Creative Sacred Living
Magazine
Exclusive Interview With Kathee Flamini Sacred Nature with Matthew J. George
It Goes Like This
“Simply beigin,” the voice says, “Simply Begin”.
Spirit Uncaged
Finding your message in the painting Sacred Living with Teresa Brouwer How do you implement the creative and sacred in your life?
DeAnna L’am Feed The Future May 2014 Issue 1
MEET OUR TEAM FOUNDER & EDITOR Gloria Gypsy
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PHOTOGRAPHY Matthew J. George
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SACRED LIVING COLUMNIST Teresa Brouwer
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Birth "No older than before, I wait... Hands sticky with longing And potential...I have begun again. There is a name for me now Though I have forgotten it...I wait. My face is young, my words unformed. Embrace me Earth; I am your daughter Come home once more. Whisper to Me so that when my voice comes I shall sing of you."
Sspace pring is here and as we retreat to the wild wanderings in open natural from the enclosed man-made spaces, we also withdraw inside our own inner spaces.
Our life begins to turn outward, as we see our body and minds imitate the quickening and growth process which the Earth mother is performing. It is a time for renewal, connecting, and action. It is open and free for communing with plant spirits and totems as well as ones personal dieties. In our modern lives, it is often difficult to remember that we still have an alignment with the land. So let us remember and let us focus on our connections to the earth whose cycles we follow within our selves for we will also find our connections to one another through these lessons. We need to realize and embrace these connections to the earth, to each other, and to all as we are ending another cycle and pushing forward to the next! Be free this season my friends!
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reetings and a warm welcome to our very first issue of Creative Sacred Magazine!
We couldn’t be more excited to have made it to this point. Please take so me time to get to know the layout of our magazine. You will notice that this is more than just a magazine, it is also an interactive, multi-media presentation. Keep an eye out for clickable links! You can peruse the articles on the "In this Issue" page to choose which to read first (Just click them and you are taken directly to that page). Just as with a paper magazine, you may want to sit and read the whole thing at once, or come back to this issue several times to digest the articles more slowly. When we set out to create an on-line magazine that would promote Creative and Sacred living, one thing I was adamant about was to steer away from the glossy images of the too-perfect, product-driven magazines that we all sometimes read. What you will find in the pages of Creative Sacred Living is a collection of inspired and authentic articles written by real, honest, down-to-earth folks who work hard to live deliberately, but who are not afraid to admit the struggles we sometimes face. All sponsor ads in the magazine are from authentic and empowering businesses that I personally recommend and have experienced. I am honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people. Please feel free to send feedback on the articles, to share your thoughts or ask the author a question. Each author has their contact information listed in their bios. We appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader! Creative Sacred Living Magazine.com With warmest thanks,
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Artwork (c)Tina Danielle Keophannga
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In This Issue MAGAZINE TEAM: 4-5 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 8-9 SACRED LIVING WITH TERESA BROUWER 20-23 SACRED NATURE WITH MATHEW J. GEORGE
MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTORS: 10-11 DEANNA L'AM - FEED THE FUTURE 13-17 CYNTHIA LEE - IT GOES LIKE THIS 24-29 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW KATHEE FLAMINI, REIKI MASTER TEACHER 32-33 JOTREE - THE CRONES VIEW 34-35 RAE LUSKIN - MANDALA: ANCIENT TRADITIONS FOR PEACE & HEALING 36-37 CAROL BELANGER - GREEN TEA FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN 38-40 DEBORAH JANE MILTON - ARRIVING HOME 44-46 ELIZABETH BERRIEN - HOW DOES ONE LIVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY? 47-48 GLORIA GYPSY - CHAKRA MEDITATION 49-51 DR. ARADIA ORCUT - JOURNEY THROUGH THE CHAKRAS 52-53 RENEE AVAARD - CREATIVE LIVING 54 STEPHANIE GAGOS - HEALING ART SERIES
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For one day can you walk away from the computer, texting, TV, Facebook, and anything to do with technology? Can you give yourself one day of silence, peace and serenity? Just once a week, once a month or even a half-hour every day - can you make a date with yourself? Many people will get overwhelmed with the idea of giving up technology for one day. We have become so reliable with the computer, cell phones and Facebook that the thought of giving up these communication outlets makes many frazzled. Some feel that it is impossible with having a full-time job, kids and family: the key is baby steps, one minute at a time - a self holiday; A Silent Retreat. The first day you may find yourself cheating a little, using your phone as we cannot ignore emergencies. Some may feel that they will be bored and will be challenged with “what to do.� You will be surprised if you stay busy and focused, the day will fly by and before you know it your Silence Day will be complete and well deserved to celebrate! There are many things to do and keep yourself from being on the computer or phone. These moments are about steering away from distractions that interfere with our peace of mind and wanting our time alone is key towards this project. Each day, each morning take something that is blocking you from being at peace. Re-evaluate your time spent, no time spent: be honest with yourself.
Fun and Self-Care Ideas: In the morning, make yourself a nice, hearty breakfast. Depending on where you live, take your breakfast outside or treat yourself to breakfast in bed. Enjoy the morning dew, the birds singing, the warmth of the sun and simply relax. Take a camera with you for unexpected things. Create a vision board meditation. Gather magazines and art tools. Cut out pictures that inspire you and words that speak to you. Take thirty minutes in the morning or early evening and write in your journal. If you don’t know what to write then scribble and doodle. Go to the park or beach (depending where you live) and enjoy nature. Ride your bike, bring your dog for a walk and grab a cup of coffee or your favorite drink. Visit a coffee shop. Bring your journal and write things that come to your mind. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone or an inexpensive lunch. Grab a slice of pizza (I have never eaten pizza the same since Eat, Pray and Love). Take a ride through a fancy neighborhood. Sight see. Cook your favorite meal. Enjoy the process of cooking. Try something new. Grab some markers and a sketch pad; find a comfortable spot and simply draw. Light a candle. Breathe. Relax. Close your eyes. Play dress up. A 30-minute daily retreat is a wonderful start towards a complete full-day of self bliss. Always use your five senses to enjoy silence: taste, smell, touch and hear. Don’t forget your sixth sense, intuition. Now rejoice and celebrate your accomplishments.
I am a Creative Living Coach and an Intuitive. I use creativity and healing as coaching tools towards helping others lead a creative abundant life in body, mind and spirit. I love to inspire others to turn their everyday lives into a personal playground filled with love, joy, happiness and creative play.
