The Eden Magazine

Page 1

T h e

EDEN MAGAZINE

January 2013 Volume 3 Issue 1


spreading compassion to all sentient beings and Living in healing and peaceful world Editor

Maryam Morrison

Front Cover by Maryam Morrison

Background by http://www.astrosage.com/wallpapers/2013-wallpapers.asp

Eden Magazine is an independent monthly online magazine. Our aim is to create a better environment where we live among other living being in peace and harmony. We support artists that their work match our criteria. If you would like to submit your artwork, article or/and your Photography For our future issues please contact Maryam Morrison at; edenmagazine@hotmail.com or www.theedenmagazine.com 2 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


Count your blessing By Katerina Kostaki

4 Willie

8 The benefits of Holistic... By; Jill Magso

10 Praising the forces of.....

By Peace Mother Geeta Sacred Song

12 Morning Coffee

By Sherry-Ann Spectra Walker

16

C O N T E N T S

What is Twin Flame By: Crystal Jade

20 Falling in Love By Ellen Heller

24 Dream Wandering in... By Munir Mezyed

28 Rescued Treasure By: Debra J. White

30 Karma & Soul By: V. Ravi

34

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By Katerina Kostaki Artwork by 4 THEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


Count your blessings For what you’ve been through are mere their material life. images of the past. For them Light is mere disaster and frusWhat you’ve been going through is a re- tration. ward of your Soul-Invest to Spiritual Evolution. Spiritual teachings are meant to be the essence of Life only for Angels are speaking within your heart seekers of Truth, for Truth reas it is shaped of soul materials that sides in the Hearts of the Bravers evoke a deep holistic and meditative (courageous). essence. Only warriors of Life can attract Truth as Your soul is an old one and be-holds they are emissaries of Love and Light. all the truths and Love from your past lives and revelations appeared in various rein- Be confident in your Heart and carnations. never let failures disappoint and disorientate you from your Task. You live and inspire through the Wizard or Elder of Wisdom, the entity that’s hidden Your task is your Soul path. That in the depth of your heart. is what you deeply feel and choose to walk along on this Earth plane. Follow his instructions and learn from his teachings. Hostility and Revenge can no longer fit to your Spiritual Quest. Your experiences are unique. Love yourself and Love your Task for only Impel your wisdom upon people who care Love can bring you forth, all the abunabout wisdom, evolution and spiritual dance of Universe. teachings. Blessed be Those who ravel the spiritual teachings are the ones who are not Your Guardian Angel willing to search within. They are afraid of Truths. They hide their heads in the mud to see the darkness of

Copyright Katerina Kostaki All rights are reserved

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Lightworkers and Starseeds A Lightworker is always born (Starseeds), It becomes a sadistic tyrant of our exisnot manufactured (matrix creations). tence and deteriorates us. A Lightworker should doubly be faithful in When you exploit Spirit to promote your his sacred mission. Ego aiming the material rewards, only as Hubris could be perceived . Word is stronger when accompanied by Willpower, subordination and compliance Light as Energy protects us and shows us with Higher Good. the way to Union with Source, as a guide in a Holographic Universe, where people Carrying out ( the mission ) boldly, with- are not materialistic entities with materiout protest. Looking with eyes full of alistic intentions, but a ,concentrated and Love, Compassion, and Understanding. non- isolated from the Universe, energy. For ... “ And when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.” Copyright Katerina Kostaki All rights are reserved said Nietzsche . To work tirelessly without large or small rewards, and special recognition. In higher dimensions of Light “I am coming into the Light -I am not coming into the Light “ allusions cannot exist. Whether you are into the Light, or you’re not. All the rest are merely projections of the Ego that becomes a rather bad administrator for our actions and thoughts when challenged .

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The Alcyonian Light When you see the Light remember the Sun of Alcyone;it’s not a simple,illusionary sun disc. It’s an alive entity like Earth’s Sun.Sooner or later those two suns will be intertwined under the Alcyonian Light. Message from my Guardian Angel 10-12-2012

www.academyofinnerlight.net http://www.facebook.com/authorkaterinakostaki Twitter:@katerinakostaki e-mail: katerina.kostaki@gmail.com

Katerina Kostaki is a visionary artist, spiritual author, poetess, freelance article writer ,mentor and video creator. She was born in 1966 in Athens , Greece. She was awarded as Mentor for participating to the European Union Program entitled “Implement” (MayOctober 2006) in contribution with two International Universities: Institut Technik Undbildung and Deis-Cork Institute of Technology. She attended lessons on Counselling on 2007. She took a distant learning course on “ALCHEMY OF TRANSFORMATION ” by Classic Insight Org. (former Online Humanities Org.) on 2010. Her work related to spirituality, spiritual coaching/ counselling, mythology, esoteric research, self esteem, relationships, self improvement, historical reviews, Nature protection, New Age, mystery and metaphysics has appeared in several publications (trade –union, local and cultural) both in print and online. She writes and translates her books/articles /poems/newsletters from Greek to English language herself.

