – www.247thestream.com

Thursday, July 28 ADVANCED MEDITATION FOUR (4) SESSION PACKAGE Thursdays, July 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th. See listing for Thursday, July 7th for full details.

Saturday, July 30 SPIRIT FEST - Join us for Spirit Fest, 12-5 pm at Church of the Spirit, 2651 N. Central Park, Chicago. Readings with Mediums ($2/ minute), refreshments, raffles, prizes. Info: 772-489-5422

Friday-Sunday, August 5-7 LAMMAS GODDESS GATHERING WOMEN’S RETREAT Aug 5-7 2016 on Sanibel Island, Florida with Dolores J Gozzi 239-8266960 - www.naturescycles.com Celebrate the Cycle of Life and Rebirth at Lammas.

32 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

Saturday-Sunday, August 6-7 12TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION THE WORLD OF FAERIES FESTIVAL. Saturday, August 6th and 7th. Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Admission: (Cash only!) $11.00 each general admission $8.00 each senior (65 and up) at gate only. Children 12 and under are free admission. More information you can get on the website www.theworldoffaeries. com or by phone 815-788-1630. Location: Vasa Park, 35 W 217 Route 31, South Elgin, IL 60177. Free Parking.

Saturday-Thursday, August 27 - September 1 THE 21 STAGES OF MEDITATION - Six days of deep meditation. Take 2 or all 6 days! Appropriate for meditators of all traditions. Kundalini Yoga in the Loop, 312-922-4699, www.

ShaktaKaur.com

Friday-Sunday, September 9-11 WAHE GURU FEST KUNDALINI WEEKEND at Stonehouse Farm, Earlville, Illinois. Kriya, Meditation, Music, Ecstatic Dance, Morning Sadhana, Sound Healing, Gongs. Saturday $150. All Weekend Pass $250 adv. 312-922-4699, www.ShaktaKaur.com

Friday-Sunday, September 16-18 OSHO RETREAT – come experience powerful active meditation techniques of OSHO - an enlightened mystic accompanied by the live music of Milarepa and One Sky Band - an international group of musicians. Allow the mysteries to unfold thru singing, dancing, meditation and celebration. www.oshochicago.org

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

WISE WOMEN GATHERING strengthening intuitive wisdom, authentic greatness, self-esteem by sharing our life’s journey in supporting, inspiring atmosphere. Not a therapy group but therapeutic in nature for the feminine spirit. Tuesdays 7:00p-8:30p wwwomenswisdom@aol.com Des Plaines (847) 258 7225 website: www.womenswisdom.org CRYSTAL RIVER GIFTS offers an eclectic assortment of books, meditation CD’s, essential oils, jewelry, crystals and much more.

The services that we provide include astrology sessions, tarot readings, psychic readings, pet readings, reiki, and reflexology.

Address:310 N. La Fox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-5358708. www.crystalrivergifts.com

Crystal River Gifts July Schedule ACUPRESSURE Sat. July 2nd, 10:00am to 1:00pm Price: Varies You may know her from the former Geneva Natural Foods store SOUP TO NUTS, but to us she is JR Healing hands! JR has worked for years in the holistic arena. Let her hands work on your feet as she does reflexology, acupressure, or maybe a foot detox. Come and experience the healing powers of her hands.

PLEASE CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. Presenter: JR Carmany

FOOT DETOX SESSION Sat. July 2nd, 1:00pm to 4:30pm Price: $25/person (Normally $50) JR can accommodate 5 people in the same session so bring a friend!You may know her from the former Geneva Natural Foods store SOUP TO NUTS, but to us she is JR Healing hands! JR has worked for years in the holistic arena. Let her work magic on your feet through an amazing foot detox. Come and experience the healing powers of her hands.

PLEASE CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. Presenter: JR Carmany

GONG MEDITATION Thur. July 6th – 7:30pm Price: $25 Gong meditations are one of the most deeply healing and restorative meditations possible, particularly because of the deep state of relaxation that is attained in response to the sound vibration. Gong meditation participants typically lie face up on a yoga mat or blanket in resting pose, or sit in a chair to experience the tremendous healing sounds and vibrations.

Presenter: Andre Peraza

Intuitive Gala SAT. JULY 16TH & SUN. JULY 17TH SEE PAGE 54 FOR DETAILS

ADVANCED MEDITATION

Four (4) Session Package Thursdays, July 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Price: $30 per session, or $100 if all 4 sessions are pre-paid ($20 savings) Sessions will consist of Breathing, guided meditation, and silent meditation.

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

Presenter: Bharat Kalra

REIKI 1

Sat. July 9th & Sun. July 10th– 10:00am to 2:00pm Price: $200 Pre­registration and $100 deposit are required ($100 deposit may be used for alternate class presented by Bharat Kalra if student is unable to attend original class.)

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

CARE & MAINTENANCE OF YOUR CRYSTALS Sat. July 23rd – Noon to 2:00pm

Did you know that some crystals really don’t like water, some will fracture if placed in salt, and others will fade in the sun? Find out in our latest class offering. We will explore topics such as: crystal id, distinguishing characteristics of common crystals, cleansing, maintenance, and uses.. Participants are encouraged to bring in crystals for programming and/or identification.

Presenter: Jody Evans Price: $25 for each Jody Evans class on Saturday, or join both Care and Maintenance of your Crystals & Gridding for $45.

GRIDDING

Sat. July 23rd – 2:15pm – 4:15pm

Ever wonder what a crystal grid is, and why you would want to create one? From the basic grid for manifesting love, to the more intricate medicine wheel. Join us for our latest class where we will explore the various techniques of gridding with crystals.

Presenter: Jody Evans

CRYSTALRIVERGIFTS.COM

Lightworkers Classified Directory

ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR

BOOKS & METAPHYSICAL STORES

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

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

ChristineGoldman.com

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

224-535-8708. www.crystalrivergifts.com.

JOURNEY TO WHOLENESS CENTER offers Yoga, Dance, Workshops, Massage, Life Coaches, Counselors, Intuitive Readers and a Bookstore. Call or visit us: 9501 S. New England Ave, Oak Lawn IL 60453. 708-6343664. www.journeytowholeness.org

AROMATHERAPY ESCENTIALS AROMACERTIFIED AROMATHERAPIST, Sarah Ingram, Makes Aromatherapy Easy!

