Issue 21 | Face the Current by Face the Current

Issue 21

“Yes We Can” Edition

Fall 2018

fAce the current TRAVEL

CULTURE

MUSIC

SPORTS & FITNESS

HEALTH

“Let’s Start A Riot”

Bryn Mooser’s RYOT Empowers ‘The Unheard’ Revolutionizing Media With Purposeful Motion Pictures Storytelling

Re-Programming Your Subconscious Mind A New Script For Health & Relationships With Dr. Bruce Lipton

Yes we can! live sustainably, in peace, connected, with love. We are all one. What A Burning Man Way of Life Can Teach Us

Emmanuel Jal and N ahko

MUSIC AND empathic awareness AS ‘MEDICINE’ FOR HUMANITY

Fuel for an inspired life.

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b r y n m o o s e r i n e r v i e w f e a t u r e d o n pa g e s 4 4 - 4 9

r yo t . o r g

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EDITORIAL

F tC fAce the current

editorial

Issue 21 · Fall 2018

Connect With Us... @facethecurrent @facethecurrent @facethecurrent @facethecurrent Available at

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BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT Face the Current is creating a ripple effect, inspiring positive change in the world and enhancing lives by encouraging one another to relentlessly discover, explore, question and learn from current and emerging information and perspectives. Driven by a deep-rooted love of learning, creative minds and a great appreciation for connection with other individuals who are passionate about what they do, Face the Current has quickly developed into a growing team and global community of incredible people who believe in living life to the fullest and discovering their true potential.

Sasha Frate Founder

sashafrate sasha@facethecurrent.com

Cover Image Credits: • Front cover: Bryn Mooser • Back Cover: prAna

For advertisement and sponsor inquiries: Sasha Frate, Founder & Editor in Chief sasha@facethecurrent.com Ainsley Schoppel ainsley@facethecurrent.com All Rights Reserved DISCLAIMER The information provided in this magazine is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Opinions and other statements expressed by the kind souls sharing their viewpoint, users and third parties are theirs alone, not opinions of Face the Current. Content created by third parties is the sole responsibility of the third parties and its accuracy and completeness are not endorsed or guaranteed. Face the Current Website and third parties may provide links to web pages, web sites, and various resources or locations on the web. Face the Current has no control over the information you access via such links, does not endorse that information, and shall not be responsible for it or for the consequences of your use of that information. All products and services featured are selected by our editors. Face the Current may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this magazine.

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yes we can Edition We live in a world where disparity and separation are often promoted, and where the loudest voices come from those holding power. The powerful are given the pedestals and funds with which to spread their messages, and we see, feel, and believe that they are the only ones with the authority or the ability to enact change. For better or worse, because of their financial and varying resources, they are at the helm of our planet and humanity. Yet, in this same world, humanity is coming together more and more with a common goal of oneness, peace, and a higher love. We recognize that we are all connected, and we are all one. We have the power to shift the spotlight onto local and global exemplary individuals and organizations that show us, “yes, we can make a difference!” Humanitarian filmmaker Bryn Mooser, co-founder of RYOT, is working to change “the old-world way of a small minority dictating the narrative of the world.” He shows us how media can do storytelling in a different way by amplifying the voices of those who tend not to be heard, shedding light on the magnificent world that exists around us. “There’s actually a lot of beauty in the world and there are many solutions to problems,” he encourages us. “The thing we have to fight against is apathy.” Brands like prAna and ARK Crystals are raising the bar, evolving our standards and expectations while providing sustainable fashion. Simply put, they are making superior products that are good for us and our environment. And, in terms of living in and with our environment, Earthship Biotecture is revolutionizing how we can build and develop communities in a self-sustaining and sustainable way. Not only can we self-sustain our living environments, but as Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Bentz, and Naturopath, Lisa Guy point out, changing our approach to healthcare can enhance our ability to self-heal. Dr. Bruce Lipton also reveals that it’s not only about having a positive, winning attitude to achieve our “yes, we can” dreams and lasting change. There are many contributing factors involved in progressing individually, collectively, and globally. While Emmanuel Jal stresses the importance of starting with yourself, Dr. Lipton explains that we need to go deeper into our subconscious to reprogram patterns that will allow us to achieve and manifest our desired lives. In this final segment of his interview series, Dr. Lipton tells us how we can reset subconscious patterning and achieve a long-lasting honeymoon state in our relationships, and shares additional life and world changing insights. Emmanuel Jal began his young life as a child soldier in Sudan and rose through his circumstances to found We Want Peace and other impactful organizations. He reminds us that our life is a masterpiece; it is our own work of art. Conscious artist and activist Nahko also spreads his ‘medicine for the people’ through his poignant music. What do we do when we face challenges that leave us feeling incomplete, abnormal, and not good enough? There are many levels at which people experience self-defeat and, in this issue, Sarah Herron rises to the occasion to share her story while letting us know that yes, we can find self-love! That lesson is something that she now offers through SheLift, her nonprofit, which empowers girls with physical disabilities, just like her. She assures us that yes, we can fully experience life, finding self-worth and self-love along the way. And just what can a Burningman way-of-life teach us? Learn how a week-long event that brings 70,000 people together from around the world can connect individuals while encouraging them to shed societal norms and to live every moment, being present and free of judgement. In this issue, we hope you will see our potential to create positive change as individuals and as our human collective. We can live as one and feel our connection to everything and everyone.You will see that not only do we have this potential, but yes, we CAN achieve this reality because we are already doing it. This is already happening.

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the

team Sasha Frate

Issue 21 · Fall 2018

David Aiello

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

Chief Operating Officer

is a perspective seeker, adventurer, and explorer. She received her Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts and continues to study a variety of subjects within and outside of the academic setting. Sasha brings her personal moonshot approach to life to FtC, aiming to provide an experience for our global community where we inspire one another to stay curious, never stop exploring, and to live on-purpose and to our potential.

is an author, musician and photographer based in Portland, Oregon. He has worked with Fortune 50 companies to build their global brands but now applies his natural curiosity to exploring and documenting the world around him.

fAce the current

Michole Jensen

Project & Content Consultant is a journalist, marketer and blogger, Michole is a Northwest native who spent many years directing communications and marketing for a worldclass organization in his home state. Michole’s array of skills, curiosity, and a passion for the environment and community, drive his exploration and immersion in both his professional and personal life.

Andrés Frate

Co-Owner & Photographer

Sema Garay

Executive Designer Sema is the graphic designer behind the development of the image and magazine of Face the Current. He has developed a multitude of projects, including his previous job leading the Creative Department of BG Life Magazine, in Marbella, Spain. Sema graduated with a Masters Degree in Architecture at ETSA of Sevilla and is proficient in a wide range of design software. He is passionate about all kinds of artistic expressions, and when not active behind the scenes of Face the Current design, you’re likely to find him playing music for Beach Grooves Global Radio or local venues along the Costa del Sol.

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Born and raised in Argentina and Italy, Andres became a jackof-all-trades at a young age. Before reaching college he had become a master mechanic in the auto and marine industries and played professional soccer for Juventus. A move to Brazil would have him picking up his third language, Portuguese, and by age 21 he found his way to Hawaii where he acquired English as his fourth language. Always maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit he has owned several of his own businesses over the years. In Hawaii he became a professional karting racer and won the Hawaii State Championships, later shifting gears to become a private pilot. World travel is in his blood and photography has naturally become another talent along the way, leading into one of his roles at Face the Current.

Ainsley Schoppel Editor

Ainsley is a classical pianist, former figure skater, and loves summers at the lake in northern Ontario. She holds an honors BA in Psychology and Arts & Business, and also earned a graduate degree in Hospitality and Business Management while working at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. After working in Toronto on published women-focused research, she moved outside the city to raise her family. While home with her son, she indulges her love of the written word with freelance editing.

Danny McGee

Photographer and Travel Content Coordinator Danny is our team photographer and filmmaker based out of Colorado. For the past three years he has traveled all around the world taking photos and making films, creating cutting edge photo and drone video content. Danny has been chasing and living his dream, unafraid to travel solo, travel deeper, or adventure to new heights to capture some of this planet’s most stunning landscapes and life’s precious moments in connection with people, place, and culture. His goal is to not only share his vision of the world, but to inspire people to get out and explore it for themselves.

summer-

CREW Lisa Guy

is a well-respected Australian naturopath, author and passionate foodie, with over 18 years clinical experience. Lisa runs a naturopathic clinic called ‘Art of Healing’ and is an avid health writer and recipe developer for leading publications. Lisa is also the founder of Bodhi Organic Tea, an award winning herbal tea company who makes beautiful unique tea blends all naturopathically blended to enhance health and wellbeing. http://artofhealing.com.au/

Dr. Jim Bentz, D.PSc.

is a Chiropractor, Speaker, Health Coach & Educator, Trainer & Leading Practitioner in Neurological Integration System (NIS), which is a method of restoring communication between the brain and body based on the principle that the brain monitors every cell in the body. www.fidalgoislandhealthcenter.com

We are a growing team of Up-standers whose intention is to create positive change in the world, through networking, connecting, supporting and developing at an individual and global community level. We are passionate about building our network of experts and industry leaders to deliver cutting edge information to our global community. This issue’s team and crew are based in the US, Spain, Canada and UK.

Woody Woodrow

is an internationally touring musician, yoga instructor, and a daily meditator. He helped found his heavy rock band “Our Last Night” over a decade ago and now travels around the globe sharing Yoga and Meditation before his shows. He loves connecting and suppor ting others to live their dreams and become the rockstars of their own life. You can find him on his blog each week at www.woodywoodrow.com Instagram: @woodywoodrow

Chris Assaad

is a Canadian singer-songwriter who left a promising career in law to follow his heart and passion for music. His fire for music was ignited shortly after he began exploring his love of singing when he was forced to overcome a rapidly progressing hearing loss condition. Two miraculous surgeries later, Chris was given the gift of perfectly restored hearing and a second chance, cementing his path of a life dedicated to his artistry. Since then, Chris has been sharing his eclectic blend of soulful roots music, heart-opening songs and stories across the globe and actively using his voice to inspire others to follow their innermost calling. www.chrisassaad.com

Peter Ruprecht Born in Buenos Aires in 1976 and beginning to travel early, Peter developed a taste for worldly culture at a young age. Peter is an Ivy league graduate from Dartmouth with a degree in Economics. However, In 2009 he left the corporate world to follow his passion and make photography his sole source of income. He entered the world of commercial photography with conviction, shooting for clients such as L’Oreal, Timex, Ecko, Ciroc, Disney, Red Bull, CNN and others. He now dedicates most of his creative time to artistic photography displayed in galleries around the world. www.ruprechtstudios.com

Jeff Granville

is a patented inventor an entrepreneur, owning marine related businesses including his own boatyard. He has spent most of his adult life on a personal quest to explore where science, biology and spirituality merge and currently acts as a family advisor and council member at Seattle Children’s hospital and recently founded a non-profit called Mindful Presents. www.mindfulpresents.org

Matthew Belair

is the author of the best selling book Zen Athlete and the host of the top-rated Matt Belair podcast. He is an explorer of the mind and world and has trained with 34th generation Shaolin Masters in China, studied meditation with monks in Nepal and survived a near-death experience trekking Mount Everest just to name a few of his accomplishments. He is dedicated to teaching others how to expand their consciousness, connect with spirit and bring more awareness, love and kindness to the planet. www.ZenAthlete.com www.MattBelair.com

Charles Obong

is a technology and marketing professional. He is interested in using technology to solve challenging industry problems. Charles has worked on global fashion ecommerce platforms, marketplaces and payment systems as well as media companies. He is currently working on technologies to elevate the fashion and tourism industries in Africa. His goal is to help small business owners achieve global visibility and brand recognition so they can generate enough revenues to sustain their families and communities.

Kirsten Alexis

is an avid outdoor adventurer, content creator and explorer. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors of Arts, specializing in photography, painting and media arts. After college she went backpacking across Europe, and was instantly hooked on travel and adventure. Today she spends most of her time between California and Canada, and is an avid high-altitude mountain trekker, skydiver, paddle boarder, snowboarder and all-around adventure seeker. She wants to inspire people to get outside their comfort zone, explore the world and live their dream life. www.thisadventurelife.com

Malcom Carter is an Award winning Filmmaker and director. Over the last 25 years his work has appeared on 544 television networks, in 186 countries, and reached a combined global audience of over 2 billion viewers. Malcom is passionate about using the power of film to make a difference in the world by communicating messages that matter. He has extensive expertise in creating compelling communications with global impact and is known for being able to work with visionary thought leaders and advanced thinkers to translate and synthesize their ideas in an understandable way to a wide audience. www.theconnecteduniversefilm. com/malcom-carter

Jean Hayes is a Penelope self-help and metaphysics writer, contemporary philosopher and theorist, host of “PENELOPE: A Podcast Show” on Apple Podcasts and iTunes, and on-camera television host. She is the author of the upcoming book titled, “The Magic Of Viral Energy: Spirituality Meets Quantum Theory,” about the contagious nature of energy. Penelope has appeared as an expert for numerous TV programs including Dr. Phil and ABC News; and has been quoted in Men’s Health Magazine. www.1penelope.com Twitter: @PenelopeJeanwww.facethecurrent.com

Fall CONTENT 44

“Let’s Start A Riot”: BRYN MOOSER’S RYOT

Empowers ‘The Unheard,’ Revolutionizing Media With Purposeful Motion Pictures Storytelling

10 The Unseen Heart Of

Burning Man

travel

10. The Unseen Heart Of Burning Man 18. Step Inside The Earthship: Sustainable Retreat & Bio-Architectural Living Systems 24. FtC Travel Connection

culture

66 8

NAHKO:

The Voice Of A Generation FACE the CURRENT MAGAZINE

42. ARK® Crystals: Wearable Technology Boosts Vitality 44. “Let’s Start A Riot”: Bryn Mooser’s Ryot Empowers ‘The Unheard,’ Revolutionizing Media With Purposeful Motion Pictures Storytelling 50. The Creative Path Less Traveled with Blu 56. Rainforest Gala and Runway: Fashion for Conservation 60. The Feeling of Home: Reducing Isolation and Segregation for At Risk Populations 64. Sharing Our Light to Change the Current

music

66. Nahko: The Voice Of A Generation

FtC Issue 21

106 RE-PROGRAMMING YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND: A New Script For Health and Relationships With

Dr. Bruce Lipton

72. Perspective, Purpose, and Peace: The Journey of Emmanuel Jal 80. Film and Television Composer Adam Lastiwka Knows the Final Score Has Not Been Written 84. The Sounds of ManyFew

sports & fitness

86. Historic Roots and Future Growth: prAna’s Fall 2018 Hemp Collection 92. Limitless Self-Love in The Great Outdoors 98. Training for the Moment: Peak Performance Coaching with Dr.Greene 102. Riding Thrones

health & wellbeing

106. Re-Programming Your Subconscious Mind: A New Script For Health and Relationships With Dr. Bruce Lipton 112. Yes, We Can Have Fabulous Gut-Health 118. How to Become a Spiritual Master in a Day: A 20,000-Year- Old Spiritual Teaching 122. Shifting Healthcare the “BrainPower” Way

72 Perspective, Purpose, and Peace: The Journey of EMMANUEL JAL www.facethecurrent.com

FtC travel

THE UNSEEN HEART OF BURNING MAN by Malcom Carter Waves of sound fill the crisp night air. A once-dark desert is alive with light of every color.The flow of humans moving around you is perceived differently because each is adorned with glowing L.E.D. lights, riding and dancing across the desert. Many of the world’s best DJs are here, each spinning their sonic webs to captivate you and take you on an auditory journey.

Credit: Peter Ruprecht. | Uber talented firebreather Daniel Cheli, the inferno of his breath embracing the rising sun

creates a mystical moment. 10 FACE the CURRENT MAGAZINE

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This year, there were nearly 70,000 hearts at Burning Man, each with its own experiences and journeys. Amidst the thunderous noise of a sea of endless beats that echo across the playa, all becomes quiet. The only beat you can hear is the beat of your own heart. Then, for the first time, or for the first time in a long time, you can hear what your heart has been trying to tell you.

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Credit: Peter Ruprecht. | Playa Players Collective playing Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring- the 20th century’s most groundbreaking ballet about the Pagan ritualistic sacrifice of a virgin. We brought an orchestra, contemporary dancers, fire dancers, and collaborated with Robot Heart Community and Tree of Ténéré 2017. There is a cacophony of sound as you traverse the desert, signaling that this is where something magical happens. No one will tell you what to do or how your experience should unfold. When you are ready, amidst the thunderous noise of a sea of endless beats that echo across the playa, all becomes quiet. The only beat you can hear is the beat of your own heart. Then, for the first time, or for the first time in a long time, you can hear what your heart has been trying to tell you.You were unable to hear it until this moment because it was drowned out by work emergencies, family stress, social media overload, or whatever distractions kept you from being able to truly hear the deepest yearnings of your own heart. For many people I spoke with, their heart knew it was time to let go; to let go of past hurts, past wrongs, past

traumas, and in the process, to forgive themselves for past mistakes. Many people go to Burning Man not to find something, but to leave behind some of the things that no longer serve them. They go to be burned away by the power of the ceremonial fire and to move forward lighter than when they arrived. They no longer repeat and live in the pains of the past. In the desert, they realize their chance to become a metaphorical phoenix as the collective energy of this magical place creates an opportunity to transform. This year, there were nearly 70,000 hearts at Burning Man, each with its own experiences and journeys. There is a wide range of ways to experience Burning Man and it is not for me to say how any of their burns transpired. I can only share my journey with the

added insights of a few close friends. I have been on a lifelong journey to open my heart. When the heart feels something that deeply resonates, it opens us up. I still remember sitting in the theatre watching Dead Poets Society, holding my breath during the Carpe Diem scene: “Seize the day boys! Make your lives extraordinary!” I give thanks to Robin Williams for his gifts, laughter, and love. In that moment, his art forever changed my life. It ultimately inspired me to follow my heart and become a filmmaker, leading me on a journey that would take me to 59 countries and over 400 cities. I’ve journeyed from the arctic to the amazon, from shamans to astronauts, having the chance for my heart and voice to reach over 2 billion people through my film and television work. www.facethecurrent.com

Following your heart and truly seeing are integrally connected. Leonardo DaVinci said, “Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” This is one of the most beautiful things that filmmaking teaches you. When you see the connection of things, you have a greater opportunity to find the “visual magic.” However, there is a very important first connection to make and that is connecting the mind

and the heart. When you do that, your eyes open in a new way. This is echoed by Peter Ruprecht, one of the great Burning Man photographers, who says, “Most of my compelling photographs have been created when I have been listening to my heart to capture the essence of a moment rather than relying solely on my eyes to see a pretty picture. I truly believe life reveals its wonders to our hearts and our eyes merely need to be open

Ruprecht. | Sculpture by Laura Kimpton. 12Credit: FACEPeter the CURRENT MAGAZINE

to witness them.” So, how does the unseen heart of Burning Man inspire people to connect to their own hearts and to open their eyes to truly seeing? It starts with a feeling. If you are new, it starts out quiet at first. The more time you spend in the dust, the more it begins to permeate your being. Little moments will begin to accumulate. It’s a warm smile from someone who isn’t afraid to actually

look you in the eye and hold the moment. It’s a hug that you can feel is truly heartfelt. It’s letting yourself dance to awesome music, feeling free to let yourself move without sensing judgement. It’s having moments of wonder at astonishing works of art. It’s the visual chaotic splendor of explosions of light and fire all around you. A friend who is a top-performing financial executive in the “default world” shared that it was special for her to see people all around her letting go of things that no longer served them. She realized that it wasn’t that difficult of an experience and if they could do it, she could too. She was also deeply moved by the “unspoken words and feelings of love” all around her. I wish I could show you how much brighter her smile became over the week and how much more her eyes sparkled. The people who really noticed that were her friends when she returned home. They were so amazed by the changes in her that now 20 of them have said they are coming to Burning Man with her next year. Witnessing those kinds of transformations in people is one of my favorite things in life! There was a wonderful grandmother in our camp this year. I sat with her at the table and asked, “How did you find yourself here this year?” She said, “I came here because I wanted to bring my two granddaughters. I believe it is the greatest gift that I could give them!” Here was someone who had clearly felt the heart of Burning Man and had seen that it is more than a giant, crazy, chaotic event in the desert. She wanted to show her granddaughters that it is possible to live a life with your “eyes and heart open.” When my friend, famed Brazilian photographer Raul Aragão is asked how many times he has been to Burning Man, he always replies, “It is my first time because every time is different.” He always comes with his eyes and heart wide open, and always leaves with treasured memories and stunning photographs. Created by Christopher Krywulak, the camp we were in was called PlayAlchemist. His vision realized was to create a scale replica of the Pyramid of Giza, preserving the geometric ratio and the resonance created by that geometry. Alchemy is about

DaVinci said, “Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” This is one of the most beautiful things that filmmaking teaches you. When you see the connection of things, you have a greater opportunity to find the “visual magic.”

Credit: Peter Ruprecht. | Sculpture by Laura Kimpton.

Credit: Peter Ruprecht. | Radialumia by Foldhaus Collective at Burningman is many things to many people.

Credit: Malcom Carter www.facethecurrent.com

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We want to inspire people to rise to be their best and to do what they can to make a difference in the world.

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transforming to find your “inner gold.” I created a mini-film for the camp with the theme of, “transform yourself, transform the world.” We want to inspire people to rise to be their best and to do what they can to make a difference in the world. The mini-film also promoted a spectacular and breathtaking performance by Lucient Dossier. Created by Dream Rockwell, it was titled, IMAGINAL – The Rise of the Divine Feminine. The performance called for a deeper reconnection with feminine energy for people to be able to lift themselves up and to transform. Like the caterpillar with its imaginal cells that allow for the transformation to the butterfly, it was a mesmerizing performance. Being in the pyramid at night was amazing. There were incredible DJs and a light show that filled the wall of the pyramid where the lights and music danced together in geometric unison. Lasers pierced the night sky and lights from the apex swept over the dancers below. The geometry really created a deep resonance and it felt incredible to be there.

Credit: Peter Ruprecht. | Lucent Dossier Experience performed the human initiation project at PlayAlchemist.

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During the day, there were wonderful speakers as well as interactive sessions with people such as Jamie Wheal, author of the New York Times best-selling book, Stealing Fire, Amanda Ravenhill, the Executive Director of the Buckminster Fuller Institute, and renowned author Daniel Pinchbeck. Many others shared ideas and asked questions that contained the power to change your world and also change the world. When you look at the different elements at play in Burning Man, you see the “connected heart” emerge. Fire is certainly a powerful element.

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Connecting with fire is primal and hard-wired into our DNA. Humanity may not have survived without fire to protect us from predators, to give us heat, and to cook and transform our food with its energy. This is only the physical side of fire, however. Fire has brought people together throughout all of human history as a focal point to share songs, stories, music, and to nurture a sense of community. Take a moment to imagine everything that humans have shared throughout history while sitting around a fire. The omnipresence of fire at Burning Man is truly a connective force.

The event’s namesake culmination, the burning of the man, has a ceremonial power. It reminds us that the event is temporary and ending, and that life is temporary and also comes to an end. The man-burn symbolically asks many questions: How did you live your week? Did you celebrate your time? Did you evolve? Did you dive deep or play on the surface? Did you “seize the day?” All of us are only here for a brief moment in the grand scheme of cosmic time and the burn is celebrated like a commemoration of life.

The man-burn symbolically asks many questions: How did you live your week? Did you celebrate your time? Did you evolve? Did you dive deep or play on the surface? Did you “seize the day?” All of us are only here for a brief moment in the grand scheme of cosmic time and the burn is celebrated like a commemoration of life.