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WILLIE Willie is an amazing survivalist. While growing up on the Bahamas Islands 1997-2001 Willie had to survive more than any dog around. With fresh water for drinking only coming from the rain it was hard to not drink the sea water. Willie also while on the islands was diagnosed with Heart worms and Cancer. Willie moved to the United States in 2001 living with Ted and Heather who ensured he received treatment in 2002. Willie moved with Ted and Heather to Oregon in 2011 and was diagnosed with Cancer again in 2012. Willie is still leading an active dog’s life. See Willie’s full story next month in Eden Magazine.

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The Benefits of H Healing comes in many different forms. While most people are used to going to their family doctor in order to be treated for various conditions, there are other ways that could possibly be more effective. As more people become aware of the dangers associated with prescription medication, there is a push towards more natural forms of healing. Many people are attracted to health modalities that are more focused on treating the body as a whole unit as opposed to merely treating parts of the body. Holistic healing is the process of treating the body of various diseases and illnesses from the perspective of treating the whole body as opposed to specific parts. One of the major issues with modern medicine is that it does not focus on dealing with the core problems which cause disease. Holistic healing techniques focus on solving the why of illness. For example, in modern medicine the goal is to treat symptoms which will allow a person to live with a disease. However, this does not increase a person’s overall health. As a matter fact, this may only prolong a person’s pain and suffering. Prescribing medications which only treat symptoms does not effectively deal with the reason a person is ill. This is one of the major reasons why there are so many people who are sick with an assortment of diseases and illnesses. In many ways, modern medicine does not necessarily aim to eliminate disease but rather it focuses on finding Band-Aid fixes for many of the symptoms of disease which cause discomfort. One of the many benefits of holistic healing is that it focuses on targeting the main health problems which are causing the uncomfortable symptoms that people experience. 10 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


Holistic Healing

By Jill Magso

There are various techniques of holistic healing which focus on identifying the core causes of disease in order to effectively eliminate disease on a permanent basis. Some of the popular holistic healing techniques include acupuncture, reiki, homeopathy and medical herbalism. These particular techniques are used on a frequent basis to address the core causes of numerous illnesses and diseases. By treating the core causes of health problems with a variety of techniques of holistic healing this in turn reduces and eliminates the various symptoms which cause people a significant amount of health distress. Holistic healing is also very beneficial for people who are highly sensitive to prescription medications. While many of the prescription medications that are currently on the market are effective at treating a variety of illnesses and diseases, the same drugs can also produce very scary side effects. Everyone has seen a commercial of a popular new drug that is marketed for all of its beneficial traits only for the commercial to also include a long disclaimer stating the many unpleasant side effects that may be associated with taking the particular drug. Holistic healing involves the use of techniques and products which are all natural. These particular techniques and products are highly preferable by people who want to avoid the toxicity that is often associated with taking prescription drugs. Overall, many people are giving up their attachment to modern medicine in order to reap the many benefits that are associated with holistic healing techniques.

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Excerpts from

“THE IMPECCABLE WARRIOR OF LIGHT” By Peace Mother Geeta Sacred Song

Artwork by Maryam Morrison 12 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


PRAISING THE FORCE OF GOODNESS (Offerings, Prayers, and Sacred Chants) “The Impeccable Warrior of Light is a practical being… drawing from the past but not allowing themselves to be imprisoned by it. Warriors of Light do not live chained to dry, rigid, intellectual theories. Instead, through daily practice, we are all-ways learning and growing. By adapting our practices according to what is working NOW… at THIS moment…we constantly expand in Wisdom.” Offerings are a time-honored tradition for communicating with the unseen worlds. All Indigenous cultures make offerings to Mother Earth, remembering and praising the Earth Forces that compassionately allow us to stay alive. The Ancestors and Celestial realms, which also provide us with caring protection and guidance, are praised as well as we offer gifts of grand appreciation. Although there are many traditions that teach exact rituals for offerings…I feel any gift offered with Love and Respect is Joy-fully received by the Compassionate Celestial and Terrestrial Forces. What these forces receive from you at the moment of offering, is the vibration you are emanating while making the offering. So, even if you do not say the prescribed or traditional words ‘correctly’ when you approach the Forces of Protection, what They sense is your Love, Respect and desire to communicate with their world. Offerings can be elaborate or they can

be as simple as lighting a candle, offering an incense stick, a piece of chocolate or a flower. I encourage you to listen to your heart…let your creativity flow as to the countless ways to offer gifts to the Universe and the innumerable ingredients you can implement in your Ceremony. In the same way that you devote so much

attention to your material world and all your material projects, it is equally important, if not more, to be cognizant of the Divine Source that created it all. You can create long rituals on days when time allows for immersing yourself in your spiritual practices, while offering short ceremony at times when your hectic schedule does not allow you to devote much time at your power base such as your altar or at a Medicine Wheel. What is important… is the consistency of communication, Devotion and reverence offered to honor the unseen Celestial and Earth Forces who Love you and support your Sacred Journey on Mother Earth. 13 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