Expertly-blended, ready to use natural remedies made with organic/ wild-crafted essential oils. Custom blends encouraged, retail opportunities available. www.eSCENTialsAroma.com

BOOKS & METAPHYSICAL STORES CRYSTAL EARTH ROCK SHOP 1125J S. Main St., Lombard, IL. 60148 630-785-3308. www. crystalearthrockshop.com.

STYX AND STONZ, 1758 W. Algonquin Rd. Hoffman Estates, IL 60192.

847-358-9975. www. styxstonz.com

TAI CHI AND QIGONG. Realize the many health benefits. Easy to learn exercises. Non-ambulatory/ special needs my specialty.

Be calm. Serene. Peace.

Spiritual. Feel Better. Way Better. Call Dr. Dave. 773-769-3588. Leave Message.

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

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, please

LIGHTWORKERS CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY

The Lightworkers Classified Directory provides listings of a wide variety of practitioners, products, and services available to our readers.

Lightworkers listings are $1.00 per word with 20 words minimum. Copy may be submitted by email or regular mail. Check or credit card information must accompany your insertion unless you are submitting it by email. In that case, please call with your credit card information to finalize your listing.

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

34 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

go to our website at www.

SpiritualLearningCenter.com or call 312786-0077. Location information: Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Details available when registering. Call 312-7860077, or send an email requesting the Burr Ridge address to SpiritualLearningCenter@ gmail.com.

EXPOS AND FAIRS

INTUITIVE READER

BODY MIND SPIRIT EXPO. August 20 & 21 in Skokie, IL. Eight shows in six different states! For more information about upcoming expos, please visit our website www.bmse.net.

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

ENERGY HEALING JENNIFER RUBIO GRAND MASTER OF BELVASPATA HEALING, Yoga of Illumination Instructor, Runes Master, and Spiritual Coach.

Release distortion of disease, belief systems and programs of pain, anger, fear & guilt. Let go of your story and rewrite your script. See the underlying perfection in all! Group or Private Sessions: 708-228-0141.

INTUITIVE GALA at Crystal River Gifts in South Elgin!

Sat. July 16th 10-5pm & Sun. July 17th 12-5pm.

Check out our astrologers, tarot readers, psychic readers, pet readings reflexology and much more! Address: 310 N. La Fox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177. 224-535-8708. www.crystalrivergifts.com

HYPNOSIS FOR HEALING NAN ACTIPES, Certified Master Practitioner of Yuen Method, Balances Body, Mind and Spirit on 6 levels.

For Information Call: 312-802-6244.

RECONNECTIVE HEALING AND THE RECONNECTION. Receive the healing the Universe has planned for you. Just 1-3 sessions and your healing unfolds. Northwest suburb just off I-90. Visit www.ReconnectiveChicago.com.

Call Mimi at 224-388-4494.

EXPOS AND FAIRS 12th ANNUAL WORLD OF FAERIES FESTIVAL. “Season of the Fae.” August 6th & 7th. www. theworldoffaeries.com.

Admission: $11 each general admission, and you get $1 OFF if you register ahead of time. Children 12 and under are free. Location: Vasa Park 35 W 217 Route 31, South Elgin, IL. 60177 For more information call 815-788-1630.

RANDI LIGHT, MS, CHT, IS AN AUTHOR, MASTER HEALER, and Transformation Specialist.

The Essential 4 Protocol, Randi’s proprietary system of 4 private sessions, makes it easy for you to heal your history, build confidence, reduce stress, become resourceful and forgive yourself and others. Randi has over a 90% success rate with thousands of people for insomnia, pain relief and removing negative feelings of fear, anxiety and depression, taking off weight and feeling great in Northwest Indiana and Skype. www.RandiLight.org RandiLight@ gmail.com 219-929-8726.

INTUITIVE HEALTH & SUCCESS ADVISOR SUSAN CURRY (INTERIORWERX) - Expand health and happiness by raising your vibration to its highest potential.

InteriorWerx clears emotional energetic abnormalities at the root of dis-ease, anxiety, pain, sadness, allergies, recurring physical injury... This natural modality provides optimum health for body and mind with proven results. Free 15-minute consultation (schedule at www.

InteriorWerx.us). 312-479-7893.

MEDICAL INTUITIVE READINGS CAROL SWANSON, M.A., RMT, Adv-CHT Energy Medicine and Wellness Specialist 25+ yrs. experience / Proven Results! Reclaim your health NOW!! Serving Humans and the Pets they love www.carol-swanson.com carol. swanson@att.net Office: 608-741-2083 Cell: 608-359-4720.

MEDICAL INTUITIVE PHONE READINGS WITH DR. LARRY MARTIN! Regain Your Health where other healing methods have failed! “Dr. Larry” has 35 years’ experience as a Medical Intuitive, Holistic Health Counselor, Naturopath, Nutritional Consultant, and Retired Chiropractor. www.nutraorgana.com support@nutraorgana.com. 888-490-5464.

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PSYCHIC TAROT LOVE AND LIGHT TAROT. I offer personal readings, love compatibility reports, and free monthly Tarotscopes on YouTube. I reveal outcomes, the true motives of others, spiritual advice, and guide you to inner peace through the laws of attraction and manifestation. www.loveandlighttarot.com Contact me at: loveandlighttarot444@gmail.com.

SCHOOLS & LEARNING CENTERS

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 at 847-966-1110 or see www.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com for advertising information. 120, 000 readers, 40,000 copies distributed in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. Reach your potential with Conscious Community magazine.

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Conscious Community online includes our print edition plus links to past issues.

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, please go to our website at www.SpiritualLearning Center.com or call 312-786-0077. Location information: Spiritual Learning Center, Burr Ridge. Details available when registering.

Call 312-786-0077, or send an email requesting the Burr Ridge address to SpiritualLearningCenter@gmail.com.

HELP WANTED – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! ARE YOU A MOVER AND A SHAKER? Are you an organized self-starter? Do you have a desire to help out, but you are not sure where your skills will be best suited?

The Conscious Community family is looking for assistance in the following areas: Administration, Social Media, Event Scheduling, Event Sponsorship, National Calendar Coordinator, IT Expertise, Conference Coordinator, or Copy editor.

Whether you can give 1 hour a month or 10 hours a month, we would love to have you join our team. Please contact Kasia at Kasia@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com or call us at 847-966-1110.