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Feed the Future © By DeAnna L’am
One of the most astounding facts about the miracle of a woman’s body is that we, women, are born with all of our eggs within us... This means that when your Grandmother was born, she carried within her the egg that became your Mother. When your Mom was born, the egg from which You grew -- already lived within her. On the day of Your birth, the children that you brought forth (if you did in this life) were already nestled in your womb. And if you have a daughter, her future children are living-potentials in her womb... Stop for a moment and think about this... Like the Russian nesting doll, Matryoshka, we too are nestled within our mother’s body since her birth. Similarly, all generations of human life on Earth are so encapsulated within the women that will one day give birth to them. The chain of generation is truly unbroken, and we are each a living link in that chain. In indigenous cultures - it is traditional to feed the ancestors. When honoring those who crossed over, many cultures will have the deceased cooked-for by their loving family members. The dead’s favorite meal is displayed on the altar and is offered as a gift for their spirit to enjoy. Considering that we are indeed part of our mother’s body ever since her birth, it seems that without acknowledging it -- we also feed future generations when we feed our children. Your Grandmother actually nourished You when she fed her daughter, your future Mom. And you are feeding unborn children, who reside in your daughter’s womb, each time you feed her. Our inter-connectedness becomes palpable when you think of it in this way. No longer an abstract spiritual concept, our oneness is a physiological fact. While men produce new sperm daily, women are born with all their eggs. Between one and two million of them, in fact. Only a fraction of these will be fertilized. And even fewer will be carried through a pregnancy to be born as new human beings. More than a million eggs will be shed by your womb over the years, as menstrual flow. In a way this is humanity in its potential form - passing through you...
How would you honor this flow? How would you acknowledge the endless potential that has not come to fruition? Just remembering that the substance of your Menstrual Flow is sheer potentiality - would be a great place to start. Instead of throwing your menstrual pads into the trash, contemplate the fact that this is life in its raw form. This living tissue, shed by your womb, is the building block of humanity. How far must we have drifted, as a culture, to have closed our eyes and hearts to this fact... To have come to label this life-giving substance ‘gross’, to have been taught to hide it, and to have been compelled to throw it away as waste... Lets return to the model of feeding instead of that of trashing. When we feed a child, lets remember that we are also feeding future generations. When you feed your own body, remember that a vast amount of Human Potential resides in your womb, weather you decide to materialize it in the form of a new human life, or use its potency to feed your creativity in the world. Next time you are about to dispose of a pad stained with your menstrual flow, take a moment to contemplate its origins. Perhaps you could find a better place to rest it than the trash can? Perhaps you can soak it in water and feed the Earth with it, or pour it on your favorite houseplant to give it a boost of life. If the thought grosses you out, stop to think why? Trace the thought to its origins... When did you first learn about menstrual blood, and who told you it was gross? Once you discover the answer - return the thought to its originator (be it your mother, your father, an ad, a line in a movie, or whatever else). Then contemplate the actual substance of your menstrual blood, and ask yourself if it is not about time you made up your own mind? DeAnna L’am, internationally established expert on Menstrual Wellness, author of ‘Becoming Peers-Mentoring Girls Into Womanhood’ and ‘A Diva’s Guide to Getting Your Period’; Founder of Red Moon School of Empowerment for Women & Girls™, and of Red Tents In Every Neighborhood Global Network. Fondly known as ‘Womb Visionary’, DeAnna has been transforming lives worldwide for over 20 years, teaching women and girls how to love themselves unconditionally! She guides women to dissolve PMS symptoms by drawing spiritual strength from their cycle; Helps mothers welcome their daughters to empowered womanhood, and teaches women how to hold Red Tents in their communities. Visit Facebookpage page her at: www.deannalam.com or on her Fecebook
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IT GOES LIKE THIS
WORDS OF WISDOM FROM CYNTHIA LEE OF SPIRITUNCAGED
WARRIOR ALCHEMIST (C) CYNTHIA LEE
I HAVE A DREAM. IT GOES LIKE THIS. Mornings begin with the rising sun, the singing birds, and coffee. Quiet, uninterrupted time allows the moodling mind to empty into the journal with words and images. Meditation and music and movement bring me closer to the center of my soul, to the spirit wisdom that I seek. Art studio in the woods, landscaped paths leading the way, I go there to meet my muse. She and I, we together, bring into existence the visual representation of the life lessons we learn. My home is cared for with blessings of work that keep it well maintained and clean and reflecting the creative people who live here. I hydrate with clear, fresh water and choose the food that nourishes my body, taking my meals with family and long conversations. We read together, laugh, and tell stories of old and make wishes upon the stars. My love and I move through our lives together, separate beings with entwined hearts and hands that make up this one entity that is us.
I HAVE A REALITY. IT GOES LIKE THIS. Mornings find me struggling to wake because the night was too late; house too loud to settle down. Coffee and rushed to do list jotted in the margins of the too full calendar. I squeeze in meditation moments when I remember or when the day feels too overwhelming for anything other than sitting and breathing. Music and movement might happen while I am cooking dinner in the evening. I am known for dancing around the kitchen. I spiral around the semblance of the center of myself, glimpsing the wisdom that I seek. The art studio fund has given way to the home maintenance emergencies. I have a small space across town that I get to sometimes but when I do, I don’t want to leave my muse and I miss her when I am gone. Laundry and dishes scream for my attention and meals are less inventive and lean upon the frugal budget, catering to what the masses will eat. More often than not, I come to the end of the day realizing that I have hydrated far too little and indulged far too much. The long conversations that I long for are often sidetracked by spirited debating of the favorite topic of the day. We area loud and opinionated bunch. They are outgrowing read-alouds. Their stories are shared with others more than with me. I think they have given up wishing upon stars as well. Magic sometimes doesn’t extend far beyond childhood.
My love and I rarely see each other. Work and caring for our respective aging mothers takes precedence over our time together. The dream life seems wonderful, nice, and easy. Too easy. If I had the ability to bring my dream into my reality, I don’t think that I would. I need the conflict, the confusion, and the chaos. It is my life, my REAL life. These challenges shape me; they teach me and allow me to stretch and to grow. Creativity abides and abounds in the midst of the imperfect life. I would dare to say that creativity is dependent on things not going as planned. That being the case, I might just be the queen of creativity. Except that I’m not because I am not the only one with an overturned life.
WE ALL LIVE THIS REALITY. SO IT GOES LIKE THIS. The mornings begin with opening our eyes in gratitude to a fresh start. Every day can be day one. Whatever the choice of morning beverage, we can raise our cups in celebration of a life that sometimes fills up every nook and cranny of time. Honoring the intent of meditation, we make every moment sacred with awareness and mindfulness. Waiting in line at the post office can be a time of prayer and reflection. Buying groceries can be an activity full of awe and gratefulness. Take the time to dance a little longer in the kitchen. Music and movement need not wait for special time or class. Remember that creativity and art are not relegated to a certain space and time. Paintings come into being in the corner of the dining room just fine. Laundry and dishes will always be there. Inject the task with contentment and joy. Give ourselves permission to ignore the piles from time to time. With each day one comes the opportunity to make good choices. So maybe we didn’t choose the food our bodies really crave and maybe we didn’t drench ourselves in pure, clean water yesterday, today, we can choose differently. Realize that the dinner table is for all sorts of interactions and at least, we are still gathering. Be glad that we are comfortable expressing our opinions strongly and know that as fiercely as we fight, we will defend each other with the same. So they think they have outgrown listening to stories? Read to them anyway. Read aloud to ourselves. It’s a wonderful practice. for all the ages and stages.