INTENTION Just as you would introduce yourself when paying a visit to someone or making a phone call, spiritual courtesy is paramount when developing your relationship with the Grace Bestowing Powers. It is good manners to introduce yourself to the Earth and Celestial Forces whose assistance you are invoking each day. Presenting yourself and praising the compassionate forces are the two essentials for opening the doors to the hearts of those energies and beings that will be receiving your offering. It is an ancient principle to Praise the Beings you are approaching. Praising is a universal way to foster cooperation and appreciation. Excellent manners, kind ways and consideration are valued everywhere, for they are sacred qualities. It is wise to state that you are a child who is still learning… Humility keeps our offerings pure. However, if words do not come easily to you…remember that the most vital element is your attitude.

There are innumerable existing prayers used by so many traditions to invoke Grace. No matter what your path has been so far, I encourage you to stay open by adding prayers to your faith-full ritual and altar work that resonate with you, and feel free to change prayers as needed. The best way of knowing WHAT prayers to offer is by asking your Protectors what THEY would like to hear. It’s not the tradition that matters, but instead the depth of Love with which you deliver that prayer and your intention.

If you find that your spiritual routine feels stagnant then you have two choices; you can either refresh your attitude or refresh the offerings that you make by deleting some of the old ones and adding new ones. You can also refresh your gusto and enthusiasm for your spiritual practices by changing the way you deliver the same prayer. For example, singing the prayer instead of just simply verbalizing it. Or, if you are already singing a prayer and it now feels stale, change the rhythm! Do not feel fear-full to make changes according As you praise the Force of Goodness to your inspiration. The power of a prayer in your own way, as long as your offer- is based on its SINCERITY, INTENSITY… ings emanate from the heart and not the AND DEVOTION. mind, your Humility and a Great-full heart will be lovingly recognized and received by the invisible world. So the first offering is your introduction, in which you are presenting your Best Self, your Shiniest Self. Through this practice, with your devotion and great-fullness you are presenting your heart to the Divine Ones who are your spiritual Life-line. PRAYERS 14 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


SACRED CHANTS The chanting of sacred mantras is one of my favorite practices and I highly recommend it to others because the Sacred Sounds are divinely soothing. Mantras and sacred sounds heal us mentally, emotionally and physically, affecting the mind and physical body’s systems. They also dissolve negative karmas and the psychic impressions those karmas have installed into our psyche which produce neuroses and imbalances.

dancing, and drumming to call in the Light Forces! Interact with your Spiritual Protectors, offering up your Goodness! Allowing your Light to blaze, saturating All beings, All Worlds, All Realities…All Creation with your Golden Energy!

Once your soul leaves this plane, once you are on the other side, you will celebrate your challenges and brim over with soul satisfaction that you mastered the lessons and learned how to walk in Balance…in The most beauty-full thing about chanting Wisdom…in Pure Strength and in LOVE. is that sound bypasses the mind and carries us straight to the Heart. The focus is You can do it! I have faith in you! on the vibrational sound that we are gen- The Masters of Light and I are with you… erating through these sacred chants, not Your Protectors are with you…The Light necessarily the words that our minds are lives in you! addicted to feed upon. May you forever remember this and in this way… I recommend chanting over repeating Walk on this Beauty-full Flowering Jewel prayers in your own language because As The Impeccable Warrior of Light! by praying with words from your own language you will still end up engaging JAI JAI MAA! the mind and not the Spirit. The mind can never feel devotion, only the heart can. Through the rhythms of the music and the sacred songs/chants our heart is purified. As our mind is purified, our heart blossoms with the fragrance of DIVINE LOVE. When we sing sacred sounds with deep emotion, we are filled to the brim with the soul satisfaction of doing what our Divine Self cares most about: to radiate Love and Peace to all Creation. I en-courage you…Be the Impeccable Warrior…never give up, keep going, keep experimenting...Keep praying, singing, 15 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


