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A Holistic Journal Celebrating & Supporting LIFE!
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Tapestry Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
u Every Day Is Kid's Day
u Perspectives From The Sky
u Classroom Mothership Earth
u Loving Earth ~ Spring: A Time For Action
u Igniting Greatness In Children
u Wandering Sage Wisdom ~ Generation Of Energy
u The Inner Tapestry Of A New Generation
u Awareness And The Art Of Seeing ~ Urban Green Living
April/May 2012
A New Generation
Volume 10, No. 6
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I nner Tapestry This Issue's Theme
Contents
UP CO MING THEMES J une/J uly 2012
April / May 2012
A New Generation
August/S eptember 2012
I n it iat io n O f The Way
Features Every Day Is Kid's Day
O c tober/November 2012 Page
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Page
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by Momma Donna Henes, Urban Shaman
Inspired Wellness Rejuvenation For Your Family
Wh e re D o We G o Fro m Here
by Deborah Snyder
St ay i ng Healt hy
Page 15
Submission Dates June/July 2012
Family Constellations: Acknowledging Our Roots by Anna Whiltholt Abaldo Strengthening Our Wings
Page 18
Articles – April 15th
Igniting Greatness In Children
Page 19
The Next Generation On The Brink Of Birth by Jill Marie Langdon
The Inner Tapestry Of A New Generation by Rosa M. Fierro, M.S., M.S.Ed.
by Karen M. Rider
Classroom Mothership Earth
Page 26
Music Therapy The Meeting Of Science and Art
Page 28
by Patricia Mullholland, M.A., M.T.B.C.
Invisible Frequencies Disturb Our Peace Of Mind
Calendar & Classified Ads –May 5th
Page 29
by Phyllis Light, Ph.D
Columns The Way of Life It-self ~ The Amazing Human Being You, Me. We- Life
by Skye Hirst, Ph.D
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Modern Shamanic Living ~ Breaking The Chain Rejoining The Circle Page 8 by Evelyn C. Rysdyk
Wandering Sage Wisdom ~ Generation of Energy
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by Aaron Hoopes
Awareness and the Art of Seeing ~ Urban Green Living
Publishers
Page 16
Joan Emmons Ron Damico Betty Close
by Teresa Piccari
A Breath of Healing ~ A Fast Paced Time We Live In
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by Donna Amrita Davidge
Reflections of an Amateur Spiritual Spelunker ~ by Curtis White
What If Jesus Would Have Had An Agent
Perspectives From The Sky
Page 20 Page 21
by James Bean
Going Beyond The Universe
Bryan@innertapestry.org
(207) 799-7995 ~ (203) 779-0345
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Subscriptions ~ $20.00/year, 6 issues Inner Tapestry can be found in over 500 locations, but to ensure you don’t miss an issue, subscriptions are available.
Directories Directory of Resources Yoga, T'ai Chi, & Meditation Directory Heart Visions, Calendar of Events and Classified Ads
(207) 799-7995 (203) 779-0345
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by River J. Lee
Exploring the World Religions ~ The Secret Of Spirituality
Advertising & Distribution
Email: info@innertapestry.org Or Visit: www.innertapestry.org
by Leo Knighton Tallarico
Loving Earth ~ Spring: A Time For Action
T apestry
Page 14
by Jen Deraspe
The 21st Century Bohemian ~ The Be Generation
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Pages 32-40 Page 41 Pages 42-44
Payments and Correspondence To: P O Box 122, East Hampton, CT 06424 April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 3
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by Ari Joshua Bouse
Display Ads & Directory of Resources To Reserve Space – May 1st For Ad Copy & Graphics – May 5th
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I nner W orkings by Ron Damico & Joan Emmons NEW THIS ISSUE: Welcome everyone to "A New Generation!" Our community has come together this issue to bring to our readers articles expressing love, compassion and concern for our newest generation. We have our feature artist who six years ago, at the age of six, had her drawing featured in "Organic Lifestyles." This issue we are checking back with Danielle Cone to see how she has continued to express herself and her love of art and nature. On page 16 there is a message from Inner Tapestry's friend and artist Rassouli, who shared himself as our feature artist last issue. The message contains a link that will lead you to a moving and inspirational video of children in California who are foster children that have been abused and neglected, being a part of the largest foster care system in the US. Rassouli has started a remarkable program and is looking for people interested in spreading this program of artistic expression, with children, across the country. I know personally, many of you, how committed and talented you are and thought that there might be some interest in this program. Our next bit of news is our new website is finally up, a few tweaks to be made but you will be able to find the latest issue online, calendar of events, classifieds and the Directory of Resources. Also remember that all of the guidelines for articles, media kit, deadlines and upcoming themes will also be there. There is also an opportunity for banner advertisements, as well as having your Directory of Resource listing featured on the landing page for the Resource section.
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Spring is definitely in the air and people as well as our neighborhood animals have begun to stir coming out into the world to connect and re-member the light and love that we all hold. Visit one of the many events, fairs or workshops that can be found in the journal. They are a great resource of practitioners and workshops all in one location. There is so much to say regarding "A New Generation" and our ability to "show up" for our children in the coming years. We are facing the evolutionary changes
Every Day Is Kid's Day
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by Momma Donna Henes, Urban Shaman
When I was a kid, I used to complain to my mother, “There’s Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and even Grandparent’s Day. When is the special holiday for children?” “Every day is Children’s Day,” she would reply. And on the surface, at least, that would seem to be so. Children in the United States are spoiled rotten with things they don’t need; objects, luxuries, presents. This material overindulgence is often in guilty exchange for simple parental presence. North American kids are treated to their own special domain of amusement parks, game arcades, summer camps, Sunday schools, G-rated cinema, comics and toys. They are fed kid food, which is for the most part, appallingly unhealthy. All this special treatment seems like a fantasy kinder wonderland. Maybe. But the reality is that children are kept apart, sequestered. Seen but not heard, is the general consensus for proper kid etiquette. Children are often silenced in company or else expected to perform for the approval and appreciation of their parents. They are excluded from the greater world of adults and banished from society at large. They sleep alone at night and as soon as they are toilet trained, they are expected to have their own separate and parallel schedule of activities, lessons and interests. It is no wonder they often feel like outcasts, completely alienated. Invariably, this societal banishment results in bad behavior. Kids have little practice in the social graces appropriate for public situations, nor do their parents seem to expect civility of them. As a result, they wear out their welcome. Just think about that 4 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
that generations before have explored with their children, but we have made this time different. We have made this a time of ultimate choices, infinite possibilities, extreme feelings and an opportunity to embody who we truly are. I have been privileged to meet people in my stewardship of Inner Tapestry that have endured, hardships and so many deep feelings. I have watched many of them grow beyond the existence and lives that they once knew as dysfunctional and some who have grown beyond "normal" to a state of being that is extraordinary. There is a theme that presents—there is always more room to grow. To go beyond what and who we think we are to reach new levels of awareness and to become the stewards of compassion for ourselves, others and our Mother Earth. As we awake there are things that just are not acceptable any more, the ability to make choices that are inconsiderate of others, the boundaries that we have set to keep us all apart, the list goes on. One thing that has become apparent is that as we traverse this awakening, we will experience levels of intensity that we have not experienced before. For some it may take on the look of intolerance, for others frustration, no matter what you're feeling, just remember to check in to see; Is what you are feeling really there? Is it just something generated from your mind or is it truly coming from your soul? This is the process of awareness, knowing where we are generating ourselves from... generating, generation, synergy, energy, movement. So might we say, that A New Generation can be within each of us. A generation of newness of light, hope and faith that we possess the ability to awaken the willingness to guide ourselves and our world to a way of being expressed as peace and harmony— as we share ourselves, inner thoughts, feelings, fears, joys and dreams with each other. Our next issue starts our eleventh year of our offering of love and support for all of those looking to expand the essences of who they are. We hope that you will continue to join us on this journey.
wild child running around the tables in the restaurant where you are trying to unwind after a hard day’s work. By contrast, in most places in the world even today, small children are carried everywhere by a mother, grandmother or older sister. They are always around. They are included in real life. They belong. Thus, young ones become integrated into the comings and goings, mores, customs and relationships of the community. They see how things are done. What’s what. Who’s who. After an extended pampered babyhood, kids in most places are given considerable family responsibility at a very early age. Throughout the third world, three and fouryear old children are called upon to do important domestic tasks. Their assistance as babysitters, sweepers, animal care-takers, garden and kitchen hands, message and delivery bearers, are crucial to the survival and success of society. They contribute. Work in this context is not exploitation. I am not talking about child labor for profit here. Necessary work, done well, promotes feelings of self-worth and pride. It has been noted in several studies that those who are born to great wealth and privilege often have difficulty developing a healthy sense of self-esteem. They feel that they have not earned it. According to Maria Montessori, the radical Italian educator, children need to feel helpful and yearn to be response-able. She advised that they be encouraged to be dependable. In her nurseries, she had the tiniest kids pour their own snack-time milk from glass pitchers neatly and safely into real glasses so that they would know the satisfaction of being able to do so. Maybe we need to stop treating our kids like kids and start regarding them as unique, individual people who have something valuable to share with society. Donna Henes is an internationally renowned urban shaman, ritual expert, awardwinning author, popular speaker and workshop leader whose joyful celebrations of celestial events have introduced ancient traditional rituals and contemporary ceremonies to millions of people in more than 100 cities since 1972. She has published four books, a CD, an acclaimed Ezine and writes for The Huffington Post, Beliefnet and UPI Religion and Spirituality Forum. She has created and officiated public ceremonies for two mayors and a governor and serves as the ritual consultant for the film industry. Mama Donna, as she is affectionately called, maintains a ceremonial center, spirit shop, ritual practice and consultancy in Exotic Brooklyn, NY where she works with individuals, groups, institutions, municipalities and corporations to create meaningful ceremonies for every imaginable occasion. www.DonnaHenes.net
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Inspired Wellness Rejuvenation
For Your Family
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by Deborah Snyder
eing mindful and proactive in all aspects of life is the clear path to wellness. Knowing our state of health physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually allows us to take the responsibility in our own hands and create a life of peace, balance, and clarity. By opening your heart to wellness, you foster in an entirely new way of being for your family.
Physical Wellness
Mental Wellness
After long days at work or with the kids, it is easy to zone out in front of the television and collapse. We often feel overworked, yet underutilized. Life can become frustrating when we sense we are merely going through the motions and not being intellectually stimulated. Challenging ourselves mentally keeps us young, vibrant, and smart. Try a few of these techniques to keep your mental gears turning: • Sign up for a class at your local college, technical school, or community center. Dedicated time alone to pursue your intellectual interests can revitalize your sense of self and give needed respite from family obligations. You will learn new skills, meet interesting people, and rediscover parts of yourself long ago abandoned. • Organize a book club, poetry circle, or hobby group for your friends. Getting together with those we care about can be a positive, uplifting experience. Add stimulating conversation to the mix for a truly rewarding time. Discovering the intellectual aspects of your friends and yourself can be illuminating. • Expand your comfort zone by learning a new language, instrument, or art form. Basket weaving, jewelry making, or writing short stories in your journal. Creative pursuits not only stimulate the mind but also enhance intuitive abilities.
Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual well-being provides us a sense of belonging and connectedness in the face of life’s varied experiences. Knowing we are a part of something greater than our own individual personality and physical being allows us to appreciate the
Energetic Wellness
We are vibrant beings of energy, continually sending and receiving signals. We can champion energetic wellness to our families by demonstrating a healthy respect for this complex system. Be mindful of these techniques as you integrate energy into your life: • Start and end each day with a clearing exercise. Quickly visualize your aura and clean up any debris in your biofield. Blast away any toxic energy with the wash of vibrant colors and the intention of love and peace. • Dedicate a minimum of ten minutes each day for energetic communication with your highest self. This is the time to ask your questions about day-to-day events and await the answers. You can journal your explorations to track your progress. • Stretch your intuitive muscles by playing psychic games. This builds confidence and helps determine how your subtle energy system communicates. This is not a competition and should be done with a playful spirit. Your accuracy just may surprise you! We are all works of art created by the Universe as a unique expression of itself, a fragment of the Divine source. Appreciating your own significance in this world enables you to live a life of peace and love. You cannot truly care and nurture the spirit of another until you first cherish the self. Make a commitment now to live a life of inspired wellness. Debra Snyder, PhD is the award winning author of Intuitive Parenting: Listening to the Wisdom of Your Heart (Beyond Words/Atria May 2010) and the creator of the HeartGlow method. She is an inspirational speaker and teacher to groups large and small and offers instruction on intuitive parenting in private sessions, classes and seminars throughout the country. FMI: visit www.heartglowparenting.com
April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 5
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Physical health begins with having a great respect for our body and its complicated systems and functions. Many of us have allowed the care of our bodies to wane by eating unconsciously, ignoring its signals, and not being appropriately active. Here are activities and behaviors I recommend for getting you started on a path to physical wellness: • Eat whole, natural foods, such as fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and lean proteins. Avoid foods laden with chemical additives, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives. If you choose to indulge on desserts, alcohol, and simple carbohydrates, keep your intake to a minimum. A balanced diet is best for the entire family. • Maintain a healthy form by being active every day. Take a walk together, dance to ecstatic music, or paddle a kayak. Keep your fitness schedule fun by being diverse and creative. Regardless of your age, ability, or size, you can develop a program appropriate for you and your family. • It is essential we find down time for our entire being to rejuvenate. Reduce caffeine intake, avoid stressful activities, and add a brief meditation prior to bed to ease into a more relaxed, centered state.
magnificence of the Universe. Open your heart to spiritual expression by exploring these activities: • Find your place of fellowship. Join a church, synagogue, mosque, bible study group, or other place of community worship. Surrounding ourselves with others living a life of faith allows us to feel supported in our decision to make Spirit a priority. • Take a yoga class to discover the inner peace that stems from the meditation, poses, and beliefs associated with this form. It is more than stretching for fitness! Yoga is beneficial to our mind, body, emotions, and spirit. Allow its inner calm to wash over you as a wave glides over the sand. • Contemplate your being. Determine for yourself who you are and what you believe yourself to be in this vast expanse of Universe. Be with nature. Read. Meditate. Pray. Take the time to explore your spiritual self.
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t he w ay o f lif e it -s e l f
The Amazing Human Being You, Me, We - Life by Skye Hirst, Ph.D.
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he human living process is truly one of the greatest amazements still largely outside our grasp. Even with all our technology and studies to know it, how we each exist moment by moment, create, and love is a constant source of discovery.
For the past few years my husband and I have been meeting challenges of health matters, financial and human heartbreaks not too different from others alive today. However, in this daily process, the self-knowing, reflection and awareness processes keep revealing ever wider possibilities within us as living beings to create a-new.
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Each time I hit a constraint that seems to say this is the wall, you can do no more, you cannot go on – I recall what I’ve learned – creation has created me with infinite resources to deal with anything I may be challenged with as a living being. This thought promotes me to open further, to surrender, and to allow that I cannot control life, but I am given the creative spirit to navigate it. And so with this held idea I act with hope and prayer that I open to these resources, and infinite they are. I experience these resources as divine, ever opening infinite organizing principles. As I open, and yes surrender my own beliefs of limitation, a new threshold presents itself. Hope comes alive in me. I begin to receive what I need. Sometimes it comes in the door as a person who can say just the right thing to me or provide a loving comment that lifts me. Sometimes it’s an entirely new idea I’d never thought of for how to manage a difficult situation. Sometimes it’s an opportunity for a new project, or a new way to serve that feeds me, and others, more fully. It comes out of the energy of loving. Sometimes I’ll sit and cry for a bit when I feel that wall, then as I allow the tears, feel the heartbreak fully, something begins to shift. My tired and overly taxed energy system is restored. Hope “springs eternal” and in this hope is the God energy feeding me the will, the thrust to breathe on, to know again that energy and to allow it to fill me with the next act, the next step. Now recently I hit such a wall. My husband, Norm, came home from hospital and was in need of constant care. I have found resources to support me in his care from all kinds of directions in the past, but I needed more if I was to keep him in our home. I sit this moment allowing that process to unfold, and I am experiencing surprises daily and amazing soul gifts. This very knowing is the hope that keeps this human process moving forward. Process philosopher, Alfred N. Whitehead speaks to this saying life must create novelty – it must act in its fulfillment of itself being itself. The creative act is the act of aliveness, of hope and of loving feelings. When I listen to a beautiful song or hear a bird singing outside my window just before dawn, then the dawn comes, I feel this lift, this inspiration, breathing in life and my mind and heart awaken to its creative potential. There is one more thing I’ve noticed. When I’m facing the constant repetition of caregiving, it’s not doing the job efficiently that makes it easier, it’s the interaction with the human being I am serving, feeling, knowing and calling out of them their nature. In this I find infinite novelty and my compassion comes alive. Ah then the job is only part of the act of care-giving. It’s me and the one receiving, we together, are creating the moment of possibility. We laugh, we do something silly totally unexpected and our moment is shifted from exhaustion to love and spirit. I think this is what Patch Adams, the clown and physician knows so well about health and healing. A human being is truly an infinite of infinite acts of possibilities. Emily Dickenson said, “Dwell in Possibility.” This is how we come to know ourselves as more than flesh and blood with body parts working together. We beings of spirit are constantly generating creative acts woven together, exponentially expanding, contracting and moving us along to deeper satisfactions and meaning. So today, what’s it all about? What came to me was this piece. Can it be of help to some fellow being? That would be lovely. But what amazes me most is that I can shift a hopeless moment to one of creativity and possibility and find meaning in it all. Now that’s pretty amazing and where did all that come from? I say Life – and life is the matter of fact so available with every breath. What may appear to be a “dead-end moment” is just the closing of one door opening us to another direction. And another good bit here is how it all fits together in this spiritual creation called Life – it connects all life, all us living beings together, into this amazing becoming of co-creation with each breath. It’s a source of wonder, and unfolding surprise. Whatever happens there’s some gift in it. I hope this has opened in you a bit of hope and wonder about your possibilities in this moment. P.S. Since first writing this, I’ve been blessed with calls and visits from loving friends and people I would never have imagined available for helping in the care6 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
giving and resources from health providers also in unsuspected places who are really being helpful. And the gifts of music, photos and beauty have suddenly come from friends just when I needed them most. And Norm continues his becoming of living and we are sharing very special moments in our challenges. Now that’s amazing! Visit us on twitter @ autognomics, and our website forum www.autognomics.org for conversations about growing a new mind and discovering the new emerging assumptions about reality and the meta organizing ways in the energy of life-itself.
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The Next Generation: On The Brink Of Birth by Jill Marie Langdon
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give the other and the result is a spoiled child who comes to expect that his every demand will be met. He doesn’t know any better especially under the age of six.
When my daughter related all this information to me, I flashed back 23 years to her birth as my second daughter: she was two weeks past her due date and still no sign of her. I called the doctor and told him I couldn’t sleep with her anymore, there was too much pressure on my back. He made the decision to use pitocin and pushed her out two days later. She was birthed naturally and weighed 10 lbs. 11 oz., had an infection and she was taken from me almost right after delivery. I was discharged from the hospital without her and cried the two weeks she was away.
Does anyone know how to rough it anymore? Camp? Living in Maine about an hour away from any malls, and guarantied to get at least one snow storm that knocks out the power for a week or so, has developed my sense of self-reliance. I can survive and I will train my grandchildren how to as well.
t’s a time of waiting for me as I write this. Our youngest daughter is expecting her second son. There have been many challenges faced these past eight months. One ultrasound revealed a sixth toe, another water around his kidney and now a third showed water on his brain. They are headed for a neonatal center next week to discuss options in birthing as well as the best care that can be provided for him.
I’m planning to stay with them after this baby is born and help out any way I can. My daughter predicts a C-section as this baby is so big, they don’t want to put pressure on his brain at all and I predict she will need a bodyguard from her 2 ½ year old football player. My daughter amazes me in her drive to complete her degree while she plans to take her infant to classes with her for her last semester. In contrast, I was determined to stay at home with my two daughters and kept them out of a day care center.
So, what kind of generation are we raising? Are we good stewards of the earth? Do we have the right focus? Or are we setting this next generation up for irreversible repercussions? Can they live without a computer, cell phone, iPads, Blueberries—oops, my husband just corrected me—Blackberries?
I am now learning the term “Helicopter Parents.” It is said that these parents pay extremely close attention to what their child is learning whether they need it or not. These children aren’t allowed to problem solve on their own, or experience the risk of making their own choices. These parents try to sweep all problems away from their children their whole lives. They also over parent by solving all of their children’s problems for them into their adult lives by negotiating raises with the child’s boss while the child is supposedly living on their own. The cell phone has been blamed for the creation of these “helicopter” parents in that the cell phone is the world’s longest umbilical cord. The principle of trusting others has gone by the wayside via the parents’ example of constantly checking up on them via the cell phone. Honesty is of a bygone era. Hope in a God is unknown because parents have taken on that role. Self-discipline has almost disappeared—mom and dad do it all for me, so why should I bother. The first time the child meets with disappointment they become crushed as they haven’t developed self-esteem or self-worth. Faith is a nonentity. Most lack courage to stand up for something. Do they have anything to believe in? Integrity to follow the beat of one’s inner drummer is under developed. Willingness to try something new is missing. Most lack humility with pride putting up a false front in order to gain acceptance from the crowd. Selfishness overrides love and selflessness. I quit – instead of perseverance. We have a new generation with no sense of spirit. They have become autotrons – people who are more like robots than spiritual beings.
Do They Have Anything To Belive In?