Read aloud to ourselves. It’s a wonderful practice. Take the time to tell our own stories. They will appreciate it. If they won’t look up into the big, beautiful, sky and wish upon the stars, adorn the ceiling with colorful, folded paper stars as a reminder that magic is for all the ages and stages. That love of our lives? Yes, I know we are all just doing what needs to be done, taking care of business. Remember to say thank you and make time for more than just the passing moments. In the long run, maybe this reality is the life we have dreamed of. 16
Cynthia Lee has released herself into the wild where she is recovering her natural instincts and her inner wisdom through the healing process of intuitive art. She lives her uncaged life as a wife, mother of many, mi-mi of two, artist, and lifelong learner. She rattles the cage, weaving words, asking deep questions, raising her voice to the moon, calling forth other spirited ones, the wild-hearted women who are seeking their own authentic howl at SPIRITUNCAGED.COM
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MATTHEW J. GEORGE "I am considered an emerging Pro Fine Art Photographer by my peers and contemporaries in the Fine Arts although I find myself somewhere outside of that label, seeing it as somewhat egotistical. Having been a self-taught Naturalist and Artist throughout my childhood and continuing through 6 years of Fine Arts college and afterward, my role as an Artist has become that of the witness, bohemian and environmentalist, giving me a deeper understanding as to the "nature" of Art and Photography, it's veracity, importance and deeper spiritual significance in all of our lives. Photography has become a journey of self discovery and an open door to the sacred natural world and the complex interdependence we share with Nature. My Photography makes me explore, it challenges me to learn more about my subjects and their relation to our lives and well being, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
This has caused a deep sensitivity and awareness in my life, awakening a child-like innocence and wonder. I feel Art is an integral element in life, a must for spiritual as well as emotional growth, the best way to communicate what cannot often be put into words. I have been making images for nearly 35 years of various ecosystems and their flora and fauna, but more importantly of life at that moment the shutter opens and freezes time for a while. I have always viewed photography and Art as a tool used to unravel the forgotten knowledge of our ancestors, a way to express the constant yearning amongst most of us for knowledge and understanding of the natural world, it's peace, wonders and inherit divinity."
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What type of Reiki do you practice and how does it differ from others? I have been trained in Usui and Karuna Reiki from the teachings at The International Center of Reiki Training. I am a Usui Reki Master/Teacher and a level II Karuna Reiki Practitioner. Usui is Universal love and Karuna is Universal Compassion. I implement healing crystals and essential oils in my healing sessions as well along with spiritual guidance cards. I’m not sure how it differs from other healing practices as I have only have used the Reiki method for healing. I can only speak from what I’ve been told in my trainings and research. Reiki is a gentle healing that does no harm to the client and the practitioner. Reiki knows what needs to be healed whether it is mental, emotional, physical or spiritual, past, present or future. I hear with some healing methods the practitioner can take on the client’s energies and it can be very draining and in some cases make them sick. At any rate I still call on the white light to grant me protection. I think when you are an open channel for energy to flow through you can’t be too careful. I protect the space, the client and myself. I would love to hear more about your spiritual guidance cards….. I use my ‘Return of the Spirit Cards’ by Cheryl Lee Harnish. The messages are so beautiful and empowering and the images are amazing. They are images using fractal art which is very powerful, in and of itself! If the client is open to discovering a message from spirit, I will have them shuffle the cards and set an intention before our session. I set the cards on their heart Chakra while I am administering Reiki, when I am prompted I pick a card. I most commonly do a 3 card draw. It is truly amazing; there is no doubt that there is something greater than we can imagine guiding us. The cards I have picked during these sessions reflect what the client is dealing with and what they needed to hear at that time. They may have something to overcome, accept, get rid of or just confiming they are on the right path.It has made such a difference for my clients. They really get a sense that they are not alone, their guides, teachers and angels are watching out and guiding them. It takes quieting the mind to be able to hear what spirit is speaking and trusting, not second guessing yourself, even if you don’t understand. I find understanding is the booby prize, it makes no difference. It is in what we don’t know, where the miracles happen.
What or who prompted you to become a Reiki practitioner and Master Teacher? I was truly called to Reiki. I was being prompted by spirit for about 3 months before it clicked and I listened. I actually signed up for my first Reiki class 2 times and both classes were canceled. Then out of thin air my Reiki Sensei showed up and I started my training with her. I didn’t know why I was called at first and as I practiced and called on Reiki for guidance it became clear it is to bring peace, love and healing to humanity. As a Master Teacher to give this gift and to mentor others is a natural expression for me. To awaken that which is naturally a part of who we are and to guide others in having the confidence to trust spirit and their own intuition has been a blessing. After my trainings I realized I had been doing some form of healing in the twenty five years as a professional hairstylist. The Universe does bring us what we truly need at the time. Can you elaborate more on the healing that was happening while you were a hair stylist? There aren’t many professions where people are physically touched and something happens to another human being when they are touched in a positive way. I’ve had people in my chair tell me things they’ve never revealed to anybody and said while there were telling me, “I don’t know why I’m telling you this”. Another example is implementing a shoulder, neck and head massage when I do a hair cut. I’ve gotten rid of headaches, anxieties and upsets just through that action. My clients would say, “Forget the haircut just keep doing that” or “that’s why I come here” or “I look forward to this every time I come”. My clients leave relaxed, happy and whatever they were upset about was no longer there. They’ve reported issues in there family resolved, love restored and a more positive over all out look on life. As I continue doing hair I implement my training in transformational work along with the guidance of Reiki. This has played a significant role in how I listen to people and get what’s really important to them and what can make a difference and I am able to aid in giving them that freedom. I have been blessed and rewarded beyond belief, I am so grateful I can make this kind of difference.
Since starting with Reiki how has it integrated into your daily life? At first I really didn’t know what to do with it. So I started with giving myself and my grandchildren Reiki. As I built my confidence and started to trust Reiki and listen to my guides, I expanded and volunteered at a healing center. As my confidence grew I opened my in home business. I found the more I gave treatments the more I was able to distinguish what I was feeling in my clients. Not only physically feeling the energy but I also started receiving messages and visions. I use Reiki everyday on myself and for many situations I encounter. For instance when I’m somewhere and there’s people getting agitated I have infused Reiki on the room and things just calm down. I have sent Reiki to crying babies and they have calmed down and fallen asleep. You mentioned that you started receiving messages and visions. Were these in relation to the healing that you were doing? Yes Gloria, as I practiced more and more I would hear voices and I’d think why would I be thinking that? One particular time I felt comfortable to share with my client what I heard and she started crying and said “that’s exactly what I’m dealing with”. I was able to relay to her the message given by her guides. I started trusting that this wasn’t my own brain thinking, that in fact I was receiving messages for my client. It doesn’t happen every time, I guess when there’s something the guides want them to know they let me know. I also at times have visions and/or see colors. Here’s an example: one of my hair clients I’ve worked with for 17 years had lost her hair from the treatments for her breast cancer, so she started coming to me for Reiki. In one particular session I saw the hands of a huge angel going up her legs and pulling the cancer out. The name Raphael kept coming to me. After the session I told her what I saw and the name I heard and asked if she knew anything about archangels… she said, no. I didn’t either, so we looked up Raphael and he is the Archangel of healing! She just started crying. To know she was not alone and Raphael was with her got her through some very tough times. She kicked cancer powerfully with grace and ease. What has been your greatest joy in assisting people through your Reiki? My greatest joy has been when people are left with the overwhelming feeling of love and compassion. They leave relaxed and energetic all at the same time.