Morning

Coffee

Let me start by saying, that sometimes our worst fears, hold us back from our true potential. Yesterday, I overcame an obstacle, that has been holding me back inside for a very long time. You see, I had become afraid, to write again, because just over a year ago, I could not stop writing, and it became frenzied and frantic at that time. Writing, has always been my deepest passion. Writing, has always been my release, and the way I connected with my inner self. A few years ago, I started writing and posting it publicly, in the hopes that I would inspire

By Sherry-Anne Spectra Walker

other women, that needed the same release and expression. I took pride in it. It made me feel complete inside, on a deeper level, then speech ever would. Writing, releases things that you may not even realize were there. It opens up your soul, and shows you things sometimes that you may not want to know or understand about yourself, but need to. I have always hated writing with a pen, but I have always loved to type. When I type, something happens inside me, and the thoughts just flow freely.

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So, I faced my fear of writing, which had pretty much become a block for me, and just went for it, and wrote my first note in over 8 months. I realized, that my writing style has always been 100% raw, and I realized, that this style is a gift, in my life, and the lives of others. I feel, that I have an obligation to myself, to chase my dreams as well, in order to set an example for the beautiful daughters that I have that look up to me. I can’t expect them to strive for success, and then set an example of holding myself back, just because I fear, what others will think. Today, for the first time, I have opened up the frenzied writing I was writing at that breaking point in me life. It is the first time, that I have had the courage to do it, since my mind imploded in December of 2009. I feared, that if I read it, it would show me just how deeply I broke back then, and for the last year, I have been focusing as hard as I can on moving forward, and never looking back. Sometimes, looking back can be beneficial. One of the beauties of writing, is that you can go back, and see where your thoughts were at in your past, and it can give you a sense of clarity and awareness of how far you have come in the time since you wrote it. Today, I am tackling yet another obstacle, by opening up that part of myself that I very nearly gave up on. I don’t want to never write again. I think of it like, falling off of a

horse. Eventually, if you don’t force yourself to conquer the fear and get back on that horse, you will never ride again, and deprive yourself of the joy you felt when you did. I have never hid who I was from anyone. In fact, many have told me that they respect my raw expression and brutal truth. I believe, that you set a better example, when you are courageous enough to accept yourself. It’s not easy to do. Neither is it easy, to share your flaws and weaknesses, with people that watched you humiliate yourself, but nothing worth having in life is ever easy. I used to strive for perfection, because I had been raised by perfectionists, and it was all I knew. I never realized, that I was much more beautiful, for the flaws that made me unique. Perfection, would be boring. People relate better to those who have the strength, to admit they are vulnerable at times. And so, as I read these old writings, I am going to look at them, through the eyes of a woman, that appreciates the flaws in those she loves, and accept, that I am human. I have already started conquering the fear of it, by just reading three pieces of it. by just reading three pieces of it. There’s alot more to go, and that’s okay. I’ll read a few more each day. If my writing one day takes me down a road that can blossom and bloom into a career that I love, then fantastic.

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2013


If it doesn’t, well at least I will feel the live. It’s mine. And I’m going to live it, pride in knowing I have the courage my way. to do it. My sense of worth, is something that eluded me for many years, but now, comes from inside of me, no matter what anyone else thinks. I love me. I respect me. I accept me. I have overcame obstacles in my life, that made me an individual, that has a unique personality. That makes me proud. Never again, will I expect myself to be perfect. I like me better I am a mother humble. :) Each day, I discover more, of seven I am about who I am. Each day, I use the a survivor of tools that I have been taught in the intense last year, to empower myself a little domestic bit more on my journey. I look forward violence. I am to opening my eyes every day, to see a woman that the beautiful faces of the people struggles with mental health I love. I love expressing the way these issues but I people make me feel and the lessons am determined they teach me, and if other people to make my don’t like the way I write, well that’s mark in the their issue not mine. Maybe, if more world as a motivational speaker people chose to write from the heart, for women and talk show host... and not hold back, we would all under- As a legacy for my children. stand ourselves and each other a little ~ I aspire, to inspire. ~ more. I will love to write for the rest of that is my life motto. my life. It will never change. It’s who I There is no ocean too wide am. The only approval that matters, is for me to cross, no mountain my own. It makes me feel good inside too high for me to climb, to write. That’s what counts. If it’s not and no obstacle I will ever politically correct, who cares? It’s raw. encounter that I cannot It’s from the heart. It empowers me. overcome, and rise above. Let them say what they like, and think what they want. It’s not their life to

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Eden Magazine Pledge to donate 10% of proceeds to Various Organizations Together we can make a Difference Find us in facebook: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150642099915197&id=703825196#!/TheEdenmagazine

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What Is A Twin Flame

By Crystal Jade

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I

ssues with twin flames may be very confusing to some especially if you do not have a clear understanding about them. These flames are always referred to as energy doubles, twin hearts, original lights, twin rays, twin souls, divine complements, and other forms of names. When dealing with twin flames, you should always know what revolves around them in term of relationships. This form of relationship is always challenging bearing in mind that is one form of your inner mates that always influence how you relate with others. Apart from this, it is also good to understand that this relationship always operate in a form of oneness which entails your perception in term of good or bad aspects of your whole being. These relationships also have great influence especially to your creative manifestations.