36 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

HYPNOSIS & NEUROLINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING (NLP) ADVANCED HYPNOTISM by an award-winning, Board Certified Diplomate of the National Guild of Hypnotists. Specializing in difficult cases, including supportive medical hypnosis. Get our Free Report to learn more. www.CSGiles.org, or call 630-668-1141.

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Sacred Acoustics: A Doorway to the Infinite

CYBERWEAVE SPIRITUALITY AND THE INTERNET

It was an email from the Chicago chapter of the Institute of Noetic Sciences (chicagoions.org) that alerted me to the Sacred Sound Meditation workshop at the Theosophical Society in Wheaton (theosophical.org) on June 11, 2016. Two things kindled in me a desire to go: the presenters, Eben Alexander, MD and Karen Newell, and the fact that I already regularly incorporate binaural beat-type sounds into my meditation practice.

Ever since I heard one of his first public lectures at the 2011 International Association for Near-Death Studies Conference, I have viewed Eben Alexander as a mentor and guide in the scientific understanding of consciousness and near-death experiences. I wrote about his experiences in my February and March 2012 CyberWeave columns, and over the years, I have often referred to Eben’s work and insights, although I had never gotten into a deep understanding and practice of this Sacred Acoustics sound modality.

Ah! Here was my chance. I attended the workshop; or playshop as Eben likes to call it, with at least 100 other spiritual sound seekers.

We were not disappointed. The day-long playshop was chock full of pertinent information, and in-depth practice. Here are just a few of the highlights: Eben, of course, did an overview of his deep NDE, which was precipitated on November 10, 2008 by bacterial meningitis-encephalitis.

You can read all about it; and I’m sure many of you already have; in his bestselling books, Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife, and The Map of Heaven: How Science, Religion, and

38 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

By: Mary Montgomery

Ordinary People Are Proving the Afterlife. The key for Sacred Acoustics is the role of sound in Eben’s NDE. As Eben traveled to the higher realms, it was the vibrations of the Angelic choirs that allowed him to ascend.

That knowledge led Eben to explore brainwave entrainment technology as a means to revisit the realms he encountered during his NDE. In 2011, Eben met Karen Newell and Kevin Kossi, co-founders of Sacred Acoustics, and the partnership to bring this technology to the world was born.

There is a lot to say about the technology, and why it works. You can find out about that at sacredacoustics.com. Let me instead touch upon the sacred acoustic meditations and our reactions to them.

Here are the insights from the Heart Center/Ground and Expand meditation:

“I feel like an instrument that was strummed so hard that the vibration is still shaking me. It was phenomenal… I almost want to cry…”

Karen’s comments: “The crying thing is not unusual. We’re focusing on the heart. We’re activating the heart…Crying is an excellent way to release those traumas…Any time the sensation of crying comes up, my recommendation is CRY! When you resist it you’re putting it back in.”

“…It was so extremely intense and after a while I didn’t feel my heart at all… It was all vibration, spirit.”

Karen: That’s another common thing [losing sensation of your

Master’s Degree in Religious Studies from Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS). She has completed the coursework in doctoral studies with a focus on Altruism and Unconditional Love. Contact her via email at MMontgomery@SpiritualTravelerGuides.com. Please use Cyberweave in the subject line. You can also visit her new blog, SpiritualTravelerGuides.com.

physical body in some fashion]. It’s putting the body profoundly to sleep, but the mind is still awake. It’s finding that balance…”

“…At times I was the vibration, then I was the observer and would observe these other thoughts like the chattering mind that was way far away and I didn’t feel the emotion of it…” (sic) Karen: “It is the observer that notices the thoughts. That’s your consciousness… And when you can notice yourself noticing—that’s the key…The observer is very neutral. What you’re observing is not neutral…”

“My wife passed away in 2015… I reached her, and we had a conversation.”

Karen: “That is also not unusual and can happen very unexpectedly.”

“It was a joyful experience…it’s about a loving connection…and also to connect with knowledge, with wisdom…”

Karen: “You can also tap into that wisdom. Really, everything that’s happened here on earth—inventions, spiritual texts, everything—is channeled material.”

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“…I found that I would almost be going through a tunnel type process and then I would pull myself back…

Then I’d flow again… Then I finally let go…”

Karen: “…you felt that push and pull and eventually let yourself go… And truly letting go almost involves not caring any more…

Then, lo and behold there it is!

My Advice: Check out the Sacred Acoustics CDs at sacredacoustics.com. I purchased some of them at the workshop, and have already had some amazing experiences as I listen and meditate. I bet you will too!

Mary Montgomery’s company, Montgomery Media Enterprises, specializes in public relations, writing projects, and social media development, especially in the non-profit sector. Ms. Montgomery has a

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 39

Take your business to another level with a personal business coach!

Interview with Jeff Vekony GET TO KNOW OUR ADVERTISERS By: Anna J. Anthony

Anna J Anthony: Jeff, I am so fortunate to have heard you speak last month at a local networking event! I was immediately inspired by your authenticity, as well as your passion for helping businesses and individuals increase their business in all areas.

Tell us a little more about your background before starting your business coaching endeavor, as well as how did this all come about?

Jeff Vekony: I had a 30-year technical sales career. My background is in electrical engineering. I received my MBA from the University of Chicago. I had always been interested in management consulting, as I held many management positions leading sales teams in my career. What I loved about selling was solving people’s problems. After 30 years in that business, I decided that I was ready to do my own thing, and start my own business. I wanted to do something consulting-related to leverage my background. I was serving on a board, and my position allowed me to work with small businesses and owners, which I really enjoyed. I then came across FocalPoint, and really

40 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

liked their system. It is a franchise, and I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel.

AA: What are some examples of types of businesses and individuals that you are currently coaching?

JV: I have a variety of clients. Some examples would be chiropractors, custom home builders, small restaurant owners, sales professionals, and distribution companies, just to name a few. I especially enjoy working with “newer” businesses which can include businesses that have been open up to six years.

I teach a clarity module that covers topics such as knowing your competition, knowing your clients, as well as what key productive indicators businesses should be tracking.

AA: When a business is just starting out or just making it, deciding to invest funds in a coach or a consultant can be a challenging decision. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs in that situation?