I started giving treatments to children; this has been such a blessing to assist in giving them self confidence and personal power. To support them and teach them about their “Rainbow” Chakras and how to access and awaken their own healing power. Huge gratification! I love that you are working with children this way! Do you find that they take to it easier than an adult client or that they are naturally more in tune with these energies? Oh very much so, they are so open and clear. They don’t have all the barriers that we do as adults. There is still a presence of who they are as a love being and are very receptive to the energies. I teach them some breathing techniques, like breathing in the white light and make it spin their rainbow Chakras. By the 3rd breath they usually fall asleep. To watch them sleep and receive Universal Love and Compassion is so moving for me. I have an 8 year old client who insists his mother bring him to see me! Children have always been the most faithful clients, even in my hair business. I encourage the parents to talk about the healing energy from God with them. Talk about there Chakras and have them practice breathing in the white light to calm themselves. If you could impart three important life lessons to others on their spiritual path, what would they be and why? TRUST YOUR INTUITION: your guides, teachers and angels are always there for you. They are continually showing us and guiding us. You may not understand why something is coming up for you but if you just trust you may find a miracle LET GO: anything you are unwilling to let go of becomes a limitation. (Even the “good’ things.) Letting go causes expansion on all levels NEVER GIVE UP: life holds many challenges, they are all part of the journey of self discovery and personal responsibility. Take from every experience a blessing. Beautiful, Intention-Letting Go- Never Giving Up!
More and more hospitals, clinics, and other healing facilities are incorporating Reiki with their care of patients. How do you see Reiki being used as a healing form in conventional Western medicine? There is nothing more exciting than seeing Reiki being acknowledged as an effective tool for assisting with conventional Western medicines. More and more people are opening up to the possibility that there could be something beyond conventional medicines that could make a difference in peoples well being, I think out of this realization joining forces and using ALL that is provided by the universe will truly cause a shift in how we do health care. For those who doubt the science behind Reiki’s healing powers, what message would you offer them? Simple, go and experience a treatment! We tend to doubt those things we do not understand; the only way to discover something new or to experience a miracle is to be open. Once we know something for sure, there is no room to learn anything else. We are expansive beings; our life is a series of experiences, when we’re open minded magic happens! I have been on the healing path for many years, and was called to my Reiki journey in 2008. I am a certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher and a Level II Karuna Reiki practitioner. I am a recognized member of the International Center for Reiki Training. Iam commited to providing healing in the world
Where I show up healing and Unity show up!
Connect with Kathee at GUIDED LIGHT REIKI
I have participated in transformational work since 2004. I have a commitment to helping people live empowered lives and being present to who they are as LOVE.. A natural outcome of my training was to create a healing practice that would make a difference in what people are dealing with and impact their lives in a positive, nurturing, loving way. I have witnessed miracles from practicing Reiki Healing. My clients are left peaceful, loved, filled with compassion, and relaxed. I AM that ALL which people have access to being complete so they can experience being loved and humanity be healed in the process.
JUST FOR TODAY, DO NOT BE ANGRY JUST FOR TODAY, DO NOT WORRY JUST FOR TODAY, BE GRATEFUL JUST FOR TODAY, WORK HARD JUST FOR TODAY, BE KIND TO OTHERS.
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Fierce Wildness. Soulful Energy. Uplifting Sisterhood. The Wild Sisterhood is an online community created especially for women who want to love themselves, follow their bliss + change the world. I created it to provide a safe + welcoming place where women can meet + support each other as they discover themselves + carve their own path in life. Why? Because when I decided to choose happiness + start designing my life, I felt completely overwhelmed, alone + had no idea where to begin. I wanted a place where I could go to explore this new side of myself, find resources to keep me inspired + motivated to go after my dreams, + connect with like-minded women. .
The Crone’s View
I come to you humbled by love and creativity. My Life, at this time, is filled with great peace and satisfaction. I sit here listening to the birds outside my window, watching all the activity in the feeders and think to myself, ‘how can this be’ ? My life has reached a place of great satisfaction; a safe place where I trust in the Divine Voice of Love and hear my Truth. When I am living with the intention of having a fulfilled life, it is so. Through the process of living I have learnt that bringing ritual and practice into my daily life helps keep me grounded and aware. Ritual can be as simple as lighting a candle and listening to my breath, or creating an altar and drumming to soothe my soul. Music and Art; blessings of the Divine Muse. The creation of art in any form: visual, sensual, poetry, the written word, dance, or music is the basis for LOVE, no matter what emotion may be being expressed, love will shine through. Creation is love in my heART and I need it like I need to breathe to live. In both I must remain conscious, if I forget to breathe my life ends and if I forget to create my life is like death. Without colour and movement my heart and soul become stagnant .
Fortunately in this lifetime I have been blessed with many opportunities to be reborn, to re create my life. I have been child, mother, daughter, sister, wife, lover, to a time where I am now all of these, but first a human woman, creator, artist and lover of my life. A time to celebrate my life and all I have experienced and wish to share. Women have a very pivotal and important place in my heart. Women of all ages. And I have come to a time in my life where I need to nurture my soul by nurturing women’s souls. The nuturing of women has been the fuel to become a partner in this paradigm shift we are all experiencing... one shift, one step at a time. My soul calling is to re-member my connection to the ancestors and what they have generously contributed to my life, and in so doing bring tools and love to women so they too can come to Re-Member and continue to share their wisdom, love and stories . We revisit the past to heal and change the stories for the future. We are so blessed to be born in a time where connection to sisterhood is available to us. Daily we are given access to women around the world where we share our hearts and stories of pain and healing , love and rebirth. Last weekend I was given the honour of fascilitating a Woman’s Workshop based on the cards I had the privilege of participating in creating.... one of 38 artists from around the world. These cards have a tremendous impact on my life and the women who have embraced them as part of their daily sacred practice. The “Awakening to your Divine Self Oracle Cards” are filled with love and wisdom from artists, women like yourselves, who live very real lives. If you would like to, check out our website Feerless Sister. In honour and in reflecting on the past weekend I painted the above painting in remberance of the support, love and connection a group of women (sisters) can give and receive.