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When you are off centered, it is important to know that your twin flames are also off centered and in most cases when this happens, you will not know when and how it happens. The amount of integrations of these twin soul relationships with other physical environments always have great influence on the period these relationships lasts. This is always the case because there are always other hidden relationships that also influence the physical relationship that exist. One more thing is that your whole being is comprises of soul and this selfness has to contribute a portion of spiritual energy towards the element of a human being that has a unique purpose here on planet earth. For the twin flames, they always have some form of blueprints that are electronically in nature. These blueprints are always linked to the purposes of their soul. These twin flames also have some forms of views that have same vision and purposes for manifestations and integration. These manifestations come in two forms. These include from a woman perspective and a man perspective.

ness which exist in different dimensions on planet. For this reason, it is also good to know that this is contributing a lot towards awakening the inner being especially when it comes to technology that is currently been experienced in different forms. Apart from knowing the relationship that exist between these twin flames, it is also come to understand how you recognize these flames, know about the false twin flames, challenges that accompany these flames and finally experiences needed in these twin flames. Once you are clear with all this information, it goes without saying that you will always have the best and quality time with your twin flames and other spiritual energies.

When you talk of twin flame love it is always ignited as a form of sacred marriage. This marriage exists between the soul and personalities of these twin flames. When there is a complete balancing in this marriage, usually these twin flames always experience some form of deep healings and are also enlightened about the elements of humanity from different dimensions. Twin flames are also the master when it comes to evolving your inner conscious22 THEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013

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For the list of all companies with PETA www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx 23 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


FALLING IN LOVE Looking around? Searching for that special someone? Doesn’t matter what gender, age or preferences you may have, the vast majority, and well in fact, really everyone, on some level, wishes for Love in their life.

By Ellen Heller

kindness. Yes Love for another, does this for us and seemingly, TO US! Why does this happen? Can Love really not be there and then appear? Is it something like a fire, that seems to come from nowhere and then go back to nowhere? We have all felt that feeling of Love, only for it to flee. That usually happens over something said or done that shocked, hurt, or disappointed us, and then we seem to return to ‘normal;’ in other words, that magical, top of the world feeling is gone.

We are talking here about the ‘Love Experience.’ We all have a different conception of what Love means, is, and can be. We have heard or have first hand experiences of ‘conditional Love,’ relationship Love; Love for brother, sister, mother, father, etc. We may also experience Love for country, state, hobbies....the list can and does go on and on! And therefore, to be more concise regarding ‘FALLING IN LOVE, , we actually The experience of Love is usually the ENTER that dimensional frequency; in experience of feeling first we don’t have other words, we MATCH that frequenit, then we do. In other words, we are cy that LOVE ALWAYS IS, and then we searching to ‘fall in Love,’ so to speak, for experience what is always there. when we do, we feel a sort of ‘Spiritual Health.’ These feelings include, (but are We do this by OUR FEELINGS. We not limited to the following): our step is literally transform into a different vibrationlighter, sometimes feeling we are literally al frequency (in this case LOVE being the walking on air; our world seems brighter, highest vibrational frequency of all) and and we treat everything and everyone when we match that with our feelings, we we meet with a new found patience and feel the magic that LOVE IS. 24 THEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


Artwork by Maryam Morrison 25 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


The whole point of this article is to address the idea of ‘falling in Love.’ Yes, we are ‘falling;’ falling into another dimensional frequency. But not ‘arriving,’ as some would think. We are merely ALLOWING. When we are not happy in Love any longer; when we feel sad, disappointed, or merely as if we ‘fell OUT of Love,’ it is because we have pinched ourselves off from that frequency. The truth is that it is always still here. Why? Because that is REALLY all there is! There is only Love... all else, an illusion.

focused on Unity, but on separation. Some say they enjoy their solitude. They have lived so long alone, that they have little tolerance for another on a continual basis. While our society gives us the message that there is strength in ‘being able to be alone,’ the truth is that because we are LOVE, we only wish to unite; to BE with another. Sex is really a metaphor for Sexual Energy eXchange. It’s an expression of UNITY. And aside from the physical pleasure which is very temporary (meaning only for that specific moment), the true reason we wish for sexual contact, in the purest sense is to be united, once again, with Divinity. The feeling of Oneness IS our natural state, as we are All One.