“

Credit: Peter Ruprecht. | Burning of the man whose base was designed by Andrew Johnstone and panels designed by Kate Raudenbush with pyrotechnics designed by Davex. www.facethecurrent.com 15

In order to celebrate life, you actually need to LIVE IT! Part of that is PLAY; Burning Man is fun! Extraordinary music, dancing light, imaginative costumes, and the most incredibly creative art-cars that you have seen, all swirl around mind boggling art. You are dancing in a dream.Yet, once again, there is more than meets the eye. As my friend Aza O’Leary said, “Despite outward appearances, Burning Man is really about inner states of being.” When was the last time that you felt free for an entire week? What impact does that have on you? When you sit on a beach at a resort for a week, are

you really getting away from it all, or just from your routine? At Burning Man, you get away from money, status, judgement, limits other people put on you, and limits that you put on yourself.You can also escape from rules about what to wear, how to act, and even your own name.You can choose a fun playa name if you wish! Have you ever tried something like that? Can you imagine it? Honestly, it is quite difficult until you have been to Burning Man. Then you have an idea, because it is not just you working to create a space for this experience; it is you and 70,000 other humans who come willing to have a

different life understanding. All of this creates a space where you can choose to become your best. The aforementioned book, Stealing Fire, is about the science behind optimizing human performance and peak potential to create what are called flow states. Flow states engage your brain in a different way that reduces the activity of your prefrontal cortex. These techniques are used by Navy Seals, and top Silicon Valley executives. The entire canvas of Burning Man allows you to enter into flow states, painting a new picture of your best self.

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Flow states engage your brain in a different way that reduces the activity of your prefrontal cortex. These techniques are used by Navy Seals, and top Silicon Valley executives. The entire canvas of Burning Man allows you to enter into flow states, painting a new picture of your best self.

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Credit: Peter Ruprecht. | Phoenix rises out of the playa. Sculpture created by Nicholas Palmer from South Lake

16 Tahoe, FACECalifornia the CURRENT MAGAZINE

When you were a child, you were often naturally in a state of flow, learning at an incredible rate. Why is that? You played, you dressed up, you used your imagination, you took risks, you explored, you asked questions, you fell down, you got up, you burned yourself, you pushed your limits, you tried new things, and you DREAMED! You dreamed big dreams without the limits of the world that often beat you down later in life.You are filled with possibilities! Any of this sound familiar yet? This is Burning Man! You get to live through the eyes of a child again, but with the heart of an adult. You have the wisdom of having more

time to spend getting to know your own soul. The real magic is that the outward experiences in the desert make the inward journey possible. In this place, you can dream new dreams for yourself, for your future, and for the world.Your imagination is on fire! I have spent 5 years making a film entitled The Connected Universe. It is about ideas that unify physics and the human experience, connecting us all. It is voiced by Sir Patrick Stewart who helps to poetically express how we are all connected and how we are all one. At Burning Man, you have a

chance to feel it in your heart and in every fiber of your being.You can come to Burning Man to see it for yourself, but I would encourage you to come to Burning Man to feel the unseen heart and to know that there aren’t any words that can capture its magic. This is your official invitation to come and play in the dust.

ymore info: Burning Man: www.burningman.org Malcom Carter: www.theconnecteduniversefilm.com/ malcom-carter

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This is Burning Man! You get to live through the eyes of a child again, but with the heart of an adult. You have the wisdom of having more time to spend getting to know your own soul. The real magic is that the outward experiences in the desert make the inward journey possible.

Credit: Peter Ruprecht. | Unplanned tragedy consumed the incredible world Adam Pollina created in flames. Ewa Da Cruz’s maintains her poise and grace with an inferno of fire blazing directly behind her.

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www.facethecurrent.com Credit: Peter Ruprecht. | Shannon Shiang in front of Balanceville built by David Graziano and Tom.

FtC travel

Step Inside The Earthship Sustainable Retreat & Bio-Architectural Living Systems By Ainsley Schoppel In 1969, Michael Reynolds graduated from Architecture School and moved to Taos, New Mexico. Inspired by television news stories about the concerning issue of global garbage accumulation and the lack of affordable housing, Reynolds put his education and imagination to work. He developed the “can brick” out

of discarded steel and tin cans. The can brick is ten empty cans wired together to make a single building block. When used to form structures, the empty cans provide units of space that become the building blocks of light, but strong concrete walls. Though they were not as sophisticated as today’s models, the

early structures Reynolds developed, dubbed Earthships, quickly gained press coverage as “homes made of garbage.” As Reynolds envisioned, Earthships are a type of house built with energy conservation in mind, using natural and recycled materials designed to produce water, electricity, and food for its own use.

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Credit: Mark McInnis and prAna

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The most recent design principle added to the Earthship concept is in-home, organic food production. An Earthship plant specialist has experimented with the best plants for the interior gray-water botanical cells. She has also designed minihydroponic planters in suspended buckets that have added vertical growing space in the greenhouses and have tremendous yields of herbs, peppers, tomatoes, kale, beets, cucumbers, and more.

“ Credit: Russell Holliday and prAna

Over the next decade, designs constantly evolved to incorporate thermal mass, passive solar power, and natural ventilation. The Earthships of today are now built with earthrammed tires and are so strong, no building foundation is required. This strength creates load-bearing walls as well as thermal-mass storage. Excessive garbage is a global concern, with tires being a major contributor. Tires are highly damaging to the environment when left in nature, with 2.5 billion tires currently stockpiled in the US. Another 2.5 million are

discarded every year, making them the perfect “natural resource” for building. At their most fundamental, Earthships are structures that heat and cool themselves without using electric heat, fossil fuels, or wood. Thirty percent of all energy produced in the world is used for heating and cooling buildings. By using thermal mass and solar gain, Earthships are capable of maintaining a comfortable temperature in any climate, without additional fuel. Each structure is surrounded by densely packed walls

on three sides, while the south side of the building is comprised of windows. Sun enters in through these windows, heating up the floors and walls. In the evening, when the air temperature drops below the stored wall temperature, heat is naturally released into the space. During the hot summer months, the building remains cool with the constant temperature of the earth. Cooling efforts can be enhanced when needed with natural ventilation in the form of buried cooling tubes and operable vent boxes. www.facethecurrent.com

Each Earthship has its own renewable “power plant” with photovoltaic panels, batteries, charge controller, and inverter. Efficient lighting, pumps, and refrigeration help lower the electrical load, as does the absence of electric heat and air conditioning. An Earthship’s entire electrical needs are about 25 percent of that of a conventional home. Most residents can meet their demand with one kilowatt or less of energy from solar panels, with some opting to add a small windmill to the system for gray, stormy climates. Earthships also collect all of their water from rain and snowmelt by storing roof run-off in cisterns. Each inch of rain collected from one square foot of roof is equal to 2/3 of a gallon of water. (Multiply that by the total square footage of the roof and the inches of rain per year in a given

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region to determine approximate annual collection.) The cistern feeds a pump and filter system that cleans the water, which then sends it to a solar hot water heater and a pressure tank. From there, as in a standard home, water is used for bathing, washing dishes, and laundry. The used “gray” water flows to interior botanical cells, where plants use and treat the water. When it is filtered enough, it is collected in a well at the end of the planter unit and pumped on- demand to the toilet tank for flushing. With 40% of water in conventional homes going toward toilet flushing, this is a sustainable and cost-saving system. The toilet water then goes to a conventional septic tank, which overflows into an exterior rubber-lined botanical cell. This cell is filled with exterior landscaping plants. Every drop of

water that lands on an Earthship roof is used four times, allowing homes to subsist independently and thrive without taking water from the ground or municipal sources. The most recent design principle added to the Earthship concept is in-home, organic food production. An Earthship plant specialist has experimented with the best plants for the interior gray-water botanical cells. She has also designed minihydroponic planters in suspended buckets that have added vertical growing space in the greenhouses and have tremendous yields of herbs, peppers, tomatoes, kale, beets, cucumbers, and more. Aqua-botanical systems in the newest Earthship enhance food production capabilities with fish and nutrients from their waste.

The Earthships of today are now built with earth-rammed tires and are so strong, no building foundation is required. This strength creates load-bearing walls as well as thermal-mass storage. Tires are highly damaging to the environment when left in nature, with 2.5 billion tires currently stockpiled in the US. Another 2.5 million are discarded every year, making them the perfect “natural resource” for building.

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Experience Earthships for yourself in Taos, New Mexico with nightly rentals available in six of their one-of-a-kind structures. If you love your stay and want to take the experience home, you can learn how to build one for yourself or hire Earthship to take care of it for you!

Credit: Russell Holliday and prAna With enormous monthly savings in comparison to the average US household, Earthships are an intriguing living option for the environment and the bank account. Monthly spending on electricity and gas is $25, water is $0, and food is $300.You can lower your food, energy, and water bills with an Earthship, while gaining organic produce, independence, and selfsufficiency. Do Earthships seem too idyllic to be a reality? Make a trip to Taos, New Mexico and see for yourself! Earthship offers nightly rentals in 6 of its one-of-a-kind structures. Set on a stunning mesa 14 miles Northwest of Taos, Earthship’s rentals were voted in the Top 10 Eco Stays of 2014 by

Lonely Planet. Whether you stay in the first Earthship, the Hobbit House, built in 1979 and newly refurbished, or the Vallecitos, the newest and most updated Earthship, your experience will be incomparable.You can also choose from the Waybee, Picuris, Phoenix, and Lemuria Earthships. Every Earthship allows its guests to experience a luxurious vacation while living off-the-grid. Each structure is equipped with all the amenities of a conventional house or hotel, including internet, flat screen TVs, Netflix, and all the kitchen accoutrement you will need for your visit. Book a stay to see that you truly can live and enjoy your life without harming nature. If you want your own Earthship after

experiencing its way of life, there are two ways to obtain one for yourself. Earthship’s own Biotecture crew can be hired to build your structure from start to finish. If you’re more inclined to learn about the process, apply to the Earthship Academy and become part of the training program that will teach you how to build your own Earthship home. The monthlong training alternates theory and practice to give you all the tools you need to become an Earthship builder. With training at Earthship headquarters in New Mexico, the academy also holds global sessions around the world. This year, starting on November 5th, Earthship is hosting a training Academy in Japan. Held in Mima, www.facethecurrent.com

Tokushima, the build will take place in an untouched location, focusing on earthquake resistant structures. In addition, Earthship will be taking their Academy to Uruguay in February, 2019. In September 2017, Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria. Homes were destroyed, and thousands of people were left without water and electricity. Earthship partnered with Biotecture Planet Earth to build a hurricane-resistant disasterrelief demonstration building to be used as a shelter in Puerto Rico. Biotecture Planet Earth is a non-profit organization focused on expanding the use of affordable and sustainable buildings throughout the world. With the housing crisis still ongoing today, and entire communities still without power, the need for selfsustainable homes in Puerto Rico is immediate and dire. The build seeks to help residents feel safe in a hurricane-resistant home that can provide them with power, water, and food. With autonomy and architecture designed for the environment, the goal of the project is to help create a more self-reliant and resilient future in Puerto Rico. The first stage of the project began in February of this year, with a second phase already completed that incorporated solar power installation and water catchment system implementation. Join the upcoming third phase next year from January 9th-21st to continue the project and help the island’s residents to face the future in a more sustainable way!

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Whether you’re looking for a different vacation experience, an educational opportunity, a new way to live your home-life, or a way to give back, Earthship offers it all. Explore what it means to live self-sufficiently while leaving our planet intact. Pack your bags for Taos, New Mexico, and relax in the resourcefulness and beauty of Earthship.

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ymore info: www.earthshipglobal.com www.garbagewarrior.com www.biotectureplanetearth.com www.facethecurrent.com

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Paris Verra PLACE I Call Home: the road Instagram: @parisverra www.parisverra.com

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If money were no object what would you do. - Alan Watts

Bali, Indonesia - credit: Zach Allia

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Turks & Caicos - credit: Danny Mcgee Yes we can escape “the 9-5” and live our life by design! How and why you did, is it for everyone, and why might you recommend the ‘escape?’ Yes we can escape the “9-5” and live our life by design. This life is for those who seek freedom, happiness, and life changing experiences with life long rewards. However, I don’t recommend it to people that want consistency, comfortability or those not willing to work hard, seeking fast, consistent, large amounts of money or fame. I grew up in a small town in Illinois where the “social norm” is growing up and going to college to ultimately work a 9-5. Although I got into every big university that I applied to, working hard to follow this “road

to success,” I could not justify any amount of loans, time, or money worth learning something I was not passionate about. I saw wealthy, successful families that lived unhappy. I realized no amount of schooling or money would define success or happiness. This is where I love the quote by Alan Watts, “If money were no object what would you do?” So I dropped out of college, pushed my comfort zone, and road tripped in my crappy car to Los Angeles, California. I chased the sunshine, happiness, new opportunities, and a town where no one knew my name. Through this journey I fell in love with road trips, new sceneries, likeminded friends, traveling, and in return I wanted to share this beauty in life that I had found. I started

spending my money on experiences over things, grabbed my iPhone and began sharing these moments on Instagram. With lots of time and work, my hobby turned into a career. There is not one road to success so don’t let the idea of change scare you as much as likelihood of remaining unhappy. When people ask “how do you do what you do”, the only thing I can say is that I started doing what made me happy, what I love and the rest came after that.

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Yes we can do storytelling differently: How has social media and technology have opened up a whole new world of sharing our stories and creative expression to a global community? Yes we can do storytelling differently. The power of social media is absolutely incredible. Through many free platforms we are able to completely envision, create, and share our own unique stories. Personally, my favorite way to share my stories is through my own perspective with editing tools. If 10 photographers were brought to capture the same exact subject, each and every photo would look different and express a completely different feeling than the other. Although it is the same subject or shot, it is the perspective and edit that allows for this unique story. I have always loved creating and designing, and I love

Petra, Jordan - my new perspective on a famously photographed destination

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You are the explorer of your own journey. From your own discovery you can then capture, edit, and share it from a new perspective.

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being able to use that skill in my work. Through editing each and every photo and video I am able to share my vision and story through my own perspective. This is what sets us apart and allows us to stand out in a saturated community.

Yes we can be explorers, even in this modern day where “everything has already been discovered.” Do you believe the definition of “explorer” has changed and do you consider yourself an ‘explorer?’ Yes we can be explorers, even in this modern day where “everything has already been discovered or seen” through mass sharing online. Scientifically, most everything has been discovered, and socially everything has been seen; but have you discovered everything in you? Have you opened your eyes and mind to explore it yourself? New places offer new experiences, culture, and environments; something a photo online can’t show. I don’t believe the definition of explorer has changed because although every destination has been found before, you yourself took the struggle, hike, or flight to discover it and see it yourself.You are the explorer of your own journey. From your own discovery you can then capture, edit, and share it from a new perspective. This is why I consider myself not only a traveler, but also an explorer. We see the same photo hundreds of times but we don’t see the journey of that picture until we explore it ourselves.

Muscat, Oman

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Christian LeBlanc PLACE I Call Home: Bali, Indonesia Instagram: @LostLeBlanc youtube.com/lostleblanc

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The idea of running away from corporate responsibilities, daily routines and social expectations seems extremely glamorous but the truth is, it’s not for everyone. Many people want to run away from the corporate word, but don’t know what they are running towards. While the grass may look greener on the other side (or the water may look bluer on the Instagram), self-employment takes ten times the work and hustle of a 9-5 and can bring on a magnitude of pressure that many will not be able to withstand.

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Abu Dhabi Sunset

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Yes we can escape “the 9-5” and live our life by design! How and why you did, is it for everyone, and why might you recommend the ‘escape?’ “Escaping the 9-5” is a term that has become hugely popularized by the Instagram and YouTube community. In fact, “Escaped the 9-5” has literally been the first line of my Instagram bio for close to two years now. The idea of running away from corporate responsibilities, daily routines and social expectations seems extremely glamorous but the truth is, it’s not for everyone. Many people want to run away from the corporate word, but don’t know what they are running towards. While the grass may look greener on the other side (or the water may look bluer on the Instagram), self-employment takes ten times the work and hustle of a 9-5 and can bring on a magnitude of pressure that many will not be able to withstand. The moment you decide to call the shots and make yourself the captain of your ship, you are now solely responsible the success and failures of your business. Odds are good that when you begin your business, you will have to be the jack-ofAquarium Bath all-trades from marketing your brand, to developing amazing about it all. Anyone can do your own product. Unlike before, you this, but not everyone is willing to. don’t get off work at 5, because you never get off.You will begin to feel For me, escaping the 9-5 meant a constant pressure to be working quitting my job at one of the top around the clock, and if you don’t, it’s accounting firms, prematurely probably because you aren’t fit for cancelling my apartment lease in this. The people who make this work downtown Vancouver, selling the few are not lucky, and that’s what’s so possessions I had to my name, and

buying a one way ticket to Thailand with just $3,500 to my name (after having purchased my flight to Bangkok). I had a found a passion for making videos with my GoPro and had amassed a small following of roughly 2,500 Subscribers and 10,000 followers and I was committed to finding a way to make this passion www.facethecurrent.com

into my income. In the early stages, the name of the game was keeping costs low and to try and break even with my modest YouTube Adsense income of $200 USD/month. I began knocking on hostel doors, asking if they would host me in exchange for coverage in my vlog that day. Sometimes it worked, other times I had to knock on ten other doors until I got a yes. While I could write a small novel about the beginnings of my channel, this is one of the prime examples to show what you need to be willing to do to keep your fragile business afloat.You need to be willing to make sacrifices, but if you truly believe in your vision and are passionate about your project, these sacrifices don’t feel so tough. Now why should you be willing to sacrifice your comfortable salary and weekends going out for drinks with your friends? Well, if I have to explain this to you, you probably aren’t a fit for this. If you know deep down inside, you are capable of so much more than you will ever be able to achieve at your current position and it gnaws at you daily emotionally, mentally, and physically, then you probably don’t have to be told why making this sacrifice is worth every little bit of discomfort. Three years ago I was waking up to an alarm to get ready for a job I hated and every day was a count down to the next. For the first time in my life, I was depressed. At 22 years old, the world was not telling me to run off and follow my passions. In fact, the world told me the opposite, but going against the grain was the best decision of my life. The moment I quit, my depression disappeared, my anxieties ceased and although I had no idea where the next paycheck was going to come from, or how I would monetize this dream, I felt at peace and that I was where I was meant to be.

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Behind every success story, is someone who believed in their vision and didn’t give up when things got tough or when the world told them to stop. Anyone can quit their 9-5, but only those who chase their visions whole-heartedly will make it.

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Underwater Hawaii Nolan

Today, I have been blessed by the outpouring of support from the travel community or “teamgetlost” as we call ourselves. 1.5 million strong and growing rapidly, a camera and a dream have taken me a hell of a long way. The greatest rewards of escaping the 9-5 are that my passions have given me greater financial opportunities than I could have ever had at my previous job. It has enabled me to see the world at a young age while work my own hours from a laptop. I have been able to share some of the finest travel experiences with tens of millions of travelers from around the world and have the most rewarding interactions when I meet these people. And one of my favorite perks is definitely working calling my own shots. Behind every success story, is someone who believed in their vision and didn’t give up when things got tough or when the world told them to stop. Anyone can quit their 9-5, but only those who chase their visions whole-heartedly will make it. If you know that is you, then you can and will make it.

Yes we can do storytelling differently: How has social media and technology have opened up a whole new world of sharing our stories and creative expression to a global community? The social media playing field is one that changes rapidly and it’s incredibly important to keep up. Vine went from thriving to dead in a matter of a year, Instagram went from being only photo based sharing to now being a YouTube/Snapchat hybrid, and Facebook went from being the place you share your photos to now being the place your aunt Debra occasionally sends you a request to join Farmville. Things change fast. By no means was I the first adopter of Facebook,YouTube, or Instagram, but I have been on these platforms now for several years and it has been incredible to see the evolution. Right now, my favorite two mediums are YouTube and Instagram.YouTube has given me

Usezi

the ability to share long form content to tens of millions of people. This is the content that in my opinion, is the most meaningful. These videos can leave a lasting impression on someone through inspiration, entertainment and education. When someone clicks on a YouTube video, they are committing themselves to spend at-least a few minutes consuming that video and that is the massive advantage that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat do not have.YouTube viewers are highly engaged and this is the place where you can teach a new skill like how to edit a travel video or educate people on why they should not ride elephants. People are actually there to hear what you have to say and the connection you can build with this audience has potential to be greater than any other platform. Instagram used to be a place for pretty photos and short captions. It was not an easy place to build a

meaningful connection with your audience but today; Instagram Stories have changed that for the better. The same way YouTube allows people to connect with you, Instagram stories allow creators to share who they really are and this builds a much stronger connection than any photo can. Instagram has now become a place where you can educate, inspire and entertain through the power of video and that is why Instagram is my second favorite platform. While both YouTube and Facebook provide video based content, there is one important distinction worth noting. Recently Instagram released IG TV, which seemed like a promising rival to YouTube when in reality, it was dead on arrival. Why is that? I didn’t have to look far into my IG TV analytics to figure it out. My average watch time on YouTube is around five and a half minutes. That means when a subscriber or a stranger falls on my video and clicks on it, on average,

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Whats the takeaway of this tangent? It’s that video is king. It is the best way to build loyalty and a community. But what works on one platform, won’t necessarily work on the other. I suggest finding out what kind of content you want to make, where that audience lives and picking one or two platforms to focus in on. It also never hurts to diversify beyond one platform because as you can see, there are a lot of Viners whose careers sank faster than the titanic. Yes we can be explorers, even in this modern day where “everything has already been discovered.” Do you believe the definition of “explorer” has changed and do you consider yourself an ‘explorer?’ The thought that everything “has been discovered” or “it’s too late to get started” is often an excuse I hear people using when they are struggling to grow in their respective fields, especially in social media. The honest truth is, yes, it is harder to grow today because there is a higher saturation of content creators than ever before but it is never too late to succeed. We are all in some way or another competing for the time and attention of our audiences and it was much less competitive three years ago, but while this presents an additional challenge, it also rewards the explorers. Creativity, story telling and originality are always in high demand and anyone who can provide these things, can thrive on any given platform.

Sulphur Mine

Because I make travel videos, it’s the niche I monitor the most closely. One of the common mistakes I see new Instagrammers and YouTubers making is they all travel to the same places and take the same photos. They edit the

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Rice

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they will watch close to that average. On IG TV, my own Instagram followers were maybe watching five to ten percent of a fifteen-minute video (45 to 90 seconds!). That right there is the BIG difference. While they both allow us to share video, the Instagram community wants FAST entertainment. That is the reason they are still shockingly different from one another. What works on YouTube won’t necessarily work on Instagram and vice versa. It’s the reason big Instagrammers often fail to push over there audience to YouTube. It’s just a different style of content.

In the travel niche, being a literal explorer is more valuable than ever before. Instead of booking a trip to post photos of your Acai bowl in Bali, why not study Kung Fu in the mountains of China. Instead of being a “cool dude” doing backflips, why not show the side that makes you, you.

same way and they use the same unoriginal captions. Because their content is “cookie cutter” content, they are replaceable. If their Instagram account was removed from the face of the earth, there is a good chance most people would not even notice because they could find nearly the exact same content elsewhere. In the travel niche, being a literal explorer is more valuable than ever before. Instead of booking a trip to post photos of your Acai bowl in Bali, why not study Kung Fu in the mountains of China. Instead of being a “cool dude” doing backflips, why not show the side that makes you, you.Your flaws, your goofy side, or your well-spoken information rich nerdy side are all things that make you different from the next creator and make your channels irreplaceable. My YouTube channel focuses on Bali, which is a highly saturated market, but I make sure I give my content a unique twist. Recently I made a video showing people how they can travel this paradise with just $100. Instead of just showing off a villa and chasing a beautiful sunset, people received value and saw an untold story of Bali. You don’t have to be the first person to unicycle through the Himalayas, but if you want to get ahead you have to be different. Find a way to break away from the crowd and tell your untold story.

Monkeys

Infinity Pool

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Uluwattu

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Julius Kähkönen PLACE I Call Home: Finland Instagram: @visualsofjulius www.visualsofjuliuscourses.com

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Yes we can escape “the 9-5” and live our life by design! How and why you did, is it for everyone, and why might you recommend the ‘escape?’ When I was in school and we had to start thinking about where we would go to study after high school ended, I couldn’t think of a single degree or a job that I’d be interested in doing so I had to come up with something else. I also used to be very lazy, but in the beginning of 2017 I decided that it was time for a change. I had been interested in photography for a year, but did it only on and off because I had to shoot locally. I picked up editing as a hobby in the beginning of 2017 and fell in love with it because I was able to do it from home and it challenged me a lot creatively. I think I was able to escape the 9-5 because I started everything with having a huge passion for the all I was doing. I didn’t have any goals to acquire followers or become big in the industry at first.