Jotree, crone and artist of my soul, doula of
lifeskills and soul spirit, lover of life, and Queen of my heART. Holding sacred space for women who choose to integrate joy and freedom into their daily practice of living. Lets Connect! Jotree’s Heart And Soul Connections
MANDALA: ANCIENT TRADITIONS FOR PEACE AND HEALING The word Mandala originates from the Sanskrit that means center or magic circle. The two main components of the mandala are a circle and a center point. The circle is a symbol for eternity, a line with no beginning and end. In addition, the circle creates a perimeter, so that which is within the circle is protected and strengthened. The center point symbolizes unity, perfection, Higher Self or the Divine. The Navajo call this 'the spiritual place of emergence ' for sacred imagery. The circle is a universal symbol. It appears everywhere in nature that we chose to look: sun, moon, rings on a tree trunk, in a bird's nest or a lotus flower. It can be found in the iris of the eye or in the cells of the body. These are portals to the greater world, the unseen the Divine. Mandalas are a part of many spiritual traditions around the world. A major part of most eastern religious traditions, mandalas take the viewer into the mysteries of the
mind in a wordless meditation.
According to David Fontana, PhD. Author of Usually in Buddhist Learn to Meditate. traditions, the circle is 'Their images speak enclosed with a deity at directly to the unconscious, each corner, by absorbing producing an experience of the Deities into the profound harmony and a unconscious mind, the mystical sense of oneness viewer can shift their focus with the spiritual forces from the distractions of the that they represent.'• outside world into self awareness, love and In recent years, Mandalas healing. have been used to enhance Western medical practices. C.G. Jung the famous Swiss Psychologist instituted the Linda Cornell, PhD., has use of mandalas in Western been using this work to Europe as tools for help people in physical integrating the psyche and crisis create symbolic accessing the unconscious. healing. She used this in He believed that by putting combination with personal symbols in the traditional medicine when circle, the mandala itself dealing with her own had healing properties. cancer 'Combining these methods In Native American proved quite successful. I tradition, sand mandalas felt happy that I had taken are used for healing and sensible responsibility for teaching about life and my part in the cure while community. working in tandem with established medicine.'• In the realm of healing and holistic medicine, A number of years ago I mandalas are powerful participated in one of her forms of transformation workshops, I was and integration. They can personally amazed and in express anger, pain, grief, awe at the healing that and sorrow all within the came through. safe and sacred experience. One of my favorite Mandalas can show us exercises tapped into our where we have been and own ability to heal, to be where we are going. The conduits of Divine Light. process of creating is transformative in itself. The process of viewing can take us deeper into ourselves, creating profound changes.
This exercise is adapted from her book, Mandala Luminous Symbols for Healing.
radiate health and happiness, love and peace at any moment into the essence of who you are. Imagine the Divine Light Draw an 18 inch circle on coming through your hands black paper with a white and fingers as vibrant good pencil. Within the center health. draw a smaller circle. When you feel or have an Next use a white pencil to image of vibrant good trace the outline of your health open your eyes. Take hands and arms inside the your white pencil and draw larger circle. Leave the the vibrant good health center circle blank. image in the center circle. Draw very lightly. Have Then draw the Divine Light your hands overlap or coming from your fingers. touch in some way. Now When you have finished close your eyes. Feet flat on your drawing, step back the floor, hands in your lap. from it. Spend a few minutes just looking, Slowly take three deep contemplating the breaths. With each possibility that the answers inhalation bring in peace, are always within you. joy and love. With each There is a life force within exhalation, release tension, each of us that can be stress and worry. accessed and used to Keeping your heart and transform our lives. mind open, imagine Remember you have the bringing a golden light ability to heal yourself. down through the top of The final part of this your head, the Divine Life exercise is to write an Force through your head, affirmation affirming your neck and shoulders, arms, good health. I am healthy, into your hands and whole and complete. fingers. Concentrate on this I listen with love to my beautiful divine light body. The answers are moving through your body, within me. your lungs, your heart, your other organs. Feel the warmth and healing light moving into your pelvis, down your legs and into your feet and toes. Continue directing this Rae Luskin is an artist, love energy into all the teacher and community cells of your body. Know activist and the author of 'A that you have the ability to rt From My Heart, a self
discovery journal. A leader in nurturing self worth, resilience, healing and social change through creative expression, she is known as the 'Healed Heart Expert.' To find more go to www.r
aeluskin.net
RELATED BOOKS
GREEN TEA FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN Green tea provides the antioxidants needed for great skin care and healthy living. The antioxidant activity of green tea is about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E. No wonder green tea is used in so many cosmetics today.
Green tea offers so many benefits to the skin and to the body. It contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and anti-bacterial properties. It is not a mystery green tea is so popular in the cosmetic industry. Loaded with Vitamin E and C, the antioxidant agents slow the signs of aging externally and provide beneficial vitamins for overall health when taken internally. Furthermore, recent research has concluded that green tea can prevent cancer. The death rate in Japan from cancer is significantly lower than that in the States. In Japan, green tea is part of their daily staple and consumed as much as 5 to 6 cups a day. This suggests that the main ingredients in green tea (*tannin, **catechin-see definition below) in sufficient amounts can lower the mortality rates of cancer patients. Additionally, green tea can lower high blood pressure and lower blood sugar levels for those suffering with diabetes or the onset thereof. Caffeinated tea refreshes the body when taken internally; it stimulates the body’s organs and clears the mind. Green tea can lower cholesterol by restricting the excessive buildup of (LDL) cholesterol. Research has also suggested that green tea can inhibit skin cancer due to its protective properties. Overall, green tea drinkers seem to enjoy better health. The vital ingredient Catechin is 100 times more potent than Vitamin C and 25 times more potent than Vitamin E. Green Tea Facial Toner 5 green tea bags or several heaping teaspoons of green tea leaves 1/3 to ½ cup fresh herb, chopped (see list below for your specific skin type) 2 cups mineral water or vitamin water Combine all ingredients in a small pot. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Strain if necessary. Apply with cotton ball. The toner will keep for at least one week in the refrigerator. Dry skin: Elderflower, linden flowers, and marigold. Normal skin: chamomile - especially good for antiseptic values, fennel, lemon balm, parsley, and rosemary. Oily Skin: Chamomile-especially good for antiseptic values, fennel, lemon balm, parsley, rosemary, and peppermint and sage-especially good for antiseptic values.
*Definition of catechin: The antioxidant activity about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E. One cup of green tea may provide 10-40mg of polyphenols and can have an antioxidant activity greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries. A catechin is effective because it sticks to proteins easily and blocks bacteria from adhering to cell walls. This disrupts their ability to destroy them. The catechin in green tea also prevents viruses from adhering to cell walls and causing harm. **Definition of Tannin: All tannins act as astringents, shrinking tissues and contracting structural proteins in the skin and mucus. For more wonderful skin care recipes, how to videos, and products visit
COMPLETE SKIN CARE THERAPY
Arriving Home “Simply begin,” the voice says. “Simply begin.” Startled awake at 6 a.m. by these words, I dreamily question my ability to do this at the same time I laugh out loud. Before falling asleep last night I had asked my dreams to show me how to start writing my book. Obviously, I have to deal with the blank page.