The truth is this: Love is always here--NOW. That ‘feeling’ that we feel when we ‘fall in Love’ is the Truth of Our BEING; WE ARE THAT! And Love is all around, always there. (As the Master, Jesus Christ said, ‘I am with you onto the end of Time...’) Therefore, falling in Love To Love therefore, and to fall in Love is to is just ALLOWING THAT FEELING; in unite, for that produces the experience of other words, allowing LOVE to enter into Love. our experience for IT IS always here NOW. And when we Love another, it is the That is the reason it is so important to HIGHEST EXPERIENCE OF LOVING only enter into a relationship with the SELF, for as stated over and over again... intention of what we can give, rather than WE ARE ALL ONE. (and hence, the what we can get. When we choose to statement of “if you cannot love yourself, ‘enhance’ the other, we are helping you cannot truly Love another...” for there them to feel good, and that leads to both is ONLY YOU!) entering into that frequency to which LOVE is experienced. If we become self- Therefore, there is no ‘falling in Love;’ centered, and only strive to be with the there is only “ALLOWING LOVE INTO other for what we can get, we literally are OUR LIFE EXPERIENCE...” Once again, pinching ourselves off, as being self ab- all choice....and please remember, ‘taking sorbed is separation, which is a form of responsibility for all of it means we can fear, and that prevents us from entering change, at least, some of it!’ into a frequency of Love. (and if the other feels neglected or unloved, they also drop Blessings for a most Joyous and Loving out of that frequency) because we are not New Year! Happy 2013! 26 THEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


Ask Ellen Heller

Q&A

Spirit-Minded (Advice Column)

Kind Guidance for Creating and Accepting Spiritual Health “All questions can be sent to:

spiritmindedblog@gmail.com

Question: Dear Spirit-Minded: Everyone tells me that ‘everything is me..” I just don’t understand it! Signed, Curious and Confused Answer: Dear Curious, The term “everything is me,’ comes from the realization that we are all from the same source. There are physics laws which state that if something if from a certain source, then everything from that source is equal to each other. If we just look at this scientifically, we can agree that

everything came from something, and since we are all existing, we obviously all came from that same ‘something.’ And therefore, we are all equal, hence, everything is part of everything else, and thus, then the term, “everything is me,” makes sense. Looking at it metaphysically, our Soul is a Loving Energy, and since everything is made from this Loving energy, ‘everything is me,’ once again fits this expression. I hope that clears this question for you. Blessings!

THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM •••November January January 2013 2013 2527THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM 2012


Munir Mezyed for Nobel Prize in Literature

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Dream Wandering in the Silent Eternity By Munir Mezyed

Artwork by Maryam Morrison

Weeping of a dream is blooming under the snow And in the mirror There is a whine of blue butterfly She sees the diving nectar Getting naked in the fields of imagination….

Their wailing in the bottom of the mirage Chased by the lips of hunger Sinks in nihility… Pardon me, silence that disguises In the garments of charm I woke you up by the gleam of water …

The throat of color is fraught with The lights of contemplation Water asks me: There are words In which seashell does the universe hide…? Fruitful with the charm of femininity Dangling down from Sidrat al-Muntahā Light rains in the drunken soul Spoiling the lilies of my imagination with And the waves of the night split around me their nectar ….. Dissolving in my voice drop by drop…. I have come to your sanctuary a priest O sea that wrapped in worn shadows Wiping out the wrinkles from your face Aries…! With the oil of talismans … In the horizon, a yowl of dead eyes Do not terrify the hymns of light That swims in the angels’ dream... In a hollow dream, the sons of clamor Do not prevent one another from placing mysticism In the coffin of the rebellious desire They assassin the virginity of the white dawn Letting the night eat the apple of the sun…

Habibti There is a woman on the roof of time She throws herself into the arms of heaven Searching for the white doe of the stars… She finds her drowned in the water of poetry And sees me a song Sung by the perfume of eternity Your perfume….!

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Rescued Treasures By Debra J. White

Basil

learned a trick. Each week I arrive with a stuffed dog toy that I shove into his mouth as soon as I open A Phoenix animal rescue plucks dogs from the county shelter’s euthanasia list. Assorted dogs await adoption at a local pet resort. Staff tends to their basic needs but volunteers like me let them out for exercise in the resort’s fenced in backyard. Dogs enjoy a few minutes each day off leash in the fence in back yard. Volunteers like me spoil them with snacks, hugs and belly rubs. That’s what rescue is all about. As I watch each dog enjoy a bit of freedom, lifting legs, sniffing here and there, I am impressed by their unique personalities. Destiny the Collie mix, for instance, circles the scooter I use as a result of a 1994 car accident. I talk to her but mostly she barks non-stop. On quick breaks for affection, she sticks her snout under my arm. But she almost always circles my scooter and yaps. To break the monotony I ride around so she follows me. It’s a pied piper routine, sort of. Other dogs play fetch or chase balls but not Destiny. She fixates on me. I guess she fixates on whoever shows up that day. She just wants someone to love her.