JV: The key is accountability. Many of these concepts aren’t rocket science, while at the same time some of the ideas are very unique. Many business owners tend to become stagnant. It is unlikely that they will truly push themselves out of their comfort zones, to achieve what they need to grow their business to the next level. Coaching does that for them. They need a sounding board, and someone to hold them accountable to the action plans that have been created. It must also be looked at as an investment, not a cost. FocalPoint has been around for 15 years.

Many of the current coaches have been here from day one. They report that their results have been five to ten times return on investment (ROI). A perfect example would be one of my very first clients who was in the distribution business. We worked together on marketing his product differently, to reach a wider audience. He had thought of many of these ideas himself, yet just needed someone to push him toward his goal and hold him accountable. His ROI ended up being 200 times!

have any best practices to share with our readers when it comes to setting goals?

JV: Write down your goals! At FocalPoint we have what is called the “10 Goal Method.” This encourages individuals to write down 10 goals for the next day, before going to bed. They can be different daily. Over time you will go back, and reread your goals from two or three months ago, and realize that there are similarities. This will also ingrain your goals into your subconscious.

I highly suggest reading Brian Tracy’s book Goals!: How to Get Everything You Want -- Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible. It is really great!

AA: What values and behaviors have made you personally successful?

Jeff Vekony is a Certified FocalPoint Business Coach focused on helping business owners and executives improve their businesses, their careers, and their lives. Contact Jeff at 630208-7270, jvekony@focalpointcoaching.com, or on the web at jeffvekony.com.

JV: Diligence, hard work, integrity, tenacity, having credibility. In my sales career I had to be very thick-skinned. It’s about being able to receive no as an answer, yet continuing to go back and try again. Alignment is very important; if your goals are not aligned with your core values, you will not be successful.

Anna J. Anthony is the Advertising Coordinator for Conscious Community Magazine. She is passionate about collaborating with and promoting local artisans, Lightworkers, and conscious business owners. In her free time, Anna studies the art of tarot, the paranormal, and is curious about various forms of consciousness, and spreading light and magic to others.

AA: What advice would you give to the individual who has an idea for a business, but is still working for someone else and just hasn’t taken that leap yet?

JV: You have to be mentally prepared. I had an idea to start my own business six to seven years ago, but wasn’t mentally prepared yet to do it. Having the mental fortitude is very important! You must take a leap of faith, and you also must stick with it! It is very common for people to quit six months to a year into their new business, because it isn’t producing what they imagined. Most businesses take two to four years to really take off.

AA: What does the first step of your coaching program look like?

JV: In the beginning, many people aren’t sure if they can afford services, and some aren’t even sure if they understand what business coaching is, and if it will benefit them. I offer a free strategic business review that is comprised of 15 questions that identify six to eight areas that need focus. We then sit down for on average one-and-a-half hours to discuss the findings. Most people leave this free session with ideas they can implement immediately to drive results.

AA: Do you also offer group sessions?

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ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 41

COOKING UP SUMMER GOODNESS By: Sue Odland

As thoughts of lazy days at the beach and picnics under shady trees fill gardeners’ heads, how can they take a needed rest with the abundance of berries and herbs appearing in gardens, at farm stands and in local markets? Can summer sloth and blue ribbon goodness truly coexist?

Preserving excess organic strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and other sweet berry miracles can be intimidating for new gardeners and cooks. Many recipes call for large, labor intensive batches of heavily sugared preparations that all but obliterate the delicate flavors and natural sweetness of the actual berries.

Smart gardeners know that simple quick, small batch preparation of home-grown produce is the healthiest and most effortless way to enjoy nature’s bounty.

Deep Freeze -

Quick Cook -

Rinse berries in cool water, let them dry in a strainer or on a towel.

(Any type of berry will work. For strawberries – remove hulls/stems and slice) Lay wax paper on a cookie sheet, then lay berries on wax paper.

Place cookie sheet in freezer. Remove 2-3 hours later, or when berries are frozen.

Place frozen berries in baggies or storage containers.

Return to freezer for later use.

This method keeps berries loose and easy to remove for recipes, whether a handful or a cupful is needed.

Quick Cooked Sugar-Free Strawberry Topping for One

Add handfuls of frozen berries to your morning smoothies, pancakes or baking recipes with this simple freezing method.

Experiment with any of the following ideas when facing a fruit surplus. All options are low or no sugar and can easily be made gluten free, dairy free or vegan:

42 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

This creation resembles a thin jam. It’s a perfect addition for toast, almond butter sandwiches, scones, pancakes, crepes and more.

Place 4-5 strawberries - washed with hulls/stems removed, sliced or chopped into a small saucepan.

Cover with enough water to moisten berries. Berries should not be swimming.

Bring to boil for 5 seconds, then simmer for 1-2 minutes.

As berries simmer, stir and mash fruit with back of spoon, (wooden works best).

Remove from heat when mixture resembles a thin jam. Serve.

This recipe can be used with almost any berry or fruit. Create your own signature combinations such as Strawberry -Raspberry, Blackberry-MulberryBlueberry or Cinnamon Apple Plum.

Refrigerator and Freezer Jams -

Once you develop a taste for home-made jam, you may want to keep your favorite combinations like strawberry jalapeno or blackberry basil in stock.

Refrigerator and freezer jams are simple and convenient ways to preserve a single jar or small batch of jam without the heavy labor required by traditional preserving methods, such as a hot water canning bath or pressure canning. In the majority of refrigerator jam recipes, the fruit is cooked before refrigerating, whereas freezer jams utilize a no-cook, mix and freeze method. Either method produces fast jam that will last 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator after opening.

For simple, low sugar refrigerator and freezer jam recipes, visit Pomona’s Universal Pectin www. pomonapectin.com. This company makes an excellent vegan, gluten free, gmo free pectin (an ingredient that helps jams to gel), and includes recipes and instructions online and in every box. It can be purchased on-line or at local health food stores.

For those ready to dive into traditional canning and preserving techniques, refer to the Ball Blue Book of Preserving or Rodale’s Preserving Summer’s Bounty. Both are informative, easy-to-follow resources for new and seasoned cooks alike.

The Dish -

Pies and crumbles are delicious options for excess berries. Pie fillings, which are simple to make, can be used immediately or frozen for future pie cravings. The following recipes are two personal favorites.