I DO know this is a dangerous practice - more than once this ploy has helped me avoid the blank page but this day feels different. Around 7:15 AM, sleep creeps up and knowing that early morning dream time is often vivid, I slip into slumber.
I’m in another place and time experiencing myself as a baby being born. I emerge from the uterine confines of warmth and darkness into a softly lit, sunshadowed world filled with warm hands tenderly holding, my ears I WILL do that but first I’ll honor my habitualswooning with the oooohs and ahhhhhs of enchanted human endearment accompanied early morning ritual - make my delicious cup of freshly ground organic shade grown by a symphony of meadow larks larking, coffee filtered into an already pre-heated chickadees twittering, bees buzzing, ravens cup and add lots of Half and Half. Picking upwarbling, snakes slithering, flames crackling, waters burbling, winds shooshing and a banana and making a slice of toast lathered with homemade raspberry jam, I caressing, grass blades blading, seeds head back to bed with goodies in hand and popping, stalks stretching, leaves unfurling, buds blossoming, flowers perfuming, cats pur curl up in the still warm cocoon nestled between two canine companions and one ring, beetles clicking, ants trailing, mice chittering, dogs gamboling, mouth suckling, feline. warmth guzzling, breath revealing, sweat informing, melted butter hands stroking my I am ready to read for awhile. nakedness cradled in warm sensory surround. “I have come home!”
That is my joyful primal awareness prior to words but I need those words now to express the knowing. That linear string of mundane words I HAVE COME HOME - do not express the magnitude of the felt-sense of being cradled by the earth, the magnificence of embodying nature and the gratitude for coming into awareness.
Immediately upon being separated from everything that I know within my mother’s body, I am traumatized in my own skin, my senses assaulted, my soul fractured.
I share this dream with my friend, James, a brilliant thinker and compassionate Hospice chaplain. With stark precision, he sums up the situation: “Oh my God, Deborah, we’re born into terminal separation My four legged friends stir as I reach for the pen and paper on the floor beside the bed. Thank you and permanent anxiety and we don’t even know Muse for showing me what it’s like to arrive home. it!” With a jolt I realize we modern “civilized” folk are all born with a form of autism. Then I blaze That is my joyful primal awareness prior to words but I need those words now to express the knowing. That linear string of mundane words I HAVE COME HOME - do not express the magnitude of the felt-sense of being cradled by the earth, the magnificence of embodying nature and the gratitude for coming into awareness. My four legged friends stir as I reach for the pen and paper on the floor beside the bed. Thank you Muse for showing me what it’s like to arrive home. With an epiphany. That’s it! That’s it! No wonder we modern, urban two leggeds are alientated from the ground on which we walk. I was born in a high rise sterile, clanging, clanking, square cornered, hysterical environment. Weren’t you? My body was immediately taken from my mother for measurement and weighing by a stranger with gloved hands. I am quantified and charted for excellence of birth condition - a product for comparison from the get-go. I’m even labeled as male or female and if by chance, horror of horrors, there is ambiguity, then my parents assign me gender. Having spent my entire consciousness in the dark, I am put under harsh lights and sterilized with sudsy chemicals to rid me of potential germs/bacteria/viruses/funguses/who knows what.
For most of my lifetime, I have not been conscious of that fact, but I know it is buried in my cells and bones creating a malaise of confusion. Where do I belong? To what land am I native if not the land where I was born? No wonder we have forgotten reverence for earth, air, fire and water, forgotten how to bless all the other beings around us, forgotten gratitude for the life we live. A few days ago I stumbled upon a contemporary Native American prayer site on a mountain hillside. Trees wrapped with prayer flags and two prayer sticks of potent beauty planted in the dirt. Remnants of several deer were nearby but no evidence of a sweat lodge so I am guessing these were placed by hunters offering gratitude to the animals recently sacrificed. I have treated this place with respect, praying every day this week nearby and not entering the area until I felt the call of acceptance.
With humility and reverence, I offer this to you: May we all remember we are born here. May our ancestors greet your ancestors with open hearts and hands,forgiving the fears that have triggered our hatreds. May we each craft our own blessings and release them with gratitude. May we make time to art-fully pray rebirthing ourselves in gratitude for belonging to this earth home.
Deborah Jane Milton, PhD
Deborah Jane Milton, PhD
LIVING IN MONTANA F
YOU CAN FOLLOW MY UNFOLDING JOURNEY AT: WWW.AWAKENINGSTORYLINES.COM WWW.DEBORAHMILTONARTIST.COM
Why is the ‘Red tent’ such a phenomenon?
Every cycling woman knows the deep yearning for quietude during her Flow time. Every ounce of our body and soul calls for rest, while our culture calls us to keep going, no matter what.
The ‘Red Tent,’ ‘Moon Hut,’ or ‘Moon Lodge,’
as they were known in indigenous cultures around the world, was a place of respite for women of old. We recognize that having a place to go to when we flow, monthly, will make our lives different in profound ways, as well as change the lives of those around us, and ultimately the world! Does your Soul remember the circles of Maidens, Mothers, Grandmothers, and Ancestors? This is a place where women are allowed to Be rather than continually Do… The time is Now, and the Red Tent Consciousness is spreading like sunrise all over the world! Be part of the New Paradigm It’s about You, it’s about Us,
Join US!
Together We Can Change The World!
How does one live wholeheartedly?
How does one live wholeheartedly? How does one live wholeheartedly? What does living wholeheartedly even mean? It’s something that many of us have to re-learn or become acquainted with after experiencing a loss that breaks our heart. It is a daily practice, and not always easy. But if we allow ourselves to remember that we are already whole when we come into this world, we realize we are simply re-awakening and re-connecting with what is already there. What Living Wholehearted Means One of my personal definitions for living wholeheartedly means letting love flow freely in and out of your heart, even amidst the pain and grief that we may experience. I view living wholeheartedly from a holistic perspective. It is about taking care of the “whole” you – mind, body, and soul. It’s about experiencing the fullness that life has to offer without choosing to shut down – opening yourself up to the wonderful, beautiful, amazing things while also allowing sadness, pain, and loss to reveal their teachings as well.