30 THEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


Angelica

Puzzle the Sharpei mix bolts out of the cage as soon as I unlatch the door. To say thank you, he throws himself at volunteers. I have balance issues from head trauma and tip over easily. To keep Puzzle from overpowering me I the cage. The big burly dog takes off running, stuffed toy inside his mouth. Except for my first visit, he hasn’t knocked me down. Strong Puzzle in need of an owner to teach him obedience skills. He’d be an ideal hiking partner. A good boy, he lacks in proper canine etiquette probably because no one ever taught him. I guess that’s why his owners stranded him at the shelter. Food oriented, I bet he’d learn the basics in no time. There was a Great Dane that either was adopted or placed in a foster home. The locked up big boy seemed so unhappy. The resort’s cages are larger than at the county but still barely enough space for a giant dog to move around. I fretted about letting the giant dog out. Could I handle him? Turns out that I could. The sad sack

was so forlorn that once he took care of business he trotted back to his cage. He probably missed the owners who dumped him. Abandoned dogs and cats often whine for their former owners, missing their homes and their routines. Joey is just too cute. A small wiry haired terrier mix, I can pick him up with one hand. He kisses my cheek. He runs around searching for that perfect spot to relieve himself. After, he wants to cuddle in my lap. Joey seems like the perfect gentleman. Mr. Bones as I call him is a pit bull mix. The breed turns off many people because thugs, drug dealers and all around creeps teach pit bulls to be mean and nasty. Not Mr. Bones. A big beefy dog, he is gentle and loving. Slobbering is his only drawback. Mr. Bones like Destiny has a consistent behavior. He always unloads a pile right by my scooter. Maybe he feels secure around me. Who knows? 31 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


Curly Joe I laugh to myself because he’s like clockwork. As soon as I open his cage, he looks for the dog biscuits I always carry and then he takes a dump. That’s my Mr. Bones. Sandy hunkers down in her cage and barely moves. Despite tempting her with dog snacks, kind words, and squeak toys, Sandy doesn’t budge. Once in a while, she inches closer to the edge of her cage but she never comes out. Rescued from the county shelter, as most of the group’s dogs are, Sandy came in as a stray. No one really knows what happened to her. Was she abused or is she just so distraught by the separation from her family? Months passed and Sandy has not yet overcome her trauma. Dozens of dogs pass through this rescue. Some are adopted quickly. A few adopted then returned. Others linger for months. Nearly all were on death row at the coun32 THEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013

ty shelter, chronically over-crowded and under-funded. I cannot remember all the dogs I’ve seen each week. There are big hairy dogs, purebreds sometimes, puppies, and multiple dogs that come in together. Maricopa County has a vast network of private shelters and rescues that work together to save animals. I’ve been part of the movement since 1997. There are free and low-cost spay/neuter programs besides community adoption events. Still, it’s not enough. Our euthanasia rate is second in the nation. Only Los Angeles is higher. Until pet owners regard dogs and cats as part of the family our shelters will always be filled. Domestic pets are not disposable. They are sentient beings with beating hearts that feel pain just as we do. To help end the senseless loss of lives, let adoption always be your first option so dogs like Puzzle, Mr. Bones, Joey and Destiny live in forever homes.

Robin


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Karma and Soul V.RAVI Last part

All the thoughts of the mind are not translated into speech or actions because of fear, a byproduct of the mind. If the mind continues to dwell in a thought for long, finally it gets translated into either speech or actions. This is the reason for attaching great importance to mind in Self-realization. If the mind is controlled, karmic afflictions are automatically reduced as there will be lesser thoughts and actions. The great Indian scriptures laid down certain broad guidelines about how karmas arise out of certain actions. For example, idle and abusive talks make one born as a bird or a beast. Injuring creatures make a person to be born as inanimate. A number of such prescriptions have been provided in dharma sastra. Contrary to this doctrine, science says that karmas are embedded in the form of DNA (the king of molecules). Individual karma is based upon the sum total of cause and effect of all relationship that a soul has encountered in all its previous incarnations. 34 THEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


Artwork by Maryam Morrison 35 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


The cause and effect gets translated in the form of certain types of DNA that belong to a particular culture and environment and based upon this, a soul is born.