I just focused on the art and slowly people started recognizing me. I devoted all of my time to photoshop, creating my artwork, and within couple of months of editing I started getting features on Instagram on big pages and then the growth started. I got my ‘’lucky’’ breakthrough after four and a half months into editing and only after that I became interested in actually growing Instagram, business, and so on. The breakthrough edit ended up being one of the most shared edits on Instagram in 2017. I was mentored by the best on the field straight from the get go and got amazing opportunities to try business out with successful people. My passion for the business side of things started big time after the breakthrough, and I started my very first own business. Escaping the 9-5 has given me a lot of freedom, but the whole social media thing has been pretty tough to handle mentally. I had never been

anyone and I live in a small town so suddenly having a large audience and the freedom to do whatever I want, felt a bit strange at first. I am still trying my best to take care of my mental and physical health. I would say that this type of job is definitely not for everyone.You need to have this urge to learn more all the time and most of the time you’re doing all of it alone while almost no one around you understands what you are doing. It’s tough but I’d say that it has been all worth it. I’d recommend trying to ‘’escape’’ the 9-5 if you can’t figure out a day job that you would like. If you want to be a doctor, then school is for you but if you want to be an artist, school can be the thing that kills your motivation to create content. That’s just my opinion and I do not recommend anyone to stop school if you aren’t 100% sure that you can make it in your industry.

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Yes we can do storytelling differently: How has social media and technology have opened up a whole new world of sharing our stories and creative expression to a global community? I absolutely love to create edits that work well together with the

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caption. One can look at art but not understand at all what it represents and sometimes this is done on purpose to have a bit of this mystery in your work, but I love creating edits based on stories, quotes and words. People can get much more out of someone’s images if there is a proper story or an idea behind the images/ videos. I also love to give people real

technical insides, my own thoughts on the industry and life, and then also share my own stories through my art and captions. Everyone interested in this type of industry ought to find their own way to do storytelling and share their work.

Yes you can capture amazing photos- if you want to. There’s a lot of pressure for people to share the most beautiful images from their travels, but not everyone has the skills- nor should they necessarily if they just want to experience it without documenting and sharing! But for those who would love to improve their skills, could you share how you first got hooked/started on travel photography and what would you recommend as quick tips, travel photography hacks, and ‘next level’ tips? There’s this thing called YouTube that can teach you more than any school can ever teach! You search for what you want to learn and there are thousands of ‘teachers’ available for you free of charge.You just need to find the one whose teaching style you like and then start watching all of his or her content. Also if you have an idol or someone who inspires you a lot and he or she is providing tutorials or courses, I would definitely recommend checking into them because paying tens of thousands of dollars to learn in college might not teach you as much and as specifically in comparison with someone who is offering free tutorials or courses for affordable pricing tailored to your exact interests. I got interested in capturing these places around the world because I didn’t want to use someone else’s work anymore to create my dreamscapes. I wanted to experience the places myself and then create from my own shots. I learned to use a camera by watching couple courses and a lot of YouTube tutorials and I’d recommend everyone else to do so too. It’s so easy and quick to learn nowadays because of the Internet.

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development company founded by Nassim Haramein. Haramein has spent over 30 years researching and discovering connections in physics, mathematics, geometry, cosmology, quantum mechanics, biology, chemistry, anthropology, and ancient civilizations. ARK® Crystal technologies represent a remarkable achievement in the field of quantum vacuum engineering. Quantum is defined as the smallest possible discrete unit of any physical property, and a quantum state is an isolated system of such units. Quantum vacuum state is the quantum state with the lowest possible energy, containing no physical particles. At the molecular level, ARK® quartz crystals are tetrahedral, meaning they are triangular pyramids. Haramein experimentally confirmed the principles of the precise dimensional ratio of this molecular geometry. Magnetohydrodynamics is the study of the magnetic properties and behaviour of fluids that conduct electricity. For example, plasmas, liquid metals, salt water, and electrolytes are all

magnetofluids. Achieved by patented magnetohydrodynamic technology, ARK® crystals produce an optimal harmonic resonance, meaning oscillating electric energy is occurring at the best frequency for the human body. Nonlocal entanglement is a phenomenon whereby particles that interact with each other become permanently related, dependent on each other’s states and properties. They behave as a single entity even if they are separated by a great distance. ARK® crystals’ structural and dimensional characteristics give them the ability to link with the low energy of the quantum vacuum as well as the nonlocal entanglement network. This means that ARK® crystals will sync with your being on a cellular level. Just like quartz, water molecules also have a tetrahedral geometry, as does the geometry of spacetime. Spacetime is any mathematical model that combines the three dimensions of space with the one dimension of time into a single four-dimensional structure. ARK® crystals are a bridge-technology, demonstrating

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The physical benefits of ARK® crystals are numerous. They promote positive energy by offering a natural way to decrease anxiety and irritability. When using ARK® crystals, you can also expect to feel mentally clear, enjoying acute awareness throughout your day. You will feel more alert at work, more present with your family, and you’ll find renewed enjoyment from your personal hobbies.

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the principle of vacuum energy resonance and its ability to affect a biological component, such as water. Empirical evidence demonstrates that ARK® crystals give water a “supercharged” effect. Plants exposed to water treated with ARK® crystals demonstrate increases in growth rate, size, and resistance to disease, as well as improved system coherence. Coherent water is structured to be ideally cooperative in a biologic system such as the human body. Coherence allows water to have local interactions with other molecules and this can have larger global effects on the system it’s in. When the human body is the system, we realize that highly coherent water is more bioavailable than regular water. This means that nutrients or particles in the water are more available for absorption and utilization inside the body, reducing dehydration. At a molecular level, this is critical to health and cellular reproduction. Our bodies are made up of more than 70% water, and if this water is enhanced by the ARK® crystal, it acts like a crystalline oscillator. A crystal

oscillator is an electronic circuit that uses the resonance of a vibrating crystal to create an electrical signal with a precise frequency. When this happens, the body can come into harmonic resonance with this inexhaustible source of energy, coherence, and connectedness.

charge a liquid, simply put it into a glass container and suspend it over the crystal. Liquids should ideally be charged for 12-24 hours for optimal effect. Similar to acupuncture, ARK® crystals can also be used to bring additional coherence to the body’s meridian network and energy centers. Meridians are energy highways that can be mapped throughout the body and have roots in traditional Chinese healing practices. There is no shortage of gorgeous crystals and jewelry in this world, but the science behind ARK® crystals supports its elevation to life-changing, functional beauty. Whether you’re beginning or continuing your journey in crystal use, let ARK® crystals guide you toward the most effective and positively charged version of yourself.

The ARK® crystal is a beautifully handcrafted wearable technology that has been consciously designed, manufactured, and scientifically validated to provide direct benefits to its users. ARK® crystals can be used to charge or bring coherence to the structure of water, juice, wine, and even oils and creams. To

ymore info: For more information, visit:

www.arkcrystals.com Check out this documentary about Haramein’s discoveries:

http://getconnected.resonance.is www.facethecurrent.com

FtC culture

“Let’s Start A Riot”

Bryn Mooser’s Empowers ‘The Unheard’ Revolutionizing Media With Purposeful Motion Pictures Storytelling

By Sasha Frate and Ainsley Schoppel In the most concise terms, Bryn Mooser is both a humanitarian and an award-winning filmmaker. His humanitarian efforts came first when he joined the Peace Corps after college, working in Gambian agriculture. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, he then became the Country Director for Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ), helping to build Haiti’s largest cholera center. As a result of his efforts in Haiti, he was named one of Esquire Magazine’s “Americans of the Year.” Mooser has also helped to build APJ’s secondary school in Port-auPrince which now annually educates 2,400 Haitian youth.

RYOT Cofounder Bryn Mooser in Bangladesh FACE the CURRENT MAGAZINE

RYOT Cofounder Bryn Mooser showing VR in Telluride, Colorado Witnessing the ways in which technology, specifically social media, can change lives inspired Mooser to think about the evolving ways in which people are able to share their stories. “When I joined the Peace Corps in 2001, there were no cell phones and very few landline phones in West Africa. The following year, cellphone towers started popping up and people got cell phones overnight. I saw that technology was going to connect the entire world in ways that we couldn’t possibly anticipate or imagine,” he recalled. “During my visit to Haiti in 2010, I saw how social media was spreading. Cellphones and technology began connecting people, giving them ways to share their stories. Technology was changing the dynamic of who held the power to tell stories. That was very exciting to me; I realized the ‘old-world’ way of a small minority dictating the narrative of the world was going to change.”

After working in the non-profit sector, Mooser realized that he needed to shift courses and affect change in a different way. “I hated fundraising,” Mooser confessed. It became frustrating for him to divert passion and energy away from the core mission and into fundraising events. “That’s why I pivoted to start a for-profit company that would have purpose at its core; I thought I could make a bigger impact and have an effect on people’s lives.” While the purpose of his time as an aid worker was genuine, Mooser finds himself more pessimistic of large non-profit organizations at this stage in his life. “I’m more cynical about the ability of large non-profits to make an impact in the world than I was at the beginning. I feel much more closely aligned to some of President Kennedy’s original ideals of the Peace Corps. He envisioned a personto-person impact that you have in

somebody’s life by listening to their story and telling yours,” he explained. As a result, Mooser and David Darg co-founded RYOT, a Los Angeles based media company. Mooser now creates documentaries to highlight unique and powerful stories, shining a light on important issues and exemplary people. Mooser and Darg, also an aid worker, both began their young adult lives performing humanitarian work which helped shape their compassionate viewpoint and drive to tell human stories. “When you are in a time of tragedy or in a natural disaster, the first thing that you are struck with is the strength of the human spirit. If you talk to anybody who’s ever been in a disaster zone, they’ll say, ‘I never realized how strong people were and how beautiful it is to see a community coming together where people are helping each other,’” www.facethecurrent.com

RYOT Co-founders Bryn Mooser and David Darg in Papua New Guinea

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We want our stories to have an impact on the way people see the world. A common thread in a lot of our work is the strength of the human spirit; it’s people making sacrifices to make their community a better place. Mooser acknowledged. “It’s carrying somebody across a river that’s flooded. It’s driving a boat up to somebody’s house to rescue them. I feel lucky enough to have seen that all over the world and that’s the story that we want to tell. We’re very influenced by our time as aid workers because we saw the best of humanity in the worst of situations.” In keeping with his feelings about working in the non-profit sector, RYOT hasn’t implemented direct fundraising efforts or involvement initiatives for every film they’ve produced over the last 3 years. “That’s part of changing my own definition of what ‘impact’ means,” he said. “We want our stories to have an impact on the way people see the

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it’s people making sacrifices to make their community a better place.” RYOT’s documentaries often aim to uplift and inspire its viewers to enact change in their own lives as well as One of RYOT’s recent documentaries, the lives of others. “I certainly know Fear Us Women, is rife with moving that the stories we are telling are of messages. It’s the story of Hannah, a people who inspire me and our team Canadian woman, leaving her country here. I’m hoping their stories and our to fight against ISIS as a volunteer work continue to inspire people,” he sniper with an all-female Kurdish remarked. army seeking to liberate women in With close to 250 films in RYOT’s Syria. Darg met with Hannah and catalogue, Mooser and his team knew that hers was a story that needed telling. “A lot of times, stories have told some incredible stories in end up finding us,” Mooser reflected. compelling ways. “The film of which I’m most proud is Body Team 12. It “When we see a story like Hannah’s, was nominated for an Oscar and is it’s very clear that it’s something we want to share with people. A currently on HBO. It tells a really common thread in a lot of our work powerful story of a woman who was a Liberian Red Cross worker. is the strength of the human spirit; world. We’re hopefully going to be out there combating cynicism rather than trying to fundraise for various efforts off of every story we tell.”

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I’m especially proud of our partnership with VICE where all of the projects will have a focus on diversity and inclusion, both in front of the camera and behind. We are looking to find up-and-coming filmmakers with a distinct point of view to tell compelling stories and shed light on narratives that need to be told.

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She showed incredible strength collecting bodies of people who had died from Ebola,” Mooser recalls. It’s an exciting time for upcoming RYOT films as well. On Her Shoulders is a 2018 Sundance Film Festival Award-winning documentary about a young, extraordinary Yazidi woman named Nadia Murad. She is a human rights activist, a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, the recipient of the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize and the Sakharov Prize, and the UN’s first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking. The film was acquired for distribution by Oscilloscope and will be released later this year. “Fire on the Hill is about to open at the LA Film Festival and it’s about a group of guys from Compton who

rode horses as a way to escape their situations, with some ending up on the rodeo circuit. We also have an augmented reality film called Terminal 3 that’s really powerful. It just opened at the Tribeca Film Festival and will soon be out in public,” Mooser explained. Additionally, RYOT recently partnered with VICE to establish a multi-million-dollar fund to create feature documentaries from visionary filmmakers that push the boundaries of storytelling. “I’m especially proud of this partnership,” Mooser proclaimed. “All of the projects will have a focus on diversity and inclusion, both in front of the camera and behind. We are looking to find up-and-coming filmmakers with a distinct point of view to tell compelling stories and shed light on

narratives that need to be told.” Aside from telling captivating, inspirational stories of resiliency and hope in the traditional documentary medium, Mooser and his team at RYOT have used virtual reality to enhance their ability to convey what they experience as journalists. “Virtual reality is an amazing medium to bring you inside the story,” he described. “We made the first virtual reality film in a disaster zone in Nepal after an earthquake. We’ve also used virtual reality to film inside a Syrian war-zone in our film, Welcome to Aleppo. For the first time, we used virtual reality to bring people into these places that, up until then, they’d only read about.” Using immersive experiences to tell stories allows for www.facethecurrent.com

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Many people will never experience what it is like to be in a war zone or refugee camp. Through our work (with virtual reality), you will be better able to understand what people in these circumstances are going through and be more inspired to help.

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Bryn Mooser shooting the Ivory burn in VR in Nairobi, Kenya a more personal connection to the subject matter as it places the viewer in the center of the story. “Many people will never experience what it is like to be in a war zone or refugee camp. Through our work, you will be better able to understand what people in these circumstances are going through and be more inspired to help,” expressed Mooser. Virtual reality films can be viewed on a computer, but as Mooser explained, they are best seen on a headset. “Virtual reality headsets are still getting out there in the world. As the technology improves and makes them smaller and less bulky, I think you’re going to see more opportunities to experience virtual reality firsthand.” The power of virtual reality storytelling is something that RYOT will continue to explore, as they

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work to develop new technologies and filmmaking techniques that will continue to bring viewers closer to the story. Mooser widely credits determination and enthusiasm for his current life path and achievements with RYOT. “To be successful, the most important thing is passion and drive. If you have those things, you will be set up for success.You also have to be prepared to fail often and fast, learning from everything and not giving up,” he noted. RYOT set out on a specific mission to tell stories that could move the world, helping to shift narratives. “Now, more than ever, I think that it’s easy to turn on the news and feel hopeless and sad; you feel like giving up,” Mooser said. “There’s actually a lot of beauty in the world and there are many

solutions to problems. The thing we have to fight against is apathy. Don’t ever give up on a mission that you really believe in.You will succeed in it by any means necessary because it’s the only thing that you want to do and it’s the only thing you could ever see yourself doing. If the stakes are that high, you won’t fail.” Mentorships are also an important part of growth and focused learning, offering guidance and support along the path of finding one’s passion. One of Bryn’s most influential mentors is Tesla’s Elon Musk. “Elon is a very close friend of mine from whom I’ve learned so much about perseverance and commitment to vision and mission,” he stated. “I’ve watched him go through challenging times in his companies while never giving up. In fact, I’ve seen them exponentially

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Now, more than ever, I think that it’s easy to turn on the news and feel hopeless and sad; you feel like giving up. There’s actually a lot of beauty in the world and there are many solutions to problems. The thing we have to fight against is apathy. Don’t ever give up on a mission that you really believe in.

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Bryn Mooser off the coast of Kenya in the island of Lamu

As is the case with journalistic endeavours, exposing truths through storytelling can be a confrontational business. It can mean challenging large organizations, corporations, and public figures, risking costly push-back and outside attempts to silence the story. “I’m always happy to take on the fight if it’s a good fight to win. I think the risk that we take is when we’re silent in the face of injustice and so that’s why I worry more about whether or not I did everything that I could have done in a given situation,” Mooser confessed. “Those are the things I ask myself; I don’t worry whether an organization is too mighty to fall.” At the end of this summer, RYOT announced the launch of a ground-

breaking innovative entertainment studio that will use Verizon’s 5G technology to revolutionize the next generation of content creation beyond virtual reality. Opening this fall, the RYOT Innovation Studio will house Verizon’s Playa Vista, California campus. As part of its 5G Labs program on the East and West coasts, Verizon’s 5G RYOT Lab in Los

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Elon (Musk) is a very close friend of mine from whom I’ve learned so much about perseverance and commitment to vision and mission; the greatest lesson that I’ve ever learned from him: against all odds, never give up.

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grow. That’s the greatest lesson that I’ve ever learned from him: against all odds, never give up.”

Angeles will build on the success of the company’s 5G lab in New York City. As for what’s next for Mooser, RYOT’s documentaries are his continued focus. “Creating a positive impact and storytelling have always been my true passions. RYOT perfectly combines these two things and they drive my life’s work. I couldn’t imagine working on anything else,” he affirmed. Something tells us he won’t have to.

ymore info: www.ryot.org Instagram: @thisisryot / @brynmooser Twitter: @thisisryot / @brynmooser www.facethecurrent.com

FtC culture

The Creative Path Less Traveled with Blu By Woody Woodrow Creativity is not often experienced and displayed in calculated moments. Feeling free to channel open energy can pave the way for deeply satisfying creative experiences in everyday life. It was exactly this change in thinking that lead Blu, artist and divine feminine powerhouse, to shift her lifecourse and awaken to her purpose. Born in Manchester, UK, Charlotte Victoria, known as Blu, is a sound alchemist, artist, female empowerment mentor, and a medicine woman. Using voice activation, holistic sound healing, and gene-keys decoding, Blu offers support for people to unlock their creative potential and tap into radical self-expression. A modern-day mystic of the ancient healing arts, Blu navigates the world of extra-sensory perception and utilizes the power of sound frequencies to support the body’s healing by bringing peace and relaxation to the central nervous system. Together with her sisterhood partner, Azrya, Blu is currently devoted to their creation, Ancient Intelligence. AI is a transformational space for influencers and world leaders to dive into their potential, redefining what it means to be human. In a warm and frank chat with Face the Current, Blu shares the ways in which we can enhance our creativity, channel the divine feminine, and accelerate our evolution. The path may be less traveled, but Blu knows the way. Follow along!

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Credit: Amir Magal (@amirimagestudio)

Woody Woodrow: What got you started on a creative path? Blu: Well, I’ve always loved creating; especially as a child. There was a lot of magic in my life and I created a lot, painting whenever I could. During my schooling, I was asked to choose a major. From there, I went down a different route and I didn’t create for almost 17 years. Even still, I always knew I had it in me. I would doodle on the side of my accounting homework, getting in trouble for drawing on myself and the people who sat next to me. It was never something that I sent all my energy toward though, because I was always told “you can’t make money as an artist; art is not the sustainable route.” My path from college lead me to becoming a production manager and sitting in an office from 9-5, five days a week. I thought, “There’s got to be something more than this. There’s got to be something that I am uniquely good at.” Many people could do what I did as a project manager, but I can be an artist by channeling whatever wants to come through me, and that makes me unique. I started doodling during my lunch breaks. I would doodle on Post-It notes and I would

doodle pictures of my friends to send to them. One time, my friend posted one of the doodles on Facebook. Her friends saw it and asked if I could do a commission piece, so I started making a bit of money on the side doing little pencil portraits. Shortly thereafter, I went to a

you grow up and forget about the realness of magic. Magic is real in the eyes of people that believe it’s real and I had believed other peoples’ truth for too long. After going to that festival and having that tickle about artwork, I decided I couldn’t do another week in the office. I quit my job with no real understanding of what I was doing, and I took a trust-fall into the universe. I was caught in one of the most profound ways you can imagine. WW: What do you do when you feel like your creative energy is stagnant? B: Nature, movement, and happy food. I need clean energy going into my body, a clean environment, nature, truth, and remembrance. Movement moves the chi which is the life-force energy around the body. Freestyle dancing opens the channel for me.

transformational festival called “Lightning in a Bottle” and I watched a bunch of adults powerfully playing. They were hula hooping, juggling with fire, selling their artwork, dancing around in cool costumes, and it just really ignited the magic that I felt as a kid. I was like, “It is real, and it can exist!” It doesn’t have to be that

WW: What would you tell someone who doesn’t think they are creative or doesn’t feel like they have a creative outlet? B: I don’t believe that we’re all created to be painters or that we’re all here to be musicians. We are all here to create; we are creators of our reality and that’s a creation in itself. Our life is our legacy; our life is www.facethecurrent.com

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‘Some of the tools I like to surround myself with along this path of the empowered, awakened woman: crystals, sage, Palo Santo, dream journals, alters, musical instruments from all over the world, feathers I’ve found on my walks in nature, fresh flowers, essential oils, tribal markers, tarot, candles, vegan nibbles, sisterhood, and a dose of womb magic. It’s all the forgotten knowing. The great remembering is happening. Who’s with me?’ We are all here to create; we are creators of our reality and that’s a creation in itself. Our life is our legacy; our life is our message. How can we create our message to have as much power as possible?

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our message. How can we create our message to have as much power as possible? Creating doesn’t just mean painting or making music. I think it would be narrowminded to say, “I’m not an artist.” Creating can also mean making a beautiful meal, putting love into it, being present and finding different flavors; that’s creation. Creating can be going into the garden to pot some plants or go for a walk and create presence. There are so many different ways to tap into our creativity and the source is within all of us. It can be found in the silence of our own exploration. WW:You have many outlets,

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one being your beautiful voice. What kind of mental and physical barriers did you have to overcome in order to become confident using your voice? B: Good question. Three years ago, the thought of singing in public made me so nervous. My palms would get sweaty, my face would go red, and I’d be so uncomfortable. If I was in the shower, on the other hand, I would belt it out. I have a great voice, but there was something blocking me from being able to share it. There were times when I didn’t feel I had a good voice and I would watch American Idol and think, “I wish I

had that skill. I wish I could sing, but it’s just not for me in this lifetime.” I made up that story before even trying, so when I would sing, my reality was already created. One day, I went for a routine hearing test and a doctor told me that I was going deaf and that I only had a few years left of my hearing. I was shocked, and it made me think, “Would I never hear music again? Would I lose the ability to hear my own voice?” Nothing was guaranteed from that point. I decided I didn’t want to live in fear of what other people think about me anymore, because I might lose my opportunity to sing or to be able to hear myself.

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Music is just a series of frequencies and when I actually tuned out of hearing it and tuned into feeling it, my relationship with music completely shifted. Now, when I sing and play music, it completely calms the central nervous system so that the body can be in more of a healing state. That’s medicine-music-alchemy.

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WW: In regard to your hearing loss, have you found that any other areas of your life have been enhanced? B: The whole game has changed! When one sense is dampened, the others are heightened. What I’ve realized is all of our senses inhibit us from truly immersing into the sense of feeling. This is an extrasensory perception to which we don’t send much awareness. We navigate life through our senses, but are we sending any awareness to what we feel? Are we trusting that? I was catapulted into the world of feeling and I realized that every single person’s thoughts are a specific frequency that can be felt.

Credit: Amir Magal (@amirimagestudio) www.facethecurrent.com

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One of My favorite tools for my creative outlet is Tribal Markers. Tribal markers is a movement uniting us all as one tribe. This personal connection bridges the gap of seperation and connects us through physical touch using ancient adornment in our modern times.