What the future holds for this new generation—only God knows. I have seen society change in a myriad of ways: computers came into our home when my youngest daughter was 10. This new baby will have one right from the start in his home. The computer will allow my daughter to work from home. My oldest daughter works outside the home and her two children attended day care until they entered school. They know how to use the remote on their TV, and the computer is an integral part of their lives as well. Their father works from home with it as part of his business. I watch these two a couple days a week after school so their father can get to meet with clients. I used to have my daughters research information at the library—now, my grandson says, “Grammy, just look it up on the computer.” Two summers ago, I taught these older two how to plant seeds in the dirt to make flowers grow. We placed the seed in the dirt, got water, watered the area well and they waited two minutes before asking, “Why didn’t they come up yet?” “It takes time,” I replied. “Mommy’s plants grow right away on the computer,” they told me. I had to explain that a computer farm game was not the real thing and that we have to wait for our seeds to grow. They turned and left now that they weren’t going to see anything exciting. I am a traditional oil painter. My youngest daughter is going into graphic designing. What she can do on her computer program far exceeds the number of paintings I can complete in a week. Has this next generation lost quality in order to gain quantity? Have they not learned the virtues of patience and how to wait? Have they become more selfish and greedy? This generation has come to expect life handed to them on a platter. The next generation is learning from us as we have learned from our folks. The main intention being—I want my children to have some things that I didn’t/ couldn’t have… which is noble when done in moderation. Somehow this gets lost possibly due to a variety of lifestyle scenarios: i.e. Divorce, single parenting, and grandparenting. One parent or significant person tries to out
On earth, now exist, the elderly in retirement homes or assisted living facilities separated from their families’ love and warm care. Those newly retired may or may not be financially well off as the economy continues to change. They are going back to work. Those in their 50’s are rethinking their retirement age to about 70 and are staying in the work arena. Those in their 40’s, 30’s and 20’s are trying to figure out how to make a living and how to make all their ends meet with about half or more not being successful in this endeavor. More and more young families are relying on state assistance to provide them with meals. The neonatal specialist has eased most of my daughter's fears and says to go ahead with a natural birth. We just have to wait and see if this new baby has any learning disabilities. She is now in her ninth month and we are all eager for this new arrival. Anticipation is running high… waiting for that phone call saying, “We’re going to the hospital now…” The truth of it all is that God is in charge and when we connect with this higher power, we get better results in our daily lives and become the best people we can be. When we are living from our higher selves, everyone around us is affected and they can’t help but become better too. It’s time to birth our new selves for the next generation to grow forward into selfawareness, love, hope, faith, integrity, trust, perseverance, willingness, patience and service to mankind to make our world a better place.
Jill Marie Langdon is a freelance writer, fine artist and studio teacher on the practice of "letting go," where her students learn the Tao of Painting in the Mid-Coast Maine area. Inspired by flowers and beauty in general, her works can be seen at www.wix.com/jill_marie/artscape_studios. April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 7
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When she came home, we had to get used to each other as she had been bottle fed, and I wanted to nurse her. We struggled. She was a colicky baby, with a stomach hernia. There was no consoling her or me. I had to figure something out, but in the mean time, to add to our stress, we moved from the city to a rural town into our first home. I had no friends or family nearby to help us. My daughter and son-in-law just moved into a larger apartment close to his parents. Here the similarities end.
My mother would say, “I’m their grandmother, I’m supposed to spoil them.”
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m od er n sham an i c l i v i n g
Breaking the Chain Rejoining the Circle by Evelyn C. Rysdyk
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n my healing and teaching practice, I am fortunate to meet many marvelous people who are choosing to change their lives. Each of them has a different and very personal story that may speak of illness, tragic or abusive beginnings, deep emotional wounding or lack of feeling strong or even worthy of love. Indeed, we have heard stories of truly heinous things human beings have done to one another. The most heart-wrenching stories are the terrors of childhood abuse people have experienced. We have born witness to those who were beaten, burned, humiliated, abandoned, tortured by cults and abused sexually beginning as early as six months of age. And yet, in the face of having such terrifying traumas, these people have the courage to do the work of becoming whole, happy adults. My partner Allie and I have even had the privilege of working with people at the end of their lives who choose to use their last days on Earth to heal their past so that they can move into the next world emotionally and spiritually intact.
things as gene regulation which gives the cells control over all structures and functions as well as being the basis for cellular differentiation in a developing fetus. The DNA also controls appropriate cellular growth in the body, which contributes to the ultimate versatility and adaptability of any living being. To do its work well, the DNA must continue to function in the way that it is meant to and replicate itself without any “mistakes” in its code. The energetic and physical environment in which our DNA exists has an enormous impact upon its ability to do its work well and replicate itself correctly. Research has shown that the conformation of our DNA, that is the shape of the molecule itself, affects gene expression. Specialized “Immediate Early Genes” or IEGs have a particularly important role in this gene expression as many of them are regulatory genes which turn on other genes that affect specific aspects of our immune system, such as the production of white blood cells that destroy attacking bacteria and viruses.1 Changing the shape of the DNA molecule can alter the proper function of these IEGs.
How different these people’s lives might have been if, during their childhoods, the adults around them had attended to their own healing?
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In the shamanic worldview, a person’s power may be stolen or lost through trauma. It is often the case that those who have had their light diminished through abuse, choose to steal the light from others. Whether through sexual, physical or emotional abuse, the wounded person seeks to “fill the hole” left inside of them and often perpetrates the same kind of abuse they received in a vain attempt to reclaim their power. Some others perpetrate harm upon themselves in an effort to eradicate their pain. The cycle of suffering continues unabated until one person has the courage to stop it. That person breaks the chain by healing their wounded places inside.
In DEED, HAVING THE COURAGE TO DIG IN
Since people are usually wounded at the hands of other human beings, it is especially necessary to have loving help of professionals who are trained to assist in healing trauma. A good psychotherapist can help their clients understand the nature of their wounds and heal their psyche. However, as a shamanic healer, I also know the critical importance of restoring a wounded person’s spirit. A person who is whole and feels their intrinsic power and preciousness, has no need to steal another person’s light. They have no reason to wound another in a vain attempt to feel stronger. They have confidence. They are able to keep good boundaries. They are those who are able to contribute to the health and wellbeing of other people, creatures and our environment.
AND ATTEND TO YOUR HEALING IS THE GREATEST GIFT
YOU CAN GIVE THE WORLD.
Indeed, having the courage to dig in and attend to your healing is the greatest gift you can give the world. My primary spirit teacher told me many years ago that the changes we make inside of ourselves change the world around us. Since that time, science has proven that this is indeed true! Who and how we are in the world—much more than what we do—has a profound effect on all living creatures. We’ve learned that our emotions have profound effects upon our bodies. Emotional states such as anxiety, fear, anger, rage, blame, shame and apathy contribute to lowering the immune response. They negatively impact the endocrine system by increasing the production of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline while lowering the beneficial hormone DHEA, which contributes to our feelings of wellbeing. However, the effects of our emotions impact us right down to the molecules that make it possible to continue living. On a molecular level, our genetic material is responsible for such vital processes as regulating cellular function and cell repair. Indeed, during our life the composition of our body changes continuously, as during each second 50,0000 cells are being replaced in our body. Our DNA is responsible for such 8 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
The conformation of our DNA is affected by our feelings which, in turn changes the epigenetic environment within our body—that is, the environment in which our genetic material functions. Since our emotions have the ability to change the structure of our DNA they can either enhance or interfere with our genetic material’s ability to function properly. “Negative” feelings can cause changes in our immune response, our endocrine system and the ability to regulate cell growth and repair. These changes not only cause us to be sick more often, they also contribute to the onset of severe illnesses such as autoimmune disorders and cancers. In addition, our feelings do not remain within the container of our bodies. Research has proven that our feelings are radiated from our bodies both as measurable electromagnetic fields and also as quantum, non-local energy fields. These feeling energies have the capacity to affect changes in DNA molecules outside of our bodies. These effects have been measured over a distance of at least a half a mile. This alteration of another’s DNA by our emotional energy is also instantaneous, as our emotional energy is not bound by the limitations of time or space.
That means that the way that we feel about other people, our circumstances and ourselves not only impacts our health and well-being it affects all Life. It is of particular concern since the beings closest to us are constantly bathed in our emotional energy, receiving the measurable electromagnetic energy as well as the non-local, quantum energy. If we are conceiving children, the development of their bodies, brains and future potentials are being affected by how we feel. As they grow, our children are directly at the effect of our feelings as much as our actions. As a result, it seems that we have a moral responsibility to address our emotional states and the underlying perceptions that influence how we feel about the world and ourselves. Plainly put, if we want healthy children, a healthy local environment and a healthy planetary ecosystem, we need to dig in and do the work of alleviating the misperceptions of ourselves and the nature of our lives that originated in our early life. As we do so, we create a kind of spaciousness within ourselves that allows us to be able to more easily experience the feelings of gratitude, appreciation, compassion and love. These feelings provide the energetic salve that keeps the DNA in “perfect shape” to be able to do its work in a reliable and healthy way. These feelings actually assist our bodies to function at their best and project their
9 healing influence far beyond.
human world as a suffering soul unable to complete the journey to rejoin their loved ones in the Light of All That Is.
Greater than any “good actions” we take in the world, the way we are and the way that we feel about who we are, creates an enormous impact. Our positive feelings—set free from the old burdensome patterns of thought caused by our early history—are a miraculous, transformational force. No longer trapped by feelings of low self worth, or anxiety, or blame and shame, we are set free to be an agent of positive change and nurturance.
On the other hand, when our spirit is healed and whole, we can easily release our hold on the physical world and flow unfettered into the Light. In that place of incredible, loving energy that feeds all life in all places, our spirit is free to merge into the enormous circle of ancestral consciousness that sustains those who are in physical form. Radiating love and compassion, our soul continues to nourish others even after our death. Unbound by time or space, we are able to continue blessing the world and the generations that will follow us.
The DNA of the next generation and the ones to follow—of all species on the planet can be transformed by changing yourself now. In this springtime, make the commitment and follow through with doing the work of healing your wounded self. Break the cycle of abusive thought and behaviors. Transform the negative perceptions that you hold. As your spirits lift, you elevate those around you on a non-local wave of sustaining energy. Attend to the health and wellbeing of your spirit, too. By tending the garden of your spirit, you have the ability to create a gift that will keep on giving. Our spirit/consciousness is the aspect of us that continues beyond our physical existence. When finally released from our body, this eternal part of us is set free. If a person has not been able to heal their wounds, releasing their anger or pain, they risk being trapped in this realm. As a lingering spirit, they may wander the
© 2011 Evelyn C. Rysdyk
Nationally recognized shaman teacher/healer, speaker, and author of Modern Shamanic Living: New Explorations of an Ancient Path, Evelyn C. Rysdyk delights in supporting people to remember their sacred place in All That Is. Whether through face-to-face contact with individual patients, workshop groups and conference participants, or through the printed word—Evelyn uses her loving humor and passion to open people’s hearts and inspire them to live more joyful, fulfilling and purposeful lives. In joint practice with Allie Knowlton as Spirit Passages, her web site is www.spiritpassages.com. *1 The Genie in your Genes: Epigenetic Medicine and the New Biology of Intention by Dawson Church, Ph.D.
COME AND SEE OUR NEW LINE OF Organic Clothing And Recycled Leather Bags! Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Awaken Your Intuitive Awareness Intensive with Ron and Joan
Join us Saturday & Sunday March 31st - 9:00 to 5:00 PM April 1st - 9:00 to 4:00 PM Awaken the innate ability to use your intuitive nature more fully and effectively in your life. An environment will be created to support your awakening and how to become aware of your intuition as Truth, not the wounded idea of what we would like our world to be without the 'negative' feelings, but an opportunity to become aware of and honoring of ALL that you feel without rejecting any of it. We are meant to Live Life fully, without holding back our Love navigating us thru our Lives. Intuition is not getting what you want, but honoring Your Life Experience guided by Your Soul. Bring a light lunch each day, journal and pen.
Exchange $195
Class Limited to 25 Leapin' Lizards, 123 Main St., Freeport
Info & Reservations 207 865-0900
Wear comfortable clothing. Bring plenty of water, eye covering, a pillow, blanket and something soft to lie on. PLEASE no scents ~ perfume or cologne. April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 9
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ON THE COVER Happy Flowers by Danielle Cone
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Welcome everyone and a special thank you to Danielle Cone for her joyful willingness to be the feature artist for our cover. Six years ago Danielle at the age of six created this piece of art especially for her Aunt Jacqueline who was one of the caregivers to Inner Tapestry. Our issue's theme was Organic Lifestyles and Auntie Jacqueline had asked Danielle if she would draw something for her about organic lifestyles. Danielle explained that organic lifestyles meant "the beauty of nature and all the animals. Flowers make me feel happy so I used colors that represent happiness to me." We were able to find a small, black and white spot for Danielle's work in that issue. Fast forward six years, while pondering the cover of this issue's theme of A New Generation, I ask Jacqueline if Danielle might be interested in sharing this picture once again, except this time on the front cover. Danielle, agreeing to be featured, has sent along some more recent art and some pictures of her family that she would like to share. Danielle is now 12 years old, she lives with her parents Rod and Michele Cone, her two sisters, their two ponies Chester and Lola and assorted animals in Lebanon, CT. Rod has been a farrier for the past 22 years and is now practicing Barefoot Natural Hoofcare, within his farrier business, which includes the environmental impact on hooves, educating clients on the importance of connecting with each horse individually and supporting their needs for better health and well being in and out of the barn. He also enjoys restoration of farm tractors. Michele's love for animals inspired her to work at a veterinary hospital for the past 18 years while raising her family allowing her to stay at home and continue her love of raising Maine Coon Cats. She believes that having all three of her children help in the raising of the kittens helps them to embody and express more of their nature love, compassion and respect for all living things. Both Rod and Michele grow their own vegetables and the girls will echo that they love to eat more veggies knowing that they have had a hand in raising them. Danielle enjoys being with her sisters, making great cakes of clover, dandelions and woodchips. She is a 7th grade student at Lebanon Middle School. Her favorite subjects to draw are her their ponies Chester and Lola. "I've been practicing drawing horses since I was little, sometimes I like to go with my dad to help him with his natural hoofcare. I have 2 sisters Elsie who is six and Addision who is two. They help me with chores, helping to take care of our cats, dogs, rabbits and horses. We also love to go on nature walks in the woods. This picture is of the sun flower in my back yard, I drew this last summer and used markers to bring to life the details within the flower. Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers. This horse is a picture that my daddy described to me that he wanted for his logo, he said to include the wind picking up the horse's mane in movement. This pencil drawing I call Spirit. Hanging out in my room with a big imagination, I drew a mustang in the Rocky Mountains. I was inspired by the movie, Spirit. It is a spectacular tale about discovering the true hero inside of you." Thank you Danielle, for sharing your creative energy, your family and friends. We hope that you continue to share your love of family,nature and friends with the world. Our "New Generation" is full of life and is excited to create a lasting impact on our world.
10 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
Harmonic Sound Healing Concerts Gongs, Tibetan Singing Bowls & Alchemy Crystal Bowls
A VA N T G A R D E SALON SPA HOLISTIC CENTER •
•
328 East Main (Route 1) Branford, Ct
APRIL 29TH ~ 7:00PM-9:00PM $20 Reservations necessary 203.481.8443 Bring Pillows & Blankets to lie on the floor. NO PERFUME OR SCENTS PLEASE
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wa nd eri n g sage w i s d o m Generation Of Energy Aya Itagaki
A
by Aaron Hoopes
Please visit my blog to share any comments you may have. More Wandering Sage Wisdom at: http://wanderingsagewisdom.blogspot.com. Aaron Hoopes has spent 30 years studying and teaching martial arts, tai chi, yoga and meditation. He is an author, retreat facilitator and the founder of Zen Yoga. Zen Yoga offers online spiritual deepening and personal development courses as well as summer retreats at the Ledge End Retreat and Yoga Center in the mountains of Vermont. The Zen Yoga Daily Warm Up DVD is a simple method for integrating breath and movement into daily life. To contact Aaron or to find out more about Zen Yoga, please visit the Zen Yoga website: www.artofzenyoga.com
April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 11
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body full of energy should be our natural state of being. We should feel wonderful and alive every waking moment. The process of deep breathing provides us with a continuous exchange of energy. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work as well as it should. On a purely physical level, the human body was designed to be active, yet most of the things we do in an average day require very little physical effort. In fact, we often spend most of our days doing work that does not exercise the physical body at all. The result is that any unused energy that we have built up within the body gets transformed into muscle tension. This type of physical tension is often the source of the myriad aches, pains, twinges and worse, which we begin to experience as we grow older. These can easily turn into chronic illnesses that often become overwhelming. During our daily life tension is gathered and deposited in various places throughout the body. For some people it may be the neck, shoulders, or lower back. In others it may be in the knee joints or feet. Still others may find it affects them internally, in their gastrointestinal tract, for instance. This tension can be quite debilitating. Left unaddressed, it can easily make you feel as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders pushing you down. It is impossible to relax because the body just plain hurts. Physical tension is a difficult barrier, however, until you can release it and reduced the physical pain and discomfort, it is very difficult to generate new energy. Releasing this build up of tension is done through teaching the body to surrender its weight to the pull of gravity. It is a process of learning to unclench and unwind the musculature and open the energetic pathways in the body so there is a smooth flow. It is learning to let go. Tension Release Practice There are a number of techniques for releasing tension. The simplest and quickest involves the use of the Yin/Yang concept by contrasting tension with relaxation. In this process you push the body to experience an excess of tension so that when balanced by an equally full experience of relaxing allows the body to return to a state of balance and serenity. The contrast produces a relaxation that is more pronounced, identifiable and deeper. The key to this practice, as with most vital practices, is deep breathing. This exercise is best practiced in bed at night before you go to sleep. You should be lying flat on your back with your legs straight and your feet flopped apart. Close your eyes and take a few natural breaths as you allow your body to settle down. Imagine that each breath allows you to sink deeper into the bed. When you are ready, inhale deeply into your abdomen. Fill up your belly, then your rib cage, and finally, your chest. You want to feel as if you are expanded completely as you fill up. Stop and hold your breath in. Next curl your toes and squeeze your feet as tightly as possible. Hold the squeeze for a moment and then exhale as you release, allowing the air and tension to flow out of you. Take a couple of natural breaths if necessary and then begin again. Inhale into the belly, rib cage and chest. Feel the fullness as you hold your breath. This time, after you curl your toes and squeeze your feet, squeeze your calf muscles, thigh muscles and buttocks. Tense all of your muscles from your hips down to your toes, so that the whole lower half of your body is tight and rigid. Hold the squeeze for a moment and then release it as you exhale. Let go of all the muscles. Allow yourself to uncoil and unwind as you release, relax and let go. Again, take a couple of natural breaths. As you breathe in, feel as if you are filling up from the lowest points of your body as the oxygen-rich blood courses through the clear passages of your legs. When you are ready, begin again. Inhale; expand your belly, rib cage and chest. Hold your breath as you squeeze your toes, feet, calves, thighs and buttocks. Next begin to tighten the muscles of your stomach and back. Squeeze your rib cage and the muscles around shoulders and under your armpits. Hold the squeeze for a moment and then release it as you exhale. Let go of all the muscles. Allow everything to uncoil and unwind as you release, relax and let go. One more time, begin again. Take a couple of natural breaths to allow the energy to flow through you. Then inhale, expand your belly, rib cage and chest. Hold your breath as you squeeze your toes, feet, calves, thighs, buttocks, tummy, rib cage, chest and under your arms. Next, make fists with your hands and squeeze them. Tighten
the muscles of your arms, shoulders and neck. Grit your teeth and make your whole body rigid. Hold the squeeze for a moment and then release it as you exhale long and slow. Let go of everything and feel as if you are sinking into the bed. Sink down as you breath deeply and let go. As you lie there, continue to breathe and see if you can begin to feel the energy flowing throughout your body. The contrast between the extreme tension and the resulting relaxation should be very pronounced and give your body a warm, energized feeling. This exercise will help to break through the hard shell of tension that has encased you. It is something that can be practiced at any time, even sitting in a chair at work. It only takes a few moments, but the benefits can last for hours. Once the tension has been released our breathing naturally becomes deeper and less strained. This is the time to take a deeper breath and help to circulate more energy through your body. Each deep breath you take helps to assist that energy flow through your body to all the places that need it. Generation of energy always starts with the breathing. If we can learn to incorporate deep breathing practice into our daily life, we find we have reserves of energy we were never aware of. It provides us with a valuable tool to help us face the challenges that appear before us. Wishing you much peace.
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Channeled Messages for the Soul with Roland Comtois Roland Comtois, a Rhode Island native is widely known locally and abroad as a Spiritual and Intuitive Consultant, who channels the world beyond. Every message is channeled from the Divine Energy in honor of your spirit and your life.
Saturday ~ April 7th 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tickets are: $70 Banner Total Fitness, 1 Banner Rd., Moodus, CT 06469 For More Information & Reservations: email joan@ronandjoan.com or call A Simple Truth ~ 203 779-0345
12 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
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Harmonic Sound Healing Concerts Gongs, Tibetan Singing Bowls & Alchemy Crystal Bowls
The Joseph Goff House, 2 Barton Hill Rd., East Hampton, CT The Second Friday of Each Month 7:00pm-9:00pm April 13th, May 11th, June 8th, & July 13th - $20
The Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center Wellness Room 536 Saybrook Rd. (rear of buildings), Middletown, CT The Fourth Friday of Each Month 2:00pm & 6:30pm $20 April 27th, May 25th, June 22nd - $20 Private and small group healing sessions 9:00AM to 1:00PM
RESERVATIONS NECESSARY FOR CONCERTS FMI & Reservations: call 203-779-0345 or email joan@ronandjoan.com Wear comfortable clothing. Bring plenty of water, eye covering, a pillow, blanket and something soft to lie on. PLEASE no scents ~ perfume or cologne.