Anytime Summer Berry Pie

Filling: 4 cups - fresh or frozen (blueberry, mulberry, blackberry, etc.- mixed variety or one type only) ½ - ¾ cup honey, organic sugar or sugar substitute (when using sweeter berries, sweetener can be eliminated) 2 tablespoons cornstarch Pinch of salt 1 prepared pie shell with 2 shells – regular or gluten free Preheat oven to 400°.

Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in berries, let sit for 2 minutes.

Pour into prepared pie shell.

Cover with remaining pie shell – crimp and seal edges of pie shells together using fingers or fork.

Make a few small holes with a fork in the top shell to allow steam to escape.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden.

Optional: Cover edges with aluminum foil to prevent over browning.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble

Filling: 2 cups strawberries – stems/ hulls removed, sliced or chopped into small pieces 2 cups rhubarb cut into ¼ inch pieces ¾ cup honey, organic sugar or sugar substitute (reduce sweetener to ½ cup for a more tart flavor) ¼ cup flour (regular or gluten free) ½ teaspoon cinnamon Topping: ½ cup melted butter or butter substitute - melted 1 cup flour (regular or gluten free) ½ cup rolled oats ¼ cup honey, organic sugar or sugar substitute Preheat oven to 375°.

Filling - Combine rhubarb and sugar in a bowl. Set bowl aside for 2 minutes.

Mix in strawberries, flour and cinnamon.

Place in a greased 8x10 baking dish.

Topping - In another bowl, combine all topping ingredients and sprinkle over strawberry/rhubarb mixture in baking dish. Bake for 35 minutes.

Serve with a warm scoop of vanilla ice cream or non-dairy frozen substitute.

Tea Time

Along with their abundance of fruit, gardeners often find themselves wondering what to do with prolific growing herbal plants. Teas made fresh from garden herbs are a wonderful complement to fruit creations.

Basic herb gardens are an endless source of ingredients for refreshing and healing teas. These liquid pots of gold contain vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, enzymes, chlorophyll and numerous other compounds for increased health and wellness.

Familiar herb and flower choices for tea include: mint leaves, lemon balm leaves, dandelion leaves and blossoms, rose petals and leaves, nasturtium flowers and leaves, lavender blossoms and leaves, raspberry or blackberry leaves, basil, oregano and sage.

To make a garden tea:

Place a handful of leaves or blossoms into a clean tea pot.

Pour boiling water over your choice. Let mixture steep for 2-3 minutes, strain then serve.

More water can be added later to the same herbal mixture for a second round of tea.

For a single serving, the method is the same, simply reduce the amount of herbs to fit into a cup, cover, steep, strain, serve.

Simple cooking with fresh garden fare is quick, easy and rewarding. Explore these delicious ways to multiply the goodness of your garden.

Make sure to include them in your relaxing day at the beach.

Sue Odland is a free lance writer and Midwestern gardener, who enjoys a good day at the beach.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 43

Conscious Community FREE COPY locations

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Want to know where else you can pick up a copy of Conscious Community?

Find a location near you by going to http://ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com/magazine-store-locator

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ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 45

JULY 2016

COSMIC DAILY WEATHER WE END THE MONTH COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS, AND BEING THANKFUL FOR THE THINGS THAT WE DIDN’T DO, SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT WE DO THE THINGS THAT WE SHOULD DO.

Overview The larger planets are retrograde this month, so we can expect some external changes. With that said, the expansive energy of Jupiter in Virgo allows us to adapt to these changes with a little more finesse and grace. The New Moon on July 4th gives us a glimpse of our hidden talents. The Full Moon seems to come in pairs this month. No, there isn’t a Blue Moon taking place, but we might feel that there is. The actual Full Moon takes place on July 19th in Capricorn, and that event has us releasing any destabilizing energy. The bonus Full Moon feeling takes place July 24th, when the Moon and Chiron, the wounded healer, collide, or better yet run into one another’s arms.

This day is an astrological doozy. We end the month counting our blessings, and being thankful for the things that we didn’t do, so that we can ensure that we do the things that we should do.

** Please see the end of the month for information about the Moon Void of Course (VoC). **

46 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

Friday, July 1

Thursday, July 7

Today things seem to naturally fall into place. The obstacles that seemed to stand in the way are no longer relevant. You figured out a way to leap over them like they were pebbles in the sand. Jupiter is hanging close with the North Node, and together they are expanding your thought processes, and are allowing you to see the way towards a brighter outlook, that is going to change you in profound ways. The Moon Void of Course ends at 6:45 AM in Gemini.

If you have doubts about your ability to change your circumstances, then don’t. Even if others try to plant seeds that do not need to grow, then do yourself a favor, and do not nurture those seeds. They will only lead to weeds, and you don’t need any weeds in your garden. You only need flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Moon VoC 7:08 AM until 5:42 PM in Virgo.

Saturday, July 2 There is a four-way conversation occurring between Retrograde Saturn, Retrograde Neptune, Jupiter, and the Moon.

Saturn in Sagittarius wants you to rebuild from a place of understanding, and wants you to be ready rather than to act ready. It never hurts to take one more look at the playbook just to make sure that you’re taking care of the right things.

You know what went wrong, and you know how to fix it. Get up and just do it. Moon VoC 10:44 PM until tomorrow.

Sunday, July 3 The Moon joins up with Mercury, the Sun, and Venus to oppose a retrograde Pluto in Capricorn. If you feel like change is in the air, you’d be right. Whatever that change might be, it could very well be a blessing in disguise, so make sure that you don’t freak out. Moon VoC ends at 8:21 AM in Cancer.

Monday, July 4 There is a New Moon in Cancer at 6:03 AM. Mercury, Venus, the Sun, and the Moon trine a retrograde Neptune, allowing you to see where you need to make room for your naturally hidden talents, so make today a day of rediscovery.

Friday, July 8 Whoa, whoa, whoa, what have you learned about taking other people’s advice? If the information comes from someone you trust that’s one thing, yet if it comes from an untrustworthy source, then you just have to let it go in one ear, and out the other. Sometimes you have to understand others’ motivations before you incorporate them into your own circumstances.

Saturday, July 9 The Moon, Jupiter, and the North Node are gathered up today, having a conversation with the Sun, Mercury, and Venus. With a little extra effort on your part, you can get things going. Uranus is daring you to act differently, by throwing a few unexpected events your way. Sometimes you have to be unconventional in your approach; just don’t be reckless. Moon VoC 10:29 PM until tomorrow.