After experiencing the loss of my husband and son within a 20-month period, I could have easily shut down in every way. I could have hidden my spirit, refused to take care of my body, disconnected from my feelings, and put up a wall to the rest of the world. But I believe there is an innate resiliency in our humanness that continuously calls us to keep picking up the pieces, no matter how broken we feel. If we’re willing to listen to that voice, whether it’s coming from within or from those who love us, we can gradually come into our wholeness again, which never actually left in the first place. Feeling & Giving Love After Tragedy As I took those first painful steps into the harsh light of my reality after my husband and son died, even amidst my deep longing and sadness, I felt a strong desire to feel love and give love. I felt the need to get help for my aches and pains, and the need for connection. Even in the very beginning of my grief experience it amazed me how I could feel all of these things at once. This reminded me of the fullness of my spirit, and I felt guided to keep reaching for more…more of what life had to offer. In that process of re-entering the land of the living, I also needed to practice self-compassion and selflove. This is an important key to living wholeheartedly. It begins within. If you have been through a heart-breaking loss, know that living a wholehearted life is still always available to you. It is possible to live again, laugh again, feel love again, and truly experience the fullness of life. The opportunity begins with you. Are you nurturing yourself, being true to yourself, practicing self-compassion? Remember, grieving is not about doing it perfectly – there is no such thing. It’s an opportunity for self-discovery and being authentic to who you are and what you need. By opening your heart to self-compassion, you are opening your heart to embracing what is in front of you. Approaching Wholeheartedness There are so many ways to approach living wholeheartedly. I invite you to ask yourself these questions: Am I practicing self-care? Am I being gentle with myself? Am I honoring my truth? Am I judging myself too harshly? What am I afraid of? How can I begin moving beyond that fear? What have I learned about myself through the grieving process? What do I feel gratitude for? You may wish to journal your responses to these questions. Really allow yourself the time and space to think about them. Then ask yourself the question, “what would living wholeheartedly mean to me?” This is something that can look differently for everyone. Consider what it would look like for you personally.
My hope for us all is that we each take the steps to live wholeheartedly. We all deserve this, no matter what our losses. If you’re feeling stuck or struggling with how to do this, take advantage of the resources around you. For instance, our services at www.TheRespite.org are all about helping people live wholeheartedly after loss, with respect to everyone’s unique path. Gift yourself with the opportunity to start living the life that you want today. I invite you to open your heart to what is possible. And remember, you don’t have to do it on your own! For more information please contact Elizabeth Berrien Cindy Cook Ballaro Co-founder Director of Awareness & Outreach elizabeth@therespite.org cindy@therespite.org
www.TheRespite.org Facebook Page
CHAKRA MEDITATION BY GLORIA GYPSY
Chakra means Wheel in Sanskrit. Consciousness and energy move from one frequency to another in spiraling fashion. The body has energy centers that look like spinning wheels and are called Chakras. They allow energy to flow from one part of the body to another. As with all things in our reality, they are linked to sound, light and color. To heal, is to bring the chakras into alignment and balance then understand the nature of creation and your purpose in it. It's all in motion in the alchemy of time. Sahasrara Crown Chakra Thought, Universal identity, oriented to self-knowledge This is the crown chakra that relates to consciousness as pure awareness. It is our connection to the greater world beyond, to a timeless, spaceless place of all-knowing. When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss. Ajna Third Eye Light, Archetypal identity, oriented to self-reflection This chakra is known as the brow chakra or third eye center. It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively. As such it opens our psychic faculties and our understanding of archetypal levels. When healthy it allows us to see clearly, in effect, letting us "see the big picture".
Vishuddha Throat Chakra Sound, Creative identity, oriented to self-expression This is the chakra located in the throat and is thus related to communication and creativity. Here we experience the world symbolically through vibration, such as the vibration of sound representing language. Anahata Heart Chakra Air, Social identity, oriented to self-acceptance This chakra is called the heart chakra and is the middle chakra in a system of seven. It is related to love and is the integrator of opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and female, persona and shadow, ego and unity. A healthy fourth chakra allows us to love deeply, feel compassion, have a deep sense of peace and centeredness. Manipura Solar Plexus Fire, Ego identity, oriented to self-definition This chakra is known as the power chakra, located in the solar plexus. It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. When healthy, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power. Svadhisthana Sacral Water, Emotional identity, oriented to self-gratification The second chakra, located in the abdomen, lower back, and sexual organs, is related to the element water, and to emotions and sexuality. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. Ideally this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to accept change• Muladhara Root (base) Chakra Earth, Physical identity, oriented to self-preservation Located at the base of the spine, this chakra forms our foundation. It represents the element earth, and is therefore related to our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence. There are many uses for binaural beats, one of them being healing. It has been shown that the body is highly capable of healing itself. More and more research shows that there is a link between stress and an unhealthy body. One of the many applications of binaural beats is to deeply relax the body and mind, through this process the mind and body have a chance to heal itself. Binaural beats have also been shown affective with many psychosomatic illness like depression The binaural beat effect is the result of two slightly different audio waves being heard separately by the left and right ear (such as in a pair of headphones) in a manner that encourages the neurophysiology to generate a specific unified brain wave pattern. Chakra Meditation video and Chakra artwork by GLORIA GYPSY Chakra Binaural beats courtesy of HEALING BEATS
Journey Through the Chakras with the soothing voice of Dr. Aradia and the beautiful soundscapes of Synthesist, based on frequency and vibration of each Chakra, in this series of Guided Journeys. The Chakras are the energy centers, the wheels of life, within our bodies. Journey with this series from the 1st Chakra, the Root Chakra, to the 8th Chakra, the Soul Star Chakra. Begin with relaxing and cleansing the entire body in a beautiful garden as White Light cascades gently over your body, relaxing each muscle group as the shimmering light flows through your body, filling you with peace and serenity, soothing and relaxing your body. Gazing out from the garden, with the sun shining warmly down upon you, feel the breeze caress your face and hear the gentle sounds of birds calling to you in the distance as you Walk the Stone Pathway and go deeper into relaxation. As you reach the Temple of the Chakras (our bodies are our Temple), see the beautiful candles flickering on either side of the hallway as you go even deeper into relaxation and you walk towards the eight doors of the Chakras. Our Journey here takes you through 8 Chakras. The 1st Chakra â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Root Chakra, and the element of Earth. From the Root Chakra, we gain our support and stability, the source of our grounding. The Root Chakra connects us to nature and our biological source, and to all life. It is through our first chakra we gain our physical identity and self-worth. < Click Chakra to hear a sample
From the 2nd Chakra, the Sacral Chakra and the element of Water, we encounter the river of change. Now we move from the element of Earth from the Root Chakra to that of water, where solid becomes liquid, and stillness becomes movement, a Chakra of change. The Sacral Chakra is also the center of sexuality, emotions, sensation, pleasure, and nurturance. < Click Chakra to hear a sample
The 3rd Chakra â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Solar Plexus Chakra and the element of Fire. The Solar Plexus Chakra is located just below the sternum down to the naval, and is a fiery solar chakra that brings us light, warmth, energy, and power. We grow in strength, we feel our power rising, descending from our visions, releasing joyously from our hearts and now embrace the growing current of consciousness that descends from the upper chakras. As we activate our power, we begin to direct our actions towards our Higher Purpose. The Solar Plexus Chakra is also related to self-esteem, which brings strength to our will. After balancing the Solar Plexus Chakra, we can then move more completely into the delightful experience of love, the 4th Chakra. < Click Chakra to hear a sample