April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 13
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Awareness and the Art of Seeing: Contemplations on the environment and interconnection by Jen Deraspe
Urban Green Living
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Life presented an invitation to winter in California. Yes happened and I write you from Culver City. Who knew. Part of the impetus behind my hiatus from Denmark was to see if I could leave my Pleasant Mountain off-the-grid lifestyle and still have her spirit in me, finding a way to adapt with ease in an urban environment. Could I live the green lifestyle that I had grown to know and love, and live peacefully and simply amidst the contrast? How could I slide into a conventional dwelling and still be in alignment with what I value in the way of green living? The first discomfort came through the built in garbage disposal. The voice of those units’ claims that it keeps added trash from the waste stream. My mind could not follow that line of thinking since the “garbage” put down the “disposal” was only; food scraps, veggies, and fruit peelings—that is compost material. I can’t see adding solids to the water treatment plant, mixing with all the other things we flush and send down drains that end up in mysterious places I know not of. The garbage disposal led me to find out more about city composting options. Our apartment building is not paying for curbside composting, which is available for $35 a month. (How great is that?! Curbside composting!). The owners for the building complex are not willing to pay for composting. I have looked into a host of options and settled on a quick fix. I confess, I have resorted to illegal composting activities. I noticed many residents around have the huge green bin filled with yard “waste” and compostables. Prowling around the neighborhood, compost bucket in hand, I move quickly and stealth-like, dumping my refuse in others bins as quietly as I can. I spread the love, switching sites often, hoping to avoid an uncomfortable conversation or unexpected meeting at their bin. It’s very satisfying to see my coffee grounds, juicing fibers and foot scraps lay to rest atop their palm leaves, grass clippings and coconut shells, even without permission :). The city recycles ALL plastic, even wrappers and any packaging. Because of this and more, we generate very little trash compared to how many recyclable and compostable materials created, another thrill for this passionate greenie. Los Angeles Water and Power generates 39% of its electricity from coal, 22% from natural gas, 11% from nuclear and 3% from large hydroelectric. One hundred percent of the power generated back home on Pleasant Mountain is renewable, from solar and micro-hydro power. It felt so empowering, pun intended, to be independent from non-renewable systems.
14 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
Since the prevailing winds coming into Maine are westerly, our lovely state receives its air currents, including all that is in them, from the west, as well as the Mid-Atlantic States. Hello heavy metals, dioxin, and the stew that spews from the incinerator stacks to the west and south. Sorry. It’s coming, in part, from the power I am using to generate this computer. According to the of State to Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Dept., there is a warning issued for eating fresh water fish from Maine due to its mercury content. Coal-fired power plants are the leading source of mercury air emissions globally, many of which are still in use in the US. The warning for Maine fisheries is listed as follows: Pregnant and nursing women, those who may get pregnant, and children under age 8 should not eat any freshwater fish from Maine’s inland waters. Except for brook trout and landlocked salmon, one meal per month is safe. All other adults and children older than 8 can eat two freshwater fish meals per month. For brook trout and landlocked salmon, the limit is one meal per week. If this is going on in Maine and you are a reader from another state, I would check with your state government to learn about fish consumption advisories in your area. New Englanders all breathe similar air and receive comparable rain and snow. That said, I am switching to green power here in Cali, even though it costs a bit more. It doesn’t mean you will be any more likely to disregard to fish consumption warning, but I won’t be an active participant in adding to the mercury content in the clouds heading your way. Here in California, 59% of the green power comes from biomass and waste and 41% from small hydroelectric. How odd there is no optional green power sourced from solar electric with so much sun. Most states provide an option if you would like to source your power from renewable sources, rather than coal, gas or nuclear. Check with the Public Utilities Commission from your state to see your options. Whether you switch to green power or not, the less electricity used, the less needed to be generated and therefore the less the impact. I plug everything I can into power strip cords that get turned off when not in use, including the stereo and laptops. All those digital lights throughout your household add up to a lot of kilowatts per month and between all of us, that is a lot of power generated and wasted when you walk out the door, away from the machine or off to bed. This time of year, most of the food from your plate come from an average of 1500 miles away, no surprise as you notice the difference in taste and texture in produce. What a difference to be in biking distance from a variety of farmer’s markets 6 days a week. I love the farmer’s markets because the actual farmer gets a fair price for their product and there is no middle layer mark up as from a large retail grocer. The last consideration for this new urban dweller is with transportation. Being able to rely on the bike for most transportation needs has been amazing, an appreciated trade off from rural Maine living. I am not saying the 7-traffic lane navigation does not require keen awareness. The traffic at times is so intense in the city designed for its love affair with the car. And, still, this human-powered mode of movement travels right along past the gridlock to the final destination, with free parking in the best location, to boot. It's been enriching to see how I could live in the city and still be in alignment with my environmental values. In some ways, living here has been more green than off the grid in Maine, being less dependent on gas-powered transportation and unable to recycle so much content and near year round food sources grown at local farm. It seems possible to participate in green living wherever one dwells. © Jen Deraspe Resources: http://www.maine.gov/ifw/laws_rules/fishing/fishing.htm www.energy.ca.gov/consumer http://noimpactproject.org/ http://www.energysavers.gov/ Jen Deraspe is wintering in California on a personal quest, testing the possibility of sustained peace, independent of circumstance or condition. She is an holistic life coach and founder of Nurture Through Nature Retreat Center in Denmark, Maine. Jen is available for holistic coaching immersions in person, by phone or Skype. FMI: www.ntnretreats.com or 207-595-8260. You are invited to follow her journey on her blog: http://holisticcoachjen.wordpress.com/.
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The Inner Tapestry Of A New Generation by Rosa M. Fierro, M.S., M.S.Ed.
T
he fabrics of our lives are woven within us, creating an inner tapestry that is later revealed outwardly as we move forth in time. This weaving of the inner tapestry in a new generation, this generation… and generations to come will be quite different, need to be quite different, than what we have come to be comfortable with in the past. Who is being affected? All of us… age is no barrier. The brain, mind, body, heart, conscious and subconscious mind, reality, perceptions, that which is around us; feelings, emotions, that which happens within us… each woven together to form the inner tapestry of a person.
All this has a cascading effect… from adult, flowing down to the young, flowing down to teenagers, and flowing down to the tiniest of children. What this gives rise to is fear, anxiety, pain, depression, stress, insomnia… physical or emotional symptoms that may be associated with chronic illness, for example.
We are seeing the very fabrics of our being, of our identities formed by “old views” being unraveled all around us. The fast-paced technological advances, the unraveling of the woven threads of the education systems, the unraveling of the threads of the family unit with technology often becoming the surrogate parent for a child or a teen, the unraveling of the employment system (the traditional job with job security) is quickly being unwoven. At the same time, most people are wound up into tight balls of fear, uncertainty, and stress. Where has this been leading us? For adults… loss of identity once defined by “a job;” for teens… not knowing who they are, wondering if they even matter, to anyone… creating social relationships through Who are technology rather than with each other; for young children… well it seems they are following suit for Where do they belong? they really are not being taught to be able to make a conscious choice. At all ages stress levels run Does anyone really care about them? high. At all ages it seems that, more often than not, the Maslow hierarchy of needs is not being Is anyone really hearing their silent cries? met. What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs? It is a Is anyone really listening when they speak? theory to describe the stages of growth in humans. Represented as a pyramid from the bottom going Is anyone really reading what they write? up: 1) Physiological (breathing, food, water, sex, sleep, homeostasis, excretion);
Who is reaching out to help them
2) Safety (security of: body, employment, resources, morality, the family, health, prosperity); 3) Love/belonging (friendship, family, sexual intimacy); 4) Esteem (self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others, respect of self ); 5) Self-actualization (morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice, acceptance of facts). At all ages anger and rage seems to dominate, suicide thoughts and attempts among teens are increasing around the country. More and more children and teens are being prescribed medications as acting out and behavior problems increase, with children at times lashing out in anger, bullying or fighting, becoming destructive. Are these medications always necessary? Pressure confronting teens today is quite high to say the least. They are witness to, and live with the ramifications of the loss of traditional employment by their parents or caregivers. They have less vision of a future of steady employment. They are unsure if they will be able to afford to go to school, and if they do, they are unsure if they can ever pay back the loans. They are pressured by family to take not just one advanced placement course, but two or more at one time. Then there are some that are left on their own with parents not showing genuine heartfelt concern. Who are they? Where do they belong? Does anyone really care about them? Is anyone really hearing their silent cries? Is anyone really listening when they speak? Is anyone really reading what they write? Who is reaching out to help them deal with their fears? As a general populous we are constantly wired, “plugged in” 24/7 if you will. Texting, E-mail, iPhones, social media… faster, faster, faster… if you don’t respond in seconds you lose something. Multi-tasking becoming almost inherent in all we do. Has anyone stopped to learn that the brain was not originally designed for such overload, for such frequent or constant multitasking? Are you considering what effect this has on the brain, body, emotions, and/or health?
deal with their fears?
Let’s take another example. A second grade child acting as if nervous, preoccupied, breaking pencils under the desk. After some quiet observation and a short passage of time, the child is gently spoken to in private. The child broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, barely able to get the words out. It comes to be revealed that the child’s father had been shot, died, right in front of the child and a younger sibling. This child now felt the need to be the one responsible for taking care of and protecting the younger sibling. Do you think this experience will soon be forgotten with no further negative effects in those children’s lives? Traditional ways of dealing with life experiences no longer seem to work as effectively, and in some cases, compound the problem. We are reading about, seeing, and experiencing a rise in holistic health and intuition, compassion, loving kindness… awareness.
Having experience integrating holistic tools for skillful living, for a number of years, into elementary and middle school academic curriculum (K-6), Financial Literacy/Job Readiness Skills workshops for teens, and adult professional development workshops, approximately 2,000 children have benefited thus far, in addition many adults have also benefited. Many have come to recognize the value and need to integrate such tools for all ages. School psychologists and counselors, and the crisis counselor made note of such. At the elementary school level, one could hear the voices of children and adults: “I feel better now.” “I didn’t know I could change.” “You have the kid’s “touch”… every kid you teach turns good.” “You make happy kids.” At the middle school level: “Thank you, Ms. Fierro, I needed that.” “Thank you. You care about us.” “Thank you. You listen to us.” At the teen level: “Thank you for believing in me… and helping me believe in me.” “Thank you for teaching us ways to feel better.” A child benefits by being calmer, more focused, more productive, more selfconfident and healthier. A teacher benefits from improved, or better class management as the children are calmer, are overall happier and the attendance rate is higher. A family benefits by the child going home and teaching their family members, and in turn this is woven into business and the community, into the world. It has already begun.
Continued on page 45 April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 15
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Take for instance the story a teacher from Westchester County, N.Y., shared with me just a few months ago. The scenario was as such: it was the 10th anniversary of the 09/11/2001 event. The event was being replayed in the news, on TV, etc. The school administrators created a curriculum for all teachers to teach, regardless of the grade level, no differentiation based on age groups or understanding. Announcements were being made over the public announcement system about the event years ago. The teacher begins the lesson, as directed by administrators, yet feeling, knowing that it was not age appropriate for the kindergarten class… in 2011. A little girl runs up crying, sobbing, “I’m afraid of planes. I don’t want to die.” The teacher asked the child, “Have you ever been on a plane?” The child answered, between sobs of a then 4, maybe 5 year old, “No.” This child had not even been born when the event happened. Yet, what has occurred? Fear has already been imbedded at a subconscious level, at the age of age 4 or 5, without a child’s full understanding. This fear, as one example, may then get suppressed to rise up later on they? in life and its origins probably forgotten.
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The Be Generation by Teresa Piccari Ken Foster
The future enters into us in order to transform itself in us long before it happens. windows looked out onto stars in the night sky. My eyes would chase suncats around ...Poet Rainer Maria Rilke
For some reason when I was growing up, I never saw myself beyond the age of 40. Maybe that had something to do with the intense focus on the turn of the millennia, whose presence loomed largely on the horizon the first 40 years of my life. When I was a girl, 40 seemed ancient. I’ve been ancient for over a decade now and my hair is still mostly brown, all on its own. And the 51 years I am, that I could not even fathom decades ago, hardly feels like 40, for which I feel quite blessed. I am grateful to be alive to witness and experience the world that is emerging with a sense of trust that everything really is going to be okay. Maybe the reason I couldn’t fathom life beyond 2000 was because the time we are standing on the precipice of, will be beyond what we dared once imagine.
On Shaky Ground
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At this particular point in history, it would be hard to conceive of anyone doubting we are in a time of extreme transition. If you, like me, and many Maine residents, have thrown away your television, this would not be a good time to procure a new one. It could scare the life out of you. The few sneak peeks I venture at it have aged me considerably. Of course, if you have fallen asleep at the wheel of your life, imbibing in a marathon of news programs could prove to be the perfect tonic to wake you up. In time, the chaos will have split open and taken, what needs taking, and healthier, newly formed growth will quickly take root in its place.
Singing in the Future
Growing up in a multi-generational household, I played with Barbieâ dolls and listened to 45s on a little red record player with a red and white striped lid as two older sisters talked on the phone to young men who were off to a war in Vietnam that played on our family television. They listened to albums that spoke of the revolution that was going on in their lives – sex, drugs and Rock n’ Roll. The speed bumps on the road to their dreams of peace and love. Later, my coming of age music held the vision for a Peace Train, Crystal Blue Persuasion, and the Age of Aquarius. I have carried those melodies and words in my head and in my heart. Today when I hear them on the radio, I understand that they are deeply nestled in my very being, because that is where I feel them. They are among the stories that were sung to me about how life could be. They were sung to you too.
Suncats, Moonbeams and a River in Paris
My childhood toys were kept in a sunroom, three walls of windows, located off the living room. This magical place lived up to its name. In my child’s mind it was perpetually sunny in that space each time I entered it, except for at night when its
the room and the many rainbows that were projected by sunlight streaming through glass, kept me company as I played my make believe games. When I tired of that I could go into the basement that was full of one entire wall of handcrafted knotty pine cabinetry of different shapes and sizes that ran below the stairway, like the kind of built in woodwork you see on a boat or featured in a Craftsman Style home. For whatever reason, those closets and the treasures they held, which were just my family’s belongings, never ceased to fascinate me. Each door revealed a different story. Opposite the wall of closets was a matching bar, which along with the black-tiled floor for dancing became the hub of activity for the grown up parties the room hosted on occasional evenings. In the hours before, I would drift between the kitchen upstairs where my parents toiled together for hours preparing food for their guests, and the basement that was in the process of transforming into a ballroom fit for a princess. A princess whose hand was bejeweled with olives dangling from her fingers, gems pilfered from plates of antipasti. Around the perimeter of the room, just below the ceiling line, was more knotty pine with fancy mitered edging that hid recessed lights that sent a stream of rainbow hues upward – our own private Northern Lights! The rear wall was papered in an Art Deco rendering of a Parisian street scene along the Seine. When I traveled there 14 years later, Paris looked just like I knew it would and riding in a glass-bottomed boat on the river felt just like I knew it would. The memories were already embedded in me.
Who You Be
We are crossing the bridge of doing into being – which was perhaps the point all along. We are the Be Generation. There is a lot less pressure attached to being because it is who we already are, not some person or something we strive to become. It’s time to remember who you are. It’s time to emerge from the deep sleep and trot our dreams out into a world that is eager to creatively collaborate with us. It’s time to remember you’re happily ever after. © 2012 Teresa Piccari Teresa Piccari is a writer, teacher and creativity coach living in coastal Maine. She is the proprietor of The Village Scribe, a professional writing and editing business, at The Wellness Center in Camden at 71 Elm St. She teaches creative process and writing workshops including Memoir/Personal Essay, Creative Writing and Mythic Structure. She also runs the monthly Ducktrap Writers’ Round Table on third Sundays at the Camden Public Library from 2 pm to 4 pm. Contact her at The21stCenturyBohemian@hotmail.com or (207) 975-7075.
A message from Inner Tapestry's dear friend Rassouli... AN INSPIRING VIDEO AND AN AMAZING TRANSFORMATION I invite you to watch a short film that shows the process and, if you are moved, let’s share any suggestion that you have to help expanding this program nationally or worldwide. Love & Light Rassouli
info@Rassouli.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or1MZOPYyso 16 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
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a b rea th o f he alin g
A Fast Paced Time We Live In by Donna Amrita Davidge
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and his team. He attends classes regularly at one of the large yoga chains. That works for him. He is part of the new generation of yogis, open to yoga as a tool to keep the body healthy and the mind creative and clear. Meditation is one of the aspects of yoga, which can help us understand our mind and thoughts, to become more directed, effective and aware. In these fast paced times so many of us do not know what our future holds. Life does not seem simple. Yoga helps us embrace the unknown with more courage, remembering we are all a part of something much larger than ourselves. When things are beyond our control we can turn to yoga for more balance and peace, more energy to carry us through. After going through security at the San Francisco airport there were signs directing us to “The Yoga Room.” This is a sure sign there is a new generation of yogis! As I peeked into the darkened room there were 3 people in their travel clothes, not the fancy high end well designed current yoga fashions, doing yoga on their way to their flight. The room was small, but it was there and available. One woman in downward facing dog looked up and smiled. After all, for all generations, the real purpose of yoga is to discover that we are all connected. A smile is a sure way to do just that, to connect. The highest aspiration of yoga is still to be as the hippies of the 60’s were, about Love and understanding and, in the end, what the artist in the film was saved by.
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Donna Amrita Davidge owns and operates www. sewallhouse.com Yoga Retreat in Island Falls Maine with her husband, resident chef, massage therapist and musician and has been teaching yoga and meditation since 1985.
Let us support your beingness in growing!
April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 17
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n an airplane from San Francisco to New York, I saw an interview with the director of the recent silent film The Artist. The interview shed light on his reasons for making the film. Besides being homage to a generation of directors from early Hollywood, the director also wanted to make the film as a commentary on change, in part because we are living in a time of so much rapid change. The film is brilliant and received much deserved acclaim. Without sound the director drew us in to a world of wonder and every gamut of human emotion. The interviewer asked the director if it had been a challenge to do the film. “Of course it was” the director replied. “If I had wanted to do something that was just like anyone else why do it”, he said? The week before I saw that interview was the Super Bowl, which I did not watch. I did however get to see a playback of Madonna’s half time show. Comments were made over the Internet about her age etc. and yet the woman marvels me at her ability to reinvent herself and be timely (in the sad aftermath shortly thereafter of Whitney Houston's death, reflecting the downside of fame). As yoga seeps into the mainstream via commercials and interviews with high profile people who practice yoga, I noticed how Madonna slipped it into her spectacular show. One dancer stood up against her and did a drop back (leaning backwards until the hands come to the floor in full backbend), the man on the “tight rope” is a yogi who travels teaching his ability to balance on a wire (no easy feat and further testimony to yoga’s many attributes). Madonna herself had a private yoga instructor in her hotel room for a week before the show using a hydraulic yoga mat – whatever that is – and she sure did a great job of moving on those incredibly high heels. Including a brief moment balanced on one leg. This is the new generation of yoga and yogis – not sitting in an ashram meditating toward enlightenment but using yoga for physical agility and strength, for mental focus and clarity. Yoga carries over into so many things our culture has become; inventive, original, thinking outside the box, and creative. At its roots yoga goes back some 5,000 years. It has found a revolution and new translation in our modern times. Over the Christmas Holiday our retreat, Sewall House, had a young man who owns his own Internet Company. He was reading Steve Jobs’ biography as he used his week of retreat for yoga and for introspection on how to more effectively run his company
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Family Constellations
Acknowledging our Roots Strengthening our Wings by Anna Whiltholt Abaldo
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he year 2012 has arguably received more attention than any other calendar year since 1945. Many cultures across the globe have postulated the approach of a precipice of some sort, a new frontier. Modern-day scientists have pointed at the facts of Peak Oil and Climate Change, pinning the turning points on similar dates. So here we are: can you feel the pressure? Are we, or our children, expected to be the “new generation” that is to decide the survival of our planet? The mere enormity of this statement leaves me dangling in space, with no roots to ground me. “Generation” is the operative word here – we are always standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us. Not just metaphorically speaking – but literally. Let’s explore how this can give us strength, and even direction.
Awareness versus Arrogance Thanks to the hard work, the strivings, the particular choices and the lessons learned by our parents and grandparents, we are in a different place than they would have been at our age, with a very different vista.
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If you are about my age – your 40’s – your grandparents probably lived the aftermath of World War II, having known loss and economic hardship like the majority of our generation has never had. The practicalities of making a living were probably at the top of their list of priorities, as perhaps were climbing up the socio-economic ladder if they were doing all right. Our parents, if they were lucky, grew up with some abundance within reach due to their parents’ efforts – or, at the very least, the promise of abundance if they themselves worked hard. My father, for instance, having grown up with relative economic hardship in the 40’s and 50’s, was able to secure a scholarship at Amherst College, and went on to become a professor in the field of microbiology. For him, the sky was the limit. And I, the generation of the 70’s, was born into relative abundance where life was no longer about survival, as it was for him and his parents.