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I’m not performing when I’m playing music, I’m praying. WW: Shifting gears slightly, you are a facilitator of women’s circles. Could you share what a women’s circle is to you? B: For me, a women’s circle is a group of women that are committed to understanding themselves on a deeper level by coming together and completely eradicating the perception that we’re separate. There is no competition between us and we can trust each other. What women’s circles do is create a safe space for women; a place to share (poetry, music, their stories) and a safe place to experience new gifts. It’s also about sharing moon wisdom; understanding where the moon is and whether it’s a full moon or a new moon. We set specific intentions, we talk about specific books, and we really just support each other. I have a women’s group online, as well. It’s an international group and once a week we check in with each other to share the magic that’s happened from all points of the globe. As a woman living in Los Angeles, I now have exposure to magic from women all over the planet. When a woman shares her experience, it becomes a part of my awareness and therefore it becomes a part of me. We all win

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Credit and post edit by Blu when women support each other and genuinely lift each other up into greatness. WW: If someone is wondering how they can find or be a part of a women’s circle, what would you recommend they do? B: At the moment, there are women’s circles that are popping up all over the place. If you are feeling the call to physically be in a women’s circle, check into the nearest Red Tent gathering. Outside of that, if anyone is interested in doing a one-on-one session with me, I currently offer Gene Key readings. These are a divedeep into your life’s work, identifying what is truly holding you back. Gene Key’s purpose is to unlock the great reservoir of genius that lies inside

of you while bringing you into a deep state of harmony with your life’s purpose. I am amazed at this tool’s ability to understand oneself on a much deeper level and I take great honor in guiding others back home to themselves. If you are interested in a one-on-one Gene Keys deep-dive, you can e-mail me at blucosmiceagle@gmail.com.You can also trace me on my Instagram, @blucosmiceagle, where I share stories about what is happening as well as ways to get involved. WW: What’s one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from facilitating women’s circles? B: The biggest lesson is that I couldn’t do it all alone. I have a sister, Azrya, and a whole group of women that give support. They create a

WW: How do you believe we can speed up our own evolution? B: I’m currently working on a really big project called Ancient Intelligence. I’m sure a lot of people are aware of

AI in terms of artificial intelligence, but that is creating something outside of ourselves that we utilize to enhance our intelligence.

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I firmly believe that innate intelligence is already within us to unlock our dormant DNA. Ancient intelligence is all about unlocking our truest potential through nature, medicine work, sound healing, yoga, and breath work.

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successful experience for women to come in and feel nourished. When someone really wants to help and support, everyone they touch and greet is met with the most open heart and the highest excitement. The whole women’s circle is created through enabling women to come together to create something for women’s empowerment. It’s a full circle.

We’re currently in my cabin in the middle of the forest, which is a part of the new Ancient Intelligence mothership. The intention of this whole enterprise is to elevate and support the evolution of us waking up into our potential; into why we came here. Within the AI structure, we also focus on clean food. It’s fuel. When we don’t eat clean food, it’s like putting water into a Ferrari and expecting it to run. It will absolutely break down and require repairs. If I put Grade A fuel into the car, it will run smoothly for a long time, requiring much less time and money for repairs. It’s the same with food. It’s about asking, “Is this live, fresh food that’s going to allow me to feel alive and fresh?” If the answer is no, then it’s a deeper dive into, “Why am I picking it up if I know what’s best for me?” To me, speeding up evolution is also about eliminating obligations from my schedule. This one’s a deep one, but I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. How am I in service of anybody in an experience if I’m not happy to be there? This has elevated my frequency because I’m constantly doing epic things. In doing so, I’m saying to the universe, “Hey, I’m doing this epic thing and I want more epic things to come into my life.” Because of the law of cause and effect, what we do comes back to us like a boomerang. If I keep doing things I don’t want to do, I’m just asking the universe for more of it. So, get out there, create dope art, ask for what you want and let it come to you! WW: I appreciate you taking the time to share. Keep breathing and rock on. All the love.

ymore info: www.ancient-intelligence.com Instagram: @blucosmiceagle Credit: Amir Magal (@amirimagestudio)

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FtC culture

Rainforest Gala and Runway:

Fashion for Conservation By Ainsley Schoppel The fashion industry is a necessary cog in humanity’s wheel, providing us with endless choices for utilitarian protection and artistic expression. It’s the very endlessness of fashion, however, that makes it the second most wasteful industry on the planet. Fashion for Conservation (FFC) was founded by a group of women with an unwavering mission to make a positive impact on the world through conservation-inspired couture. Co-founders Samantha Zwicker (Wildlife Conservationist) and Ava Holmes (Fashion Week/Event Producer) epitomized the combined talents and passions to create fashion campaigns that focus on animal and ecosystems education, while donating funds to wildlife groups. One of FFC’s biggest campaigns was Elephantasia, a 3-year fashion week campaign bringing conservation into couture with elephant-inspired fashion. While working alongside the African Wildlife Foundation, the campaign raised awareness of the impact of ivory poaching on elephants.

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With their annual Rainforest Gala, FFC partners with nonprofit Hoja Nueva to drive rainforest conservation in the Peruvian Amazon. In previous seasons, the gala has featured animal and rainforest-inspired collections from as many as 12 international designers and hosting 500-800 guests. Hoja Nueva confronts deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon by conserving rainforest, building capacity within remote and indigenous communities by developing micro-financing programs, and empowering women. They likewise implement rigorous scientific research in waste management, water, and wildlife, and they create alternative income opportunities that protect indigenous culture and wildlife habitat. Last year’s gala funded a zero-carbon-footprint ecolodge in the lowland Amazon rainforest. “Two thousand trees were also planted to help create a research center that provides conservation and agroforestry education in a world threatened by rampant deforestation and climate change,” noted co-founder of FFC and Hoja Nueva director, Samantha Zwicker. www.facethecurrent.com

This year, Face the Current attended the 4th annual Seattle Fashion for Conservation Rainforest Gala, a night for fashionistas, nature-lovers, and philanthropists to take a high-style walk through the world’s jungles. Destructive agricultural practices are leaving fragmented forests that store less carbon, adversely impacting wildlife movement and gene flow. This also generates higher levels of atmospheric carbon and a decline in regional species. As part of the recent Paris Accord, conserving rainforest to slow climate change is an urgent matter that requires strong institutional support for projects that shift how we source our food, water, and energy, while supporting rainforest conservation and habitat protection. That’s why the Gala continues to work to save the largest unprotected rainforest in Peru.

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Credit: Andrés Frate

As FFC’s Holmes strongly stated in a TEDX talk last November, “It’s time to reverse fashion’s impact on the planet from being the second most wasteful industry in the world to becoming a solution to some of the world’s toughest environmental problems.” ymore info: To learn more, please explore FFC’s magazine at www.fashionforconservation.com/magazine and visit www.fashionforconservation.com or follow @FashionforConservation www.facethecurrent.com

FtC culture

The Feeling of Home

Reducing Isolation and Segregation for At Risk Populations By David Aiello Several years ago as Alicia DeLashmutt unexpectedly faced her own mortality, her mind focused on the uncertain futures that her aging mother and her daughter, Neva, a young adult with disabilities, would experience if she were gone. Alicia ultimately realized this ordeal was a catalyst to create something that would outlast her, and touch lives that would outlive her. As a result, Alicia established the Our Home, Inclusive Community Collaborative, to provide people who experience disabilities, elders, and those below median income the opportunity and choice of building true, supportive community into their living situations.

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Neva’s Mom and Our Home—Cathedral Park visionary, Alicia DeLashmutt.

Community holds the potential to be something more intimate than just a location. Community can be the people that you choose to surround yourself with, people that you care about and that also care about you. Community can be that feeling of ‘home.’ Community can be an active choice.

To Alicia DeLashmutt, of Portland, Oregon, community is everything. “If you ask someone to define the word community, they might identify a physical location, their school, neighborhood or city,” she says. “But community holds the potential to be something more intimate than just a location. Community can be the people that you choose to surround yourself with, people that you care about and that also care about you. Community can be that feeling of ‘home.’ Community can be an active choice.” With that in mind in 2013, Alicia formulated the vision that has become the Our Home, Inclusive Community Collaborative. Our Home’s mission is to promote, support and develop inclusive, diverse communities, and has led to the development of the Our Home– Cathedral Park project. This will be a new pocket neighborhood, based on the model of cohousing that will intentionally include individuals often seen as at-risk, people with disabilities, elders and people below median income. Alicia’s goal is to reduce the isolation and segregation often experienced by these individuals by creating a community that celebrates the gifts and strengths of each person, contrasted with deficits and needs that often become the defining factors in today’s housing. This unique, inclusive and diverse collaborative housing type is the choice that she believes, “many are searching for.” AN INNOVATIVE, SUSTAINABLE ANSWER TO TODAY’S SOCIAL PROBLEMS Cohousing is not a new concept. Its origins are rooted in kibbutzim, a Hebrew word meaning gathering or clustering. The first kibbutz was an agricultural community formed in the early 20th century by Jewish people in search of a more connected life. A more modern version of cohousing emerged in Denmark after

a newspaper article titled “Children Should Have One Hundred Parents,” prompted a group of 50 families to organize around a community project in 1967. Cohousing came to the United States the 1990’s. There are now over 160 active cohousing communities in 25 states and more than 125 new communities are in process. Each cohousing community organizes around a shared value system and brings together the value of private homes with the benefits of sustainable living, enhanced by shared spaces and facilities. Residents actively participate in the design and operation of their community, and share common facilities thus creating a strong connection with neighbors.

ISOLATION AND SEGREGATION Alicia’s 16 year-old daughter, Neva, a lively and engaged young woman, experiences a rare genetic syndrome and requires assistance with daily living. Neva holds the distinction of being one of a handful of children in the United States, and one of only 200 worldwide, to be diagnosed with Mowat-Wilson Syndrome (MWS). This rare genetic disorder affects many systems of the body with symptoms including intellectual disabilities, distinctive facial features, delayed development, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Planning for her disabled child’s future, a reality shared by approximately one million parents nationally, is a priority for Alicia.Yet despite 1 in 5 people experiencing disability in their lifetime and the progress being made with inclusion

and anti-discrimination laws, Alicia has faced barriers and institutionalized thinking since Neva was born. “People who experience disabilities are a part of the natural fabric of our society. But because we often don’t personally know someone who experiences disability, we may see a person in a wheelchair or meet someone with an intellectual disability and react to them as an unknown, as uncomfortable, as ‘other,’” she says. “Fear of the unknown perpetuates the societal tendency to isolate and segregate those most vulnerable and feeds the antiquated perception that people that experience disability should be taken care of by someone else. Our Home seeks to change that attitude by creating communities where everyone shares what they can give. Those gifts may look different from person to person but we all have ways that we shine.” In 2000, the State of Oregon closed the Fairview Training Center, the state institution for people that experience disability. “If I was born with my daughter’s disabilities in 1965, my family would have been encouraged to ‘give me up’ and place me in the state’s care. It was a medical model that said, ‘we are the experts and we will take care of these children, you don’t have to and you can go and have another child instead,’” explained Alicia. When Neva was born, Alicia and Neva’s father heard exactly that from an older parent, “You don’t need to keep her.You can try again.” She said it was one of the hardest things they ever heard as Neva’s parents. Alicia emphasizes, “I love my child no matter what. She is part of me. She has an inherent right to be in this world and brings with her special gifts and strengths. It’s our job to discover those unique things that bring her joy and make her shine and foster them, just like any other parents.” www.facethecurrent.com

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FINDING AN ALTERNATIVE Traditional housing options aren’t meeting the needs and wants of our senior population or people with disabilities. “People want choices. They want an option to live in a community where people care about them, not just get paid to care for them,” Alicia adds. While she has worked for the last 15 years with school systems, communities and other families to address and overcome the lowexpectations surrounding people with disabilities, her motivation to start Our Home, really solidified five years ago when she found herself in a lifethreatening situation.

child would have the connected and fulfilling life that she deserved. But it quickly grew to include all families that have the same driving desire. I had to find an alternative that would allow families to look to a hopeful future rather than being limited to keeping their child at home until they were too old to care for them or surrendering their children to institutions, group homes or foster care. I want Our Home to try to educate and win over the hearts and minds of people around the possibilities for and value of people with disabilities as a part of our communities.”

“I was researching assisted living options with my mother and unexpectedly became very ill. I was admitted into the hospital and under medical care for several weeks. After leaving the ICU, I was told that I had experienced a close call and that I was very lucky,” she explains. “I realized from that experience that things can change drastically at any moment and that I should not only be considering my mother’s future need for care but also my young daughter’s. The Our Home concept started with the primal need to make sure my

THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT In 2015, Community Vision, Inc., Oregon’s largest provider of individualized support for adults and youth experiencing disabilities, purchased a half-acre site in the Cathedral Park neighborhood near the St. Johns Bridge, in Portland. Community Vision is holding the land for Our Home’s first development, Our Home–Cathedral Park, and both Community Vision, Inc and Proud Ground, the local land trust, will help to provide subsidies for several units that will be kept permanently available

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Our Home—Cathedral Park will employ Universal Design principles to foster accessibility throughout, including the central, shared courtyard.

If you think about how a lot of our communities are put together now, it’s about how to provide privacy, or keep people separated instead of bringing them together. The architecture of Our Home–Cathedral Park is designed around bringing people together.

for families and individuals below median income. Designed by the Seattle, Washington, architecture group Johnston Architects and developed by the Portland development group Urban Development + Partners, Our Home– Cathedral Park will be a 22 unit accessible, condo community. Units will range from one to three bedrooms of approximately 600- to 1,400-squarefeet. As a former commercial interior and landscape designer, Alicia wants to create a functional and beautiful space based on universal design principles that encourages a social, communal environment, yet retains privacy. “If you think about how a lot of our communities are put together now, it’s about how to provide privacy, or keep people separated instead of bringing them together. The architecture of Our Home–Cathedral Park is designed around bringing people together,” says Alicia. “The way that we will move through the space will bring us in proximity to each other and that is very much on purpose. This is because if I see you, I know you. And once I know you I cannot deny your value as a human being in my community.”

Features are designed to allow short interactions with people every day and longer interactions on a regular basis and include break-out conversation areas, a large communal kitchen and dining area, shared laundry, guest room and a spacious shared courtyard. Daily interaction is not only encouraged but it is essential for this community model to thrive and succeed. The Our Home team is seeking future neighbors that would like work together to create this first community by purchasing a unit or individuals and foundations interested in helping raise $1.6 million in the next 18 months to assist with predevelopment costs and the subsidies for their affordable units. The total project is estimated at $9.7 million and the estimated completion date is late 2020. WHEN WILL IT BE TIME TO REST? The impact of a life-long need for advocacy, assistance and care among families of children with disabilities can be particularly acute and it has raised Alicia out of her comfort zone. “Being my daughter’s unflinching champion can take a toll. But I know it is the right thing to do. You can’t go crawl under a rock because of the challenges life presents. My daughter has gifted me with an amazing opportunity and focus. This is what I get to do with this life!”

The St. John’s Bridge in Portland, provides a dramatic backdrop to Our Home—Cathedral Park. Addressing Discrimination with the Americans with Disabilities Act The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990, and was the first-ever civil rights law for people with physical and cognitive challenges. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The law was intended to bring about sweeping change, and in many ways it has done that. For example, more cities and towns have street corners with curb cuts, making it possible for people who use wheelchairs to cross the street and use sidewalks. But for this affected population, many large obstacles remain such as finding a job and welcoming housing.

But when will she know what she has been doing with her life is successful? “Personally, it comes after my daughter and I are living together at Our Home –Cathedral Park, the community is functioning smoothly and she is known as an integral member. Then, when it comes time for me to move on, Neva will be able share her home with a paying roommate who does not experience disabilities, she’ll employ care providers to help her with her needs and have a larger community of caring people around her. She will have the full-life that she deserves.” But the ultimate reward for Alicia isn’t just knowing that as she has helped to set up a life for her child, but that she has also provided options for other individuals and families that are in the same situation. “Our Home–Cathedral Park is just the first of many inclusive and diverse communities. It’s a prototype that will be scaled and replicated and give more families this much desired choice in home and community.” She beams, then adds joyfully, “That will feel really good!”

The design of Our Home—Cathedral Park supports its community of neighbors by providing an array of public, semi-public, semi-private and private spaces.

ymore info: Our Home, Inclusive Community Collaborative: http://inclusivecommunitycollaborative.org Community Vision, https://cvision.org/ Proud Ground, https://proudground.org/ Urban Development + Partners, https://www.udplp.com/ Johnston Architects, http://johnstonarchitects.com/ Cohousing Association of the United States: https://www.cohousing.org/ The Mowat-Wilson Syndrome Foundation: https://mowat-wilson.org/ www.facethecurrent.com

FtC culture

Sharing Our Light to Change the Current BY PENELOPE JEAN HAYES Humanity is on the cusp of our biggest expansion yet. We are stretching, straining through an evolution to arrive at a mindset of energy-sharing. We are transcending homo sapiens (Latin for “wise man”) and becoming homo illustratum (the “enlightened one”). This will mark the completion of dominance-based evolution and will give rise to spiritual evolution. When we can share our light-presence with sincerity—and without manipulation—we will begin to witness the ushering-in of this new consciousness. So, what’s it to you? With everything that you are, you want your life to matter and for it to make a meaningful difference in our world.You want to help others and change the world for the better. That’s why you’re reading this. That’s why you face the current, even when it’s hard. If you’re like most people, you disapprove of those who attempt to undermine others, denounce oppressors and predators among us, and condemn people who torture or

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abuse animals.Yet, if you truly wish to change the current, then you need to know why and how it moves. Humankind can live, for a time, without food and water, and even for several minutes without oxygen. However, what we cannot live without, not even for a fraction of a second, is energy. Oh, how intrinsic and salient to life is our energetic presence! Those who assert control or force their power over others are the most wanting and under-fueled people in the world. Oppressors seek to charge themselves by stealing personal power from others. They yearn to be significant; to be in control and have the upperhand. What they actually need is empowerment and enlightenment; stealing power will never satisfy, last, or fulfill. Perhaps your first reflex is to separate yourself from oppressors and to hate them back. But please know this: while those feelings might be valid, they have no power to affect evolved and lasting change. Martin

Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Attempting to shame or minimize your enemy will not make them disappear or bring about victory for your cause. The new-consciousness way to heal suffering, injustice, and abuse in the world is through energysharing between people. That is to say, sharing light “viral energy.” Hating people who are filled with darkness will not stop their cruelty; only drawing them closer to light can accomplish that. When you witness a terrible story in the news, another heinous act of violence against the innocent, rather than projecting hatred to the oppressor, close your eyes and send light energy thoughts to the victim and the victimizer. (Yep, even them. Especially them.) The beauty of viral energy is that it’s contagious and has an osmotic function. When you affect—and infect—another with your light viral energy, you raise them up little by little, light by light. Just by projecting thoughts of light energy versus

projecting hate and fear, little-oldyou can add to the enlightenment of another. Be a beacon of light; let light radiate from your powerful and empowered presence. When the other is enlightened, they no longer seek false fuel. While it’s not your responsibility to enlighten others with your presence, you will find that the more you do it, the more you will want to.You will face the current because you will know that you are capable of altering it.

and then they “die.” Other units then sprout in their place. Scientists call the organism “Pando” and have documented Pando as the largest organism on Earth. When a stem experiences disease or drought, the whole organism is affected. By the same thinking, every stem knows that to steal from or to loathe the next stem is both ineffective in purpose and also damaging to itself.

There is a massive forest of aspen trees in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest that stretches over 100 acres. It was discovered that the trees of this forest share a root system, which means that they are not separate entities; they are one genetic individual containing thousands of stems. These stems have a life-cycle. They experience a time above ground, appearing as individuals,

You see, we are Pando. We are awakening to the strange, beautiful, and magical nature of life. It’s all materializing in our lifetime, right now. Our species is moving from the drive and need to forcefully steal power, to utilizing the energy of our collective internal enlightenment. As empowerment replaces force, we will no longer live from the perspective of dominance. When we understand and practice this shift in understanding,

we will stop inventing ways to excuse how we often treat others, and how we foolishly dominate nature and strip the Earth of her resources. When we recognize that our efforts to gain the upper-hand are futile and against everything that we were made to be, we will illuminate the darkness, awaken to the illusion of separateness, and become the enlightened one. You have the power to impact others with your mission, your intention, and your light viral energy. The world is evolving because of you. Utilize the gift of your life. No longer be in doubt about your power to affect positive change. Be the current. Yes, you can.Yes, we can.

ymore info: www.1penelope.com

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FtC music

Nahko: The Voice Of A Generation By Chris Assaad | photos by Josué Rivas Every once in a while, amidst times of great planetary significance and challenge, a hero emerges to unite people around a noble, common cause. In times past, some heroes have wielded mighty swords and fought courageous battles, while others have chosen instead to affect change by wielding perhaps even mightier weapons, daringly using their pens and voices to bring forth poetry, song and piercing truths to illuminate the path to higher ground. One such hero that has risen to lead in this time of globally turning tides happens to be an acoustic guitar slinging, head-to-toe tattoo-bearing, singer-songwriting, storytelling activist named Nahko. Frontman of his band, Medicine For The People, Nahko has emerged as a leader in the conscious music movement and as a force to be reckoned with. Since arriving on the scene with his fiery spirit and lion-hearted prowess for his purpose, Nahko has been claiming his place as the voice of a generation of love revolutionaries and as one of the great poets of our time. The Medicine movement, born of this one man’s inner alchemy of his incredible life journey and deep roots into a timeless collection of musical offerings, has spread like wildfire. From humble beginnings, Nahko’s anthemic and equally hymnal songs have taken on a life of their own and continue to call in the ever-growing tribe to what he describes as “ceremony to the masses.” His message is universal, his masterfully-crafted poetry is potent and his fierce loyalty to his soul mission is evident. Lending his voice and passion to a range of causes close to his heart, Nahko’s activism and efforts beyond the music are a beacon of what’s possible and a shining example of what it means to live “Yes, We Can.” In this Face the Current Conscious Artist feature, we get a look at the man behind the music, the message and the mission, and discover more about the heart of what fuels the Medicine movement. Nahko shares the inspiration behind his latest collection of musical treasures, My Name is Bear, and his viral anthem “Aloha Ke Akua.” Nahko also reveals his greatest heroes and some of his road-warrior life-hacks, and offers his perspective on the way forward at this ripe time in our collective evolution. Throughout the conversation, Nahko’s playful spirit and wisdom shine through and color his responses. A beautiful introduction to the one named Bear to those newly discovering Nahko and his music, and a must read for Medicine Tribe faithful.

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Chris Assaad: Your music has been described as a “prescription for the soul,” with one of your powerful and soulful songs being “Aloha Ke Akua.” There are a variety of translations for this Hawaiian saying. What does this song mean for you, what was the inspiration for writing it, and when did you write it? Nahko: Aloha Ke Akua has been an anthem for me and many others for a number of years now. It’s a reminder and marker for me…a time when I was living Big Island and on the verge

of so many different transformations as a young person. It was a hard time, but one colored with beauty, jungles, and the rawness of life. I think it was about to be 2012 and I got really caught up in the fear of a collapse in the system. I was afraid of what would happen to the island… if something happened to my family in the states and I couldn’t get to them…but, the song was a reminder to myself that divine order has its perfections even when they’re hard to see and everything was going to be ok. It’s a mantra and a prayer, too. I didn’t know the song would go viral or that people would resonate so

deeply with it. It was simply for me. CA: When you first started writing these songs, did you ever imagine or have an inkling that they would reach and resonate with millions of people? Nahko: Nope! I always had a joy in sharing the songs and of course it felt great when people gave good feedback, but I never imagined I’d be touring the world and facilitating my own version of ceremony to the masses. CA: You’re known to have a very www.facethecurrent.com

sacred relationship with your songs, often spending months crafting one piece. Can you share a little about that and your writing process?

helps you stay grounded and nourished when you’re traveling from city to city, playing shows, and putting out so much energy night in and night out?

Nahko: Is that so?! Haha! Some songs take years, actually. Some songs come out in a few days. It’s a funny process that I still don’t fully understand. In the past, it’s been really clear when a song is trying to come through. Sometimes it starts with a guitar line, a poem line, and sometimes it’s a concept. Other times it’s really hard for me to finish a song, ha! It just keeps going. It can be difficult to understand when a story is actually finished and when it’s just begun. I love that about folk music.

Nahko: I’m still figuring that out! I’m a very active person so I enjoy running, stretching, and this summer I brought my little bmx bike on the bus, so I could scoot around like the 14-year-old version of me. This summer, the focus has been demoing songs so we are ahead of the game when we start working on our next Medicine record. Being in a creative writing flow while on tour can be difficult to juggle amidst everything else but it keeps the poetry flowing. Also, wherever there is clean water to jump in I’m there.