Sunday, July 10 When Uranus, the planet of chaos and motivation knocks on your door, you’re not always sure if you want to answer it. If it’s chaos, my suggestion is to not nurture it. If it’s Uranus, the innovator, feel free to let him in. Know the difference. Moon VoC ends at 3:33 AM in Libra.

Tuesday, July 5

Monday, July 11

The New Moon gave you some insight into what is needed to start anew. The momentum continues today as the skies are favorable, allowing you to push forward so that you can continue to nurture your passions. The Moon’s extended stay in Cancer has been quite beneficial, and as it makes its way into Leo, you’ll experience a fiery willpower that will take you far. Moon VoC 1:31 AM until 11:29 PM in Leo.

Today could be a day when you let your wounds be your guide. No one likes to take a walk down heartbreak lane; it’s just uncomfortable. With that said, if you utilize Chiron as your teacher, you’ll be able to know why certain events took place, and how they have led you to the place that you are now. Remember, you are in a better place, because you are emotionally free.

Wednesday, July 6 Today you have the strength and the knowhow to build and to be creative. The opposition of retrograde Neptune to Jupiter is only there to make sure you keep in mind the things that haven’t worked in the past. Just remain focused on the goal, and try not to let outside distractions trip you up.

Tuesday, July 12 The Moon starts off the day opposing Uranus. When the cardinal signs get involved, it’s like a meeting of the heads of state where everyone has their own agenda. Do not sacrifice your emotional well-being because others are going bananas. Stay balanced and maintain equilibrium. VoC 10:02 AM until 3:53 PM in Scorpio.

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Wednesday, July 13 Yesterday’s events could have you a little emotional, especially because the Moon is hanging out in Scorpio. The urge to express to someone “how the cow ate the cabbage” might be strong right now. It is probably not worth it, because it will only trip you up; some things are better left unsaid.

(Editor’s note: I have never heard this saying, and here is one explanation: “To tell someone how the cow ate the cabbage” means to tell the person the unvarnished truth, even if the person would rather not hear it. It can also mean to state one’s opinion forcefully, or to “tell someone off” (“The mechanic had been jerking me around for weeks, promising that every new repair would fix the problem, so I finally told him how the cow ate the cabbage and drove home.”)

Thursday, July 14 Mercury is at 0 degrees Leo today, and positively aspects the Moon in Scorpio. Whatever was left unsaid remains unspoken. This is because you’ve had the opportunity to internalize those feelings, which is exactly what you needed to do. Seeing things from a different perspective is always good. Sometimes those little hidden nuggets of insight are meant for your eyes only. VoC 5:23 PM until tomorrow.

Friday, July 15 Mercury is sitting in Venus’ lap today, and together they are whispering sweet nothings to the Moon and Mars. Make sure that you listen to those sweet nothings, because they just might be something spectacular. Those little words of encouragement could elevate you to the next level, so make sure to give them a dose of your attention. VoC ends at 4:15 AM in Sagittarius.

Saturday, July 16 Saturdays are traditionally known as “Saturn days.” We presume that we are supposed to sit back and do nothing.

That’s not the case today, because Mercury, Venus, and Mars are having you running, and not walking towards your most cherished desires.

Sunday, July 17 Jupiter in Virgo has a very good vantage point, so make sure that you pay attention. When you are able to see how to build solid foundations, move forward with purpose, and pay attention to your intuition, then you’ve learned a great deal. This was never about how others saw you, it was always about how you saw you.

VoC 3:58 AM until 2:34 PM in Capricorn.

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Monday, July 18 Today you can breathe a sigh of relief. What you see in the sky is that things are doable. They are achievable. They are worth the effort, and you, my friend, are worth the effort.

Saturn and Venus want you to know that, while Mars and the Sun want you to see that the darkness cannot survive when there is light; so let there be light.

Tuesday, July 19 The Full Moon at 5:59 PM in Capricorn has you letting go of destabilizing energy. In its place you’ll find energy that revitalizes you, and makes you feel like anything could happen.

You are experiencing a great deal of change. As you step through these next few weeks, know that you are moving in the right direction. VoC 5:58 PM until 10:11 PM in Aquarius.

Wednesday, July 20 As the Moon makes its way into Aquarius, it loosely opposes the Sun, Venus, and Mercury. You might still feel the tugs of the Full Moon zapping your energy. Just remember that you know how you feel about the things you love and cherish.

You now know how to commune with yourself. The love and light is coming from a place of understanding.

Thursday, July 21 If there is something that you are holding onto that you shouldn’t, then let it go. Holding onto obsolete things only blocks the good things that are waiting in the wings for you to make space. Make space already! VoC 8:57 PM until tomorrow.

Friday, July 22 When the Moon rolls into Pisces in the early morning hours, make sure that you pay attention to your dreams. In particular pay attention to how you feel during the dream, and how you feel when you wake up. If the feeling is extreme, take notice and ask yourself why, before allowing the feeling to overwhelm you. VoC ends at 3:36 AM in Pisces.

Saturday, July 23 The Sun is at 0 degrees Leo today, so make sure that you pay attention to today. You just might get a preview of what’s in store over the next few months. In particular, you just might see all of the possibilities that are at your fingertips. Don’t go rushing off to do the first thing that pops up; weigh your options, and make sure to pay attention to the details.

Sunday, July 24

Saturday, July 30

Wow, today the Moon sits right on top of Chiron, the wounded healer. This is a rare occasion, to say the least. You are about to shed every single obstacle that stood in your way. Yeah, the Full Moon was several days ago, yet it seems as though we are getting a second Full Moon this month. It’s like a second dump truck showed up to help you get rid of mothball-laden sweaters. Be thankful, because there is no place for those old sweaters when you’re basking in the sun.

VoC 2:07 AM to 7:34 AM in Aries.

Today might be a day when you need to adapt to a changing circumstance, as the Moon squares Jupiter. That’s ok if you need to change something in order for the pieces of the puzzle to fit together in a more concise fashion. It’s better to adapt now, then to get too far down the road and not be able to turn back. Don’t waste time. Do it right the first time. VoC 6:48 AM until 4:10 PM in Cancer.

Monday, July 25 When there’s a Grand Fire Trine in the sky, you better believe that things are going to be on fire! Your motivation level is dialed up to 102, and if it isn’t, then you might need to go for a hot yoga class to jumpstart the energy. Don’t lose this momentum. There is too much at stake to burn out now.