I myself can trace my mother’s maternal lineage back to the Netherlands, where her ancestors worked the land as farmers, until they boarded The Bontekoe in 1660 to set sail for New Amsterdam. Her father, however, came to the United States at 19, from Austria, narrowly escaping the horrors of World War II. My own father, born in the Netherlands but raised in Brazil, found his way to this country at 18, and I was born here, oblivious to it all, but carrying the seeds of all this migration inside me. My husband, on first glance clearly the descendant of a first generation Italian father, has a mix of German, Irish, Swedish and Native American on his mother’s side. The people on that side of his family not only slaved away at the new frontier they hoped would finally bring freedom; they married the ones whose land was being taken, thus forever uniting the energy of oppressor and oppressed in this lineage, where it still lives on today. Funny how we’ve learned not to talk about these things. We call ourselves Americans and point at more recent immigrants as foreigners. Our black president is not just a big deal for us because of his skin color, but maybe even more so (remember the birth certificate hiccup?) because he unwillingly aroused the debate about his country of origin - thus bursting our bubble of illusion about being “American” and reminding us that we ALL have different origins. Why are we so afraid to look at this? The answer is simple: because we have delegated that aspect of our past and ourselves to our shadows. We are living in widespread cultural denial, ever looking forward because we are afraid to look back. We try so hard to do it right, to do it better, to rise above – yet this very frenzy inhibits the much needed integration that would help heal not only the severance of our personal roots, but those of our consumerist culture.
We call ourselves Americans and point at more
recent immigrants
Think of Maslov’s pyramid of needs: if your life was anything like mine, our generation has been able to count on having food on the table, a roof over our heads, a decent education and a future to dream about. Hence, what distinguishes us from the generation before us, which perhaps was striving harder to reach the material top, is our outlook. We began to see what all this success was causing in the world around us. As a generation, we began to perceive the connection between our actions as a species, and the delicate balance of the ecosystem. We’ve begun to measure “success” and perhaps even “abundance” along a different spectrum, which takes into account our relationship with the whole – in this sense, success is not defined as climbing up the socio-economic ladder anymore but perhaps, if I may suggest, as spiritual awareness and the ability to reflect one’s awareness in the practical life choices we make. “Abundance” in this new paradigm might be measured not in dollars, but in the availability of clean air and water, local food, vibrant nature, inter-connected community and opportunities to share one’s gifts with others in meaningful ways. And yet we cannot afford to be arrogant; arrogance casts a shadow of illusionary separation and false immunity. “They made all the wrong choices – we are going to do it differently, and better.” The paradoxical truth here is that we can only be truly “new” and turn over a fresh leaf if we can embrace where we’ve come from and realize our intimate connection with those who have come before.
New Frontiers ~ the Severing of Roots
As Americans, we face a particular challenge in this realm. Burning bridges and not looking back is part of the stuff we are made of – it’s in our blood. We think heading towards a new frontier means leaving the past behind – even condemning the choices of previous generations. But how can our stance be strong if we are not acknowledging our roots? Let’s rewind a few centuries – when “the new generation,” those standing on a precipice, were the ones who had left their native lands seeking the promise of a new life on foreign ground. Readers – I do not know each of you but I can safely guess that the majority of you have descended from those European adventurers who left their 18 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
families of origin to seek their fortune in the New Land. Some of you may have Native American roots, and carry in your lineage not the claiming of new frontiers, but the loss thereof. Others may have descended from the unfortunate Africans who were shipped here without their consent, losing not just their land, but also their freedom. And then there are plenty whose families, or who themselves, arrived here quite recently under different circumstances – but we all have in common a certain degree of amputation from our homeland, our roots, whether we acknowledge it or not.
as foreigners.
Honoring the Ancestors ~ Finding Peace with What Is
Not so in Europe. There, a new therapeutic modality has emerged over the past decades, which take all of this into account: its very premise is the importance of generations past, their particular lives and fates, and the effects thereof on the next generations. Unlike our general western worldview, it assumes we are not separate individuals but part of a Family Soul. The method, called Family Constellations, has been created by German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger, and can be seen as a systemic, brief “therapy.” Hellinger, now in his eighties, served as a missionary to the Zulus in the early 1950s. During the 16 years he lived in South Africa, he served as a parish priest, teacher and, finally, as headmaster of a large school for African students. He became fluent in the Zulu language, participated in their rituals, and gained an appreciation for their distinct worldview. After leaving the priesthood and returning to Europe, Hellinger trained as a psychoanalyst in the early seventies. One may notice traces of this classical underpinning in Hellinger’s work, as well as the influence of psychodrama and systemic thinking. Most notably, one can see the imprint of Hellinger’s immersion in Zulu culture in the way Family Constellation work honors the ancestors and invokes their participation in the healing process. So how does it work? One thing that is unique about Family Constellations is that you do not need any members of your family to come with you to do this deeply healing work. Each of us carries the living memory of our ancestors within us. Setting up a family constellation can be done during a private consult using figurines or other props; often, however, it is done in a seminar setting where group
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IgnitingGreatnessInChildren by Karen M. Rider
Susan Chiaravallo has witnessed how demoralizing it is for parents when their attempts to discipline a child fail. Her own granddaughter was diagnosed with a behavioral disorder that left the youngster and her parents trapped in a battle of wits, will and endurance. Everything they tried as loving parents and grandparents failed to the nth degree. Susan made it her mission to find help for her family and she found it in the Nurtured Heart Approach™.
The Nurtured Heart Approach is effective because it meets the child where she is at any given moment and relentlessly reflects back to her, in creative ways, the good she is showing in that moment. Care providers learn how to bring a child to success, as both become aware of her inner wealth, even in the most trying situations. If we were to wait around for a chance to “catch the child being good,” with challenging children, we could be in for a long wait.
Now, Susan travels throughout New England coaching parents and school personnel on how to develop a youngster’s inner wealth and ignite greatness in every child. Using the innovative and research-supported Nurtured Heart Approach, Susan helps even the most challenging children—including those labeled with attentionspan, hyperactivity and autism spectrum disorder—learn to use their intensity in constructive ways. She provides parents and educators with the skills they need to nurture the transformation from chaos to calm.
Karen: How can we discern and cultivate inner wealth in our children?
Karen: What is meant by the phrase “challenging child”?
Some of these children may be diagnosed with ADHD or other medical conditions, so identification may come from medical evaluation or subjective observation by teachers, parents and care providers. It is important to remember that a challenging child also offers us gifts. He teaches us to be proactive, rather than reactive. This requires the parent or teacher to remain calm and centered and to model desirable behaviors for the child. Most significantly, we learn humility—to act from the heart, not the ego—when interacting with a challenging child.
To transform our children, we must first transform ourselves.
Karen: Did your grandchild’s diagnosis of a behavioral disorder inspire your work? Susan: In our own family, I have witnessed how demoralizing it is for parents when appropriate discipline fails. For many years, I have worked with school children as a grief facilitator, classroom aide and substitute teacher, and as a yoga instructor for youngsters with special needs. I was struck by the number of students caught in a cycle of punishment. Most parents were at their wit’s end, including my family. In my search for a solution, I discovered the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA), developed by Howard Glasser, a psychotherapist renowned for his work with children diagnosed with various behavioral disorders. Karen: How does the Nurtured Heart Approach work, and why it is effective? Susan: Once, during a retreat I attended, Thich Nhat Hanh spoke about how we need to stop watering the seeds of anger and other, and begin to water the seeds of peace, love and goodness. This truly captures the essence of NHA, which is based in a holistic philosophy that wherever we give our energy, our energy grows. Three keys enable adults to respond to a child in mindful, creative, constructive and specific ways. The first is to relentlessly pursue the positive when interacting with a child. It’s easy to tell children what they are doing wrong, but it is more important to point out what they do well or right, in the moment it happens, and to celebrate that. Second, we must strive to avoid methods that inadvertently give energy to negativity and remember how powerful body language is. Children pick up on our physical cues as much as our verbal expressions, maybe more. Enforcing firm, consistent and positive discipline requires that negative body language, tone, sarcasm, lecturing, reasoning, yelling, threats and bribes be examined and altered. Finally, there must be a system in place that provides structured rules, boundaries and consequences, which are applied whenever a rule is broken.
Karen: What can parents and teachers do to help a child develop their inner wealth? Susan: NHA teaches four recognition techniques. The first, active recognition of positive behavior, is when we neutrally mirror back to the child, with our words, a reflection of his desirable behavior in the present moment. Second, experiential recognition helps the child learn rules at times when they are not being broken. Third, proactive recognition requires adults to cultivate present-moment awareness of the warning signs for problem behaviors before the behavior escalates and to help the youngster maintain selfcontrol. Fourth, creative recognition involves identifying the child’s success in a given situation. The beauty of NHA is that it is inclusive. The challenging child benefits, as do all children in the home or classroom, as they respond to this approach. Karen: Can you share an example of a how a NHA-trained parent would manage a challenging behavior, versus how others might respond?
Susan: Let’s say a middle-school age child becomes frustrated while doing homework. He is ready to shove everything off the table. In a typical home, one likely course of events is that the homework gets torn up and books are thrown across the room. A parent may be caught off guard, putting them in a reactive mode that can result in yelling and sending the child to his room. The parent, too exhausted to even deal with the situation, may give up on finding a solution; thus, there is no real consequence or learning for the child. In a home using NHA, the parent is aware that the child is getting frustrated and knows he is likely to respond with aggression. This parent immediately steps in and firmly states, “I see how angry and frustrated you are with your homework. You are doing a great job, staying calm and controlling your anger by not giving up or destroying your homework. I’m really proud of your choice!” This is a simplistic example, but what’s important to note is that a NHA-trained parent honors the child’s feelings in the moment, rather than negating them. The value-laden message is, “It’s okay to feel angry, but it is not okay to act out with anger.” Staying aware of the present moment, the parent is able to draw out even the smallest possible success, by recognizing that the child did not use physical aggression—before he had a chance to escalate to that level. Karen: Is there supporting research? Susan: Howard Glasser developed NHA after many years of clinical psychotherapy practice with children whom he felt were not responding to the interventions in
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Susan: The challenging child is one who exhibits persistent defiance and will repeat unacceptable behaviors, despite corrective disciplinary action. He may act out in ways that result in harm to himself, others or his environment because he does not know how to effectively manage his intensity. Parents and teachers are exhausted by the child’s intense behaviors, because typical disciplinary methods usually backfire.
Susan: Inner wealth is manifested in every child’s—every person’s—unique features, characteristics, abilities, skills, talents, personality and interests. It is the greatness inside each of us that deserves to be nurtured to fruition. A “typical” child is aware of who they are and what makes them special. The challenging child is not self-aware in this way; sadly, these children do not believe they are special. As a result, our recognition of their value needs to be immediate and specific to the situation, behavior or characteristic.
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reflect io n s o f an a m a t eu r s p i r i t u a l s p el u n ker
What if Jesus Would Have Had An Agent By Curtis White
e’re all familiar with the scene: a ‘spiritual’ teacher wearing a black turtleneck, and a discreet lapel mic walks onto a well-lit stage in an auditorium full of pre-converted fans who’ve already purchased his seventh book, titled something like, What if God were a Blade of Grass?
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He eases into an unchallenging, paternal tone that will carry him from his opening remarks all the way to the book signing at the end of the hour and half presentation. After the signing, in a private breakout room, some who have paid a little extra will be able to have a boxed lunch of tuna and radish sandwiches and speak with him one on one.
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He is handsome, and so is his bank balance. He has a two million dollar home, a pair of Lexuses, an agent, a PR rep, a manager, and a housekeeper. He spends $153.00 plus tip on a weekly haircut. He is as familiar with bond markets as he is with his own particular brand of ‘spiritual’ teaching. When I reflect on some of these latter-day ‘spiritual luminaries,’ I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if Jesus had had an agent. I can just imagine their first conversation. Agent: “Come right in, Jesus. Take a seat. You want a leather sack of water? No. Okay, then let’s jump right in.” Jesus: “I am here to show my people the way to my father’s Kingdom.” Agent: “Right. Right, Jesus. Listen, we’ve really got to get you into the barber’s chair. Our research shows you’re not doing well with the under 25s. Although our research does suggest women aged 17-39 appreciate your abs. You’re doing some things right, and some things wrong. What we need to do is broaden your appeal.” Jesus: “My message is for all of my father’s people.” Agent: “Right. Sure, but let’s not get too carried away here. Certain demographics are more important than others. They have what we call ‘disposable income’. Think about that the next time you’re flipping over tables. Nobody ever did well in this city by pissing off the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Jesus: “They are unclean. They profit from the buying and selling of animals for blood sacrifice in my father’s house.” Agent: “Well, yes. But they’ve got to make a living. Besides, they’re where it’s at Jesus. They get to be religious, and also rich. It’s the best of both worlds. That’s something for you to think about.” Jesus: “It is harder for a rich man to pass through the gates of heaven than it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.” Agent: “Look, I told you we don’t have to worry about that. We’ll set up a holding company in Damascus to shield all your assets. Nobody will have to know you’re rich—you’ll pay no taxes. As far as Caesar will be concerned, you own two robes, a pair of sandals and haven’t earned income for the last 20 years. No problem.” Jesus: “I am the Son of God; I do not care about the wealth of this world.” Agent: “Exactly! We’ve got to get you looking like the Son of God. What Prince you’ve ever heard of goes around living in squalor, with a band of misfits dragging around after him. We have got to get rid of these guys. Keep one or two as an entourage—Peter, maybe Judas can stay—but get them into some clean clothes. But, Magdalene? Forget about it. Your contact with her jeopardizes the brand.” Jesus: ‘The brand?” Agent: “Yes. Your brand is your most valuable asset, Jesus. It’s what makes or breaks you. People will pay good money to see you if you have a high-value brand. It’s all about perception. People have got to see you like the Son of God, and then they pay you like you’re the Son of God. Fake it ‘til you make it, Jesus.” Jesus: “I am the Son of God! I am here to give my people the keys to my father’s Kingdom.” (A bolt of lightning crashes through the sky.) 20 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
Agent: “Great. That’s great! The lightning’s a great touch, Jesus. Can you say that again so I can jot it down on something—you, what are you doing—get me a piece of papyrus! I love it, ‘…the keys to my father’s Kingdom…’ Go on. That’s our hook, right there! You’re giving away the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. What could be more valuable?” Jesus: “Nothing in this world. I will remove all debts, and restore my people to my father’s Kingdom for all eternity.” Agent: “This is absolutely great stuff, Jesus. This will be worth a premium. You’re talking about removing people’s debts. Who doesn’t want that? And of course debts—getting people out of debt, there’s a big market for that kind of thing.” Jesus: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed….” Agent: “Right. See, if you’re going to do parables, stick to the parable of the lost coin. The lady finds the silver and she’s happy! See! Stick with that. It’s positive. People can relate to it. It’s hopeful! It’s cheerful. The other parables are too oblique; you’re not going to spread your influence by making people feel stupid. And don’t tell them all the things they’re doing wrong. Speak in positive language—always be positive—smile a lot.” Jesus: “Positive language?” Agent: “Yep, and while I’m thinking about it… lepers? Really? You want people to associate the Kingdom with a guy whose ears are rotting off? Not a good move. I know you feel sorry for them. Hell, the whole world feels sorry for them. So here’s what we do. We do it small-scale. You come in, there’s a controlled situation, the lepers are preselected, you touch a couple, heal them, and we move on. That way you don’t have to be around them constantly. Have you seen these guys? They’re rotting.” Jesus: “They are all my flock.” Agent: “Hey look, I like the inclusiveness; I’m just saying we need to make some tweaks. You’ve got to focus on the trendsetters—the Pharisees, for a start. These guys can make things really easy for you. They could recommend your work and help promote you. We could take this show all over the world! Think of all the people you could reach if you just toned down the rhetoric.” Jesus: “They are hypocrites; they follow the letter and ignore the spirit of my father’s law!” Agent: “Look, if you want to take this thing to the next level—and I think you do, Jesus—you’ve got a real mission here—you’re going to have to consider talking to Rome, too. I know, I know, they’re evil occupiers and their presence is a grave injustice and all that, but look, Caesar is a smart guy. He’ll take one look at you and you’ll be in. Just make nice, do a little trick for him, and he’ll eat it up. He could use a guy like you—a smart guy like you—you could do some damage for him. Who knows, you could become a member of court and rule over Judea someday. Pilate is out. Jesus is in. A New day for Judea! The people would be cheering in the streets—the man from Nazareth brings Jewish rule back to Judea. What a coup!” Jesus: “My father’s Kingdom is not of this world.” Agent: “I know, I know, you keep saying that, but imagine the good you could do if you got in good with Rome, made nice with the temple elders, extended the olive branch, toned down the rhetoric, weren’t so preoccupied with the meek and poor and sick. I’ve got to tell you something, these aren’t the most popular people—this isn’t a very influential demographic, Jesus. I mean, what are you trying to do to yourself, here? I can’t have you casting your lot with the rabble and the losers. I’m going to protect you from yourself, Jesus. If you want to bring your message to the wider world—you need a massive stage.”
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flying high and out of control for some. You would need to know your total natal chart in order to know exactly what planets, and hence what areas of your life are being touched off by these eclipses. Those who have natal planets, like Venus, Mars, etc. that are connected to the degrees of the eclipses will tend to be more affected than others. The Eclipse Season will last generally from mid April through July. This is when intensity will be the greatest. Events in personal lives and the greater world will be ignited then. Events associated with the eclipses may be formed even months after the Eclipse season ends, even after the intensity has subsided. Eclipses take us out of our usual equilibrium, take us off balance, and thus help us to better move with change. In the greater world this eclipse season will likely bring important changes that shake up our world. Iran and Syria have become huge concerns to the western world and Israel. The possibility of conflict is high now from April through August. The economic struggles of Europe could also be in the spotlight now, as could other world challenges and natural disasters. Please keep in mind that all these world challenges are meant to clear the way for healthier, more unifying energies and patterns to emerge. Transformation is not usually pretty in process. As many of you know on an individual level, important transformational times often coincide with great challenges in one’s life. Losing a job or a relationship breakup or some other difficulty is often the catalyst for healthy changes in life. The old job was not in the best interest of our deeper soul, authentic self, or true purpose in life. After the job loss we are forced to contemplate our life journey and make deep changes in our psyche and life that open us up to a more fulfilling career. The old relationship was filled with unhealthy and abusive patterns that were reruns of earlier relationships or childhood patterns. The end of the relationship opens us to deep healing and prepares us for healthier relationships in the future. In the greater world the same premise exists. An old paradigm for living on Earth, attached to a dying Pisces Age of over 2000 years, is ending. A new Aquarian Age is being born, and the birth pains come with major difficulties in the world. In your personal life, many of you reading this forecast have done much inner work and experienced many transformational and healing periods in your life. These eclipses will help you to continue to release old patterns and energies and open you to evolve more in your consciousness and life. Others reading this need more drastic change in life, so you can lead a more authentic, purposeful, and healthy life. You may or may not know you are ready for deep change in your life. This eclipse period will help you to move out of unhealthy situations and help you to embrace positive change. Our deeper souls are speaking louder and louder now, and many of us have become very aware that the deeper soul is what is really driving our life vehicle. Our egos make plans based on our “logical” needs for our material lives, but deeper spiritual influences want to take us to the experiences our soul needs. We are all in the process of evolution from an old paradigm attached to a dying age, and into a paradigm attached to an Aquarian Age or a New Earth as some say. We are moving into more unity consciousness, knowing all is connected not separate. The Aquarian Age is about liberation of the individual human heart and soul. It is about each individual taking responsibility for their role in our human community on our sacred Earth home. The Aquarian Age is Diversity in Unity. It is an honoring of the uniqueness and authenticity of each individual, individuals who are part of a greater world community. The dog eat dog survival of the fittest mentality is ending now with an old age, even if temporarily it might look quite fierce for awhile.
Our deeper souls are speaking louder and louder now and many of us have become aware that the deeper soul is what is really driving our life vehicle
Continued on page 31 April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 21
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inter’s cobwebs are blowing away. Spring 2012 will show us accelerated change, opening portals into Aquarian Age consciousness. April and May will ignite the flames of transformation that will spread throughout our lives in the spring and summer. Though the weather has been unusually mild for much of the winter, the inner consciousness landscapes for many have been stormy and harsh. Whether we know it or not, facing those inner demons has prepared us for the coming changes in our lives and the world. The paradigm that has been slowly shifting from an old Pisces Age format to a new Aquarian Age outlook, will no longer move along so slowly. The crises many of us experienced this past winter helped us to release old fears and programming, and to open up and surrender to new pathways. Mars has been retrograde for much of the winter, and that “rewind” movement for the planet of action, will, force, and desire has slowed us down and kept us from moving forward in any meaningful way. Mercury joined Mars in retrograde in mid March, and added to the need to reflect, re-member, re-think, and wait. The spring equinox was on March 20/21 and the Aries New Moon was on March 22. Our motors were meant to warm up then. Now after April 4, Mercury finally goes direct, beginning to provide us with more clarity and direction. And after April 13/14, when Mars also goes back direct, it is time to rev up those engines, and get ready for the action to begin. There is little time after that to ponder and question, to contemplate and wait. Decisions need to be made. The time is then upon us to act, with focus and clear intent. The New Moon in Taurus on April 21 at 3:18 AM EDT gives us the impetus for new beginnings in the process of solidifying and manifesting. Appropriately Earth Day is on April 22. Taurus is an Earth sign, a fixed Earth sign. It represents a physical home and the Earth is our collective physical home. Use the next month to keeping your life secure and comfortable, even in the face of shifting tides. Soon we will be in the Eclipse Season, when our “same-old” sense of reality will be shifting. We will be taken out of our comfort zones and many will experience breakdowns and breakthroughs in their lives and consciousness. There is a Full Moon in Taurus/Scorpio on May 5 at 11:35 PM EDT. The solid sturdiness of Taurus is confronted with intense Scorpionic emotional upheaval. Is it better to engage emotionally or to keep a cool distance? The winds of the Eclipse Season are blowing more decidedly after the Full Moon. Intensity will be increasing. We are two weeks away from the first eclipse, but usually by now some of the issues and themes associated with the eclipse storms are already forming. The first eclipse is on May 20 at 7:47 PM. It is a New Moon Solar Eclipse whose path moves across the western and southwestern USA. It is at 0+ degrees of Gemini. New Moons are times of new beginnings. Solar Eclipses are New Moons that are exponentially stronger than the usual new moon. If you were born May 18-22 you will tend to be most affected. You are ready for needed transformation in your life. Issues of learning, information, rapid mental activity, and communication are in the spotlight surrounding this eclipse. Do your best to stay grounded and not get scattered mentally, and be very aware of what you are saying before you say it. The second eclipse is a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on June 4 at 7:12 AM EDT. It is at 14+ degrees of Gemini/Sagittarius. Full Moons are times of culmination and enlightenment. Lunar Eclipses are exponentially stronger than the usual full moon. If you were born June 2-June 6 you will tend to be most affected. You are ready for needed transformation in your life. Using information and communication to find meaning, solutions and inspiration is highlighted now. It is best now not to jump too fast to conclusions. Spirits may be
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SPRING: A TIME FOR ACTION by River J. Lee
Our deep love for life and this planet makes many of us want to live intentionally connected to the earth in good stewardship. In that vein, this column explores sustainable living, practical skills for nurturing the inner hunter/gatherer and stories from the wilderness.