CA: What are some of your goto self-care practices, and what

CA: Who are some of your heroes, and what have they

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done that moves, motivates, or inspires you? Nahko: Conner Oberst and Paul Simon are two of my musical heroes. Their poetry and musical diversity has inspired me for years. John Trudell and Winona Laduke are two of my favorite Native American activists. Their resiliency and leadership in our communities has helped fuel my fire for the last decade. I personally work with Winona on the board of Honor the Earth and she has guided me and acted as my elder through my twenties, now into my thirties. Auntie Pua Case is another elder, Hawaiian, who has been a huge leader and guide in my life over the years. Her daughter, Hawane Rios, is one of the most inspiring indigenous singers I know. They defended their sacred mountain for years and battled huge

corporations and the authorities working to protect them. This kind of leadership is what has kept me going over the years. CA: What is the story behind naming your latest album My Name Is Bear? Nahko: My grandmother named me Nahkohe-ese. It’s a Cheyenne name, however we aren’t Cheyenne. We’re Apache/Taino on my mom’s side. My name means Bear. The songs on the record are kind of throwback tracks. I wrote them all between the ages of 18-21. They had been kept in the vault for over a decade and I was so excited to finally breathe some life into them. It was sort of a statement in reclaiming my name, too. To tell the story before the story that everyone had grown to love from the first three Medicine records, a sort of

footnote to add more depth to the preexisting chapters.

times to bring me in and I just followed my nose. I’ve been involved in countless other orgs over the CA: It seems that a big part of years, but these ones landed closer your mission and your message to my heart I think because of the is activism and being a voice family that I found in them. I could for causes that you believe in see clearly how I could positively beyond the stage and song lyrics. impact the movement through my You support causes such as involvement and could witness Honor the Earth, Be the Change, that impact immediately. Be the Amazon Watch, Indigenous Change has been able to raise tens Regeneration, InterTribal of thousands of dollars for the other Youth, and Run4Salmon. How orgs by offering matching grants. did you choose to work with Through our outreach programs in these causes, and what are the Medicine Tribe, we’ve been able some important changes that to send nearly 20 underprivileged you have been able to see indigenous youth to summer camps positive progress in since your that have offered old ways teachings involvement and support? and cultural experiences. The northern rivers have had so much Nahko: Each cause you’ve love and attention because of our mentioned here has fed the other work with the Winnemum Wintu… one. The different founders of each all across the country people wanted one had all come to me at different to help the Salmon and Whales. It’s www.facethecurrent.com

been a beautiful journey watching the music do its work, hand in hand, with the movements to bring balance to our planet. CA: If you could say “Yes we can” to any particular issue, what do you believe we should aspire to overcome? Nahko: Generational trauma. CA: What does “Yes we can” mean to you? Nahko: It means that there are endless possibilities for solutions. Generational trauma affects you at every stage of your life and I am a firm believer that in facing our shadows we can become empowered in new ways. It can greatly affect the collective consciousness and how we as humans can ascend together.

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There are endless possibilities for solutions. Generational trauma affects you at every stage of your life and I am a firm believer that in facing our shadows we can become empowered in new ways. It can greatly affect the collective consciousness and how we as humans can ascend together.

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CA: If you could share one simple message on a worldwide billboard, what would it be? Nahko: You don’t have to wait to be great. CA: You’re very much about building connectedness between people, and also the connection we have with nature. How do you envision our evolution towards a greater connection?

and collective time in nature, to care for and live in harmony with all of creation. People who think like this are surely becoming the majority and we’re seeing massive changes in the system because of it. As women, POC, and young people continue to reshape the system with rational courage we can actually walk across those bridges hand in hand, rather than alone perhaps in times prior.

CA: What’s the story behind your collaboration with Nahko: It’s all within the young Paris Jackson for your song people’s revolution, I believe. There is “Dragonfly,” which you’ve a fascinating awakening happening all described as sort of an “anthem around the world. The bridges that for the young and reckless”, and each generation has been building “a place we have all been at are becoming stronger and we are some point?” Also, why/how did becoming braver to walk across them. you choose Paris Jackson for this I think the great connectedness particular song? comes with deeper awakening. There is a desire to balance the personal

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The bridges that each generation has been building are becoming stronger and we are becoming braver to walk across them. I think the great connectedness comes with deeper awakening. There is a desire to balance the personal and collective time in nature, to care for and live in harmony with all of creation. People who think like this are surely becoming the majority and we’re seeing massive changes in the system because of it.

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Nahko: When I shared with her some of the tracks as they were being developed, I told her about my vision for that particular video. But, as I wrote myself into the treatment I quickly realised it actually fit her more than it fit me. I asked her if it resonated with her and if she wanted to play the part. I didn’t know if she’d be down…crossed my fingers. She said an emphatic yes. There was a lot of really interesting connections with the dragonfly totems, where we ended up filming, so many

synchronistic moments during the recording of the song and the timing in which I asked her to be in the video, it was almost like we were guided to each other to make the magic happen. We both felt it. We both knew what it felt like to resist and survive in our lives. CA: What are you currently listening to and loving that you feel others would also love and be moved/inspired by?

Nahko: New records by: Snow Patrol, Dawes, and Hozier’s records are all great listens. Mac Miller’s record he put out just before he passed is also brilliant.

ymore info: http://nahko.com Instagram: @nahkobear Twitter: @nahkobear Facebook: Nahko / Nahko And Medicine For The People www.facethecurrent.com

FtC music

Perspective, Purpose, and Peace:

The Journey of Emmanuel Jal By Sasha Frate and Charles Obong

Emmanuel Jal’s early life in Southern Sudan is one that most do not have the capacity to imagine or comprehend. As a child-soldier in his war-torn country of Sudan during the early 1980’s, Emmanuel was forced to witness and participate in soul-warping atrocities. An aid worker by the name of Emma

McCune thankfully smuggled Emmanuel into Kenya where his life insurmountably changed. Now an acclaimed recording artist and peace ambassador, Emmanuel lives in Toronto, Canada. He has released six award-nominated albums and performed at Live 8, Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday

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celebration, and the One Concert for the Dalai Lama. Emmanuel also co-starred with Reese Witherspoon in The Good Lie, a film about 4 young Sudanese refugees who win a relocation lottery to the US.The film Warchild, a documentary on his life, won 12 international film festival awards.

Everybody’s rushing to make the world a better place, but the first place to start is you.

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Throughout his career, Emmanuel has been the champion of many global charities including Amnesty International, Oxfam, the British Council, and the Child Soldiers Initiative. With the release of his song, “We Want Peace,” Emmanuel has worked with the campaign of the same name to call attention to the need for peace in Sudan. Using the song and his platform, Emmanuel has travelled the globe speaking to young people and sharing his message of political empathy and involvement. Founded in 2009, Gua Africa is Emmanuel’s personal charity that he proudly uses to support those affected by war and poverty in South Sudan. For his unrelenting and passionate commitment to peace-building, Emmanuel has been awarded many international prizes including the 2017 Desmond Tutu Reconciliation Award, and the 2018 Vaclav Havel International Prize for Creative Dissent. A conversation with a man like Emmanuel Jal is never long enough; his experiences too vast and wisdom too deep. Nevertheless, join Face the Current on an expansive exchange with citizen-of-the-world, Emmanuel Jal. Sasha Frate: You are a musician, actor, activist, speaker, health coach, and at the core of it all, an incredible human being.You’re also creating positive, collective, global awakening. How did you awaken to your purpose? Emmanuel Jal: It’s a simple thing. As a little child, I always wanted to be a part of a solution. It’s been a battle between that longing and a bitterness that I had in my heart; the reasons why I wanted revenge. There are two forces inside me. One has anger that I can’t listen to because it can suffocate me. I would describe that feeling as

bitterness because of what happened to me and the traumatic experiences that came with it. It makes me tense and angry, and it makes me want to fight. The other force inside is warm; it relaxes me, makes me smile, gives me peace, and it creates a certain urgency that is different than the other one. I choose to completely focus on this one. It has taught me many things; I’ll call it purpose. I would describe my purpose as spreading the act of kindness; to be a part of solution and to give without expecting anything in return. I don’t expect anything when

I do unto anybody from my heart. There is something called joy and you cannot buy it. My purpose has taught me that now I have a vision. I can get the things I want now because I understand my mission; I understand what I’m great at. SF: With various outlets like music, acting, and speaking, which of these came first for you? EJ: Activism was possibly the first. I share my activism with acting so that I can tell my story everywhere I go. It’s my way of passing information. My music came later. Once you www.facethecurrent.com

That’s my life coaching, which is based on principles that I use to live my life. I host retreats and I also do one-onone coaching. I use this philosophy with presidents of companies because they can use it to build anything. I help others to learn how to forgive, to find joy, to find peace of mind, and to find purpose. I show them that purpose is the easiest thing they can get.

In music, most musicians don’t have a lot to do; it’s just drinking, hanging out, and smoking weed. I have so much energy. When I’m not on the road, when I’m not speaking, I read books, I work on my business, I do stuff. There are 24 hours in a day and you cannot sing for 10 hours. There are a number of hours available and a lot of musicians don’t wisely use their time. SF: From the Dalai Lama to Nelson Mandela and many others, you’ve met with many powerfully inspiring leaders around the world. What do you believe are some of the best ways to amplify the voices of these leaders-of-change to the world about the issues that you advocate for or advocate against?

EJ: We take their words and sink them into our lives, trying to work them into our purpose or walk with them in our purpose. It’s there we become very present, peaceful, joyful, and full of light. The way I look at it, everybody’s rushing to make the world a better place, but the first place to start is you. How can you make yourself better? How can you love yourself? The next step from there is looking at those around you: your workplace, family, and friends. It’s not about what you give them, it’s how you relate to them. Do you look down upon them? Do you care about them by offering advice? You can want to make the world a better place but you’re just going to make it worse if you’re not improving yourself. Charles Obong: Do you have any particular leaders who have impacted your life and your work?

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know what you want to do, you have your vision and then you can just prioritize. I now have a food company in Toronto called Jal Gua and it’s the food that I eat. I also focus on and want peace, and I go out to spread its message. It’s about us recognizing our life as a work of art that we create to spark the act of conscious awakening. You walk in your purpose.You create your own habits. That love that is inside you and it’s what you give.

Knowledge is expensive, but wisdom is free.

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I would describe my purpose as spreading the act of kindness; to be a part of solution and to give without expecting anything in return. It’s about us recognizing our life as a work of art that we create to spark the act of conscious awakening. You walk in your purpose. You create your own habits. That love that is inside you and it’s what you give.

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EJ: Yes, you mentioned most of them. I have also been inspired by Albert Einstein. He was one of the greatest activists. He formed an NGO (nongovernmental organization) to fight for refugees called IRC: International Refugee Committee. One of the things that inspired me with him is that he used to play with children all the time. He would teach them violin and people would say, “Hey, you’re wasting time with these children.You should be in the lab or talking with a politician.” He replied, “I am learning from these children. I like the way they ask questions. Their questions allow me to go and do my research, because it’s through curiosity that we humble ourselves and are able to tune our minds to everything around us.” I try to tune myself to learn from anyone. I’ve been working to quickly learn and absorb from anybody who has something to say. Knowledge

is expensive, but wisdom is free. A word from a top leader and a word from a regular person; both resonate with me. I pick them equally. A word from a child? I take it. SF: What was your basis for founding the We Want Peace organization and can you explain what it’s about? What has it accomplished so far and who has been involved in supporting the organization? EJ: First it was a song that we used to spotlight South Sudan to prevent a possible genocide from happening. It did exactly that. George Clooney, Kofi Annan, Peter Gabriel, and five US Presidents were involved. There were a lot of celebrities that participated. It is my anthem song that I now use everywhere. SF:You also founded Gua Africa, a charity that since 2009 has

been training and educating South Sudanese refugees to become first-class professionals in medicine, law, and education. Nowadays, there are so many different things to support, from sustainability issues, to pollution issues, and poverty issues. Where is the real challenge as far as getting people to support these changes? EJ: It’s a challenge. It was through the help of two family members, a mother and daughter, Ruth Gumm and Kate Gumm, who volunteered to support it. They worked for a long time to just volunteer and build a charity. Charities find it difficult to get funding, so it was slow, but we pushed through and now we’re still working to find sponsors for young people to go finish their schooling. I look at Earth as a living organism www.facethecurrent.com

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Some of the animals that are in Africa aren’t anywhere else on Earth; it’s the only environment in which they can live. Anything that happens on the other corner of the world will reach this corner; we’re all connected. We’re just one body. The earth is a living organism and we’re inside it. We’re creating a lot of trouble.

We’re killing Earth. For instance, we use pesticides that are killing the bees. I think the biggest problem we have is fear. There’s an urgency about accumulation of wealth and a fear about being poor, so everything becomes business. Even when it comes to solving problems, nobody wants to actually solve the problem; everyone wants a quick trick. The way I look at it, if you want to make this world a better place, the first place to begin is with yourself. We like to think someone else should start it. Our call now is to save the world by not getting angry at others. Find out about them. Give them a hug. Just love and share.

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and human beings are the greatest threat to all other species. Our existence is actually a threat to the planet. If we were not on this planet, everything would nicely survive. If all the insects were taken out of the plant, then everything will crumble.

CO:You created a song and score for the film The Last Animals. Who would you say is the intended audience for this film? EJ: It was meant for those to see it who are already conscious. It’s to remind them about the work, but also to go out and be the voices of the elephants and the rhinos; be the voices for humanity. CO:The plight of Africa’s wildlife is heartbreaking with the rates at which poaching has been decimating the population of some of the beloved species, such as the white rhino. What do you think the future of Africa looks like without the wildlife that makes it such a unique place? EJ: The wildlife brings tourism to certain countries. The wildlife shows the beauty of Africa. Some of the

animals that are in Africa aren’t anywhere else on Earth; it’s the only environment in which they can live. Animal population decline will actually create more famine. It will create more suffering. It will create tribal wars and conflicts. It’s the longterm thinking that the poachers are not seeing. Anything that happens on the other corner of the world will reach this corner; we’re all connected. We’re just one body. The earth is a living organism and we’re inside it. We’re creating a lot of trouble. SF: One of the powerful messages you share in the song, “The Last Animals,” is to be the leader, be the change, be the song, be the love revolution. What can you share from your experience of living in two worlds? (One of war as a child-soldier in Sudan and one of being the love and spreading peace.)

EJ: When you are in the environment of war, that’s your only perspective; you don’t know anything else. I thought the world was ending. I asked heaven to rain fire on us. I thought, “That’s it. We’re going to be done.” I had my own limited perspective. I used to think that we were hated and cursed. There were so many things going on in my head. Also, there was loss of family and it made me so bitter. When darkness comes to you and enters into your heart, it consumes you. It doesn’t want to let you go. Now, I can see both worlds. If I go back to South Sudan with the knowledge and the life that I have, regardless, I’ll still have my light. I have this joy and I have peace of mind. I have that understanding. We have to look at it as having two environments: the environment that you live in and the eternal environment that you create. It’s your belief system.

SF: Would you say that nobody should ever undermine the ability for one individual to create incredible change in the world? How or when do you think people will realize the full potential that we have as individuals and as a collective? EJ: We will never know the potential of any human being, any child, unless they are given opportunity. I was given this opportunity and put in school by Emma McCune. Also, I had a desire to make this world a better place. Look at how much it has provided for me and the impact that it has globally created. Emma brought light into my life. Each one of us has the power to give a hand to another person and push them forward, without expecting anything. That kind of support has no attachment to it. It comes genuinely from the heart.You don’t feel a debt. The way I look at it at and how I

transformed my life is simple: you must have a dream. Then change your environment. An environment could be a psychological state or it could be the environment you are in. There’s a man by the name of Dr. Bruce Lipton who is great. SF: He’s in this issue, too! EJ: Amazing! I was teaching people how they can program themselves and I didn’t have a scientific background. One day I asked myself, “How can I back what I’m saying with science?” I’m dealing with programming yourself in the subconscious. I always tell people your heart is the king or the queen, your subconscious mind is the government, your conscious mind is the prime minister, your entire body is the country, and all of the cells in your body are the citizens.You might have a corrupt government, the subconscious, that makes 95% of the decisions every day.You have

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Your heart is the king or the queen, your subconscious mind is the government, your conscious mind is the prime minister, your entire body is the country, and all of the cells in your body are the citizens. You might have a corrupt government, the subconscious, that makes 95% of the decisions every day. You have a prime minister that wants to make your country a very good country, but the subconscious has bad habits and terrible beliefs. Your heart, the king and the queen, has the desire for beauty and all the citizens communicate to the prime minister to establish these dreams. That’s the way I look at my life.

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Your environment holds a lot of power.You can share your environment and lend habits to the people around you. When I learned about Dr. Bruce Lipton, I saw an experiment he did where he had a petri dish to which he added stem cells. After some time, they multiplied. He put some of those cells into another dish that contained a different environment. Those cells grew into muscle. He repeated this using different petri dish environments and had different outcomes. When he had a result of sick cells due to a bad environment, the question could have been, “What medicine do we give the cells?” Dr. Lipton said, “Let’s try them in the original environment.” When the cells were placed in the original dish environment, they healed. He explained that it’s similar with people; your psychology, your beliefs, can alter your biology. That dream that you have requires a good energy in order to create new beliefs for you to move forward.You have to better your environment. Surround yourself with positive people and you have a chance of building that dream. As a kid, I had a dream. The dream provided me with the energy to be noticed by Emma McCune. She picked me as a child-soldier and put me in school. It was a different environment and here I am, making a global impact.

a prime minister that wants to make your country a very good country, but the subconscious has bad habits and terrible beliefs.Your heart, the king and the queen, has the desire for beauty and all the citizens communicate to the prime minister to establish these dreams. That’s the way I look at my life. If you want to transform yourself internally, there’s something called

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the creative faculty of your mind. This is where you create everything.You hold your visions there. When you have a dream, that place stays active. It can allow you to overcome so many things, including trauma.You can focus your energy.Your heart holds purpose, because it keeps channeling positive energy. Train your mind how to do it; it will do the job.

SF:With My Life is Art, you’ve got the wellness coaching and retreats.You’ve even created your own superfood powder, the Jal Gua.You propose as a collective we can start conscious awakening. While most might focus on one outlet to advocate for change, you’ve taken a very holistic approach to include this aspect of wellbeing.Why did you create this service and product offering? How do you see it playing a role in conscious awakening?

Emmanuel’s 6th studio album Naath - a stunning joint Afropop collaboration with his sister Nyaruach is out now. EJ: With My Life is Art, there’s one principle called love. I always say love is the art of generating positive emotion. Love can manage your mental state and your physical state. How do we generate these emotions like love? We can generate them in three ways: physically, mentally, spiritually. How do we physically generate emotions? We can exercise, dance, and do sports. It’s also about what we eat. I have a fermented porridge smoothie every day and I put Jal Gua in it. We can exercise as much as we want but if you are not taking in the right nutrients, your body won’t respond. I use food to keep up my positive energy. Food is medicine.

Spiritual emotional generation can mean going to church, praying, doing yoga, or working on breathing techniques. Spiritual generation of emotions keeps you upbeat. Mental emotional generation is about controlling the content that comes into your head. How do you mentally generate emotion? Your sense of smell plays a big role in this. What you smell can be used to generate energy. If you want to generate a calming energy to help a child sleep, you could use lavender essential oil. You have the power to choose what you see, smell, and hear. Our brains are built to collect negativity but it’s up to us to collect positivity. That’s the principle of love.

CO: Is there anything that’s upand-coming for you or anything that people could participate in? EJ: Anyone can support Gua Africa with a donation or child sponsorship. If someone wants to catch up on what I’m doing, I’m hosting a retreat in Bali from December 8th to the 15th. People can go to www.mylifeisart.org to learn more.

ymore info: www.emmanueljal.com www.wewantpeace.org www.gua-africa.org www.mylifeisart.org www.jalgua.com www.facethecurrent.com

FtC music

Film and Television Composer Adam Lastiwka Knows the Final Score Has Not Been Written By David Aiello Adam Lastiwka, pronounced la-STOO-kah, is a man of two worlds—he creates one form of art, music, specifically to complement another form of art, film and television. Being a successful film and television composer requires an entirely different approach than writing a song or recording an album that must stand on its own. If he is successful, his work is not readily acknowledged. His efforts support the scenes and characters in an almost subconscious way—to direct the audience without them knowing they’re being moved. Of course, great film scores cannot be ignored, they linger while we are awake and we want to hear them play during scenes from our own lives. But Adam Lastiwka knows he has an essential role in filmmaking, one that can make all the difference between a scene or actor connecting with an audience or not.

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‘Sound is akin to wizardry’. reflects Adam Lastiwka. ‘It’s pressure fluctuations in the air hit our ears and our physiology has evolved to turn these phenomena into hormones which can make us cry.’

That fascination has led the 32-year old Canadian-born film and television composer, who hails from the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, to create musical scores for around five hundreds episodes of television and documentaries to feature films, advertisements, trailers, and dozens of full length albums. Today he is best known for his work on the globallyrenowned Netflix series “Travelers”, popular series like ‘Eat St.’, the trailer for the 2017 Christian Bale and Rosamund pike feature ‘Hostiles’ and the movie “Body of Lies”. His commitment to his craft runs

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From an early age Adam was fascinated with manipulating sound, specifically through electronic music production. He emphasizes, “I had zero capability or understanding of music and how it worked. Just an unexplainable fascination to explore, which still drives me to this day!”

deep and is reflected by the nearly seventy-five instruments that he can play and regularly records with. He engages a multitude of live instruments on all of his scores, and he has developed his own distinct voice in all the technical aspects of music creation including mixing, production, sound design, arranging and orchestration. As a youth, Adam was heavily influenced by ethnic music from areas of the Middle and Far East, Africa, and Eastern Europe. With an open minded approach to composing, Adam has created a unique sound that is both diverse and instantly recognizable. “It was actually when I first heard the Silk Road Ensemble, a group of musicians put together by Yo-Yo Ma from all around the world to play each other’s traditional folk music. It united a universe of sound in my head that I never knew was even possible,” reflects Adam.

At seventeen, Adam was rewarded for his home studio-based recording with a three-album record contract. It was at this time he heard Peter Gabriel’s score to “The Last Temptation of Christ,” which stirred an interest in scoring motion pictures. Luck would have it that while working at a music store, he met award-winning composer Shawn Pierce, and began a seven-year apprenticeship. This association would lead to working on such shows as the FX series “The Bridge,” four seasons of the ABC/CTV series “Motive,” the horror series “Slasher” and the Stephen King’s Syfy hit “Haven.” “Since then, I’ve been lucky. A lot of projects come to me because of work I’ve done in the past,” Adam explains. “I love all kinds of storytelling and the challenge in finding ways I can help tell the story and elevate it with my music.” www.facethecurrent.com

MAKING THE “TRAVELERS” WORK Adam most recently completed work on season two of “Travelers.” “For this release I wanted to focus more on bringing the character themes to light. My season 1 original soundtrack was actually an ‘extrapolation concept’ of the music in the show. “ Adam spent nearly a year developing the contextual cues into more thorough pieces of music based around what he thought the future world of “Travelers” would be like. The season 2 original soundtrack is more rooted in the show with less development and left the cues truer to what you hear when you watch the show. Adam elaborates, “I think it should provide more of a sense of familiarity to the listener. We are actually doing something unique, what I call a continuous mix.” Due to the nature of the medium, TV cues can feel short and undeveloped, so Adam’s response is to edit the entirety of episodes to feel like one

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flowing piece of music. “I think this foreshadows the narrative of an episode and highlights the musical structure with a more symphonic character.You hear the story in a way that a one-minute cue doesn’t really allow.” To test his concept, Adam is releasing an episode done this way as a bonus with the season 2 original soundtrack when you buy it on Bandcamp. “We’ll see how it goes,” he explains. “I’d love to release every episode this way eventually. I really think this is how a TV score out of context should be experienced, so hopefully there is some interest there!” EVOLVING FILM AND TELEVISION SCORES While Adam works to influence the future direction of television soundtracks, he acknowledges that these are exciting times for the industry as a whole. “I think we are getting to a level of elegance and refinement, as well as building huge breadth of variation from a massively

diverse pool of talented filmmakers. I feel score music production is growing to a new place as well as adapting to the way media is being created,” he says. Adam strongly believes that production skills can supersede writing skills when it comes to creating an emotionally impactful score. “To create a viscerally moving piece of music that goes deep into the human psyche, the actual sound of the music is the first place you want to explore to do that. All I’m really saying is that sound design and synthesis seem to be the next step we have taken in scores to take the place of a financially, nonviable, and less practical orchestral sound.” SCORING FOR FILM VS. TELEVISION Because he works in both industries, Adam ponders the differences between scoring for film and television. Generally, he says, a TV soundtrack moves and shifts more. “It can be more technical and dynamic

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Because so many distinct art forms come together in film and television, including writing, acting, cinematography, set design—the music—Adam believes it may be one of the most complete art forms. When those elements work together it can be something really immersive, complex, and powerful.