Tuesday, July 26 If you’re feeling the heat, don’t let it overwhelm you. It just means that you are moving forward and making progress.

When you’re trying to do a lot of things at once, it can be a little overwhelming. Just know that what you are making happen is worth the effort. VoC 1:20 AM until 10:39 AM in Taurus.

Wednesday, July 27 You are emotionally ready for change, yet something has you experiencing a little bit of doubt. Maybe you’re moving too fast; maybe you’re not moving fast enough; or maybe you should just stop altogether. If you hear that voice at all, tell it to be quiet, so that you can figure things out.

Thursday, July 28

Sunday, July 31 The Moon is in Cancer, and makes a positive aspect to 0 degrees Mercury. It’s like the heavens have heard your appeal.

You might not be moving as fast as you would have liked, but at least you’re not headed towards a dead end street.

Sometimes you can count your blessings for the things that you didn’t do, lest they lead you to dry water.

The Moon Void of Course (VoC) is the time period from when the Moon makes its last aspect in one sign before moving into the next sign. The Moon is the fastest-moving planet, and transitions from one sign into the next every 1-3 days. What that means is that the Moon is constantly in motion, it’s never retrograde, so it’s inevitable that she will connect with “something,” i.e. another planet or transit, until the moment that she doesn’t. During the moments when she doesn’t connect, we call it the Moon Void of Course. When these events occur, the best thing to do is to meditate, sit still, and listen to your higher guidance. Sitting still does not mean to physically sit still, although it can be beneficial.

Kaye Berjot is a transformational astrologer who focuses on Chiron, the wounded healer.

Read more articles, weekly astrology insights, and request readings at askkaye. com.

You’ve been learning how to adapt to changes. These changes might have occurred in the home, at work, or even in what you find valuable. Part of being able to change your circumstances is learning how to redirect your energy, focus, and even your mindset. It’s how we become adults. VoC 10:14 AM until 1:18 PM Gemini.

Friday, July 29 The Moon in Gemini squares Mercury in Leo during the day.

Do your best to stay grounded today, because things could get blown out of proportion. Remain focused on positive reinforcements, and try not to beat yourself up. If something doesn’t work out today, that’s ok; it just means that it’s not ready yet. Just keep your eye on the prize.

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Sensory Searching VS Spiritual Searching

By: Stephanie Van De Ven

How many times have we tried searching outside of ourselves for happiness, love, and acceptance? We choose to spend countless hours at the mall, or countless hours trying to find the perfect new outfit, piece of jewelry, or whatever our guilty pleasure is– and it’s a fantastic thrill for a few days, until it wears off… then what?

It was a classic case of sensory searching and spiritual deprivation… that is – trying to find happiness with (other) things, instead of within yourself, within your spirit.

We continue on this energetic roundabout, wondering why this isn’t helping, and question how come we just don’t feel better? It’s because we are choosing not to search within ourselves to tap into our inner guidance and spirit.

1) Donate-feel-great. I donated the bulk of my clothes in my closet, and shoes (which was VERY hard to do), to a local charitable organization that resonated with me. I thought I would be devastated. I wasn’t – in fact it was the opposite. I was elated. I felt peace. I was providing families who had nothing coming to Canada, with clothing to wear. I didn’t know them, yet I felt connected to them all.

Have you figured out what you’re replacing spirit with?

For me? I was shopping all the time, spending my dollars where I shouldn’t – and convincing myself that if I purchased the latest crystal, rock, gemstone, spiritual mala bead, necklace, yoga pants, or positive affirmation accessory, that I would somehow be more spiritual! I honest-to-goodness convinced myself of that. What was I thinking!?

I wasn’t even happy!

50 Conscious Community - JULY 2016

What worked for me?

2) Write-it-out. I consciously chose to write down as many reasons as possible why I was shopping so much. What was it about the experience, the pleasure, the aftermath, that seduced me so much? My list was pathetic. It was materialistic. I didn’t like reading it back. I was embarrassed. It helped! It was cathartic! Then I provided a solutions list for myself.

3) Sol-YOU-tions. I made a secondary list; (I love lists) and on this particular list, I gave myself solutions to the crummy feelings I had on my “reasons list” above. For example: Reason: Shopping allowed me to kill time when I felt lonely.

Solution: Meditation and doing yoga with a friend, OR alone, actually helped bring me peace and fulfillment.

Result: Connecting with spirit. Finding myself. Learning more about myself. Feeling great.

The more I committed to doing yoga and meditation, and listening to myself, instead of the dogmatic views and opinions of others – the happier I became. Now let me be clear here – it didn’t just take three steps to becoming happier and peaceful. It took a lifetime of learning, being open, and trusting that all is how it should be. BUT – the steps I took were exactly that; steps, in the right direction, for self-reflection and self-care.

I want to commend you on reading this, and if you’re nodding in agreement, it means you are ready to really search out what your soul needs, and make a shift. Sometimes it just takes a little pivot to change your view, and sometimes that’s all you need.

Here are some things to consider when you decide to shift (if you haven’t already): 1. Be patient with yourself. This is a process. An architect doesn’t design in one day. Your journey can’t be complete in one day either.

2. Understand YOU. What makes you sad, what makes you happy? Align with what makes you happy, which also doesn’t mean stomping on people or things that don’t. It means putting yourself in situations where you FEEL happy; regardless of the situation.

3. Toxicity. Are there toxic people or energy suckers in your life?

The more you grow vibrationally, the more positive vibrations you will attract. The energy suckers will suck somewhere else!

4. Fulfill your dreams and desires. Do you love art or music? Do you love sports? Love it. Do it. If it’s your passion, enjoy it. If it’s something you want to make a career out of, try it!

5. Don’t live a life of “what-if’s!” Living in fear is no fun. Instead, live in joy. Be brave. Leap! You can do it!

6. Beckon the cheerleaders in your life. Let them know what you are doing! The more people you have on your side who genuinely care for you – the easier it will be to accomplish goals, shifting, and more!

7. Join groups on Meetup.com, Facebook support groups, or other online sites. Be connected. Go meet people who have the same vibrations as you! Energetically align yourself with your tribe.

Who is your tribe? Find out, and stick with them.