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As a dedicated climber and professional guide, I used to spend my springs climbing big mountains in Alaska. When the rest of the northern world was waking up from the winter slumber, I was extending my winter by two months. Over the years I climbed Mount McKinley, skied in the Ruth Gorge, traversed the Juneau Ice field, ice-climbed on glacier ice and frozen waterfalls, and guided clients on the ice and snow that I loved. When it was time to leave the mountains, a bush pilot would land his ski plane on the snow and load us and our gear into the tight quarters of the tiny airplane. On our flights back, the glaciers gave way to silty rivers and shimmering green muskeg (Alaskan Bogs) and finally the boreal forest that surrounded the village airport. Stepping off the plane onto the tarmac was like changing ecosystems. The air seemed impossibly thick with the smell of green things and humidity. The colors of the trees, plants and flowers were overwhelming to our eyes that had grown used to white snow, blue sky and grey rock. My experience of this luxuriant environment made me want to lie on the ground and pray, dip my hand in the lively river and watch the sky move over the trees. My spring rituals have changed now that my focus has moved from the mountain tops to the fertile valleys. With the spring snow melt, I honor my namesake and head out to play in the rushing white water.
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A favorite is the upper Sheepscot River, which is Class II to III whitewater. I enjoy the Sheepscot when the water is flowing anywhere above 250 cubic feet per second. The Sheepscot whitewater trip takes about 4 hours of continuous paddling, though I like to take my time and make a day of it. I’ve seen lot’s of wildlife on this river including eagles, osprey, geese, muskrat and ducks. I’ve seen piles of freshwater mussels on the river bank and surmised that either an otter or a raccoon had been dining there. A dream that I’ve held for some time now is to paddle the 110 mile St. John River trip from Baker Lake to Allagash Village. Like the Sheepscot River, the St. John can only be paddled during high water. I hope to bring this dream to fruition this spring. This stretch of water is at the very northern tip of Maine and roughly follows the Maine/Canada border through uninhabited forest. It is a true wilderness experience and no services or supplies are available on the trip. Other trips through the wilderness waterways of Maine (The Allagash and St. Croix River Waterways) have greatly impressed me with their beauty and wildlife. Gathering wild edibles is another activity that I love in the spring. Though I’ve been gathering wild foods for a number of years, I still feel like a beginner. I enjoy the process of learning as much as I enjoy the taste of the food. Like any harvest, different plants are ready at different times of the year. The spring is a good time for picking young greens before they turn tough, stringy and/or bitter. Young dandelion leaves, sheep sorrel, and plantain are all good examples of this. These greens tend to grow in fields, yards and driveways. When I walk in the forest I look for several things to eat. One of my favorite plants is wintergreen. Both the leaves and the berries are edible and have the “wintergreen” flavor that you can find in chewing gum or toothpaste. Wintergreen grows close to the ground and has waxy leaves. When crushed, the leaves have the distinctive aromatic smell. I chew the leaves for a few seconds and then spit them out before they turn bitter. The berries on the other hand have no bitterness and are sweet and smooth. As the spring progresses, I keep an eye on the hemlock trees. The newly grown needles are edible until they grow waxy and tough. The new growth will be a much lighter green than the older needles. The taste is slightly aromatic, slightly sour and pleasant. Like the winter green, they provide a nice taste rather than a filling meal. In the swamps, cattails provide an excellent source of food. The rhizomes, inner stalk base, immature flower spikes and pollen are edible. I’ve tried the rhizomes and inner stalk base which I think are good cooked in soups. Ramps or wild leeks are a delicious treat though I am not lucky enough to know the location of a local patch. I’ve also been looking for ostrich ferns (fiddlehead) for quite a long time, but have only found the cinnamon and interrupting ferns which are fairly foul tasting as well as toxic. As I explore the forests this spring, I will keep an eye out for these tasty treats. I was told where a patch of stinging nettles is growing and I hope to try to harvest some this spring. When boiled, the stinging properties are completely destroyed. They are supposed to make a good cooked green. We spent part of our winter planning for a compact, high yield and low maintenance garden. I’ve been very good at planting gardens, put very bad at weeding them. Hopefully the low maintenance plan will help us have a garden without the intensive weeding. The first thing we want to do is create raised beds. The area that’s best located for the garden is very wet and is adjacent to a swamp. The raised beds should help the soil dry. Also, the raised beds might contain the soil and make dealing with weeds easier. We intend to cover the soil with cardboard in order to suppress the weeds. Black plastic can also be used to suppress the weeds and absorb more heat from the sun, but we’ve been saving up old boxes so we’ll use what we have. We’ve decided to use trellises to support our plants, and reduce the amount of ground space that they take up (and we have to weed). The plants we want to train on trellises include sugar snap peas, pole beans, tomatoes, squash, pumpkin, melons and the like. It’s a lot of work, and we’ll see how far we get this year, but we’d also like a Moroccan mint patch and a strawberry patch. About eight weeks before the last frost, we’re going to germinate and plant the seeds in our south facing window. Our five year old boy will be fascinated by watching
23 the sprouts come up. Growing our own seedlings makes sense to us because buying seedlings that someone else grows is too expensive. If we have any luck with our springtime fishing, we can compost the fish heads and skeletons to make rich food for our plants. The only downside to spring is the beginning of bug season. Black flies can be vicious and their bites can be uncomfortable. In case you didn’t know, only female black flies bite. They make cuts in a person’s skin and then lick up the blood. Their saliva contains a numbing agent as well as an anti coagulant that helps them lick more blood for longer. Here is what we do to handle the situation. First, long clothes are necessary, even if the weather has turned warm and we’d like to be out in shorts. We tuck our pants legs into our socks, shirt tails into our pants and shirt sleeves into our gloves. Black flies will crawl, and that is why tucking is necessary. Black flies can not bite through clothing, so the clothing can be thin. Head nets are critical if we’re to enjoy the gardening. A hat under the head net can keep the net off of your face. Bug sprays sometimes keep the black fly from biting, but not from swarming. The price of late spring gardening, walking and harvesting wild edibles is enduring the humming attack of the black flies. My advice is to enjoy as much of the spring as
possible before the black flies come. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskeg http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Gauge2/detail/id/27/ http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/germinat.htm http://mainenature.org/black-fly-report-2011/black-fly-info/ http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/biting_bugs/index.html The Forager’s Harvest, by Samuel Thayer Edible Wild Plants, by Thomas Elias & Peter Dykeman River lives an abundant life and loves to spend time with his family, hunt and gather food, cut firewood and maintain his home. River’s professional life reflects a tapestry of skills and interests. River leads trips and teaches outdoor skills through his guide service, Maine Bound Guides. River owns and operates Ridgetop Construction, a small company with a green focus. To help people grow and heal spiritually, River offers counseling and healing work through Mountain Spirit Journeys. http://www.maineboundguides.com/,
http://www.mountainspiritjourneys.com/, (207) 461-4840.
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Harmonic Sound Healing Concert Gongs, Tibetan Sinning Bowls & Alchemy Crystal Bowls
with Ron and Joan
March 31st 7pm-9pm $25 in advance $30 at the door Leapin'Lizards, 123 Main Street, Freeport Info & Reservations 207 865-0900
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Wear comfortable clothing. Bring plenty of water, eye covering, a pillow, blanket and something soft to lie on. PLEASE no scents ~ perfume or cologne.
Schools of Massage Polarity & Aesthetics Westbrook Maine :: 207 591-4141
www.spatech.edu
OPEN HOUSE August 14th, 2012 24 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
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Classroom Mothership Earth Ari Joshua Bouse “We are called to assist the Earth to heal Her wounds and in the process heal Our own—indeed to embrace the whole Creation in all its diversity, beauty and wonder.” --Wangari Maathai
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I remember when our ancient ancestral wisdom spoke of 2012, give or take— albeit in the grand Cosmic scheme of things in this “world of 10, 000 things” right Tao is but a speck and yet paradoxically eternal. However, here on Mothership Earth, we are in an exciting time of transition in our classroom. Yes, we are coming out of the birth canal and experiencing the labor pains that accompany this transition. I have heard it said that a mass exodus of souls and energies are flooding our planet right now to facilitate and co-create our transition into a New Age and Paradigm. We are leaving behind an era of gurus and Messiah’s and moving into a time of individual authenticity and global community, a la diversity within Unity. Indeed, We are letting go of our addiction to the destruction of Our Mother, fundamentalist allegiance to the almighty dollar and Orwellian control by the “minority of the opulent,” or “the powers that were.” My spirited dance and plea to the top dawg 1% is quite lightheartedly detached and simple vis-a-vis the lyrics, “there’s enough and we can all win.” Collectively, humanity stands at the doorstep of a New Age and paradigm. If we are to survive as a species here on our Mothership Earth, the time is now to co-create a new generation by evolving into our luminosity. Really, I get a buzz (without a stinging hangover) and internally light up merely imagining the possibilities of manifesting our human potential. "Would you be leave" that we already have the essential ingredients encoded within us—whether sweet nectar, life enhancing chlorophyll and the capacity to effectively cut back to inner peace? I can hear the Master Yoda in me asserting, for my ally is the Force (Chi) and a powerful ally it is... life creates it... makes it grow... its energy surrounds us and binds us... Luminous Beings are we... not this crude matter... You must feel the Force around you. In saying "peace out" to winter and "what up, G" to spring, we compassionately heed Mother Nature's soothing reminder that Her seeds underground are excitedly thinking about budding and blossoming a New Generation of Life. I can hear robin singing gleefully to the melodious tune of adventurous New Growth, blazing new trails as the early bird gets the worm. During our cross-pollination and subsequent flowering of human consciousness process, might we allow ourselves to become the silver lining and make only positive interpretations of our prophecies that say the critical mass will come about and allow us to stay afloat in our expanding sea of consciousness? Aye, this is the time of solar balance. The Sun and the Earth are in perfect alignment. Days and nights are the same length. This represents our receptive and our active aspects being in balance, male and female. Mother Earth's energies in us are awakened by the Father Sun energies being in balance. This is a time of renewing and rebirth. We have resurrection of our own spirit and our growth, which has come through the Winter. It's a time when the trees begin to bud out and show the growth and the promise for the New Year. While meandering O'er mountains and streams and dancing to the heartbeat of the forests, the Rabbit energy in me says, lettuce take joyful comfort in being part of Nature, while staying connected to Her as a carrot of trust, so that We May take the Quantum leap forward. Given that the Law of Impermanence reminds us of Life’s transience and the sobering reality that there are no guarantees, why not seek solace in staying on the hop while noticing continuity within change and the cyclical Nature of the Cosmic Wheel? As spring approaches, I awaken my budding words of Love, Light and Laughter in this changing world with recognition that the Sun, Moon and Earth naturally look after one another just because it is Nature's Way, while in perfect alignment together as one. Further, I am trying to express my own New Generation of growth to reflect the ancient spiritual wisdom "so within as without, as above so below," if you will. In the spirit of that, I would like to share with you a prayer I say bright 26 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
and squirrelly every morning during my meditation puree: I call on God directly, Archangels, Higher Angelic Beings of Light, Ascended Masters, Illuminated Ones, Gatekeepers of the Akashic Records, Spirit Guides and Animal Totems, Mother Gaia, Ancestors whom have passed on and all those who walk in alignment with Divine Will, Divine Plan and the Blueprint of Love. I ask for your continued support and guidance in working through my Inner Tapestry, allowing the light to illuminate the shadows so within, as without, as above, so below. And for all your help along the Way, I thank You... I thank You... I thank You.
Ari Joshua Bouse is an awakening New Human, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Reiki Master, dreamer, writer, musician, proud dad and devoted husband, whom is actively working toward the goal of co-creating A New Earth. Ari is passionate about his daily meditation puree, including his personal T’ai Chi and Qigong practice and enjoys studying Shamanism, venturing out in nature and playing sports. Although he likes to stay away from labels, Ari is a member of a “mutt rock” genre garage band called Surge Milker. Ari likes connecting with folks in community and enjoys his solitude. He is especially committed to coaching folks in finding their way that is True to their Self and respectful in relationships. And this modern Western guy prefers eating with wooden chopsticks. If you would like to reach Ari, please feel free to contact him via email at: darknightwalksinsunlight@gmail.com.
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SANKOFA PROVIDING: Neuromuscular Therapy, including but not limited to: Myofascial Release, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Sports Massage, Trigger Point & Deep Tissue Massage
Member AMTA
Caring therapeutic touch to honor and nurture the total being.
Helen G. Caddie-Larcenia Licensed Massage Therapist
207 845-2707
Washington, ME 04574
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Music Therapy
The Meeting Of Science And Art by Patricia Mullholland M.A., M.T.B.C.
“Every disease is a musical problem; every cure has a musical solution. W.H. Auden in conversation with Oliver Sacks When someone asks me, “What is Music Therapy?” the question is music to my ears, and often follows my having introduced myself as a board certified music therapist. It is a question I am asked a lot these days, as music therapy is not an established healthcare profession in Maine. My answer generally goes something like this: Music Therapy is the meeting of science and art – a way of using music intentionally as part of treatment in a variety of clinical settings – medical, psychiatric, developmental disability, rehabilitation, aging, Hospice—as well as in wellness settings. The American Music Therapy Association defines Music Therapy as:
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An established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses. www.americanmusictherapy.org A favorite way of capturing the essence of Music Therapy is with the simple yet profound statement of Julie Zigo, a professor of music therapy at Berklee College of Music. Music Therapy is about connection, about relieving the isolation that various forms of illness and debilitation can bring. Indeed, the power of music therapy to illuminate dignity and ability in an individual whose life is more defined by disease and disability is real and can be profound. It is this very real function of music that, when applied with intention and skill by a trained music therapist, can truly make a major contribution to a client’s overall quality of life and to specific treatment goals. And so I find myself on a mission to establish music therapy in Northern New England as an element of Integrative Medicine and as a service in wellness settings.
My Journey to Music Therapy
My journey to enter the field is an example of what we are seeing and reading about these days as individuals easing toward retirement decide that there is one more thing to do – a calling of sorts – as a last chapter of one’s working life. There is often a “giving back” theme. There is often a connection back to something we love deeply. And so it is with me. About 10 years ago I began working with a teenage girl I will call Jane, who had a moderate to severe case of cerebral palsy. She absolutely loved music! We knew each other via my role as artistic director of “Wassail By The Sea,” a community grass roots Christmas Revels production here in the Kennebunks in the early 90s. Knowing her connection to and aptitude for music, her parents asked me if I would work with her. Jane became my first music therapy client, although I was not formally trained at the time. Guided by her musical preferences and my intuition, we learned songs, added rhythmic accompaniment and movement, and sang and played together for three years. I taught Jane how to play the piano, despite the fact that she had limited use of her hands and fingers. Her posture and ability to walk were compromised, and her speech was characterized by poor articulation, delays, stuttering and occasionally gasping for breath. But when the music began, she sang, mostly on pitch, moved in rhythm, and voiced the lyrics effortlessly. Her ability to learn the words and melody quickly was remarkable. We were even able to create simple harmony. Our time working together culminated in a joyful recital for family and a few close friends in my studio and remains one of the most moving moments of my life. Two years later, I moved to Boston and entered Berklee’s music therapy training program, headed by Dr. Suzanne Hanser, who has been described by the Boston Globe as one of the top ten leaders and change agents in New England. An esteemed researcher, author and professor, Suzanne has spent years bringing her
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behaviorist, evidenced-based approach to the study and practice of music therapy. The department is thriving and growing. There are now full time music therapists at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana Farber, Children’s Hospital, University of Massachusetts Medical Center and at several Hospice organizations, as well as at many nursing homes, community health centers, V.A. Hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, public and special education schools and community music centers. It was Suzanne who counseled me to become the first full-time intern at Seasons Hospice in Boston. There I would be able to combine my interest in working with the psychiatric and aging populations and bring my spiritual self to work every day. She was absolutely right.
Music and Music Therapy
To understand what music therapy is, it is important to distinguish the profession from the use of music as entertainment and enrichment – both wonderful ways to experience music. Music therapy requires the practitioner to use her musicianship in the service of others. This means that two skill sets – those related to her ability as a musician and those related to her ability to build trusting therapeutic relationships with a clinical population are required. Skill in music improvisation is essential in meeting the patient from moment to moment. I like the image of the triangle to frame the profession. There is the patient, the therapist, and the music, coming together in service of the non-musical treatment goals of the patient. Music therapy goals in the clinical setting include improving cognitive function, promoting socialization, stimulating sensory and physical activity, facilitating emotional expression and contributing to the rehabilitation process. During a thorough music therapy assessment, the music therapist determines the client’s music experience and connection to music, if any, and observes the client’s response to a series of music activities. The intention is always to engage the client and build on the capacity and ability that emerges. The degree of participation, engagement, energy level, focus, affect, physicality, capacity for leading and following and making choices, are among the behaviors the music therapist is observing and evaluating. Then, once a treatment plan is created and sessions begin, assessment and evaluation are ongoing. Music therapists work in interdisciplinary teams in healthcare and wellness settings and in private practice on a contracting basis. The advantage of the former is that as team members, they can be more fully involved with the overall care of the patient and communicate and share progress notes with other team members.
What Does Music Therapy Look Like?
For me, it often means collapsing the back seats of my little car to make space for a bag of rhythm instruments – shakers, tambourine, hand drum, cow bell, chimes, clave – and a guitar and keyboard packed in soft gig bags. Sometimes it means bringing along my Mac laptop to record a song a client and I created together. Sometimes it means including a few art supplies for processing the musical experience. And sometimes it means sitting and breathing together in silence until one of us begins an improvisation, with a tap on the drum or a strum on the guitar or a single sung note. Sometimes there is a theme finding musical expression; sometimes it is simply free.
Music therapy happens on a one-to-one basis and in groups – again depending on the needs of the client. The same person may benefit from both individual and group sessions to address defined goals. A group music therapy session – for instance one in a nursing home setting – is a sure way to provide socialization and improve energy and mood among residents and staff, who will often participate on the side along with the residents they care for. In my work with individuals in my studio, there are a number of instruments to choose from, including a baby grand piano and a mini keyboard. Vocal music therapy will find me at the piano with the client standing close by. The voice is an amazing muscle – full of emotional and physical energy that often longs to be expressed. Merita Gunter, one of my early voice teachers at the Roy Hart Theatre, described the voice as the “mirror and muscle of the soul.”
29 Many people have a real disregard for their voices that can also signal unresolved issues and wounds. Working therapeutically with the voice, we bring breath, body and imagination together to rescue essential energy and facilitate profound healing.
Science Meets Art – How and Why Music Therapy Works
We all know from experience that music can be a healing balm for the soul. “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” (William Congreve, 1697.) It can relieve our anxiety, change or deepen an emotional state, energize or relax us physically, and guide us spiritually.
The expanding field of neuroscience tells us that music is processed along multiple neural pathways and, accordingly, is able to bypass a dysfunctional part of the brain and be processed in another. This explains the frequent phenomena of a patient who has lost verbal ability – both on the physiological and cognitive levels – and yet can sing lyrics to songs from his younger days with clear vocal quality, enhanced expression and renewed confidence. Or the stroke patient whose progress in relearning how to walk is quickened with rhythm based music therapy. Or the patient with Parkinson’s disease whose emotional and kinetic memory are stimulated by melody and rhythm. Amazing yes, and very predictable thanks to the neuroplasticity of the brain. The distinguished neurologist, Oliver Sacks, author of the recent bestseller, Musicophillia and numerous other books, has been an advocate of music therapy for many years. In his work with aging patients with dementia he observes: For it is the inner life of music that can still make contact with their inner lives, with them; that can awaken the hidden, seemingly extinguished soul; and evoke a wholly personal response of memory, associations, feelings, images, a return of thought and sensibility, an answering identity. Familiar music acts as a sort of Proustian mnemonic, eliciting emotions and associations that had been long forgotten, giving the patient access once again to moods and memories, thoughts, and worlds that seemingly had been completely lost. One sees that there is not so much an actual loss of memories here, but a loss of access to these. Music, here, can provide a key for opening the door to the past, a door not only
to specific moods and memories but also to the entire thought structure and personality of the past. - Oliver Sacks, in “Clinical Applications of Music in Neurologic Rehabilitation.” It appears that Beethoven captured the essence of music as a healing modality when he described music as “the mediator between the life of the spirit and the life of the senses.” Music therapy is certainly anchored in this belief and in the ever-growing evidence that our health is dependent on the state of our mind and body. According to Suzanne Hanser and others, “to treat them separately is to treat less than the whole person.” In my work as a music therapist, I witness the power of music therapy to connect the patient to him or herself and to relieve the isolation and confusion of a disordered world. I witness the presence of music bring physical and emotional comfort, decreases agitation, promote relaxation, and provide sensory stimulation. I witness music facilitate socialization, stimulate cognitive activity, encourage emotional expression and allow for a spiritual connection. In a wellness context, I witness the strengthening and integration of the self. Indeed, my role as a music therapist is a kind of ministry that invites the coming together of the physical and spiritual aspects of being human.