Film on the other hand, gives you more time to develop and evolve. “If you play it as tightly as a TV show it’s going to feel really wrong.” Then there are the actual technical and time limitations associated with each medium. “I write about 10 hours of music over 4 months, which doesn’t seem like a ton, but within a 7-day period I have to write anywhere from 30-40 minutes—which is a LOT. It’s akin to a marathon, distance wise, but you have to be sprinting the whole time. That fundamentally changes what and how you approach TV.” Generally it seems, a composer will have more time to develop a film score. That fact hasn’t dissuaded Adam from working in television. “I’ve got my head really deep in TV right now and I’m loving it. I know that will

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while playing the cuts harder, and I think television requires a sort of airtight structural flow that considers what happened 5 minutes ago as importantly as what is happening over the next 10-15 minutes.”

probably change, but right now I just love the pursuit of seeing where we can take television,” he adds. A COMPLETE ART FORM Because so many distinct art forms come together in film and television, including writing, acting, cinematography, set design—the music—Adam believes it may be one of the most complete art forms. When those elements work together it can be something really immersive, complex, and powerful. “My music contributes to this,” he declares. “I love the actual technical scoring component. The shifts, and moves, and dynamics. Working with, and around dialog, and most of all elevating the project by trying to draw a viewer in and keep them totally immersed. It takes a lot of non-musical knowledge to make that work, and a lot of hours and years.” The process is much different than recording albums. As Adam describes it, “You are part of a larger creative process. Some people have a vision,

others want you to explore. This requires a lot of creative flexibility, and a willingness to listen and collaborate.” Adam’s vision must remain focused on the big picture and work towards the collective goals of the film. “I really enjoy it when I’m asked to interpret a vision with my own concepts as I get to flex what I think is a pretty sexy group of creative muscles.” Stanley Kubrick said, “A film should be more like music than fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings.” This truly describes Adam’s efforts. The scores he orchestrates do form a universal, even influential dialogue. In this way Adam becomes the storyteller he wants to be, in addition to the director. With this intent, and with his tools and vision, Adam is leading a new wave of composers determined to push the boundaries of the narrative.

ymore info: www.adamlastiwka.com www.facethecurrent.com

FtC music

The Sounds of ManyFew By Sasha Frate and Ainsley Schoppel

Jacob and Victor Andersson, brothers from Sweden, are making a name for themselves in the dance music world as ManyFew. With over 3 million streams and counting on Spotify alone, ManyFew’s talent and likeability is unmistakable. Earlier this year, their release, “Where to Go” earned a top spot on Spotify’s esteemed New Music Friday Germany and Switzerland. The song caught the ear of some of the world’s most highly regarded DJs and radio stations including Lost Frequencies, Don Diablo, and Cedric Gervais. Their new song, “How Would You Know,” an uplifting piano-based song with a tropical vibe, sits at #14 on the club charts. When asked what sparked the brothers’ decision to embark on a music career together, they both noted that they’ve

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always loved house music and have been fascinated by music production and DJing; the step to begin working together was a natural one. “When we moved to Stockholm, we started to DJ at events and nightclubs, and we also started to produce some tracks by ourselves later on. We sent them out to local DJs and people in the Stockholm music industry, and we received good support that inspired us to make new records that evolved our sound,” they said.

Many people would have reservations about working with family, but not Jacob and Victor; to them, there are only benefits to their partnership. “Since we know each other so well, we have a very good workflow and we love to work together,” they admitted. Spending additional time together outside of work also enhances their teambuilding and bond. “We also share the same taste in music and that helps a lot when we are producing new tunes.” With the music industry being a difficult one to break into and establish a place within, it takes a determined mind to believe that, “yes, we can make it.” “It’s our passion for dance music that made us believe in this,” ManyFew acknowledged. “We always strive to become better and work hard to make things happen. We have always been electronic dance music lovers and we started DJing at a very young age. Our parents have always been very supportive.” There are also many successful Swedish DJs and producers, proving to ManyFew that nothing is impossible, even if you’re from a small country. Their first gig together was 4 years ago in Småland, located in southern Sweden. They played an intimate club, giving them their first opportunity to try out their own tracks in a live setting. “We made notes about how to improve the kick drum and bass. We went to the studio the day after and made the changes we had noted. The club feeling still gives us so much inspiration today,” the brothers stated. As with any artist working with any medium, inspiration is occasionally in short supply. ManyFew takes inspiration from multiple sources. “This summer, we brought our laptops to a cliff next to the ocean

and we sat there producing for hours. Those types of moments are so valuable,” they mused. “We also love to produce new tracks when we are travelling; it could happen on a train, in a plane, or in a hotel room.Vibrant cities are always a big inspiration to us, as well, and we love the summertime; we feel very creative during the summer.” When creativity hits, a different process is required when two artists

have input into the final product; “We do have different roles and that’s good for speeding up the production process. We play around with our sampler machine to get the first vibe,” ManyFew remarked. The brothers often think alike when it comes to production, on the rare occasion taking differing stances. That doesn’t hinder their bond, however. “There is no rivalry at all between us in the studio. We are trying to do everything we can for the song and that’s important to us.” Technology plays a big role in dance music production and ManyFew uses virtual synthesizers and a drum machine to build some of their sound. With technology constantly

evolving, it’s about keeping pace with new methods and integrating new sounds. “Technology will always go forward,” ManyFew said. “We love new technology and think it’s going to improve the workflow in the studio and the live sets. Now you can have a virtual synthesizer in your tablet and record very easily into your laptop. Producing is definitely more accessible nowadays.” It’s not all about creating original tracks, however. Remixes are a common thread woven into the dance music scene. “We approach remixes the same as original tracks. With a remix however, the vocals are already there, so we start by finding the vocal sections that we want to use and then we create music around that,” the brothers commented. “We think it’s cool to create something different from an original.” It’s been a busy year so far for ManyFew, with 4 singles released in 2018. “We have a new single coming out this fall with a record label based in NYC. We also have some collaborations that we are working on with Swedish as well as international DJs and producers. We’re heading to Amsterdam this month for ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event), so lots of exciting things are coming up; maybe some surprises, too,” they teased. So, keep your eyes and ears open this fall for the sounds of Jacob and Victor Andersson; the sounds of ManyFew.

ymore info: http://www.manyfewofficial.com Facebook @manyfew Twitter @manyfewofficial Instagram @manyfewofficial www.facethecurrent.com

FtC sports

Historic Roots and Future Growth

prAna’s Fall 2018 Hemp Collection By Ainsley Schoppel Hemp fabric is not a newcomer to the fashion industry. In fact, hemp itself isn’t even a newcomer to our civilization.The earliest discovered woven fabric, dating back to 8000-7000 BC, is hemp. While hemp is a historical fabric, it is also the strongest and most durable natural fiber in existence. In fact, until the 1880’s, 80% of all textiles and fabrics in the US were primarily made with hemp fibers. Until recently, hemp was the most widely used textile fiber on Earth. So, what happened? Why isn’t hemp clothing in every closet in America today?

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Government restrictions and sanctions on hemp made the crop illegal to grow in the US in 1937 with the passing of the Marihuana Tax Act. Policed by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the US is the only industrialized country in the world to not grow industrial hemp. Overseas jute (a vegetable fiber) and hemp shipments were curtailed in 1942 due to World War II, so the US government removed the sanctions on domestic hemp growth and strongly encouraged farmers

to grow hemp for use in the war effort. Farming boomed in Kentucky and Wisconsin, and the military was supplied with hemp rigging, rope, sails, shoe thread, and parachute webbing. Upon the conclusion of the war, the government swiftly and quietly shut down all hemp farming and production, once again making it illegal to grow the crop. EnviroTextiles, an American industryleading pioneer in hemp fabrics, has been in the business of natural fibers for five generations. Barbara

Filippone, Sustainable Product Developer, and Summer Star Haeske, Director of Sales and Marketing, have invaluable first-hand experience of hemp’s struggles for acceptance and consistency in the fashion industry. As Summer noted, “The mid 1990’s was the first real boom; a fad for hemp. It was a reintroduction for hemp to apparel. It fizzled out and didn’t really stick until the 2000’s. This was when a health-understanding happened. People started becoming more health-aware and eco-conscious and www.facethecurrent.com

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Misinformation and confusion are additional hurdles that still exist for hemp fabric creators and fashion designers. Many people in the American general public, including farmers, are also not aware that hemp and marijuana are two completely different plants.

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this helped to reinvigorate the hemp market. People started realizing that what we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put into our bodies.” Aside from clothes, EnviroTextiles also supplies hemp fabric for the cloth baby diaper market, home furnishings, technology products including prosthetic limbs, surfboards, drum sets, bridal gowns, and even 100% hemp filters for air systems. “All of these products are biodegradable with no toxic offgassing in landfills,” Haeske pointed out. Being an American hemp fabric manufacturer means EnviroTextiles

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must import their hemp. Thirty countries grow hemp for various uses, including for textile, food, personal care, supplements, and industrial applications. China is the world’s largest hemp exporter and, ironically, the US is the world’s largest importer, missing out on millions in annual profits. According to a report by Hemp Business, US sales topped $820 million in 2017, with $105 million coming from the textile industry. This may change, however, as imminent challenges await the US. “International tariffs are set to cause the price of imported hemp products to increase,” remarked Colleen

Keahey Lanier, Executive Director of Hemp Industries Association (HIA). Misinformation and confusion are additional hurdles that still exist for hemp fabric creators and fashion designers. Industrial hemp has virtually no trace of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannot be used as a mind-altering drug. Cannabis, on the other hand, has around 10% THC with some varieties containing as much as 27%. Many people in the American general public, including farmers, are also not aware that hemp and marijuana are two completely different plants. According to EnviroTextiles’

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We began using Hemp in 2001 as our founders saw the sustainable value of this fastgrowing plant that requires little to no pesticides, insecticides, and water. More recently however, our long-time customers requested more products made with hemp, so we ramped up our design and production as the availability and quality of the fiber also increased.

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experience, many US farmers aren’t aware of industrial hemp as a plant or potential revenue stream. “Perhaps a renaming would clarify this,” suggests Filippone, “CBD (cannabidiol) shrub is cannabis hemp and the tall stalk that we use is industrial hemp.” Another impediment for hemp is the fact that the US already has a massive cotton industry, creating reluctance to facilitate the growth of a competitor fiber crop. However, when compared to cotton, hemp saves farmers in water, pesticides, land, and energy. Hemp also yields 250% more fiber per hectare of land than cotton and is likewise 4 times

more protectant against UV and UVB rays. Hemp also has superior wicking ability as well as antibacterial and antifungal properties. In addition, hemp has 3 times the tensile strength of cotton, and can rival its softness when combined with other materials such as Tencel and Modal. Since 50% of all chemicals used in US agriculture are for growing cotton, swapping hemp for cotton would be a drastic improvement for the environment and consumers. The benefits don’t stop there, however, as hemp plants can be harvested for both their seeds and stalk fibers, giving farmers two profit

channels. This is an added financial bonus to hemp farmers, making this dual-crop especially profitable. Outside of the financial opportunities offered by hemp, it is simply a remarkable crop for the land. It can grow up to 20 feet in any climate in a single, short growing season, while also restoring nutrients to depleted soil. Other fiber crops need a “cover crop” or fertilizer to replenish the soil after they are farmed. Hemp acts as a cover crop, putting nutrients back into the soil while absorbing CO2, extracting toxins and pollutants from the soil at the same time. Besting any other crop, hemp www.facethecurrent.com

Occasionally you land on that article of clothing that goes from being an instant favorite to a seasonal obsession. The Cozy Up Jacket just may become your next obsession- once you’ve experienced it you won’t be able to imagine autumn without it! leaves the soil healthier than it was before it was planted. The plant is also not a food-source for animals and insects, which makes it a very low-maintenance crop. In fact, some farmers in China will actually grow hemp around their corn crops to prevent pest and predator infiltration. Hemp truly is an incomparable plant, offering numerous benefits to people and the planet. But you don’t need to tell any of this to prAna; they already know. And they’ve known for more

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than 15 years. As Andrea CinqueAustin, Director of Design at prAna explained, “We began using Hemp in 2001 as our founders saw the sustainable value of this fast-growing plant that requires little to no pesticides, insecticides, and water. More recently however, our long-time customers requested more products made with hemp, so we ramped up our design and production as the availability and quality of the fiber also increased.” The prAna Fall 2018 Collection has 39 styles made with hemp blends

in 141 colors and prints. If you’re looking for the ultimate in relaxed fall style, check out the Cozy Up Sweatshirt. Deliciously soft inside, it’s your favorite everyday crew sweatshirt elevated with details that will guarantee you’ll be noticed. For men, the Trawler Hooded Henley is a three-quarter double-buttoned sweatshirt with a generous hood and pouch pocket that amps up the sophistication from an ordinary sweatshirt without losing any of the comfort. The Leda lounge pants for women are a medium-weight pant

with double back pockets that can be worn as active-wear, lounge-wear, and even tights for the cooler weather; you’ll be addicted to their feel and wear-ability. The hemp Cardiff Collection items in the fall line, including the sweatshirts, showcase a vintage style with soft sustainability. Born from prAna’s Californian coastal roots, Cardiff Collection is a hybrid show-stopper of blended fabrics. Recycled polyester and Lenzing Tencel partner with hemp to create a performance fabric you would expect from prAna with the flexible comfort of wear-anywhere clothing. The journey to this first full line of hemp clothing hasn’t been easy, though. As Cinque-Austin pointed out, “There have definitely been some barriers and hurdles when it comes to using hemp in products. Specifically, the amount of fiber actually being grown, as well as the lack of manufacturing facilities that have the knowledge and technology to process and grow it. With hemp being illegal to grow in so many areas of the world for so long, the knowledge and industry has been significantly depleted. Hopefully now, with the energy around legalization in the US and the growing demand for hemp products, the hemp industry will begin to grow and thrive again.” prAna’s commitment to hemp fabrics increases in Spring 2019 with more than 50 styles and nearly 200 colors and prints. “Hemp has the potential to be the king of the crops in the apparel industry,” noted Andre Walker, prAna Brand Engagement and Partnerships, “and we couldn’t be more excited.”

ymore info: Cozy-up for fall and head over to

https://www.prana.com/hemp to see how prAna has taken a look back in history to see the way forward with hemp. www.facethecurrent.com

FtC sports

Limitless Self-Love in The Great Outdoors By Kirsten Alexis | Images by Dylan H. Brown Outdoor activities like rockclimbing, hiking, skiing, standup paddle boarding, yoga, and kayaking, are full-body exercises that offer incomparable mental, spiritual, and physical benefits. However, as Sarah Herron will tell anyone, “full-body” is a relative term. As long as you reap the many rewards of nature’s challenges by participating in activities to the best of your abilities, you are using your full body.

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Born with one arm, Sarah has faced her share of obstacles ranging from bullying to low self-esteem and struggles with self-love.Through a journey that included an appearance on The Bachelor, as well as an empowering exploration into outdoor sports and activities, Sarah has strengthened her selfassurance and found confidence in nature. With her organization, SheLift, Sarah has been mentoring other young girls and

women with physical differences to use outdoor recreation to build confidence. Nature’s message is simple: create experiences, feel joy, and be energized. Sarah’s message is inspiring: be active, feel self-love, and share your light with others. Face the Current is lucky to be the recipient of that glow, so get ready to bask in the warmth of Sarah Herron.

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I was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, which resulted in the loss of my left arm from the elbow down in utero. I can recall so many instances as a kid and teenager that the anxiety of having a physical difference limited my recreation, but now, I see my difference as a tool for growth and empowerment.

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Kirsten Alexis:You were born and raised in Denver, Colorado, a city that boasts endless outdoor adventure opportunities. How has outdoor adventure helped shape who you are today? Sarah Herron: Despite growing up in Colorado, I was never much of an outdoors girl. I much preferred playing inside, coloring and playing with dolls. It wasn’t until my early twenties that I decided to take up skiing and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. It was then that I discovered my latent love for the outdoors. Today, I feel I can attribute those years of opting inside to my fear of trying things with only one hand. I was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, which resulted in the loss of my left arm from the elbow down in utero. I can recall so many instances as a kid and teenager that the anxiety of having a physical

difference limited my recreation, but now, I see my difference as a tool for growth and empowerment. KA:Your love for the outdoors helped you challenge yourself and overcome obstacles that came your way. How did you find self-worth at such a young age? SH: Once I learned to overcome the fear of being stared at or looked at funny in recreation, I realized there was so much growth to be had outside! It took a lot of personal development and self-acceptance to arrive at a place of being able to say, “People are staring at me because it’s awesome to see someone rock climbing with one hand.” That was more helpful than the usual selfdefeating story that it was because I didn’t belong rock climbing. When I accepted that people were eager to help push my boundaries and

take me adventuring, I leaned into those opportunities and started taking advantage of every invite to go outside that came my way. KA: Looking back on your experiences, what would be your advice to children growing up with differences that might “set them back?” How would you advise them to become stronger and find self-love? SH: Working through my organization, SheLift, we encourage young women and girls to do the things they’ve always dreamed of doing - especially if they are fearful of others’ perceptions. Most of the fear and discomfort of trying new things is what we call “self-limiting beliefs.” Once people are able to recognize that no one cares how long you take, how you look, or how you reach the top, truly anything is possible. www.facethecurrent.com

KA:You wore a prosthetic arm until middle school. What was the catalyst for no longer having a desire to use it? SH: I wore a prosthetic arm until the 5th grade. I learned to crawl with it, to tie my shoes, and even to peel an orange! But in many ways, the prosthetic arm was more cumbersome and frustrating than I

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had the tolerance for. I decided to stop wearing it the day my teacher asked me to give a presentation about it to the class. I distinctly remember the day. I was very proud (yet afraid) to stand in front of everyone and tell my story. What I didn’t like was the attention my presentation garnered afterward. My arm suddenly became a show-and-tell toy rather than a piece of who I was.

It took a lot of personal development and selfacceptance to arrive at a place of being able to say, ‘People are staring at me because it’s awesome to see someone rock climbing with one hand.’ That was more helpful than the usual self-defeating story that it was because I didn’t belong rock climbing.

It made me uncomfortable that the boys in my class wanted to take turns playing with my robotic arm when all I wanted was to be seen as normal. I went home that day and told my mom I never wanted to wear it again. Today, I’ve considered getting an activity-specific arm to help me experience more of the outdoor activities I’m interested in learning – like mountain biking – but for the most part, I’ve found ways to do most everything without it. KA: What inspired you to put yourself out there and audition for The Bachelor, and what did the whole experience teach you about self-love? SH: I was 25 years old when I decided to appear on The Bachelor and I fully credit that experience for launching my journey into confidence and self-acceptance. The reason I went on the show was actually because my self-esteem was so low that I didn’t have the confidence to believe that finding love was possible for me without the support of a production crew. I was totally insecure and afraid to date in real life. I would hide my arm behind my jacket when out at bars with friends and never went out of my way to meet new people. When casting called me for the show, I remember thinking to myself, “If I can go on this show and own my story, maybe I won’t have to hide my arm anymore because once and for all, everyone will see me on TV and know who I am. I can finally stop hiding.”

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After the show aired, I slowly started to feel more comfortable owning who I was, but it took a long time – and two more attempts at finding love on the show – before it finally clicked. I had to love myself before anyone else could. That’s when I decided to fully commit to building a relationship with myself; one that practiced forgiveness, compassion

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KA: How do you believe people can find self-love and how do you want to help in the process? SH: If people are interested in finding self-love, it truly takes being committed to getting honest with yourself. Self-love requires unapologetic reflection, understanding, and compassion for what makes you the person you are.

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It also requires a lot of selfishness and setting-of-boundaries. To be in a place of self-love is to have the guts to recognize when you’ve messed up, but the permission to realize it’s okay and that you’re imperfectly human. Having self-love is telling people “no” when you’re feeling exhausted or manipulated; it’s having self-respect for the way you treat your body and the people that get to experience your joy. Like building any relationship, self-love takes honesty, communication (with yourself and others), and it takes time! My greatest hope is that I can be here to support women who are working on themselves by saying, “Hey sister, I get it! I love carbs and Netflix binging too, but let’s not beat ourselves up in the gym the next day for it.” We’re all deserving and worthy of love and loving ourselves.

KA: Can you tell us more about your organization, SheLift, and its mission? How did starting SheLift help you find self-love and your purpose? SH: SheLift is an organization that empowers women and young girls with physical differences to discover confidence and self-acceptance through outdoor recreation and mentorship. I started the organization after having an epiphany mountainside while skiing with my dad. I realized, if skiing could change my life and improve my confidence, I could surely help other girls with physical differences experience that, too. In its second year of operation, and having hosted over 30 women and moms, SheLift continues to be a place of growth and personal development for me, too. I decided to incorporate a heavy component of life-coaching

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and motivation. I started spending time with myself on the trails, at the movie theater, at the gym, and in classes. Once I started doing the things that nourished my heart and body, the people that aligned with those values started pouring in from left and right. I started dating the right kind of partners, I made friends that encouraged me to be the best version of myself, and I got comfortable with being me – even if it meant being romantically alone.

Today, I’ve considered getting an activity-specific arm to help me experience more of the outdoor activities I’m interested in learning – like mountain biking – but for the most part, I’ve found ways to do most everything without it.

www.facethecurrent.com

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I was 25 years old when I decided to appear on The Bachelor and I fully credit that experience for launching my journey into confidence and selfacceptance. The reason I went on the show was actually because my selfesteem was so low that I didn’t have the confidence to believe that finding love was possible for me without the support of a production crew.

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because I believe it’s important that we tackle the hard-hitting fears and self-limiting beliefs that have made women (including myself) feel unworthy or undeserving up until this point. SheLift’s metaphorical mantra is to help women physically and emotionally conquer mountains because there’s more to confidence than literally reaching the top. KA: Of the many sports and activities that typically require the use of ‘full body,’ such as yoga, SUP, kayaking, and rock climbing, you venture out to experience all of these and more, proving there really are no limits.The tagline for your company is, “Maybe You Literally Can Even.” Where did you get the inspiration for the tagline and what is its significance to you? SH: The line, “Maybe You Literally

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Can Even” was written by my friend and mentor, Elan Gale, Executive Producer of The Bachelor. Elan has been a key figure in my life and has personally helped me walk through some of the more challenging times of my journey to self-discovery. When I launched SheLift, Elan offered to help me kickstart an online fundraiser by rallying Bachelor Nation to help promote sales of a t-shirt printed with one of his Unspirational quotes. One hundred percent of the proceeds would be donated to SheLift. Unspirational is an Instagram account Elan created, poking fun at inspirational quotes we see online. When I read maybe you literally can even, it just felt dead-on for SheLift. The saying takes a cultural stab at the colloquial catchphrase, “I literally can’t even” and says, “YES YOU CAN…if you try!” I never anticipated the phrase becoming our un-official tagline beyond the fundraiser, but the shirt continues to sell today and has

helped us raise over $70,000. KA: What are some of the accomplishments you’re proud/ grateful to have made so far since creating SheLift, and what are your ultimate goals with it? SH: I’m just proud of SheLift in itself. At initial conception, I never set out to make it a non-profit, let alone make it my full-time career. My goal was to host one ski retreat and go back to my regular job. I’m beyond proud that the women who’ve shown up to participate share their stories and ask for more. I’m grateful for the women who’ve selflessly devoted their time and energy to helping me craft and execute the brand, its mission, and its online presence. The ultimate goal is for SheLift to help make physical differences in media, recreation, and everyday life more normalized so that ultimately, women won’t need SheLift to feel a sense or

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When I read maybe you literally can even, it just felt deadon for SheLift. The saying takes a cultural stab at the colloquial catchphrase, ‘I literally can’t even’ and says, ‘YES YOU CAN…if you try!’