Next is the 4th Chakra, the Heart Chakra, and the element of Air. This is the central point of the Chakra system. From the realms of the body and manifestation, we move to the softer touch of Spirit. We transcend our ego, and grow toward something greater, deeper, stronger. In the 4th Chakra, love radiates outwards, bringing love and compassion to whatever comes into our field. It is a divine presence of connection, and love from the heart is enduring, eternal, and constant. < Click Chakra to hear a sample
The 5th Chakra â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Throat Chakra, and the element of Sound. This Chakra is the center related to communication through sound, rhythm, vibration, self-expression, and creativity. It is the center of dynamic creativity, of synthesizing old ideas into something new. It includes listening, speaking, writing, chanting, any of the arts, especially those related to sound and language and is a way of extending ourselves beyond our ordinary limitations. < Click Chakra to hear a sample
Next our Journey here takes you to the 6th Chakra – the Third Eye Chakra, and the element of Light. It is the gift of seeing - both inner and outer - that is the essence and function of this Chakra. The Third Eye Chakra sees beyond the physical world, bringing us added insight. Here we leave behind the limitations of time and space and enter a transpersonal dimension. The more clarity we have within ourselves, the better we are able to see the subtle properties of the world around us. Looking is the act of seeing, but seeing is the internalizing of the image into understanding. < Click Chakra to hear a sample
Next we move to the 7th Chakra – the Crown Chakra, and the element of Thought. We have climbed to the thousand-petaled lotus blooming at the top of the head. Here we found the infinitely profound seat of cosmic consciousness known as the Crown Chakra. This Chakra connects us to divine intelligence and the source of all Manifestation. It is the true essence of Being as the awareness that dwells within. It is through the Crown Chakra that we reach into the infinite body of information and run it through our other Chakras to bring it to recognition and manifestation. It is also the point at which divine consciousness enters the body and descends, bringing awareness to all the chakras, giving us the means to operate in the world around us. < Click Chakra to hear a sample Finally, our Journey takes us to the 8th Chakra – the Soul Star Chakra, a place of white light. All wisdom is before you, within you, around you; Beyond form, beyond space, beyond time. The song of our energy is infinite. Here we are divine energy, a part of the whole. One mind in a sea of many, connected, uncontained, intelligent, divine. We are born into this life knowing our Soul’s Purpose. Through time, experiences, and blockages that occur in our chakra system this results in the flow to the divine and our Soul Star Chakra being interrupted, and we lose that knowledge of our Soul’s Purpose. Through this Journey you can discover your Soul’s Purpose with the frequency and vibration of soundscapes which correspond with the Soul Star Chakra. < Click Chakra to hear a sample
Creative Living
@ Renee Avard; for April 2014
“We don’t have to be finished to be whole.” - Naomi Whittlin Naomi shared this on her blog this week and it literally hit the heck out of me when I read it. I felt my heart skip a beat and I became flushed. Here e It was an awareness that needed to find its way or ut M to me and in a big way and I did not even know O Find it! I thought I had made it over the twenty-something attitudes now that I am a thirty-something woman. But, it was as if nothing previously had made that sort of an impact on me like this one did. During my twenties, I was a very introverted, depressed soul. I would purposely torture myself with weepy musical ballads, sappy television shows and emotionally messy movies. After going through a divorce towards the beginning of this time span, I felt quite hollow and full of so many bumps, holes and bruises, I felt that would be my identity. So I fought it tooth and nail – in a not-so-great way. My solution was to look for ways to fill the gaps, to fill the holes and to put myself back together again. I sought it out in the form of faulty friendships, iffy relationships, unwise career moves and misdirected fawning. I thought if I could just find the ‘it thing’ that would make me feel complete, then I could somehow pull myself together and get over I am not saying this path was not to be taken, because I believe it was in order for me to be here for you all today, but it was certainly the easy way out. The hard part is sticking it out and remaining to face issues head on. In my early 30s I began coming into some amazing revelations concerning my plight to find the fillings I needed. It was not out there. There was no way to find it in any place I were to look. Was it that illusive? Quite the opposite. I had it already. And though I had been broken open, I began to accept myself for who I am not for who I was. I realized that inside my heart, head, mind, body and soul, I held the answers to completion. I found the reasons behind those pitfalls, wounds and “broken” places. I found my purpose and it did not involve perfection (which is a complete myth). It involved perception. Once I began taking a look at my life through others’ eyes and even my own, I was able to gain quite the amount of clarity. And here I am just plugging along, knowing that I have figured out something major, this quote hits me from out of the blue.
I am in my mid thirties and quotes like this and such teach me and show me the light, the way and the truth behind the identity that is me. I am more accepting of me than I have ever been and I know this is going to sound ‘out there’, but I feel like I have grown already just by reading that quote and the awareness it has brought to my life has made me a better person. “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” ~ Albert Einstein The key to this life is to keep going. Realize that, like Naomi so eloquently stated, you are whole right now. You are enough. Right. Now. It does not matter if that hole is not filled just yet – “We don’t need to be finished to be whole.” As a Doctor of Metaphysics and ordained minister. Renee Avard is an eclectic Spiritualist with focus on Earth-Based Spirituality. Known as the “Unique-tivity Guide,” she assists others as they embark on their own journey of awakening and enlightenment. Renee also has many areas of unparalleled knowledge, and this business was created to be a customized Holistic and Spiritual endeavor assisting in bringing out the unique and creative side each person already has inside them. As a Guide, she is also a Crystal Therapist and an expert in Oracle and Angel card readings and intuitive guidance sessions. Forever learning, Renee is both a student and a Guide here to show all how to allow your Star inside to lighten Life outside through various modalities, she imparts the wisdom needed for everyone to know and accept that we are ALL worth catching. Follow Renee and her endeavors at: Worth Catching Catch A Falling Star
Healing Art Series:
Finding Your Message in the Painting A healing art page in my journal in which I model working through feelings as well as finding the message in the painting
Stephanie Gagos is a Healing Coach and Artist, who helps women who from all over the world, heal from childhood wounding through her incredibly intimate and powerful online healing courses. Over 200 women have taken her healing art classes, some of which include the Inner Child Healing Workshop and Healing the Mother Wound. As a survivor of childhood abuse and sexual abuse, she has dedicated her life to helping women heal and come back to the truth of who they are underneath their stories of childhood pain. She is a big believer in holding safe space for women to speak their truth, using creativity to heal, and incorporating the body in the healing process. She is the founder of the Healing Truth Sanctuary, a free online community for survivors and women on a healing path. She believes every woman can heal and find joy in their lives and her mission is to reach and help empower as many women as she can.
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Willowing Arts
Let the Power of Nature Nourish Your Skin, Restore Your Youthful Glow and Help You Save a Fortune at the Cosmetic Counter! Discover why your "beauty care" products may not be so pretty after all!
From: Tera Warner, founder of Body Enlightenment Montreal, Quebec, Canada Greetings, Gorgeous! Have you ever noticed that the women wearing the most foundation and make-up also tend to have the worst skin? This is not a coincidence!!! All those powder puffs, perfumed potions, carcinogenic creams and so called "beauty" products contain a toxic soup of chemicals, waxes and petroleum products that block pores, suck moisture and cause premature aging! Here's Something You may Find Surprising: "89 percent of the ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety!" -Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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