Patricia graduated from Berklee College of Music in the spring of 2010 and completed an 8-month internship with Seasons Hospice of Massachusetts. While at Berklee, she was awarded an achievement scholarship, a Project Grant from the American Association of University Women, and the distinguished Gary Burton Scholarship. She was among the winners of two Songwriting competitions for two of the songs in her Emily Dickinson Song Cycle: A Solitude of Space. She brings her love of poetry, improvising and composing to her work with patients and their families. Patricia recently set up a private practice, the Music Therapy Group, with fellow music therapist, Aiko Onuma, with whom she has collaborated professionally for a number of years. She is passionate about bringing the practice of Music Therapy to Northern New England and enjoys educating the medical community and the greater public about the rationale for music therapy and the many benefits it offers. For more information contact Patricia at patricia@themusictherapygroup.com and refer to the website: www.themusictherapygroup.com.
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InvisibleFrequenciesDisturb Our Peace of Mind by Phyllis Light, Ph.D
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any people are now waking up to the idea of creating a better, more sustainable life on the planet. Many of our old ways of constructing and structuring our world have become too toxic and life-damaging. We continue to search for new ways to help Mother Earth, and ourselves and create a life that is good for all Earth’s inhabitants. Unfortunately, there is a growing problem on the horizon that many people have ignored, because it is invisible; they don’t know that it exists. This is the problem with the electromagnetic fields and frequencies that bombard us daily, while we are working, playing, eating, and sleeping. We are continually being barraged, 24/7, by frequencies from overhead satellites, microwave and cell phone towers, our computers, wireless Internet, and the latest WiMax technology (“4G Network”). Anything electrical, electronic or battery-powered weakens our natural human energy field. Exposure to such detrimental frequencies has been linked to greater depression, fatigue, irritability, stress, and a higher incidence of immune system problems. And, because the frequencies are invisible, most people have no clue why they are feeling the way they do. When you feel tired, you don’t question the affect of the new iPhone you’ve been carrying in your pocket or purse. You don’t wonder if the movie you downloaded onto your phone and have been watching could be weakening your energy field, thus causing greater fatigue. What options do you really have, when the problem you are dealing with is invisible and impossible to see? If you’re on the run, you grab a soda, or some other sugary treat. That extra sugar rush is just what you need to keep you going for a little while longer. “Energy drinks” are popular now. All of the negative fields and frequencies are so draining to our physical bodies, many people are indeed noticing they need more energy! Some people, unfortunately, turn to more alcohol or drugs, in order to escape their growing problems, which seem so insurmountable. Some people simply pop more aspirin, to alleviate the headaches that often result from the overwhelming stress of the daily bombardments. Some people choose to sleep more because of the extra fatigue they feel. However, that sleep is often not restful enough, because the detrimental fields and frequencies also seem to disrupt our pineal gland, which controls the sleep and aging function of our body.
What can you do to avoid the challenges of life in a high-tech world? There is no easy answer, but there are certain steps you can take: 1) Don’t give up your landline. So many people in the Chicago area gave up their land lines that AT&T had to lay off several divisions of workers who no longer had anything to do! Germany has also encouraged its citizens not to give up their landlines, since cell phones have seemed so controversial as far as their potential health risks. 2) Turn off your computer and your WiFi connection every night when you sleep. Many people leave these on, which means you are being bombarded, throughout the night, with disruptive, life-damaging frequencies. Experts may say that leaving your computer on is good for your computer, but your health and well-being are far more important! 3) When you do use your computer, limit your time to 30 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of rest. This will allow your energy field to recover to some degree. Computer “marathon sessions” will drain you and weaken your energy field to a much greater degree than if you take a periodic rest in this way. 4) Limit the use of your Bluetooth earpiece. You may need to use it to be legal while driving your car, but know that you are doubling the risk to your brain in doing so. Not only are you receiving the phone frequencies uncomfortably close to your head, but your brain is also exposed to the energy of the earpiece’s battery. You may want to seriously ponder if it’s more important to receive a phone call at any given moment, or keep your brain as healthy as possible. As challenging as life may be in a high-tech world, there are steps that you can take to support your health and well-being. Technology has helped us in many ways, but the invisible harm it is doing to each and every one of us can no longer be ignored.
Phyllis Light, Ph.D, is an author and expert in “Telepathic Healing.” With 38 years of research and development, she is also a pioneer in dealing with the energetic impact of modern technology on the physical body and subtle energy field, and how to overcome the problems we face as a result. To learn more, visit: www.lighthealing.com or call (512) 301-2999. April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 29
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e x plorin g the w o r l d r el i g i o n s
The Secret Of Spirituality: Going Beyond The Universe by James Bean
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n this Internet Age we seem to be drowning in information, distracted by a million voices. A world of knowledge and opinion may be at our fingertips, yet wisdom remains a bit more illusive. My goal with these articles, blogs, public speaking, and podcasts is not so much about sharing of information as it is about revealing a state of Being and Becoming.
The Less Organization, the Better Each of the great world religions presents its own version of a “treasure-map” to enlightenment or God, along with voluminous histories, customs, and beliefs, yet souls do not yearn merely to collect “maps” containing information. Swami Ji Maharaj of Agra once said of the world religions: “Without Bhakti [love], they are all hollow and sham, outer husks without a kernel.” It is the inner “kernel” or “seed” of Life we’re really after, not developing attachments to institutions or organizations.
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Throughout history, it has often been certain rigid religious organizations that ultimately: 1) become the adversaries of mystics and Gnostics; favoring institutional life over inner exploration; 2) can be fearful of scientific research and academic freedom; 3) might have a tendency to overreach, ever thinking up new and excessive rules or regulations, at war even with their own members; 4) on occasion have banned books and “unauthorized” gatherings of those relabelled as being “heretics;” 5) often claiming to be superior to all other sects—the “one-and-only true path,” and, 6) have sometimes been opponents of equality and human rights. I love this quote by Huzur Baba Sawan Singh about need to always maintain humanity, compassion, genuineness, honesty, and simplicity as the guiding principals and foundation for public gatherings in the name of spirituality, which in the East are called “Satsangs” or “Sanghas.” “’Satsang’ has more than one meaning: First, it means the meeting of the Master and a disciple. Second, it means the meeting of all Satsangis [followers, devotees] who may attend, whether the Guru is present in body or not. There is no formality about it, none at all. It is a simple meeting of all disciples who can attend. We avoid formality and anything that may have the appearance of a rigid organization. The less organization, the better. And there must be no idea of leadership. The only leader in Sant Mat is the Guru. Just the Master and His disciples meeting together is the only organization we have.” I love the libertarian, heart-centered simplicity of this statement.
Pulling Back the Veil – Being and Becoming and Knowing Ourselves “As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a Light of meaning in the darkness of mere being.” (Carl Jung) That’s very close to the definition of Guru according to Hinduism: “one who takes the darkness away,” or is, in other words, a “Light-giver.” The role of the genuine spiritual Master is to escort us into Heavenly Realms so we may have our own experience of the divine and see for ourselves the beauty that up to now has remained hidden. The soul seeks to actually realize the “treasure” of it’s own Self – Buddha Nature, Atman, New Adam, Pearl of Great Value, Christ-within-you, the Light-Spark of the Divine, which is the Real Me/You. Says Namdev: “I wandered through the cosmos in search of the treasure but found it within me.” Says Tulsi Sahib: “Within thine own self, behold the splendor of thy Beloved.” Rumi says, “The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you; don’t go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want; don’t go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the door-sill where the two worlds touch. The door is round and open. Don’t go back to sleep.” “Open a window to God and begin to delight yourself by gazing upon Him through the opening.” (Rumi) “The Lord will make the pupil of your eye his home, and your eye will expand to contain the entire universe.” (Namdev) This mystic-poem by Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, India beautifully reflects upon the inward journey of the soul back to God: Within this body breathes the secret essence. Within this body beats the heart of the Vedas. 30 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
Within this body shines the entire Universe, so the saints say. Hermits, ascetics, celibates – all are lost seeking Him in endless guises. Seers and sages perfectly parrot the scriptures and holy books, blinded by knowledge. Their pilgrimage, and fasting, and striving but delude. Despite their perfect practice, they discover no destination. Only the saints who know the body’s heart have attained the Ultimate, O Tulsi. Realize this, and you’ve found your freedom (while teachers trapped in tradition know only the mirage in the mirror). When we sit for meditation and gaze into the darkness with eyes closed, we’re encountering the world of “within”, opening up to the possibility of seeing via the Third Eye, also known as the Wisdom Eye. This is the Portal or Door to the Kingdom of the Heavens that are inside. This is what Rumi and the Masters are attempting to show us. For those taught the methods of meditation practice by a qualified living teacher and spiritual guide, we soon will discover that the darkness is no longer dark. There is a pinpoint of light, and an inner sky, inner stars, moons, suns, many colors, dark voids, and tunnels that go into the Light. As the saying goes, “When the student is ready, the teacher shall appear.” A living teacher, being fully acquainted with the ‘landscape’ of Inner Space, is able to impart to initiate-candidates valuable guidance on how to safely make the journey of ascension to the Inner Regions during meditation. This kind of spiritual transmission and the details of meditation practice are not found in books, old scriptures of the past, and are not for sale, but are given freely. We also will discover during extended periods of meditation that there is Sound coming from beyond the silence. “When I am silent, I fall into the place where everything is Music,” says Rumi. “Bring the sky beneath your feet and listen to Celestial Music everywhere.” (Rumi) Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche has a great description of the Inner Sound in his book, Mind Beyond Death: “It is easiest to hear this Sound when it is quiet, particularly at nighttime. Once you have identified this Sound, then you place your awareness on it without wavering. Resting your mind in the Sound, you continue to listen, going further and further into the Sound itself.”
More On Inner Sound Meditation In Buddhism “Listening to the inner Sound brings the heart into a position of acute inner awareness. The Sound is always there. We don’t have to create it. It is ever present. So it is a good symbol for Ultimate Reality itself.” (Ajahn Amaro) “How sweetly mysterious is the Transcendental Sound of Avalokiteshvara [Quan Yin]! It is the subdued murmur of the sea-tide setting inward. Its mysterious Sound brings liberation and peace to all sentient beings who in their distress are calling for aid.” (Surangama Sutra) “You can experience the Sound of silence in the mind. You hear it as a kind of high frequency Sound, a ringing Sound..... When you’re just with the cosmic Sound alone, there is pure attention, no sense of a person or personality, of ‘me and mine’”. (Ajahn Sumedho, The Sound of Silence)
31 “When meditating with this Nada [Inner Mystic Sound], it is essential that the aspirant always seek and follow the particular aspect of it that is most subtle and "ultra" in pitch as well as in brilliance. Even when the Sound becomes very shrill and loud in moments of deep concentration, he [or she] must not be tempted to be satisfied with it merely because it is sharp and resonant. He should relentlessly attempt to rise further and further into ever more subtle spheres of its mysterious Invisible Kingdom.” (Edward Salim Michael, The Law of Attention - Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance, Published by Inner Traditions books of Vermont) We are all connected to these subtle realms of Light, Sound, and Heavenly Regions but normally remain deaf and blind to them in our day-to-day experience, being always completely enmeshed in the worlds of mind and matter. It rarely occurs to most that it’s possible to explore consciousness itself, the “lost” buried treasure, our true Self or Soul, the Observer.
Going Beyond the Universe “So long as a spirit does not rise above the body-consciousness, it remains a stranger to the spiritual realms beyond.” (Rumi) “God is perceivable only through the soul or spirit. But our individual soul has become surrounded or covered by several sheaths or subtle bodies [astral, causal, etc…]. So long as it remains in the captivity of these various subtle bodies and the physical body, it will be under the knowledge of these bodies and organs only, will be under illusory knowledge only, and will not be able to realize God. In order to know Him, the Jiva-atma or the individual soul shall have to liberate itself from
these bondages. The one who is able to liberate himself from the body and subtle bodies, is able to lift himself beyond the universe, also.” (Param Poojya Shahi Swami Ji Maharaj) Here, Shahi Swami, referring to his own mystical explorations and that of others who follow this same practice, speaks of Inner Light and Sound meditation -- transcendental seeing and hearing, and how it’s possible during meditation to transcend the physical body (rise above body-consciousness), transcend the astral subtle body, transcend the causal or akashic subtle body, ascend beyond the mental subtle body, and shed the etheric subtle body. All that remains is one’s true naked identity: atman, self or soul. After stripping off the garments of the outer worlds (the subtle bodies and corresponding realms they are associated with), the soul exclaims, “I Am That! I Am That! I Am That!” In this sense, the soul has ascended beyond all the universes of space-time and experiences knowing itself in the Timeless State (Akal) or True Eternal Realm. What an amazing thing to proclaim to “child humanity” – we can go beyond the universe.
James Bean interviews guests, reviews books and music for HealthyLife.Net Positive Talk Radio and other stations via a syndicated radio program called Spiritual Awakening, and teaches Sant Mat Meditation and Surat Shabd Yoga in the Bangor, Waterville, & Portland areas. Address questions or comments to James@SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com, (207) 358-9381.
Continued from page 18 ~ Family Constellations...
One constellation can already create a shift in energy, consciousness and current relationships by releasing long-held pain or beliefs; but when we delve more deeply, we can move beyond the wounds into compassion for our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, giving us not only a sense of support and roots but even a profound insight into the divine order that shaped our family, and our soul agreements in this lifetime. What naturally follows is a sense of peace with all that is – a fulfillment that cannot come from without, but only from within.
Coming Full Circle ~ Finding Our Wings If we are truly standing on a precipice, we will in fact need to learn to fly. And for flying, you need two things: strong wings, and a spirited wind beneath them. I began this article with the statement that we are always standing on the shoulders of our ancestors. If we are to be this “new generation”, if we are to bring awareness and peace to our planet and our fellow human beings, we will have to make peace with our families. If we are angry with our mothers, it is harder to respect women, to parent our daughters. If we don’t trust our fathers, how do we parent our sons, or believe in the goodness in men? If we want to stop passing on
the patterns of alienation or abuse to our children, we need to make peace with those we learned them from – as hard as that may sound. Time to clean out our attics! The boxes marked “unresolved”, the judgments we wanted to keep forever, pictures of that family member we’re estranged from, any pain we can’t let go of, and those secrets we kept because we had to - it’s time to bring them into the light. “But it’s such hard work!” you may say. “What if it’s too much for me?” This is the gift of this work: there is so much energy tied up in keeping things stowed away – we don’t even know it while the lock is on the door –that when we begin to release these shadows, so much stuck energy becomes available to us! As we make peace with and strengthen our roots, we simultaneously begin to grow wings – and the deeper our roots grow, the stronger our wings will be. And as you make peace with your family and those that came before, the spirits of your ancestors will become your wind. You are standing on their shoulders, and they have become the wind beneath your wings. From this place, precipice or not, you have an understanding of your place in the greater order of life – and there is nowhere left in the river of your life where love cannot flow.
Anna Abaldo offers private Family Constellation sessions and group seminars at her SoulMoves studio in Rockland, ME (and elsewhere). She holds a Masters Degree in Clinical and Health Psychology, and is a certified 5Rhythms teacher. She can be reached at (207) 763-3322, soulmovesME@gmail.com or visit her website www.soulmovesME.com for more information about current offering.
Continued from page 21 ~ Perspectives from the Sky
And this Eclipse season of the spring of 2012 will continue to show us that this survival of the fittest mentality will eventually destroy us if we do not evolve further. Our current economic system and military invasions are reflections of this mentality that pits us one against another. True survival now, the next collective step in evolution, is having a consciousness that knows we are all one. The nuclear weapons we have built from a contentious enmity toward one another, are symbols of the old mentality that would destroy us. Each of us is responsible for our own consciousness, and that consciousness is preparing to know unity, that all “tribes” are united into one family, and that all the “dots” of the Universe and life are in meaningful and sacred connection.
Leo Knighton Tallarico is co- director of Spiritual Renaissance Center with his soul mate Deborah. He has been a full-time professional astrologer, counselor, spiritual guide, and writer for 26 years. He specializes in guiding and counseling individuals and couples through the transformation of their consciousness and lives during change and crisis. Knowing the big picture of one’s life is essential for positive transformation, and is a big part of any consultation with Leo. For more information about Leo’s readings and consultations contact him at soulus@aol.com or call him at 207-653-7717. He has a weekly forecast blog at www.spiritualtherapy.wordpress.com, and has a website at www.spiritualrenaissance.com.
April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 31
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members can stand in to represent one’s family members. It’s a way to bring the energies or dynamics of your particular family to light, so that hidden tensions, unresolved conflicts and influential relationships within the family become visible. The facilitator can then work with these dynamics, and often a resolution can be found, releasing and shifting the energy that was stuck and pointing to new ways for you to be within your family system so love can flow again.
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INNER TAPESTRY's Directory of Resources
Holistic Practitioners, Products and Resources Each category contains practitioners from various states. al t e r n a t iv e li v i n g
counsel ing & the r ap y
Maine Greensward Hamlet
Alternative Living ................................................. page 32 Astrology ............................................................. page 32 Counseling & Therapy ................................... pages 32-33 Creative Healing Arts ........................................... page 33 Evolutionary Consciousness................................. page 34 Holistic Healing Centers ...................................... page 34 Holistic Publications & Radio ............................... page 35 Hypnotherapy ...................................................... page 35 Integrative Healing ........................................ pages 35-36 Life Mastery ................................................... pages 36-37 Living Spaces ...................................................... page 37 Meditation ............................................................ page 37 Nutrition ............................................................... page 37 Psychic & Spiritual Mediumship ..................... pages 37-38 Reflexology & Healing Massage .......................... page 38 Retreats ......................................................... pages 38-39 Schools & Trainings ............................................. page 39 Shamanic Healing ......................................... pages 39-40 Writing Services.................................................... page 40 Yoga, Tai Chi & Meditation ................................... page 41
Maine
Greensward Hamlet A Cohousing Community In Buxton, Maine Drawing on the Strength of Community To Live Sustainably.
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Maine’s first Green, fossil free, cohousing community is nestled on 30 private country acres. Your 1-, 2-, or 3- bedroom home (& 1- or 2- car garage) will include the amenities of a spacious Common House for weekly community meals & gatherings; organic community gardens and nature trails. Access to the Saco River and hundreds of acres of pristine park land is within walking distance. Train and international airport services are just a 15-minute drive. Reserve your place in the community now. Visit www.greenswardhamlet.com or www.cohousing.org. Or contact: Françoise Paradis, Ed.D. PO Box 1325, Saco, Me 04072 (207) 227-3678.
Patricia A. Burke, MSW, LCSW
Holistic Psychotherapy & Spiritual Development Work "When we are fully present to ourselves the light of who we are shines through and like a slow deep breath, fills the world with love." -PB
In over twenty-five years of experience I have merged a variety of psychological, sensate awareness, spiritual and creative practices into a process of deep awakening that can help you heal trauma, addictions and depression, rediscover meaning and purpose in life, build mutually empowering relationships, enhance creativity and embrace the deep stillness of being from within in which all experience arises. I have been deeply engaged in my own inner work for over twenty years and call upon my extensive training in spiritual and transformational practices to guide my work with others. I offer individual, group and couples consultation, personal intensives, workshops, supervision and training. Yarmouth, ME, (207) 625-7012, pab@patriciaburke.com, www.patriciaburke.com.
ast ro l og y Maine
Astrology&MorewithAnanur Offering Astrological Chart readings since 1976, the Divine Feminine approach to Primal Therapy, Past Life Regressions and the Detoxifying Ionizing Foot Bath.
A Course in Miracles, states that life is about, "removing the blocks to the awareness of Love's Presence, which is our natural inheritance." John Lennon said, "There are no problems only solutions." Astrological chart readings with Ananur bring this fact to light, that we all need the cosmic perspective. Often clients say that they see me as a Cosmic Cheerleader, born with the Moon and Jupiter rising, I do feel like a cosmic cheerleader! I look forward to connecting with you. www.AstrologyWithAnanur.com 207-594-2565 Rockland, Maine in the Milky Way Galaxy ananur@AstrologyWithAnanur.com
Live From Your Center Mark Nakell, LCPC Awareness-based Psychotherapy Growth and Self-Realization Individual & Couples Counseling All of life happens in the present moment: Our natural condition is an
open awareness of each moment as it occurs. Increased awareness of this moment—now—and of yourself in the moment, provides an increased experience of life, more joy, and greater fulfillment. Developing the capacity of your own center enables a deeper, more immediate experience of your aliveness and presence now. The result is increased freedom—freedom of choice, freedom of action, freedom of purpose—and deepened participation in the events of your own life. For a FREE introductory session, call (207) 773-4413 or email mnakell@openawareness.com, 25 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101. Further information can be found at www.openawareness.com.
We are dealing with the best-educated generation in history. But they've got a brain dressed up with nowhere to go. ...Timothy Leary
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33 c ouns e l in g & t h er apy- c ont .
counsel ing & the r ap y -con t.
What is somatic therapy?