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place of belonging. KA:You often share contrasting perspectives on how we tend to view “problem areas” of our own body, from stretch marks to cellulite and all things in between! What is one of your favorite go-to perspective-shifts to remind yourself, or others, to see and focus on the beauty? SH: As someone who struggles with body image insecurities myself, it’s never as easy to say to someone, “Focus on inner beauty because that’s all that matters!” I try not to preach from a place of knowing and instead teach from a place of not knowing. I think the most valuable way I can help motivate and remind people that beauty ranges and is imperfect is to stay unapologetically vulnerable with my life. By pulling back the curtain on the things I’m struggling with in life, I hope women can realize they

aren’t alone in their struggles. Fat days, skinny days, bad hair days, and good hair days will all come and go; what’s important to remember is that our worth and deservingness of love and acceptance isn’t based on those factors. KA: Of all of your travels, can you share one of your profound experiences? SH: International travel is very new for me! Until this year, I had never traveled beyond Mexico or Canada (except for as a kid and that doesn’t count). When I started dating my boyfriend who is an adventure and travel photographer, venturing to new lands quickly became a more regular experience for me. With each country we visit, I learn something new about people, perspectives, and myself. I think what I appreciate most is seeing the ways different cultures accept and appreciate women (and

their bodies)! It’s always refreshing to see fuller-figured, natural women all across the world. KA: How can people get involved and support your movement? SH: This winter I will be launching a series of retreats and private coaching services to women of all abilities. While SheLift will remain focused on nurturing women with physical differences, I want to be able to expand my learnings and tools to women everywhere. I’m excited to start this new chapter, sharing selflove and adventure for all. Stay tuned for ways to work together, attend a retreat, or support SheLift by following me on Instagram.

ymore info: www.sarahherron.com www.shelift.org Instagram: @sarahherron www.facethecurrent.com

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FtC sports

Training for the Moment: Peak Performance Coaching with Dr.Greene By Sasha Frate Talent, natural or otherwise, is not the defining factor for success in athletics or the arts. It’s a key component, of course, but learning to perform on-demand in high-pressure situations is what separates the champion trophies from the participant ribbons. Performance psychologist Dr. Don Greene has taught his comprehensive approach to peak performance mastery for thirty-two years. A West Point graduate, former Green Beret, and former competitive diver, Dr. Greene has worked with performers from The Juilliard School, Colburn School, New World Symphony, Los Angeles Opera Young Artists Program, and Perlman Program, as well as athletes at the Vail Ski School and the US Olympic Training Center. Dr. Greene is the first performance psychologist to teach at any music school or conservatory in the US and is the only performance psychologist to have shown meaningful results in the areas of music, sports, and business. He has coached more than 1000 performers to win professional auditions and has guided myriad solo performers to successful careers. Fourteen medals, including 5 gold, have been won by Olympic track and field athletes that worked with Dr. Greene up to and through the 2016 Games in Rio. Dr.Greene’s viral TED Ed video, How to practice effectively...for just about anything, garnered over 25 million views on Facebook and YouTube combined. He has also authored 8 books including College Prep for Musicians, out later this year, as well as Audition Success, Fight Your Fear & Win, and Performance Success.

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Sasha Frate: How much do your techniques vary if you’re working with an athlete versus an onstage talent, and what does it mean to have meaningful results from performance psychology in the facets of business, sports, music, and the arts? Don Greene: They vary somewhat, but behind the performers’ physical talents are their mental skills. These skills include performing under pressure, managing performance anxiety, confidence, focusing past distractions, and mental toughness. These are the skills that I teach both to Olympic athletes and performing artists. Meaningful results in business means a significant increase in the bottom line. In sports, it means Olympic gold medals, Grand Prix series championships, professional tournament wins, and national championships. In music, it’s winning auditions for acceptance into conservatories, then professional jobs, followed by tenure or successful solo careers; in the arts, it’s achieving excellence.

SF: What is “Centering down” versus “Centering up,” and what is high-energy Simulation Training? DG: Centering down is a focusing strategy designed to lower performance anxiety. Centering up is for athletes or performers to raise their physical and mental energy before they start. Highenergy Simulation Training is when an athlete or performer raises their energy up to or beyond the level they feel when they’re actually performing in high-pressure situations. Then, after Centering down, they perform in front of an audience or, in the case of musicians, an audio recorder. Once they start, they do not stop until their performance is complete. SF:You have helped Olympic athletes, Grand Prix drivers, students of the Juilliard School, Colburn School, and New World Symphony to perform their best under pressure and to break the barrier of fear. Who can benefit from your training and www.facethecurrent.com

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People certainly need to learn to control and manage their energy. Fear is what drives performance anxiety. Without fear, there is no anxiety. In terms of using adrenaline, that is exactly what I train Olympic athletes, professional athletes, and performing artists, to do. Although they compete throughout each year, adrenaline is why competitive athletes not only set Olympic records, but many world records only once every four years. My performing artists tend to win at auditions because they have learned to use that energy while their fellow competitors attempt to push it down by trying to relax or by taking beta blockers.

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what is one of your proven techniques that you discuss in your book, Fight Your Fear & Win? DG: Those that do very well under normal circumstances but are seeking to do better under pressure will benefit from my training. They can expect to learn and then to practice practical skills for optimally performing in stressful circumstances, which for many people is most of the time. In order to perform their best under pressure, performers need to first understand the nature and detrimental effects of their fear, building up their courage like a muscle. Muscles are strengthened through active use, increased repetitions, and increases in

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resistance. This means performers must push themselves on an everyday basis, and certainly during competitions or performances. SF: How much does fear relate to performance anxiety and how can anxiety be different? Is anxiety considered beneficial in any way, in the sense of “putting your adrenaline to work,” or do people need to learn to control/ manage it? DG: People certainly need to learn to control and manage their energy. (Consider road rage, for example.) Fear is what drives performance anxiety. Without fear, there is no anxiety. Anxiety can be different

based upon your interpretation of some of the symptoms. If your heart starts to race, you can interpret it as real danger or just a stressful trigger that poses no real threat. In terms of using adrenaline, that is exactly what I train Olympic athletes, professional athletes, and performing artists, to do. Although they compete throughout each year, adrenaline is why competitive athletes not only set Olympic records, but many world records only once every four years. My performing artists tend to win at auditions because they have learned to use that energy while their fellow competitors attempt to push it down by trying to relax or by taking beta blockers.

Credit: Ryan Duclos SF: Being the first performance psychologist to teach at any music school in the US, how did you identify the need and benefit for this industry, and why do you believe it went overlooked before? DG: I’m not sure why it went overlooked before; the need was obvious to me as soon as I began working with performing artists, especially classical musicians. Although they were very dedicated, talented, and technically proficient in their craft, they knew very little about performing well under pressure. Whether it was a school audition, jury, an exposed solo, a graduation recital, or a professional audition,

the musicians were not trained or prepared to perform well under pressure. SF:Tell us about the new sports and esports website you’re launching soon. What are you doing with this website and what are your intentions and goals? I’m launching the new esports website that’s designed for two different types of competitors. The first is for Olympic and professional athletes in sports like diving, gymnastics, tennis, golf, football, and baseball. The other is for esports gamers in first-person shooter competitions and multiplayer online-battle arena competitors.

My intention will be to offer mental training to both types of competitors through online services such as individual assessments, training videos, and one-on-one sessions. My goal is to train them to perform their best under pressure. For more of Dr.Greene’s musical insights, pick up a copy of his upcoming book, College Prep for Musicians, out later this year.

ymore info: www.WinningOnStage.com www.facethecurrent.com

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FtC sports

By Ainsley Schoppel George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones is a literary leviathan. Based on the books, the Game of Thrones HBO TV series also has an enormous and dedicated fanbase. That fanbase includes Lorenz Holder, a 39-year-old Illume-winning action-sport photographer from Munich, Germany. “About three years ago, I was watching the first episode of the first season of Game of Thrones. I can still remember how it hit me when I saw that first location; what they call the Haunted Forest,” Holder recalls. “My mind just said, ‘Wow!’ The landscapes and the look of the world of Westeros were amazing to see. I was immediately inspired, and I knew I wanted to shoot there.”

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Growing up close to the Bavarian mountains was an inspiration for Holder. A semi-pro snowboarder until a serious injury sidelined his trajectory, Holder discovered photography as an inspiring way to capture an entire scene, story, or day, in one small moment. After his introduction to Game of Thrones, Holder knew he wanted to juxtapose another passion, BMX biking, with the rustic beauty of Game of Thrones location scenes. The name “Riding Thrones” was a seamless choice for the project. Creative Agency Guild 26 and its

Storyteller Series offered Holder the perfect vehicle to make his dream a reality. Guild 26 builds brand engagement and customer experience through transmedia and immersive campaigns. The Storyteller Series was created as a mixed media endowment program aimed to empower creative individuals to produce their passion project. There are no requirements, no restrictions, and no strings attached; just freedom to tell powerful stories with vision, passion, and soul. Already a f-stop icon, this was the ultimate opportunity for Holder to

enlist f-stop Chief Marketing Officer, Jonny Zeller, to executive-produce Riding Thrones. f-stop is a leading innovator in adventure camera carry with pack systems that are built for rugged wear, comfort, and modularity; this made it the obvious choice for a trek to Northern Ireland for the Riding Thrones shoot. “Part of the initial wave in the Storyteller Series, Riding Thrones is a powerful first step in a movement that hopes to redefine the way creators receive the resources they need to tell stories they otherwise couldn’t,” Zeller remarked.

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Part of the initial wave in the Storyteller Series, Riding Thrones is a powerful first step in a movement that hopes to redefine the way creators receive the resources they need to tell stories they otherwise couldn’t.

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GOT Name: Wolfs creek | Actual Name: Tollymore Forest Park www.facethecurrent.com

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GOT Name: Iron Islands | Actual Name: Giants Causeway Choosing Senad Grosic, two-time Red Bull BMX rider, to join him in Northern Ireland, Holder located some of the most memorable backdrops from the TV series. “Senad is a very funny, special character,” Holder muses. “When you’re on a longer trip, it’s so important that you have someone who keeps up the vibe in the group.” The two quickly realized that the beauty and challenge of Northern Ireland lay in the fullyear’s range of weather that can

behind the scenes with:

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be experienced in one day. “What’s really hard for Senad is to ride in this environment. He’s a BMX rider and his bike is made for the streets and parks,” Holder said.

performed,” Holder confessed, excited about the shoot’s outcome. “The picture turned out in the most perfect way; I visualized it and it came out exactly (the same).”

The contrast captured between the real-world action of BMX and the fictional world of Game of Thrones’ Westeros is both stunning and surreal. “It was really important that the trick had an aesthetical match for the landscape where (Senad)

Lorenz Holder, Senad Grosic, and Jonny Zeller will start the Riding Thrones global series tour with exclusive events held in three countries.

ymore info: Visit www.ridingthrones.com for more information and event details. GOT Name: Kingsroad | Actual Name: The Dark Hedges www.facethecurrent.com

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FtC health

Re-Programming Your Subconscious Mind: A New Script For Health and Relationships With Dr. Bruce Lipton By Sasha Frate and Jeff Granville During his extensive three-part series with Face the Current, Dr. Bruce Lipton has shared dynamic thoughts about energy entanglement, epigenetics, surrogation, piezoelectricity, sound therapy, somatic energy, and consciousness in the field. In this final portion of his interview, Dr. Lipton enlightens us on emergence, non-allopathic healthcare improvements, and constructive and destructive interference. He will also show us that yes, we can alter our sub-conscious programs through theta state, essentially re-writing our script to contain wishes and desires that we would like to see manifested in our life.This same re-programming can also help us achieve a more permanent “honeymoon-effect” in our relationships. We invite you to join us on this final, illuminating journey as Face the Current presents Dr. Bruce Lipton.

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What drives this technological evolution? The best explanation I’ve heard is the fact that technology was stymied by a limitation in population size. As more and people come together, and communities gets larger, evolution indicates that the field of information is greater and new ideas can be synthesized that wouldn’t be possible in a smaller population. Right now, we as humans are experiencing emergence.

Bruce Lipton: The driving force of emergence is evolution. Paleontologists have found the same flint tools over a period of 2-3 hundred thousand years in Earth’s history. From this observation we can surmise that humanity was developmentally stagnant for a very long time. About 30,000 years ago, “technology” was introduced in the form of wheels and basic plowing tools. How many years was the first plow used in farming - hundreds and hundreds of years! Over time,

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Face the Current: Emergence is defined as the collective conscious of multiple organisms into a cohesive unity whose totality is greater than the sum of their individual parts. Can you share what this means in reference to your work and what the true driving force is of emergence?

the pace of technological evolution has increased to the point where something developed today may become outdated by tomorrow. What drives this technological evolution? Scientists first postulated that a genetic change occurred in our species resulting in increased intelligence. Another theory stated that there was a change in the structure of the brain which accounted for the boom in intelligence. The best explanation I’ve heard is the fact that technology was stymied by a limitation in population size. If you live in a small group and someone has an idea, there may not be anybody else to offer a follow up to help make that idea a reality. As the population of a community gets larger and larger, ideas are able to be shared more freely and change can be achieved. As more and people come together, and communities get larger,

evolution indicates that the field of information is greater and new ideas can be synthesized that wouldn’t be possible in a smaller population. Right now, we as humans are experiencing emergence. FtC: What is most exciting to you about the potential for employing our understanding of epigenetics to improve health in the future? BL: The world, particularly the U.S, is financially suffering from a healthcare crisis. If we depend upon the conventional health care system to secure our health, we will not be able to afford it. With affordability an issue, what else can we do? Alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and nutrition itself are providing some answers. Most health issues are due to lifestyle, self-perception, and environment, and all can be altered. www.facethecurrent.com

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Reading a self-help book in conscious state is very different. You could ace a test on the book’s content but not notice any actual change in your life. Why? The information is not in your subconscious mind and the newly gained knowledge isn’t changing your biology or behavior. Reaching the subconscious mind requires hypnosis and repetition.

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When people recognize that they are not the victims of heredity but the masters of it, they may be able to create change in their lives.

moves from beta state to alpha, and finally, upon sleep enters the theta state – this is the direct line to the subconscious mind.

FtC:You’ve said, “Our thoughts are mainly controlled by our subconscious, which is largely formed before the age of 7, and you cannot change the subconscious mind by just thinking about it.That’s why the power of positive thinking will not work for most people.The subconscious mind is like a cd player. Until you change the disc, the program will not change.” How do we change the disc?

If you want to change a program, use what is called, “self-hypnosis.” As you go to bed, put on earphones to listen to a program containing wishes and desires that you’d like to see manifested in your life. As you’re sleeping, the alpha disconnects, you’re in theta for a period of time, and the new program is going directly into the subconscious. By habitually repeating this, you can rewrite the subconscious through auto-hypnosis.

BL: The question is: how do we change our programs? There are two natural ways that the subconscious learns and a third way that, with practice, we can engage. EEG’s (electroencephalography) reveal that from the third trimester through age 7, a child’s predominant brain activity is in theta, associated with imagination and hypnosis. During the majority of the day, the adult brain functions in alpha (calm conscious) or beta (working conscious) states. As relaxation occurs, the brain

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I like the phrase, “fake it ‘til you make it!” If you’re not a happy person, practice saying, “I am happy, I am happy,” all day long. At some point, the subconscious will absorb the repetition and make that belief a program. Reading a self-help book in conscious state is very different.You could ace a test on the book’s content but not notice any actual change in your life. Why? The information is not in your subconscious mind and the newly gained knowledge isn’t changing your biology or behavior. Reaching the

subconscious mind requires hypnosis and repetition. Another crucial factor for change is necessity. If change is necessary for the betterment of your life, you can create it. A new modality exists that engages super-learning called “energy psychology.” This can help us to download new beliefs at an advanced rate to elicit the most change possible.Visit my website at brucelipton.com to learn more about the various modalities of energy psychology and to find one that fits for you. FtC:You take a close look at relationships and various factors of influence to sustain loving relationships in your book “The Honeymoon Effect.” You describe influential factors such as “quantum physics (good vibrations), biochemistry (love potions), and psychology (the conscious and subconscious minds). Can you share a bit about why/how the infamous honeymoon-period-of-bliss is something that can be maintained in relationships?

BL: The two minds are the conscious and the subconscious. The conscious mind contains wishes and desires and operates about 5% of the time.That means that 95% of our lives are from the programs, which have been downloaded into the subconscious mind. Most of these programs are negative, disempowering, and selfsabotaging. While our conscious minds are busy thinking during the day, our subconscious programming self-sabotages. We externalize our struggles because we don’t see that we’re sabotaging ourselves; we only recognize that life isn’t working. Knowing all of this, how do we achieve ultimate happiness and heaven-on-earth? Stay mindful, stay present. If you stay in the present moment, the conscious mind is the pilot and your hands are on the wheel. When two people come together, love keeps the conscious mind present. However, love does not

have to be between two people. For example, love can be between a person and a pet, or between a person and something they do. Whether it’s gardening, artwork, or cooking, if it’s keeping your mind in the present moment, you’ll be fulfilling the program of wishes and desires. When two people go on a first date, they’re behaving in a way that will facilitate their future together. They want to be lovers, to have joy, to offer support and pleasure to their partner, and they want to have fun. During the courting and honeymoon period, our behaviors primarily come from our conscious minds, putting us on our best behavior. As long as we don’t revert to thinking during this time, we will be operating with our hands on the wheel. Unfortunately, in the world in which we live, there’s so much demand on us that thinking is inevitable. Later in a relationship, downloaded negative programming in the subconscious begins to manifest, and it alters the character of the relationship. The joy dims as each

partner compromises in order to accommodate the negative behavior that their partner never revealed during the honeymoon phase. As you start compromising, you ask yourself where your limit lies. In many cases, the compromises are too many and the relationship disintegrates. The more you come from the subconscious, the faster the beautiful honeymoon will vanish. The burning question is whether the honeymoon can be maintained. By rewriting negative programs, it absolutely can. Identify which programs don’t support you and reprogram them into positive wishes and desires. The honeymoon effect happens because we stopped playing subconscious programs in the first place. If both parties recognize that they have adjustable behaviors, any criticisms are not personal. The criticism is applied to the behaviors derived from the program. Arguments can evolve into discussions and discussions can turn into action. www.facethecurrent.com

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During the courting and honeymoon period, our behaviors primarily come from our conscious minds, putting us on our best behavior. The more you come from the subconscious, the faster the beautiful honeymoon will vanish. The burning question is whether the honeymoon can be maintained. By rewriting negative programs, it absolutely can.

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Can you identify your “elephant in the room;” the origin of conflict in your subconscious?

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FtC: In your video, “New Biology, New Medicine:The Fall and Rise of Vitalism,” you mention how it’s not the medical practitioners who are against the paradigm shift of implementing ‘energy medicine,’ but it is the health industry because it is a forprofit industry that cannot encapsulate energy as a sellable pharmaceutical. When up against the health industry giants, how do you foresee us implementing this new medicine on a larger scale?

in the community explore nonallopathic treatment too, and what you’re seeing is an ever-growing segment of the population seeking alternative healthcare. When people finally understand the significance of epigenetics, (the science by which perception and environment control our biology) they will become the free creators they were meant to be. I hope the health industry sees a massive decline as people can find healing through more effective and affordable alternative complementary sources.

BL: The health industry is pricing itself out of business. The cost of products and services is so high that it’s forcing people to seek alternative complementary healing. People are being driven to modalities that are healthier and more effective. The more that people find help in alternative forms, the more they communicate that to their community. From here, other people

FtC: When our perception of our environment has created disease in our biology, how can we identify and alter this perception to facilitate healing and maintain wellbeing?

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BL: How do we create a disease in our body? Less than 1% of disease is connected to genetics. The rest of disease is created from responses

to our environment, including our perception of our environment. Our biological expression is a physiological complement to our consciousness, or in most cases, our subconscious. Therefore, when you want to deal with a disease, you have to identify the origin of the conflict. A good diagnostician can look at someone’s life and determine the source of the problem. In terms of obesity, diets work when the person is conscious of the diet. When they let go of their consciousness, the weight will return. It’s not a weight issue, it’s a behavioral issue. A problem can have multiple causes, but I think that if people can see where emotion might be causing their issues and they can reprogram that emotion, the problem will disappear. If people have an issue in their lives, I highly suggest Louise Hay’s book, “You Can Heal Your Life.” In the back

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Energy is life. Good vibes add to life and bad vibes detract. All organisms on this planet communicate via energy. However, humans have prioritized verbal communication over emotions and this is a mistake. Our feelings are going to tell us whether the vibes of our desires are harmonious or disharmonious and that becomes a personal compass.

When two energies come together, there are two kinds of interference: constructive interference and destructive interference. Constructive interference enhances the energy of the system while destructive interference cancels the energy of the system. Constructive interference is often referred to as “good vibes.” Positive energy can be transferred between people and result in feelings of happiness, vitality, and love. When this happens, energy interference occurs in a constructive way. In contrast, destructive interference is also known as “bad vibes.” Feelings of fear and low energy are examples of energy in the field cancelling out your positive energy.

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Energy is life. Good vibes add to life and bad vibes detract. All organisms on this planet communicate via energy. However, humans have prioritized verbal communication over emotions and this is a mistake. Anyone can say whatever they want, but underlying vibrations (feelings) never lie! Feelings are hard to disguise or to fake, so we should always preface interactions with feelings. Our feelings are going to tell us whether the vibes of our desires are harmonious or disharmonious and that becomes a personal compass. of the book there’s a glossary listing various problems and diseases, and she connects them to emotional causes. It’s an interesting starting point for analysis. FtC:You mention in your book, “Biology of Belief ” that frequencies can shatter kidney stones and there are claims that cancer cells have been destroyed with frequencies as well. What else is out there and how long do you predict it will be before “modern” medicine expands on the use of frequency therapies? What can you tell

us about the claim that Russian scientists have repaired DNA with frequency? BL: Science and medicine are already moving into the world of frequencies in a sense that all the scan technologies (CAT scan, MRIs, positron scan) are energy technologies. We’re assessing human health by reading energy. In terms of atomic physics, every atom emits and absorbs energy. While a scan can read an energy coming out of a system, we haven’t addressed adding energy. By doing this, you can change the system.

Did the Russians repair DNA with frequency? I know that pure solutions of DNA can be affected by frequency. A chromosome is 50% DNA and 50% protein. Any experiment where DNA is analyzed without the proteins that normally accompany it is not a reflection of real life. Because of this, I don’t hold credibility in frequency-based DNA repair.

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Yes, We Can Have Fabulous Gut-Health By Lisa Guy, Naturopath and Founder of Bodhi Organic Tea As we know, the health of our gut is extremely important for good digestion. However, not all of us are aware of the impact that poor gut-health has on every system in our body. Keeping our gut in tip-top condition will not only improve digestive function, but it will do wonders for physically and mentally boosting the health and wellbeing of the entire body. The gut, or gastrointestinal system, is made up of vital digestive organs that are responsible for many essential tasks. The gut breaks down food, absorbs nutrients to provide energy, builds, repairs, and nourishes the body. It plays the important role of removing waste and toxins, and it’s the body’s first line of defense against harmful bacteria and pathogens. A large percentage of our neurotransmitters and immune cells are also produced in the gut. It’s no wonder a healthy gut is said to be the foundation of good health and disease prevention!

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A healthy gut is the foundation of good health and wellbeing.

GUT MICROBIOME: Our digestive tract is home to around 100 trillion microbes. This includes bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, which are collectively known as our gut microbiome or microbiota. Gut microbiota is commonly classified as either beneficial (good) or pathogenic (bad). We need a healthy balance of these good and bad microbiota in our gut to fight disease and promote good health.