ether and fire and what is other than fire, with desire and the absence of desire, with anger and the absence of anger, with righteousness and unrighteousness, with everything identified, in fact with what To offset karmic afflictions, pundits have is perceived and what that is inferred. been prescribing certain remedial measures. Karma cannot be offset by per- As it does and acts, so it becomes. By doforming rituals. There are only two pos- ing good, it becomes good and by doing sibilities to get away from karmas. One is evil it becomes evil. It becomes virtuous to perform more of good karmas, which through good acts and vicious through could possibly offset bad karmas as kar- evil acts. Others, however say, “The self mic theory is based on net karma. Good (soul) is identified with desire alone. What karmas +/- bad karmas = net karmas. it desires, it resolves. What it resolves, it Markendeya Purana (Chapter 40) cites works out. What it works out, it attains.” a number of omens of impending death. Following are the few examples. “He The Upanishad says that there is no who when stout becomes thin, and when difference between the Brahman as Self thing becomes stout quite unaccountably and the Brahman as self. The Brahand loses his natural functions, lives only man is known by different names such for eight months. If a pigeon or a crow as Self, Paramatma (Para-atman), God, alights on one’s head, it indicates that etc. Soul too has different names such he would die in six months. When wa- as purusha, self, jivatma (jiva-atman), ter does not quench one’s thirst, he lives etc. When the soul interacts with mind for ten days.” The epic also suggests and senses, it becomes susceptible to that meditation and renunciation (Here karmic afflictions, as the soul attains a renunciation does not mean sainthood, body to perform actions. When it is said but renouncing fruits of actions. This has that the Brahman is Self, then what is been discussed in Bhagavad Gita) are self? In fact the difference between Self the best possible ways to eradicate the and self is too subtle to interpret. This evil effects of karmas. Except meditation question is raised in Brhadaranyaka and surrender there is no other possibil- Upanishad ‘katham atmethi’ (IV.iii.7), ity of evading the effects of karmas. which means ‘which is the self (soul)?’ The difference if any is to be empathized Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (IV.iv.5) as the karmas afflict only the self and says “The self (soul) indeed is the Brah- not the Self. The Self is beyond everyman, as also identified with the intel- thing and it is the source of everything lect, the mind and the vital force, with that exists in the universe. But the self eyes and ears, with earth, water, air, is a miniscule of the omnipresent Self 36 THEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


The self is not identified with the body or mind. It continues to be independent. This self has been explained as mind, intellect or self-illuminating atman (soul) within heart’s cavity (biological heart does not have any cavity). A soul is mainly guided by the intellect, which invariably fails to use its full potency due to the influence of maya (illusion). “Three he designed for himself” says the same Upanishad (I.v.3). ‘Himself’ here means the soul. The three are the mind, the speech (shabdha Brahman) and the vital force also known as prana. The soul is placed among them ‘like a rock in the midst of trees’. The soul does not undergo any change and remains as a mere non-tumultuous spectator. It quietly watches the other three growing. In terms of subtleness, the self is subtlest of all. Then come intellect and then prana. Sound however undergoes transformation from subtle to gross before it is delivered.

organs of action and perception without any reasoning. Ego is the supreme destroyer of entire spiritual aspirations. Krishna says (Bhagavad Gita XVIII.14, 15 and 16) “the contributory factors for whatever actions, right or wrong, man performs with mind, speech and body. He, whose mind is free from the sense of doership, and whose reasoning is not tainted by worldly objects, does not really slay even having slaughtered all these creatures, nor is bound by sin.” But the fact remains that “all actions cannot be given up in their entirety by anyone possessing a body, he alone who renounced the fruit of actions is a called a man of renunciation” (Bhagavad Gita VIII.11). But this principle is easier said than done. If desire is nurtured, it always manifests as ego causing ownership of actions leading to karmic afflictions. There is only a single antidote for ego, renunciation. To renounce, one has to have the highest kind of knowledge that can be attained only internal query and exploration. The Intellect, prana and sound in different answer for such query dawns only in the proportions make the organs of percep- highest meditative stage. tion and action to perform. When they perform for the sake of performance alone, they do not cause any karmic afflictions. Actions are needed to sustain the embodied soul and organs (both action and perception) have been provided merely as tools to sustain the embodied soul. But the originality of the intellect gets deluded by semblance of maya giving rise to the worst enemy of spirituality, the ego. Ego takes fictitious and wrongful credit for all the actions done by the 37 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM • January 2013


Vafa Shelter

Needs your help, many beautiful animals waiting for a loving home.

For adoption please contact: http://www.cal.ir/ ~ http://cal.ir/main/fa/contact ~ http://cal.ir/main/en/contact


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