You know, sometimes reading articles about “what you should do” can be great. You learn something, and you retain some new and useful information to apply in your life. But—do you read articles and blogs, close the magazine or laptop, and take no action? I admit it. I do. I love reading, I love being inspired. Then what? How do I actually take the next step?

Here’s where you have some self-reflecting to do. I would like to encourage you to write down your action plan on how you are going to start going within. What action items are you going to take to replace sensory searching with spiritual shifting? Create five (5) action items. Give yourself a due date. Tell a friend you’re doing it. Make yourself accountable. Write down how you feel.

Explore your soul.

It will be the best shift you’ve ever had!

Stephanie Van De Ven is a spiritual single mom, and lifetime lover of writing since she was little. Her passion is writing, and her mentors include the late Dr. Wayne Dyer, as well as her favorite uncle in Amsterdam, who introduced her to the world of spirit very early in her life. She’s intuitive, meditates as often as possible, and loves yoga. Find her online at: thebirdybooks.com.

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In Print BOOK REVIEWS

By: Kayla Hancock

A Way to God: Thomas Merton’s Creation Spirituality Journey, by Matthew Fox (New World Library, $18.95, Paperback) When Matthew Fox was asked to speak about legendary Catholic monk and writer, Thomas Merton, he did not realize how inspired he would be. To honor Merton’s centennial year of birth, Fox looked back on Merton’s journals, poetry, and religious writings; he also revisited conversations that they had together. This book provides techniques for understanding the contributions that Merton made to the history of spirituality, and will help readers rediscover new layers of Merton’s nature-based mysticism, as they see him through the perspective of Creation Spirituality.

Waking Up to Heal, by Sharon Critchfield (BalboaPress, $12.99, Paperback) It can be difficult to find a silver lining, when we are going through difficult times. Some people, when faced with hardships, move through them with ease, while others wind up trying to cover up their pain in destructive ways. This book answers many questions. Sharon Critchfield also explains to readers how there are productive ways to heal from any experience that can help each of us become a stronger, more complete soul.

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Angel Prayers: Communing With Angels to Help Restore Health, Love, Prosperity, Joy, and Enlightenment, by Joanne Brocas (New Page Books, $15.99, Paperback) This book is an extraordinary collection of specialized angel prayers and inspirational messages that can help us in all areas of life.

Joanne Brocas introduces us to multiple angels of God, and helps us to receive divine guidance. She also helps readers to empower themselves through divine light, increase the joy of their souls, and to overcome negative health issues.

The Global Mind and the Rise of Civilization: The Quantum Evolution of Consciousness, by Carl Johan Calleman Ph.D. (Bear & Company, $20.00, Paperback) In this book, Carl J. Calleman explores the evolution of the global mind and its connection with the human mind. He touches on how our brains are not thinking machines; that, in fact, they are individual receivers of consciousness from the global mind, which has existed throughout all of time. Calleman also examines key differences between humans in the Mayan sixth wave, and the cave painters of the fifth wave. He shows how learning about early civilizations can help us to understand the evolution of consciousness.

Finding the Blue Sky: A Mindful Approach to Choosing Happiness Here and Now, by Joseph Emet (TarcherPerigee, $16.00, Paperback) According to Joseph Emet, Positive Psychology has been around since the time of Buddha; in fact, he claims that Buddha was the original positive thinker. Emet explores the connection between ancient Buddhist wisdom, and modern research on what makes people happy. He helps readers learn how to transform overthinking into peaceful contemplation, and replace negativity with positive thinking.

Readers will also discover that, not only do we have a duty to ourselves to live a happy life, we also have a duty to others to be happy.

The Stress Solution: Using Empathy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Reduce Anxiety and Develop Resilience, by by Arthur P. Ciaramicoli, EdD, Ph.D. (New World Library, $16.95, Paperback) In this book, clinical psychologist Arthur P. Ciaramicoli presents to readers simple techniques for maintaining a positive mentality.

Working with many clients struggling with mental disorders for 35 years, Ciaramicoli decided to create this guidebook that offers helpful insight and processes to deal with a wide range of emotional concerns. Some of these techniques include using empathy to perceive situations accurately, and teaching ourselves to produce focused and calm energy.

Dirty Little Secrets of Family Business: Ensuring Success from One Generation to the Next, by Henry Hutcheson, CMC, CFBA (Greenleaf Book Group Press, $18.95, Hardcover) Written for family business owners, this book includes firsthand stories of the do’s and don’ts of family business. Henry Hutcheson provides helpful information such as entitlement, shareholder agreements, when to let someone go, compensation, conflict resolution, and much, much more.

Hutcheson acknowledges that there is no one “right way,” since every family and every family business is different. He gives us a deeper look at the underlying factors that make a family business work.

PEACE and Where to Find It, by Christopher Papadopoulos (Namaste Publishing, $15.95, Paperback) We’ve become accustomed to living in a state of conflict; we are so accustomed to it, in fact, that we wake up each day ready to engage in battle. Whether it’s in traffic, with difficult people, or time management, it seems like every day can be a struggle. This book offers an invitation to leave this way of living behind, and experience lasting peace in your life. Christopher Papadopoulos has created this guide for handling the stresses and uncertainties of daily living to help us become calmer, more grounded, and, ultimately more peaceful.

Faith, Hope, and Love: A Personal Journey from i to I, by Sarojini and Shyam Kanagala (BalboaPress, $21.99, Paperback) In this book, Sarojini and Shyam Kanagala share their journey of faith that began after their immigration to the United States. They hope to inspire people’s spirituality, regardless of the practice, by discussing the power of love. More specifically, they explain how love and other ideologies can actually create constructive dialogue between religions, and how to create a more fulfilling relationship with God.

The Happy Medium: Life Lessons from the Other Side, by Kim Russo (Harper Elixir, $25.99, Hardcover) Ever since she was nine years old, Kim Russo knew she had a special gift: she could communicate with the dead. After denying her talent for years, she eventually grew to accept her ability, and is now a world famous medium, and star of Lifetime Movie Network’s hit television show, The Haunting Of… In this book, she shares with readers detailed accounts of celebrity readings, and also shares tips on how to access wisdom from the other side.

Kayla Hancock is 22 years old, and is humbled to be able to work for Conscious Community Magazine. She is a certified Deeksha blessing giver and Reiki practitioner. She loves to write and is interested in astrology, holistic health, and dream work.

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com 53

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