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Colonization of our digestive tract begins at birth when a baby passes through the birth canal and is exposed to their mother’s vaginal microbes. This early gut colonization is extremely important as it helps form the composition of our adult microbiome. Your gut microbiome can be affected in a number of ways. If a baby is born via caesarean, is formula-fed or given antibiotics early in life, this will alter their gut microbiome. Physical and psychological stress, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, tap water (fluorinated and chlorinated), and certain medications (antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, contraceptive pill) can all negatively affect the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. This creates an environment for pathogenic

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bacteria like candida to flourish. Dysbiosis is when your bad bacteria outweigh the good. Common symptoms of dysbiosis include digestive complaints like excess flatulence, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, candida, and urinary tract infections. Dysbiosis is also linked to leaky gut, behavioural and mood changes, skin issues, and an increased susceptibility to infections, allergies and inflammatory disorders. Having an unbalanced gut microbiome can also leave you more vulnerable to developing autoimmune diseases. “ALL DISEASE BEGINS IN THE GUT.” – HIPPOCRATES Research has shown that gut microbiota plays a fundamental role in the development of diseases such as type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (1,2) Having the right balance of gut microbiota can also influence our tendency to store and burn fat, which can help reduce the risk of obesity. (3) Scientists have also found a link between gut microbiota and the development of inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease, irritable

bowel syndrome, and atopic allergies (eczema, asthma, hay fever, and type 1 food allergies). (4) Reduced exposure to microbiota and poor composition of gut bacteria is thought to be a major contributing factor to the increase in global atopic allergies over the past 50 years. (5) Exposure to microbiota early in life is associated with allergy prevention. It’s believed gut microbiota can stimulate the immune system and train it to react proportionately to antigens (toxins or foreign substances that induce an immune response). Researchers have also found that a person’s gut microbiome can have an influence on their response to foods and their likelihood of developing autoimmune diseases like celiac disease (CD). People with Celiac disease have more of the potentially pathogenic bacteria and lower numbers of beneficial bacteria in the gut compared to those without the disease. Certain harmful bacteria in the gut can activate immune cells to produce inflammation, which can damage the intestinal lining and produce symptoms associated with CD.

Gut microbiota also has the important job of producing vitamin K2 and B12.Vitamin K2 is required for bone health and healthy blood clotting, and B12 is needed for energy production, red blood cell formation, and nerve cell formation. Our gut microbiota can also synthesize essential and non-essential amino acids which are the building blocks of the body. GUT-IMMUNE LINK: Our gastrointestinal and immune systems are intrinsically linked. Around 70-80% of our immune cells lie within the digestive tract. This makes the gut one of the main disease-fighting systems in our body. The lining of the gut wall, or gut mucosa, is our body’s first line of defence against pathogenic invaders. A large percentage of bacteria and viruses enter the body via the digestive tract, so maintaining a healthy gut mucosa and balanced gut microbiome is one of the best ways to prevent illness and infections. Gastrointestinal immune cells come from the lymphoid branch of the immune system and secrete lymphatic cells that attack harmful www.facethecurrent.com

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Not only is our gut connected to our immune system, but it also greatly impacts the functioning of our brain and our emotional state. Because of this, our gut is often referred to as our ‘second brain.’

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invaders. These lymphatic cells form bundles called ‘Peyer’s patches’ that protect the lining of the small intestine from rogue antigens and allergy-causing substances by releasing white blood cells (T-cells, B-cells, and Natural Killer Cells). Gut microbiota also helps by enhancing the effectiveness of these white blood cells and by boosting digestive immune cells’ defence of the intestinal mucosa. A healthy balance of beneficial gut microbiota is essential for the immune system to properly do its job. The gut mucosa (intestinal lining) is a protective barrier that goes from your mouth all the way down to your anus. Maintaining a healthy gut mucosa is vital for good health and disease prevention. Leaky gut or gut permeability is when the intestinal lining becomes inflamed and small gaps appear. This allows larger protein molecules to enter the body. Thinking it’s an invader, the immune system is then triggered, and an immune

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response is activated. This is believed to be one of the primary culprits in the development of autoimmune diseases. Food intolerances are a common first sign of leaky gut. Long term antibiotic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use are common contributors to leaky gut as they cause damage to the gut mucosa and impact the diversity of the gut microbiome. GUT-BRAIN AXIS: Not only is our gut connected to our immune system, but it also greatly impacts the functioning of our brain and our emotional state. Because of this, our gut is often referred to as our ‘second brain.’ We have two different types of nervous systems in our body: the central nervous system, found in our brain and spinal cord, and the enteric nervous system, which is found in our gut. The two systems are connected via the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain stem to the abdomen. This

is known as the gut-brain axis. The enteric nervous system is made up of nerve cells that line the entire gastrointestinal tract. This controls our digestion, allowing the gut and brain to communicate back and forth. Just like in our brain, our gut also contains neurons that produce neurotransmitters. Most of our brain chemicals, including serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine, are actually produced in the gut. In fact, 90% of our serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for happy feelings, is made in the gut. Maintaining a healthy gut will not only make you feel healthier, but it can make you happier, too. Our gut microbiome can have a huge effect on our mood and behaviour. Poor gut health has been associated with a variety of conditions including ADHD, autism, chronic fatigue, OCD, anxiety, and depression.

PROBIOTICS: Probiotics are foods and supplements containing live bacteria that help boost our good gut microbiota. Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir, miso, kavass, kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, and other fermented veggies. Fermentation also increases the bioavailability and digestibility of nutrients in foods. Taking a good-quality daily multi-strain probiotic supplement is also recommended to help maintain a healthy gut microbiome balance. This is particularly important after antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics kill-off the bad bacteria in the gut but unfortunately, they kill-off all the good bacteria, too.

PREBIOTICS: Our beneficial gut microbiota need certain foods to ensure they survive and thrive in the digestive tract. Prebiotics are foods that feed our beneficial gut bacteria to help them grow and flourish. Prebiotics are found in fibre-rich foods such as green bananas, onions, garlic, soybeans, Jerusalem artichokes, flaxseeds, as well as in whole grains like whole oats and barley. Including enough fibre in the diet is of utmost importance for maintaining a healthy gut. Fibre is a type of indigestible carbohydrate derived from wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. Fibre passes undigested into the bowel where it’s broken down and fermented by gut bacteria. This produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), namely butyrate and acetate. These SCFA are the main energy source for intestinal cells, acting as a prebiotic to help stimulate the growth of beneficial gut microbiota. SCFA also have an anti-inflammatory effect, influencing blood-flow to the gut-wall and the secretion of gut hormones. (6,7) For optimal gut health, you should include a variety of fibre-rich sources in your daily diet such as brown rice, whole oats, quinoa, chia, flaxseeds, legumes, sweet potato, corn, raw nuts, as well as a variety of fruits and veggies.

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For optimal gut health, you should include a variety of fibre-rich sources in your daily diet such as brown rice, whole oats, quinoa, chia, flaxseeds, legumes, sweet potato, corn, raw nuts, as well as a variety of fruits and veggies.

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10 TOP WAYS TO AWESOME GUT-HEALTH

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BITTERS:

BONE BROTHS: Bone broths made from chicken, beef, lamb, or fish bones contain collagen that help soothe, nourish, and repair the gut lining. Bone broths are easy to digest and are a popular healing food for anyone with a leaky gut.You can easily make bone broths at home. Use bone broths as a nourishing base for soups or stews, or as a healing warm drink. HEALING HERBAL TEAS: Chamomile, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and liquorice are all excellent anti-inflammatory botanicals that can be enjoyed as a tea to help reduce inflammation and promote healing of the gut-lining. Green tea is another good choice as it has anti-inflammatory properties and contains high levels of polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidant compounds found in tea, berries, grapes, and cacao that are broken down by gut bacteria and help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases including cancer. Calmative herbs such as peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, fennel, ginger and chamomile have traditionally been used by herbalists to alleviate digestive complaints such as excess flatulence and bloating. Slippery elm, aloe vera, and marshmallow are also lovely soothing herbs that are used to heal the gut mucosa. GLUTAMINE: Glutamine is an amino acid that is the primary fuel source for the cells that line the gut. It helps repair and strengthen the gut mucosa by tightening up the openings in the gut wall. This prevents large, undigested food particles and toxins from entering the blood stream. Glutamine also helps soothe the gut by suppressing inflammation. Supplementation is recommended for

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Chamomile, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and liquorice are all excellent antiinflammatory botanicals that can be enjoyed as a tea to help reduce inflammation and promote healing of the gut-lining.

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One simple way to greatly improve your digestion and overall health is to add bitter foods or herbs to your diet. Bitters aid digestion by stimulating stomach acid production to help you better digest and absorb nutrients from foods. The bitter taste on your tongue sends a signal to your stomach to get ready for food. Some bitter foods that can be easily added to the diet include lemon juice, grapefruit, apple cider vinegar, and bitter lettuce (endives, rocket, kale, mustard greens, and dandelion greens). Fresh lemon in water first thing in the morning is a great way to kick-start your digestion for the day. Having one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a little water 15 minutes before a meal can also help improve digestion, reducing flatulence and bloating. Herbal medicines gentian, globe artichoke, and dandelion root are often prescribed as herbal tinctures to help stimulate digestion.

anyone with a leaky gut, Coeliac disease, or any type of inflammatory bowel condition. GUT-NOURISHING NUTRIENTS: There are a number of important vitamins and minerals that the body needs to maintain a healthy gut.Vitamin A is essential for maintaining and restoring the gut mucosa. This important vitamin is also an immune enhancer and anti-inflammatory nutrient. Good sources of vitamin A include cod liver oil and eggs. High levels of betacarotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body, can be found in leafy green veggies, as well as orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Zinc is another top gut-healing nutrient. Zinc is needed to make digestive enzymes and it helps produce the active form of vitamin A. Zinc is essential for healthy immune function and it has an anti-inflammatory action. Zinc supplementation has been found to help improve gut permeability and improve gut barrier function in patients with the chronic inflammatory bowel condition, Crohn’s disease. (8) The best sources of zinc include red meat, chicken, seafood, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, and wholegrains. B vitamins are also important for good digestive function and are essential for producing stomach acids. A deficiency can lead to reduced gastric juices and impaired appetite and digestion.You will find B vitamins in red meat, fish, chicken, eggs, dairy products, brown rice, legumes, seaweed, and dark-green, leafy vegetables.

MINDFUL EATING: You should always sit down to eat when you’re feeling calm and relaxed. If you’re stressed and eating on-the-go, your digestion will slow down. This can result in digestive complaints like bloating, flatulence, and indigestion. Eating slowly and thinking about what you’re putting in your mouth will not only help improve the digestion of your meal, but you will be more in-tune with your body’s satiety signals. This will make you less likely to overeat. An often overlooked but critical part of healthy digestion is the importance of properly chewing your food. Digestion actually starts in your mouth. The act of chewing physically breaks down food and mixes it with saliva, which begins the process of carbohydrate digestion. Chewing also signals your digestive tract to prepare for food. A properly functioning gut is something that most people take for granted in their daily lives. It’s only when we begin to experience the side effects of poor gut-health that we pay attention and search for help. While there are many reasons we can experience diminished gut function, it’s clear that there are also many things we can do to help our gut and improve our health.Yes, we really can have fabulous gut-health!

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Beneficial fats found in oily fish, avocado, extra virgin olive oil, and raw nuts and seeds (including their oils, tahini and nut butters), are all anti-inflammatory foods that can help soothe an inflamed intestinal tract.

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Zinc is essential for healthy immune function and it has an anti-inflammatory action. Zinc supplementation has been found to help improve gut permeability and improve gut barrier function in patients with the chronic inflammatory bowel condition, Crohn’s disease. (8) The best sources of zinc include red meat, chicken, seafood, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, and wholegrains.

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Quercetin is a flavonoid known for its powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergy effects. Quercetin can help heal and restore gut barrier function as it reduces inflammation of the intestinal lining, as well as seals openings or tight junctions in the gut wall. (9) Quercetin supplementation is recommended for anyone with a leaky gut. Good sources of quercetin include black grapes, raspberries, broccoli, kale, onions, and apples.

References: (1) Giovanni Musso, Roberto Gambino, Maurizio Cassader. Obesity, Diabetes, and Gut Microbiota. Diabetes Care. 2010 Oct; 33(10): 2277–2284. (2) Vancheswaran Gopalakrishnan, et al. The influence of the gut microbiome on cancer, immunity and cancer therapy. Perspective.Volume 33, issue 4, P570-580. April 09, 2018. (3) Cindy Davis. The gut microbiome and its role in obesity. Nutrition Today. 2016 Jul-Aug, 51 (4): 167-174. (4) Matthew J.Bull, Nigel T.Plummer. Part 1: The Human Gut Microbiome in Health and Disease. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Dec; 13(6): 17–22. (5) Okada H, Kuhn C, Feillet H, Bach JF. The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ for autoimmune and allergic diseases: an update. Clin Exp Immunol. 2010 Apr; 160(1):1-9. (6) Koh A, De Vadder F, Kovatcheva-Datchary P, Bäckhed F. From Dietary Fiber to Host Physiology: Short-Chain Fatty Acids as Key Bacterial Metabolites. Cell. 2016 Jun 2; 165(6):1332-1345. (7) Hideo Ohira, Wao Tsutsui,Yoshio Fujioka. Are Short Chain Fatty Acids in Gut Microbiota Defensive Players for Inflammation and Atherosclerosis? J Atheroscler Thromb. 2017 Jul 1; 24(7): 660–672. (8) Giacomo C. Sturniolo et al. Zinc Supplementation Tightens “Leaky Gut” in Crohn’s Disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 2, 1 May 2001; 94–98 (9) Takuya Suzuki et al. Role of flavonoids in intestinal tight junction regulation. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.Vol 22, Issue 5, May 2011; 401-408.

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How to Become a Spiritual Master in a Day:

A 20,000-Year-Old Spiritual Teaching By Matt Belair IS IT POSSIBLE TO BECOME A SPIRITUAL MASTER IN A DAY? This posits a bold claim, considering that most people would probably be excited to become spiritually adept by the end of their lifetime. However, the claim is as bold as it is achievable. This is the greatest teaching I gleaned when spending the summer with David Lonebear Sanipass, a Native American Elder of the Mi’kmaq First Nations people. When you discover the simple secret to becoming a spiritual master, it will resonate within you. It will then become your choice whether or not to walk the path of the master.

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DAVID LONEBEAR SANIPASS In my personal search for spiritual mastery, I have meditated and studied with monks in Nepal, read hundreds of spiritual books, spent thousands of dollars on courses, spent months in meditation in remote habitats, and last summer, I completed a 900-part breath sequence intended to code a consciousness upgrade. I share all of this because I have been seeking, exploring, experimenting and striving to understand what spirituality is and how to become a spiritual master myself. My search for my own mastery and understanding led me to Indigenous Native American Elder, David Lonebear Sanipass of the Mi’kmaq people. David is the most extraordinary person I have ever met and by far the most advanced spiritual master I’ve encountered; his stories are as compelling as they are challenging to comprehend. When a westerner thinks of a Native American, we tend to think of the Hollywood Indian with feathers and drums. Although David has the ability to tell stories, comes from a family of basket makers, and can build a flute that resonates with a timeless sound, this is only the surface of his being. David spent the first 26 years of his life on the side of a mountain, learning from over 600 international elders about the ancient knowledge of the “Star Teachings.” His history and teachings are over 20,000 years old and are orally passed down to younger generations. Along with Native American tribal history, western and European history, spiritual lessons, and how to live peacefully on the land, David was also taught advanced chemistry, mathematics, engineering, physics, and more. David has additionally spent time with many of the spiritual leaders of the last 50 years, including his holiness the Dalai Lama to which David delivered letters containing the prophecy of the Mi’kmaq people. www.facethecurrent.com

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SEARCHING FOR THE SECRET In order to ask a question in David’s tribe, one first needs to present it to the council of elders to decide if the question was necessary and adequately contemplated. It can take people a full year to formulate a quality question and be granted an audience with the tribe’s “Sagen” (seer and hearer of spirit). In spending a summer with David and listening to the teachings he shares, I learned that human beings generally ask the same questions. There were times where I had the opportunity to ask him anything I wished, and I realized quite quickly that I, too, was not very good at asking questions. I was looking for that quick secret; the hidden shortcut to all understanding and instant enlightenment, and that hampered my ability to deeply inquire. You may be surprised to know that I did, in a way, receive the secret for which I was searching. It was not what I thought it was or wanted it to be, but it made perfect sense when I heard it. With the deftness of a Samurai sword, it cut to the core of all spiritual ideas, philosophies, doctrines, and pineal gland activation seen in modern-day new-age thinking. The secret teaching isn’t about improving mindset, turning on your third eye, communicating with angels, astral projecting, or anything similar. I am grateful for what I have learned in my pursuits and studies of Zen, meditation, philosophy, and world religions, but becoming a spiritual master in a day does not require any kind of understanding, philosophy, or blessing from a guru; it requires your own freewill, decision, and action. Regardless of your religion, ideology, philosophy, yogic posture, or logged meditation hours, you

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The secret teaching isn’t about improving mindset, turning on your third eye, communicating with angels, astral projecting, or anything similar. I am grateful for what I have learned in my pursuits and studies of Zen, meditation, philosophy, and world religions, but becoming a spiritual master in a day does not require any kind of understanding, philosophy, or blessing from a guru; it requires your own freewill, decision, and action.

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get to choose each and every day whether or not you’d like to be a spiritual master. THE ANCIENT TEACHING REVEALED For the first time ever, David was asked by his elders to bring the ancient teachings to non-native people. This is the sacred knowledge of the Mi’kmaq people and these teachings have survived genocide to be with us today. The 20,000-year-old teaching taught by the ancients to Mi’kmaq Elder David Sanipass is as follows: DO THREE KIND ACTIONS IN A DAY. GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO DO THEM AND DON’T TELL ANYONE; DO NOT EXPECT ANYTHING IN RETURN. Your mind is most likely resisting this and possibly thinking the secret is trivial and simplistic. However, if you take some time to think on this principle, the resonance of its truth will begin to register within you.You will begin to realize that you can be an atheist, Buddhist, Christian, or Yogi, but no matter your mental philosophy, spiritual mastery comes through action.You can meditate on solving the homeless problem, or you can give someone a dollar.You can think about helping an elderly person cross the street, or you can actually do it. No matter what you believe, you must act to demonstrate mastery. Mother Theresa, for example, was simply a living illustration of the daily decision to act.

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The definition of genius is taking the complex and making it simple.

-Albert Einstein

WHEN A TRUTH IS SPOKEN,YOU CAN FEEL IT For as long as I can remember I have been a martial artist, consciousness explorer, enlightenment seeker, and spiritual student and practitioner. I’ve wanted to know how to ascend my consciousness and float on a constant cloud of divine perfection. When I began to apply David’s teaching, this did not happen; it probably never will. However, one week after applying it, I had 3 different experiences with what I’ve coined, “Universal Winks.” Something so random and serendipitous happens that it moves beyond chance and you know it’s a wink from the universe saying, “Good job kiddo, you’re on the right track.” APPLY THE TEACHING TO YOUR LIFE David has said that many of us are so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. I invite you, the reader, to consider taking on a challenge: for one week, do three acts of kindness per day. Go out of your way to do them

and don’t tell anyone. This could be picking up a piece of trash, giving money to a homeless person, writing a kind letter to a friend, keenly listening to somebody, or any other kind gesture. Get someone’s name, that counts, it’s a kind act to recognize and acknowledge another person’s existence. If you can do this for a week, there is a good chance the universe will give you a wink to let you know you’re on the right track. Becoming a spiritual master in a day requires only one choice: act or stay passive. This is the secret that has traveled 20,000 years to be here and now it’s up to you to live it.

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FtC health

Shifting Healthcare the “BrainPower” Way By Dr. Jim Bentz While the standard of living in the U.S. continues to rise, our health as a nation is on the decline. There are indications that our current younger generation will have shorter lifespans than we do, reversing a centuries-long trend of increasing longevity. There is ample funding for research on various conditions and diseases such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s. Even still, we continue to see a staggering increase in the number of people affected by almost all diseases. • • • • • • • • •

Autism 1:45 Attention Deficit Disorder 1:10 (70% are medicated) Asthma 1:10 Allergies 1:4 Diabetes 1:4 Obesity 1:3 Major Depression 1:2 Cancer 1:2 Dementia 1:1

As a result, healthcare costs are ballooning unchecked. National health expenditures hit $3.35 trillion in 2016, equating to $10,345 for every man, woman, and child. As an understandable consequence for Americans, medical bills are the number-one cause of bankruptcy. The realities are indisputable; what we’re currently doing in healthcare is not working. How did we as a nation arrive here? The answer is multi-factorial and not altogether simple. The following nonexhaustive list highlights some of the contributing factors:

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1. Our Soil Overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides has destroyed the healthy microbial life in our soils, rendering sterile much of our agricultural land. This results in significantly lower levels of vitamins and minerals in our food, as well as the ingestion of toxic chemical residues. 2. Our Water The 2016 Flint Michigan water crisis developed after it was discovered that there were high levels of heavy metals in the city’s drinking water. This was only the tip of the iceberg as water supplies around the country measured significant levels of heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, hormones, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical drugs. 3. Our Food Consumer Report just revealed that concerning levels of several banned drugs were found in beef, poultry, and pork. These drugs

include Ketamine (a banned party drug), Phenylbutazone (an anti-inflammatory deemed too dangerous for human use), and Chloramphenicol (a powerful antibiotic linked to a deadly form of anemia). These drugs are in addition to the steroids and hormones commonly used in modern meat production. Much of our food is also highly treated, containing high levels of sugar, salt, and industrially processed oils. All of these elements are indisputably detrimental to our health. 4. Our Stress Levels We live in a sea of continuous digital stimulation, constantly triggering the dopamine pathways in our brain. This dopamine saturation has been shown to increase our levels of anxiety and depression. It is also related to an explosion of sleep disorders, which puts increased stress on our brain and nervous system.

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We primarily focus on the brain as it controls and regulates every bodily function. The brain is like the conductor of a symphony, coordinating all bodily systems to create a beautiful harmony of health.

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As a healthcare practitioner, I have seen an alarming increase in the number of patients dealing with depression, anxiety, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, learning disorders, insomnia, dementia, “brain fog”, cancer, and obesity. More than ever, I’m seeing patients who have become “medical casualties” as they deal with the side effects of drugs prescribed for these conditions. Can we stop this trend and rebalance our health equilibrium? Yes, we absolutely can. There is hope for those who have lost control of their health. In my practice, I use multiple strategies to help patients get their health and lives back on track. We call our program of health-restoration, “BrainPower: Tapping into the Healing Power of the Brain.” We primarily focus on the brain as it controls and regulates every bodily function. The brain is like the conductor of a symphony, coordinating all bodily systems to create a beautiful harmony of health. One of our primary tools in the “BrainPower” program is the Neurological Integration System (NIS). Developed by Allan Phillips D.O., from Auckland New Zealand,

NIS is a system for finding and correcting breakdowns in signaling (communication) between the brain and the body, and even within the brain itself. It is important to understand that our bodies are designed to function automatically through the nervous system. When this automatic control breaks down due to chemical, neurological, physiological and emotional stress, we begin to develop symptoms. NIS helps to restore the automatic function of our brain and nervous system, allowing us to tap into our body’s ability to heal itself. The origin of all true health and healing begins on the inside and emanates outward. We also employ the MultiTherapeutic Approach (MTA) developed by Dr. Dan Pompa, a leader in the field of Functional Medicine. The MTA employs a variety of strategies all aimed at improving cellular health. Dr. Pompa says, “you have to fix the cell to get well.” MTA uses a mix of modern and ancient healing strategies to help people reclaim their health. These strategies include diet, restoration of gut health, detoxification, fasting, and inflammation control to name just a few. Our goal is to educate and empower our patients to employ strategies that will help them to

stay in control of their health for a lifetime. Together we can change the trajectory of health in America; you have the power!

Dr. Jim Bentz More Info: Our “BrainPower” Program with NIS and MTA has demonstrated impressive results in helping people who are struggling with the diseases of our modern world. If you are interested, you can schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with Dr. Bentz at 360-588-9108. If you are a healthcare practitioner interested in learning more about NIS Seminars, please explore: www.nisusaseminars.com and

www.neurolinkglobal.com

Dr. Bentz and his practice:

www.fidalgoislandhealthcenter.com Dr. Pompa and his Multi Therapeutic Approach to health:

www.drpompa.com

www.facethecurrent.com

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Issue 21 | Face the Current

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