Somatic therapy is a self-awareness process with a particular focus on the body. With guided practice to help you remain present in the body, you simply allow thoughts, emotions and sensations to emerge in their natural patterns. This combination – conscious awareness and observation of patterns – allows both increased capability of self-regulation and expanded capacity for awareness itself. Current brain research shows that the part of the brain involved in awareness also regulates emotions and behavior. So practice Douglas Smith of focused awareness actually strengthens and expands the brain cell connections in this area, making the benefit of this work cumulative. The difference between this and mindfulness practice alone is that you also have access to somatic, or body reactions. These come under conscious awareness, creating the possibility of physical as well as emotional healing. Somatic therapy is useful for the resolution of stress and trauma, anxiety, depression, habits, addictions, "stuck" patterns, or can be used to enhance personal growth. For an appointment or more information please call, email or visit me on the web at www.mindmeetsbody.com. Douglas Smith, LCPC, SEP., 440 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04101 (207) 329-3566, smith@mindmeetsbody.com.
Since 1995, I’ve worked as a psychotherapist and workshop facilitator – in Europe, Aruba, & Maine. Visit www.soulmovesME.com for current offerings.
Family Constellations provide a powerful, immediate entry into our family dynamics on an energetic and soul level – without needing to bring your partner or family. Setting up a family constellation allows hidden tensions, conflicts and influential relationships within a family to become visible. What was buried is brought to light. We can then work with these dynamics, and often solutions can be found, releasing and shifting the unconscious energy that was stuck and pointing to new ways for you to be within your family system so love can flow again. I have seen this work greatly benefit people working through childhood trauma, issues of alcoholism, unprocessed grief, abandonment, separation from loved ones, challenging parenting situations, and difficult transitions. After participating in a family constellation, people often experience a heightened insight, a greater level of compassion, more connectedness and belonging, and peace with what is.
Personal Developement Body-Mind Life Coaching Gestalt Work This experiential and body-oriented approach supports you to
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reconnect with your body, its language and wisdom reinforce your strengths, passions and skills learn to relax, reduce stress and practice being fully present enhance your relationships, both with yourself and others make sustainable life changes happen
Dynamic life coaching tools combined with Gestalt Therapy elements and Mindfulness techniques are the foundation of this approach. We can meet in person or on the phone. Groups offered on a regular basis. Call (207) 592-7888 or email angela@gestaltyourlife.com for more information and to set up a free introductory call. www.gestaltyourlife.com.
creative healing arts Maine Art Therapy & Shamanism
Susan Bakaley Marshall, ATR-BC, LCPC Art therapy is a dynamic combination—powerful artistic creation with the insight of psychotherapy.
Art therapy and shamanic counselling will help you cultivate your strengths like a gardener tending plants. Together we can use imagination to design the garden. We can learn to tell flowers from weeds when your spirit is overgrown. Then we can plant seeds, nurture and water them and reap a new harvest. Everyone has an artist within. Our spirit and soul speak through the artwork. The art never lies; it gently reflects back those areas of life that need our attention, promoting positive change and healing on all levels. The best way to walk into your future is to create it! Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Clinical Counselor, Shamanic Practitioner with over thirty years experience. The Thirteenth Moon Center, "ART from the heART," www.thirteenthmooncenter.net, (207) 589-3063. moonarts@gmail.com.
Rockland/Camden/Portland ME, (207)763-3322, soulmovesME@gmail.com, www.soulmovesME.com
Surry Music Therapy Center: Alan Wittenberg M.A., CMT Are you ready to make a profound transformation from addiction to fully engaged living? Based on feminist and Buddhist principles, our programs focus on building a life of long-term, sustainable recovery by addressing the fundamental human need for relationship and genuine intimacy – the basis of well-being.
FirstSteps™ is an intensive outpatient program that includes meditation, detoxification, acupuncture, and bodywork therapies. Participants meet in small, confidential groups three evenings a week for eight weeks. Footpath to Recovery™ is a two-week journey along Maine’s Hundred-Mile Wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail. Rather than dwelling on pathology, the focus is on restoring health and balance. For further information or to schedule a free evaluation, please contact: Peter Wohl, MA, LADC, CCS, Innovations in Recovery, (207) 619-2989, www.innovationsinrecovery.com.
Certified Music Therapist, (AMTA) American Music Therapy Association Music therapy opens new channels of communication and contact through the creative and interactive use of music towards self-expression and self-discovery. It goes beyond
words and emotionally, physically, and intellectually touches those with psychological issues and special needs. Music Therapy is a dynamic clinical, educational, developmental and rehabilitative treatment approach. Alan specializes in autism spectrum disorders, emotional and behavioral issues, speech and sensory integrative delays, as well as work with the elderly and Alzheimer’s.The Surry Music Therapy Center is a unique facility in Maine offering individual and small group sessions, seminars, conferences, in-service training and workshop programs throughout Maine. Contact Alan Wittenberg at (207) 667-1308, alan@surrymusictherapy.com. Visit www.surrymusictherapy.com for seminar and conference information.
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SoulMoves: Anna Abaldo, M.A. Family Constellations, 5Rhythms & Authentic Movement Individual & Relationship Counseling
Gestalt Your Life Angela Hassenpflug
34 evolutionary consciousness
M a i ne The Autognomics Institute since 1992 Norm and Skye Hirst co-founders Transcendental Autognomics (TA); going beyond scientific materialism to discover the emergent epi-principles within lifeitself... doing science the old fashion way.
TAI; New Field of Life-Energy and Transcendental Science/Philosophy is based on emergent epi-energy principles now being discovered throughout the Autognomics Research Community and Alliance. The mystery/the miraculous/ the wisdom of life-itself is revealing herself. To receive our email newsletter on how latest revelations are impacting us all, visit us at www.autognomics.org or join us on Twitter @autognomics for frequent tips and insights plus see who we are following. Co-founders – Norm and Skye Hirst, PhD.
holistic healing centers
M a i ne
holistic healing centers-cont.
Wild Grace Wellness Center Wild Grace Wellness Center is the only integral & sustainable healthcare center in Mid Coast Maine. We provide Aquatic & Physical
Therapy in a spa setting; accept most medical insurances and offer healing scholarships for area residents. We are a collective of complementary practitioners offering: acupuncture, chiropractic, meditation, tai chi, yoga, life coaching, spiritual development and more. The heart of Wild Grace is our 94° saltwater therapy pool. She reflects our belief that healing in water is a sacred practice. Our pool water is pure and sweet with disinfection through a high-tech saline generator. The air is kept fresh with no chlorine odor. We specialize in Watsu™, warm water Shiatsu stretching and massage. We also provide the advanced therapies of JFB Myofascial Release, Upledger Craniosacral Therapy, Integrative Manual Therapy, many types of massage and exercise classes. Wild Grace is a newly constructed green building with many energy saving features. The luxurious treatment rooms are spacious and quiet with views of birch and pine-filled woods along the Kennebec River. From “away?” Try our “Play & Stay” program. Stay as a guest in a gorgeous log home and immerse yourself in multiple therapy sessions for a week or a weekend. Breakfast of organic, locally-grown foods included. Wild Grace is just west of Wiscasset and easy to find on 36 Ludwig Road in Dresden, ME 04342. For pictures and directions: www.wildgracewellness.com or call (207) 737-2478.
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Gardens of Atlantis Healing Arts Center It’s time to come out of the hibernation cave for some fun and adventure!
We have some great cabin fever relievers! Sara Moore will teach us how to communicate with our animals and receive the messages they want to share. Make Your Own Native American Flute with Steve. This is a fun class and no experience is needed. Kalee returns March 3rd for a Crystal Bowl Concert that will transform you! And if you are wanting to start a nutrition based weight management program, call today to get started! Get a free massage when you join! (207) 929-5088, www.gardensofatlantis.org.
Exhale ~ Breath & Body Work, formerly known as Awake Healing Arts offers Therapeutic Breathwork and Holistic Bodywork in support of your wellness. With a membership you pay only $40 for a one hour massage. exhalebreathandbodywork.com becca@exhalebreathandbodywork.com 222 St. John Street, Suite 208, Portland ME (207) 776-2006
D i recto r y of R es our c e s
Online listing (without print copy) with an active link to your website. $100 plus an Initial set-up fee of $20
$375 for 1 year Print & Online Listing with an active link to your website!
Call 207-799-7995 or 203-779-0345 email: info@innertapestry.org
Includes 2.8 inch ad space, (approximately 130 words) Initial set-up fee $20
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35 holistic publications & radio
M a i ne WRFR-LP is all-volunteer community radio, on the air at 93.3 FM in Rockland and 99.3 FM in Camden, and streaming world-wide at www.wrfr.org.
We offer a wide selection of live and recorded music, and a wide variety of talk shows. Music genres include jazz, old time swing, classical, country, folk, Celtic, South Seas exotica, classic rock, heavy metal, Broadway tunes, and more. Many shows feature live music with local guests. Talk shows range from news and public affairs discussions to live tarot readings, and often include live interviews and telephone call-ins. The station is supported by listener contributions and by business sponsors. Contact Jo Lindsay, volunteer coordinator, to learn more about how you can participate: info@wrfr.org. Contact Ananur Forma, sales manager, to learn more about business sponsorship: (207) 594-2565 WRFR's studios are located at 20 Gay Street, Rockland, Maine 04841. You are invited to stop by.
integrative healing-cont.
Inner Wisdom Chiropractic
Pan Gu Shengong
Pan Gu Shengong is a specialized Qigong form that draws Qi/energy from the Universe regulating and intensifying our Life Force and Immune System. It is simple to learn, and its benefits to health and well-being can
be experienced immediately. The positive effects from regular practice include: • Balance, Harmony, Peace of Mind • Empowering the Immune System • Increased Well Being, Happiness & Inexhaustible Vitality FMI on Pan Gu Shengong, go to PANGU.ORG. For class schedule call Inner Wisdom Chiropractic and More, at (860) 440-6754, 76 Fort Hill Rd. Groton, CT 06340.
Drs. Kim and Ken Peterson are Chiropractors certified in Advanced Biostructural Correction, a unique Chiropractic Technique, which releases tensions from the soft tissue surrounding the spine, spinal cord and nerve system allowing the body to unwind, naturally, correcting balance, posture alignment, and proper curvatures of the spine. The body's ability to function at a high, normal level is thus achieved allowing for true expression and freedom of life. FMI on ABC, go to ABCMiracles.com and to get to know Drs. Kim and Ken, InnerWisdomChiro.com.
hypnotherapy
M a i ne
Ernest VanDenBossche, BCH, CI - Director Is it time for a change? Let hypnosis work for you in so
many ways. Become a Consulting Hypnotist. Training with Ernest VanDenBossche, Board Certified Hypnotherapist and Certified Instructor with the National Guild of Hypnotists (ngh.net), President Maine Guild of Hypnotists. Take the NGH “Consulting Hypnotist” Certification Training, 100-hour course. Be a Certified Hypnotist. Learn – What is Hypnosis, Trance Depth Testing, Hypnotizability and Suggestibility, Rapid Inductions, Mind/Body Relaxation, Self-Hypnosis, Goal Development, Smoking Cessation, Weight Management, Stress Management, Pain Management, Age Regression, Reframing Trauma, Ethics for Professional Hypnotists, create customized scripts, and CDs for your clients. You get: NGH Manuals, One Year NGH Membership, Local and International support by other professional hypnotists, supervised in-class practice time to master your techniques quickly, informational Hypnosis CD ROM, and CDs and DVDs for your business. Call: (207) 453-6133, www.hypnotraining.us. Private consulting
Ron and Joan Are You Listening? Through the challenges of our lives
we are being asked to release what no longer serves us; to expand, living with an open mind and heart. Are You Willing? To embody the Truth of living your life as love in action. Ron and Joan support people to live the highest/greatest vision of themselves. Living Visions is a method of support that deepens levels of calm and joy, releasing the causes of emotional and physical trauma, which increases awareness of your true center and grounding. Living Visions is a way of realizing perfect union with one's self. If you are interested in exploring how we may be able to support you please visit www.ronandjoan.com, or call us at (203) 779-0345 with questions or for more information. Sessions and groups available in Connecticut and Maine (call Leapin' Lizards for schedule in ME (207) 865-0900)
"There is more hunger for Love and Acceptance in the world today than there is for bread." (Mother Teresa).
Main e
and other trainings available.
IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE, and THE LIVES AROUND YOU.
integrative healing Connecticut
Belanger Physical Therapy A neck or back doesn't walk into the office, a whole person does and all their history as well. What we do not
choose to express emotionally will show itself in our bodies through tension, pain, illness and/or dis-ease. Joe invites his clients to welcome and feel, in order to transition, the walls that keep each of us from expressing our authentic selves in the world. Everything you need for what you really desire in your life is right in front of you. All you have to do is surrender to feel what is there. Joe chooses to support people physically, emotionally and energetically through manual therapy (cranial, muscle energy, functional technique, myofascial release), a deep belief in osteopathic philosophy, and heart. Marlborough, CT (860) 295-0572, or e-mail Joe at joeb.pt@snet.net.
“Secret to Health and Happiness,” is what
Mikao Usui said of his spiritual practice to bring balance & harmony to mind/body/spirit. Roberta R. Barnes, CHT, Gendai Reiki-Ho & Komyo Reiki Kai Shihan, and Herbalist
teaches and practices Japanese styles of Usui Reiki Ryoho that go beyond hands-on healing. In classes and healing sessions, you experience the simple yet profound universal unconditional love and harmony that helps you connect with the unlimited possibilities within you. Roberta has practiced various forms of natural healing for over 30 years, but now focuses on Japanese Usui Reiki, Meditation, and Healing Herbs, Two of Roberta's Japanese Usui Reiki energy and technique lineages have only three teachers between her and Mikao Usui, the founder. Roberta's Natural Healing & Learning Center is nestled in a serene wildlife habitat, which reflects the tranquility, peace and joy of Japanese style Usui Reiki. In this harmonious place you can – Complete levels or enjoy Healing Sessions in Japanese style Usui Reiki – Learn Meditation – Journey into your past for discovery or healing – Enjoy workshops. You can also listen at home to 2 of Roberta's original relaxing guided meditations on the CD "Finding Your Solutions." Begin your healing journey, call (207) 445-5671 or visit www.naturalhealinglearning.com. April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 35
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HypnoWave Hypnosis Training Center
Connecticut & Maine
36 integrative healing–cont. Lilysongbird Healing Jewelry, Sunsets & Flowers, etc. A Healing Session includes, Reiki, Integrated Energy
Therapy, Stones & Crystals, Chakra Balancing, Angel Work, Mediumship, Psychic Messages, Animal Guides, Flower Guides, Cord-Cutting. It is followed by a reading and write-up. Selling many stones and crystals in the office location and at outside events. Jewelry is made from beaded stones for their healing properties and is available in gold-filled & sterling silver. Earrings, Bracelets, Pendants/Necklaces. Photos are derived intuitively. Available in greeting cards, matted & framed prints. Learn Reiki and help yourself and others kickstart your body's ability to help heal itself. Now teaching all levels including Master/Teacher. I am now teaching Integrated Energy Therapy as an IET Master./Instructor Fern Dyer, Reiki/Master Teacher, IET Master/Instructor Call (207) 415-8638, fdyer@maine.rr.com, www.lilysongbird.com Located in Portland.
integrative healing–cont. Balance your Energetic Body, Physical Body, Emotions and Spirit Expereince your energetic system balanced through non touch MCKS Pranic Healing. Stagnant and
diseased energy is painlessly cleansed and removed and then balanced with specific healing techniques, which release natural flowing life energy to nourish your physical body. All aspects of your being are treated: energetic, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Treatment sessions offer blissful stress relief, alleviation of pain, and support in the healing of acute and chronic health complaints. Treatments are equally effective in person and at a distance. No distance is too far to receive a totally effective treatment. Pranic healing supports traditional and alternative healing methods. Contact: Miriam Smith, Certified Pranic Healer at mgsenergy@comcast.net or (978) 683-6129. www.PranicHealingNE.com.
life mastery Maine
Susan Ortiz, MD Board Certified Physical Medicine & Pain Medicine Medical Acupuncture & Energy Medicine Mind-Body Medicine Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Are you living up to your full potential? Do you have
symptoms that keep you from feeling peace? Have you been discouraged after seeking out the usual medical treatments? The most effective medicine is that which honors your unique essence while allowing for the integration of your mind and body. That is where the transformation begins. Stillpoint Rehabilitation & Wellness, 15 State St., Bangor, ME 04401. Stillptrehab@gmail.com, (207) 990-2934, www.stillpointrehab.com.
Massachusetts Wendy Marks
M.Ed, C.A.S.,FAPA
"As a healer, I work with individuals in a way that consciously promotes a peaceful and healthy planet. Our
healing work takes place despite the conflicts that wash over us in our daily lives. By healing ourselves we create changes that have a ripple effect on the world around us." I offer Medical Intuitive sessions, energy healing and integrative therapy. With 30 years of experience in traditional and complementary healthcare, I am here to improve your physical, mental and spiritual health. I work with adults to develop and hone their own intuitive skills. www.wendymarks.com (781) 449-5368, wlm922@wendymarks.com.
“We need to teach the next generation of children from Day One that they are responsible for their lives. Mankind's greatest gift, also its greatest curse, is that we have free choice. We can make our choices built from love or from fear.” ... Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
36 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
Ocean of Possibilities Life Coaching Deb Bergeron, CPCC, Certified Life Coach, Prosperity Guide
Create an intentional life… Consider what it would be like to live life fully and authentically, experiencing love, prosperity, ease, freedom and fun.
In our work together, you will learn to break through limiting paradigms and create a dynamic vision for your life – a vision that can pave the way to living your greatest potential and sharing your gifts with the world. By weaving in successful coaching principles and the Law of Attraction, you will be guided to access your inner wisdom, to get clear on what you want in your life and learn the tools that will support you in having it. Every journey truly starts with a single step. When you are ready to embark on your mission of life, I would be honored to walk with you. For a complimentary coaching session or schedule of workshops call (207) 797-9007 or email: debcoaches@aol.com. Phone sessions available. www.oceanofpossibilities.com.
Cent$ible Living Money Program for Couples and Individuals Jane Honeck, CPA, PFS Certified Empowerment Trainer "You can't solve a problem at the same level of consciousness that created it." Albert Einstein.
Combining 30 plus years as a CPA and Personal Financial Specialist with insight as a Certified Empowerment Trainer, I developed the Cent$ible Living Money Program. Using the concepts in my award-winning book, The Problem With Money? It’s Not About the Money! we will embark on a personal exploration of your core beliefs and how these beliefs impact your financial and life choices. Together we will build a clear picture of how and why you got to where you are financially. We'll identify your own money values and priorities, not those given to you by parents, peers, society or the media. You will arrive at a new level of consciousness moving you through a process of financial change and solving your money problems once and for all. The result? Together, we'll create your own healthy financial approach to Living. For a free 15 minute phone consultation, contact Jane at (207) 797-4100 or Jane@janehoneck.com or through her website www.janehoneck.com.
37 life master y -cont. Jen Deraspe, MS
nutrition Maine
Certified Coach; The Institute for The Work, Holistic Personal Trainer, Retreat Facilitator I spent my life searching for truth and happiness outside of myself. All served me on the path, and I am
grateful. Because my seeking path was more external, I experienced only temporary relief. What ultimately led me home was the simplest of methods, The Work of Byron Katie. It is a direct, no non-sense path to personal truth, clarity and freedom held within and no teacher is required. I have been humbled and opened through my own personal inquiry into the source of my stress, fear and internal war with what is. If you are seeking sustained peace and to experience lasting wellbeing, you are invited to join me on an invigorating journey back to you. The tools used are customized for your individual plan and include The Work, Hatha yoga, meditation, holistic nutrition, lifetime fitness and wellness programming. It would be a privilege to be your guide, be it in person, by phone or webcam/Skype. I am happy to offer a complimentary phone consultation if you are interested in the possibility of working together. www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 595-8260, HolisticCoachJen@gmail.com.
living spaces Maine
Holly Noonan, CHHS, CELC — Food Empowerment Counselor, Certified Holistic Health Counselor and Certified Empowerment Life Coach
Food is the foundation of both your physical life as well as your emerging consciousness—what you choose to put into your body becomes your blood cells, your muscles and brain cells and then becomes your ability to think clearly, connect lovingly and envision your future. As humanity approaches a new era, getting nourished by your life and breaking free of food drama means that you can become a powerful catalyst for higher consciousness in our community. Discover your “food fingerprint” to find out which proteins or grains serve your body best. Learn about ancestral food and experiment with fermented foods, sprouted grains, pasture-raised animal products and getting addicted to vegetables. Comb through your unique life to find out what’s holding you back from your most ambitious vision for yourself, then experiment with how vital food, sleep, exercise and creativity can catapult you forward. Learn how fierce self-compassion can help heal even decades of emotional eating patterns. 20% discount on initial consultation if you mention this ad. http://wwwMindBodyNutrition.net Camden Whole Health 91 Elm Street Camden, ME 04843, (207) 975-9442
Connecticut Feeling Stuck? Let us:
• Clean & Vibrate your home's energy • Energetically prepare your home for sale • Clear the energy of past relationships • Balance toxic earth energies Let us support your intention for change! For more information please visit: www.GoldenRayEnergetics.com/Clearing.php or call David Dobson and Kristine Schares at (207) 892-0221.
meditation Maine
Jennifer Page
Intuitive Reader
I was almost a teenager before I realized everyone did not perceive the world as I did. Growing up
on a farm, the fairies & angels were more a part of my life than other children. Perhaps that is why I believe the truth of our own paths are clear inside of us & we all need help sometimes remembering or reconnecting to that truth & our heart’s desires. It is my desire to assist you in gaining clarity in your life circumstances and help you to make conscious decisions. Over 25 years ago I found myself going public with my readings and soon after began teaching & lecturing. I earned several labels including Reiki Master & hypnotist. If I may be of service or if you would like to learn more about me, intuitive phone readings, or guided mediations on CD please visit jenniferpage.org, email me: jenniferpage22@gmail.com, or call 860-919-7107. Enjoy the day you are creating!
Sant Mat Radhaswami, The Path of the Masters The Maine Sant Mat Society presents the Enlightenment Experience as taught by Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj of Bihir, India, a series of free lectures,
meditations and satsangs around Maine facilitated by James Bean, a local representative of the Sant Mat tradition of Inner Light & Sound Meditation known as Surat Shabd Yoga, in the lineage of Tulsi Sahib. For More Information call (207) 358-9381, or Email: James@SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com, Website: www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/santmat.
The Next Generation Is Our Moral Imperative Will we be willing to show up?
April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 37
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psychic & spiritual mediumship
38 psy c hic &spi r i t u al mediumship -co nt. Maine PsychicMediumship, Hypnotherapy
Bonnie Lee Gibson is a professional Psychic Medium, Hypnotherapist, Registered Counselor, Reiki Master, healer, teacher and lecturer with thirty years of experience. She
resides in Fairfield and Northport, Maine. Her first experience with Spirit was at the age of four. She has connected many people with loved ones who have crossed over, as well as their angels and spirit guides. Bonnie Lee communicates with pets, both here and on the spirit side. She gives spirit readings all over the world by telephone and travels in the US and Canada. Services include: Hypnotherapy, Psychic Mediumship Readings, Gallery Readings, Workshops, Classes and Lectures, Reading Circles and Private Groups in the comfort of your home. Call (207) 453-6133, cell (207) 649-7089, spirit@bonnielee.net, www.bonnielee.net, and www.hypno.us.
retreats Maine The knowledgeable and experienced practitioners at The Wellness Center offer a full spectrum of holistic, traditional and alternative techniques.
Enjoy engaging seminars that will flex your intellect. Join a movement class to tone your heart and spirit. Experience the skilful touch of artists sensitive to the subtle thread of muscle and mind. Freshen your outward glow from head to toe. For more information about ongoing programs, upcoming seminars and suite availability, please call (207) 465-4490 or visit us on the Wellness page at VillageSoup.com. The Wellness Center, 69 & 71 Elm Street, Camden, ME 04843.
Kat Logan
Intuitive Readings and Healing
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• Intuitive Readings (personal, group, parties, phone or email) • Energy Healing (also offering... Sound, Aromatherapy & Flower Essences) • Sacred Space Design for home and garden • Dowsing and Space Clearing Intuitively aware since childhood, Kat has been offering readings and energy work for over 25 years. As a spiritual medium, empath and clairvoyant she lovingly brings the messages from the Divine Energies that are resonating with you, to assist you on your life's journey. My work is not to tell you your future but to intuitively counsel you of the many potentials that are resonating with you. You have the personal power and will to create the life you want. I want to assist you in that process. I also offer sliding scale fee schedules if money is a problem. Kat also offers other services such as Sacred Space Design, Intuitive Art Work, Medicinal Herbal Teas and Flower Essences. For more information, please check the website: www.mygreatfullheart.com or email: kat@mygreatfullheart.com. Kat is located in Friendship, Maine. Telephone (207) 226-7446.
reflexology & healing massage Maine Hands on Feet ~ Lynn Danforth, Certified Reflexologist Reflexology is a science-based, non-invasive method to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.
The deep relaxation found through this wonderful technique comes through the delicate manipulation of nerve centers in your feet and hands to send messages to the brain, which in turn sends the signals to the rest of your body. Many find the experience to result in a meditative, cleansing state, which can last days. Problem areas and issues are easily and gently relieved and reduced, from plantar fasciitis and arthritis to basic tension and foot pain. Don't force yourself to stress another minute, contact Lynn today: call either (207) 767-5776 or (207) 318-0129, or visit www.handsonfeet.net.
"Make It So" / "Engage" 38 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
Silent residential meditation and yoga retreats scheduled throughout the year at 100 acre rural retreat center overlooking the hills of coastal Maine.
Guidance for beginning, deepening or inspiring your meditation and yoga practice. Small group environment supporting inner stability, compassion, stillness, silence, and the recognition of your True Nature. From their 30 years of practice and teaching, Patricia Brown and Surya Chandra Das focus their retreats to encourage the development of a personal practice to provide self-sustanence after the retreat is over. Miles of wooded walking trails, spring fed swimming pond, sauna, organic vegetarian meals, uninterrupted, vast expanse of night sky and deep quietude. 83 Sullivan Road Brooks Maine 04921. Two hours north of Portland, 10 miles inland from the coastal town of Belfast. www.rollingmeadowsretreat.com, (888) 666-6412.
Sewall House Yoga Retreat Enjoy yoga twice daily, meditation, massage, sauna and healthy home-cooked vegetarian cuisine. Near pristine lakes
and Baxter State Park, hike, bike, swim, canoe, kayak or simply porch sit! Five days suggested, weekends, shorter and longer stays arranged. Step back into time in the comfort of this bed and breakfast style retreat listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. Nature guide William Sewall shared the healing attributes of nature with a young Theodore Roosevelt, who restored his health from life-threatening asthma here. The tradition continues since 1997 with William Sewall's great granddaughter, yoga instructor Donna Davidge, with over 25 years experience in the healing arts, and her Swedish husband, musician and chef Kent Bonham. Experience the friendly hospitality Sewall House has always offered. Sewall House Yoga Retreat, Island Falls, Maine, www.sewallhouse.com. (888) 235-2395 Open All Year, prearranged retreats available upon request.
...Captain Picard, Star Trek: The Next Generation
39 schools & trainings-cont.
retreats-cont. This land is a living resource! The 24 blessed
acres on which “Forest Circles” is located continues to provide visitors with uniquely personal mystical experiences. Overnight solo retreats in the forest are popular. Come for a gathering in a peaceful inside space, a program around the sacred fire pit or a walk. All are invited to experience this parcel of Earth that is eager to communicate and teach you how to find your way back to your heart. At Forest Circles we offer programs which include: multi-cultural spiritual ceremonies, classes for enhancing one’s connection to Earth and inner self, solo and group retreats, classes on native medicinal plants and children’s programs. Strongheart Healing with Regina Strongheart is featured at the retreat center. Self-Retrieval” is a technique developed by Regina that helps you reclaim your personal power and peace. Using healing energy, shamanic journeying and medical intuition, Regina will assist you in finding health and peace. Regina Strongheart has an MA in education from UNH and experiences including 29 years teaching high school chemistry, 8 years in the medical field and 14 years as a spiritual healer and teacher. She is the owner of “Forest Circles,” Topsham, Me.( 207) 776-3152, www.forestcircles.com.
schools & trainings
Treat Your Feet
A Very Rewarding Career ~ Nurturing your physical Nervous System through reflex points found within your feet & hands.
Learn about a specific touch technique of applying pressure, using your thumb and fingers, to reflex points of the feet and hands that relate to other parts of the body. Reflexology is credited with improving circulation and reducing body stress, which
removes blockages along the nerve pathways what we call Zones. A 250-hour certification course for School of Reflexology $3,300 to learn Reflexology and its application. Cost includes two Reflexology chairs, all required reading books, foot, hand charts, footbath items & much more. For a reflexology session, call Denise Johnson in Rockland at (207) 701-1028. For more information, call Board Certified Foot & Hand Reflexologist Myra Achorn, Augusta (207) 626-FEET. Classes start in February & September, www.treatyourfeet.com. Licensed by the State of Maine Department of Education.
Healing Ways of Kennebunk Reiki Certification Classes
For Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers Reiki I and Reiki II training offered monthly NCBTMB approved – 8 CE hours per class Learn the ancient hands-on-healing technique known as Reiki. This training is designed to inspire and teach massage therapists to integrate Reiki into their existing practice. Reiki is a powerful yet gentle therapy. Reiki has no contraindications so you will never have to turn another client away. This practical, hands-on workshop allows you to work on yourself, others, pets and animals. Reiki is essential for every massage therapist, even if you do not need continuing education hours. Register early – class size limited for individual attention. For more information on class details contact Rachel Pelletier, LMT, Kennebunk, Maine (207) 967-0035 or www.healingwaysonline.com.
“Rachel Pelletier is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider.”
www.MaineMassageSchool.com Bangor ME (207) 947-7087
TBLC students gain the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to become an exceptional Massage Therapist and Bodyworker. Through comprehensive curriculum our students learn how to combine expert technique with caring presence. We provide weekend training programs that allow the flexibility to continue with your job, care-giving, etc. We offer an affordable avenue of study and licensure qualification through small hands-on classes and clinical experience. Learn an integrated approach to bodywork that encourages the body/ mind/ spirit connection. * 500 Hours (plus) Massage Therapy Training * 171 Hours Associate Polarity Practitioner APTA Certification * 50 to 100 Credit Hours in Advanced Hands-on “ Engaging the Mind of the Body”
Licensed by the MAINE DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION Maine State Approved Initial Massage Curriculum NCBTMB Approved Initial Massage Training
shamanic healing Maine Spirit Passages Allie Knowlton, MSW, DCSW & Evelyn Rysdyk Spirit Passages is the partnership of nationally recognized shamanic teacher/healers, Evelyn C. Rysdyk, author of Modern Shamanic Living: New Explorations of an Ancient Path and C. Allie Knowlton, MSW, DCSW. Whether through powerful heart-to-heart contact with individual patients or with workshop groups and conference participants—Evelyn’s & Allie’s extensive experience ensures you of safe shamanic healing encounters, as well as opportunities to train in shamanism with confidence. They are committed to help you increase your personal power, feel your intrinsic sacredness and expand your connections to All That Is! www.spiritpassages.com.
Pacha Works
Holding New Possibilities. Working with traditional shamanistic practices for healing. Eva Rose Goetz, director
"Healing is a collaboration. I love working with people privately or with groups. By working together we remove energies that may be in the way of our coming into wholeness and balance." Eva Rose Goetz: BFA University of Texas
at Austin, MS Ed. Bank Street College NYC, Medicine Wheel Training with Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. and Lisa Summerlott. Certified In Light Body Medicine with Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. Core Shamanism with Evelyn Rysdyk and Allie Knowlton. Eva gratefully continues her studies with indigenous medicine people in Peru, New Mexico, Canada, Africa and Mexico. Eva hosts workshops, leads ceremonies and has a private Shamanic Energy Practice in Falmouth, Maine. More information about classes, private sessions, or ceremonies can be found at www.pachaworks.com or contact Eva directly at (207) 756-0488. "When working with intention
and holding the blessed energy of gratitude, with spirit's help, energy moves. A door opens and new possibilities are now available." April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 39
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Maine
Therapeutic Bodywork Learning Center (TBLC)
40 shamanic healing-cont. D O R Y C OTE
writing ser vices Maine
…Follow the Path to Your Own True Essence. At
the core of my shamanic healing practice is the belief that we have the capacity to be whole, stable and functioning at our highest potential. My healing space is safe, quiet and nourishing. I regularly perform soul retrievals, communicate with the spirits of deceased loved ones and facilitate healing the numerous wounds of life in the 21st century. I have completed a Three-Year The Center for Program in Advanced Shamanism and Shamanic Earth Light Healing Healing with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies and other intensive trainings, including experiences with indigenous shamans from around the world. I graduated from a Two-Year Teacher Training Program with world-renowned shaman, Sandra Ingerman. In addition to my private practice with adults, children and animals, I lead a One-Year Shamanic Apprenticeship Program, a Two-Year Advanced Shamanic Initiations Program, Shamanic Retreats, Vision Quests and teach a myriad of other weekend workshops. You may join my mailing list to receive my shamanic blog and to visit the Marketplace on my website. Please see my workshop schedule or make an appointment for a private session at www.earthlighthealing.com, email me at dory@dorycote.com, or call (207) 841-1215.
The Village Scribe The Wellness Center, Camden, Maine
207.344.7070
TheVillageScribe@hotmail.com
Communicate your authentic message. Writing and Editing services for the Creative and Holistic communities.
Original Copy for: Ads ~ Business cards ~ Brochures Articles ~ Memoirs ~ Websites Writing Workshops Creative Writing ~ Memoir ~ Mythic Structure Ducktrap Writers' Round Table ~ Supporting writers in their craft. Camden Public Library, third Sundays, 2:00pm-4:00pm $15.
Custom crafted words that represent who you are and what you do.
Directory of Resources Listings are easy to compose. Write as though you are speaking to others about the work you do and the services you offer. For more information call: (207) 799-7995/(203) 779-0345 or email: info@innertapestry.org Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Continued from page 20 ~ reflections of an amateur spiritual spelunker
Jesus: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Agent: “Look, I’m telling you, you could rule over all of Judea, perhaps even a larger part of the Roman Empire—your heirs might be Caesar one day. Think of all the good they could do. You have to think long-term, Jesus. Your Key’s to the Kingdom brand could be real dynamite—a powerhouse—you’ve got a real chance to do something great—if you’d only listen.” Come to think of it, this is a silly hypothetical exercise. Jesus probably would have cast the agent out of his sight faster than he did Satan. Pity our modern
"spiritual" luminaries wouldn’t do the same thing. But then, they’ve got whole industries to support, turtlenecks to buy and books to sell.
Curtis lives and works in Northern Scotland where he just moved with his wife and partner in crime, Elaine. He spends his days looking for the correct work-life balance, and the secrets of the universe. He is currently at work on a novel. Feel free to question, praise or cajole him at your leisure. He can be reached via email at cwwhite78@gmail.com.
Continued from page 19~ Igniting Greatness In Children
which he was trained at New York University. Numerous case studies came from Glasser’s clinical practice and his work at the Children’s Success Foundation and the Center for the Difficult Child. NHA also has been field tested in a large school system in Arizona that tracked teacher attrition, use of special education and student suspensions. The resulting reductions in these factors were significant. Researchers are currently pursuing a three-year study of preschool programs. Karen: Your concluding thoughts? Susan: To transform our children, we must first transform ourselves. Remember that children are like the lotus flower; using NHA, we can help them blossom. Their once-buried seeds of greatness will arise to show the world the magnificence that was always there. The material contained in this article does not constitute medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Readers should consult appropriate medical
40 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
professionals before embarking on any exercise, diet or other wellness/health plan or using any such modality mentioned within the publication.
Karen M. Rider writes about all things holistic and metaphysical. She has interviewed many pioneers in the fields of natural health, consciousness studies and energy medicine including Wayne Dyer, Caroline Myss, Judith Orloff and Joan Borysenko. An accomplished copy/ghostwriter, Karen is passionate about helping holistic health business owners promote who they are and what they do – with clarity, integrity and creativity. She is working on her first novel, The Gathering, a tale of metaphysical suspense set at Gillette Castle. Learn more: www.KarenMRider.com.
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Yo g a ~ T ' a i C h i ~ M e d i t a t i o n - c o n t .
Yoga, T'ai Chi & Meditation Listings Six issues in print costs $160 for 35 words plus logo. Online placement in the Directory of Resources with a direct link to your website for an additional $75. Please call: (207) 799-7995 / (203) 779-0345 or Email: info@innertapestry.org.
GORHAM Wai Nei Academy of Health What does the Tao, Chi and Traditional Chinese Medicine have to do with it? ...Everything. Come and experience authentic, genuine Taoist healing and protective arts. Chi Kung, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Pakua, Tung Pei, Ching I. Study ancient Taoist Cannons, learn how to heal yourself and others. Experience a chi transmission treatment, eastern “wu” shamanic sound healing, or receive private self protection teachings. “Teaching those to teach themselves.” Mention this ad and receive a free private consultation. info@integrated-performance.com; (207) 839-LIVE(5483).
Midcoast Maine Wicked Good Yoga
Yoga ~ T'ai Chi ~ Meditation Connecticut
Awaken your own personal power with heart pumping Baptiste inspired power vinyasa yoga. Become lighter as you shift your energy, peeling away layers of physical, mental, and emotional toxins. Our studio (with changing rooms and showers) is conveniently located off Route 1 in Wiscasset at the Snow Squall Inn. Daily classes are all levels and drop ins are welcomed. Massage is also available by appointment.
GLASTONBURY Sacred Rivers Yoga Offers Yoga for Every Body, therapeutic massage and bodywork modalities, acupuncture, nutritional and herbal therapies. We are also a Yoga Alliance 200- and 500-hour registered yoga teacher training school. www.sacredriversyoga.com.
Maine
SOUTH PORTLAND Sadhana The Meditation Center Eat, Pray, Love, Sit, Drum, Sing, Dance, Chant, Connect, Open, Smile. Come explore and experience practices that bring happiness and compassion to life. Meditation Hall Open Everyday 6:30am-9:00pm. All Welcome. For a listing of events visit our website: www.SadhanaMe.com; (207) 772-6898; info@SadhanaME.com; 100 Brickhill Ave.
BELFAST Monthly Meditation and Healing Class (FREE) Join me to discover inner pathways to healing and joy. Let go of stress and discomfort. I am Suzanne Camp, a practicing Energy Healer and Teacher for the past 30 years. Testimonial: The class is wonderful. I recommend it to anyone on a spiritual path. SG, Belfast, ME. Location: Belfast Library, Call for dates and reservations (207) 338-3081 or www.suzannecamp.com.
DENMARK, GREATER BRIDGTON LAKES REGION Nurture Through Nature's Donation Based Yoga Center Our intention is to offer the gift of yoga in a sacred space, supporting healing, restoration and healthy active movement. We offer weekly, quality classes in a beautiful, natural setting. Design your own healing yoga retreat. www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929, getaway@ntnretreats.com.
Vermont VERSHIRE Ledge End Retreat & Yoga Center Offering classes and private sessions for all levels in yoga, tai chi, meditation and the martial arts. Also available Zen Shiatsu Massage. Personal development and spiritual deepening online courses and instructor programs. The Primary practice at Ledge End is based on the principles of Zen Yoga. Zen Yoga blends tai chi, yoga, meditation and qigong together to encourage energy flow throughout the body. When this energy is unobstructed and circulating freely we experience deep and lasting states of mental clarity, physical vitality and emotional well-being. The deep, gentle stretching of Zen Yoga increases flexibility, strengthens and tones the muscles, while combined with mindful breathing practices helps to relieve stress and brings some peace to your life. Come Breathe, Move and Relax with us. For more information; Phone: (802) 685-4448 or Email: elfeya@artofzenyoga.com Website: artofzenyoga.com
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Website: www.wickedgoodyoga.com. We are also on Facebook or call us at (207) 882-6892.
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Calendar And Classified Guidelines And Advertising Rates Are Located on Page 45
at Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center Wellness Room, 536 Saybrook Rd. #280, Middletown. $20 Come immerse yourself in vibrational sound healing through the tones of gongs and crystal bowls. Open to the public, reservations necessary and FMI: call (203) 779-0345 or email joan@ronandjoan.com.
April ~ Maine March 31st, 9:00am-5:00pm-April 1st, 9:00am-4:00pm Awaken Your Intuitive Awareness Intensive
May 2012 Glastonbury, England
An environment will be created to support your awakening and how to become aware of your intuition as Truth. Honor your life experience guided by your soul. We will be using Rings of Oden (created by Aaron & Sue Singleton), harmonic sound healing, discussion and open hearts. Please bring light lunch, pen, journal and something comfortable to lie on the floor, pillow and blanket. Call Leapin' Lizards (207) 865-0900 FMI.
Experience the healing waters of the Chalice Well, bringing harmony to your well being. With Megan Don www.mysticpeace.com.
March 29th-April 1st Moving Through Grief, Trauma & Loss
May 6th-11th The Ease of Being - Yoga & Meditation Retreat w/ Surya Chandra Das at Rolling Meadows a 100 acre sanctuary in Brooks, Maine. Vegetarian meals, nature, silence. www.rollingmeadowsretreat.com (888) 666-6412.
A residential workshop at Notre Dame Spiritual Center, Alfred, ME. Grief, Burnout, Anxiety, Depression, Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Illness, Conflict, Disasters, Professional Caregivers and Clergy. FMI: Contact Paul Matteson, MS.Ed.L.C.P.C. Edgebrook, (207) 753-0135.
October 24th - November 8th Sacred City of Machu Picchu, Lima, Peru
April 14th Build A Medicine Wheel
Peaceful Nature Retreats, Co-ed expedition through the Amazon Rain Forest and the Ancient Land of Machu Picchu, sharing sacred space with jungle medicine men and women while connecting with inner-higher-self, $1,795.00. FMI www.peacefulnature.org or (207) 347-9777.
sponsored by The Center for Earth Light Healing and taught by Barbara Bloecher, Shaman from Louisville, KY. Cost: $85, www.earthlighthealing.com for details. Or call (207) 841-1215.
April ~ Connecticut
April 14th, Saturday, 10:00am -3:00pm The 7th Annual Yarmouth Maine Wellness Fair The Fair is hosted by The Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce and Yarmouth Community Services. Interested Practitioners, Alternative Therapists, Nutritionists, Supplement Providers, Organic Providers, etc., etc., etc. please contact Doug Reighley at (207) 749-1961 or dareighley@comcast.net for more information.
H eart V isions
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April 7th, Saturday, Noon-3:00pm FREE Holistic Fair This free admission event is open to the public with complimentary organic foods, beverages, events, and demonstrations. Vendors include the bookstore and gift shop with CT made goods (Soy candles, jewelry, hand dyed scarves, photo’s, soaps, and greeting cards), and discounted pricing on all books, readers, and Dr. Carol Grant with chiropractic evaluations. We will have complimentary chair massage, Health Evaluations, Yoga demonstrations, Wellness Product Demonstrations, and more. Contact information. (860) 747-1100, www.sunflowerbungalow.com.
April 13th, Friday, 7:00pm Harmonic Sound Immersion ~ With Ron and Joan Joseph N. Goff House, 2 Barton Hill Rd., East Hampton. $20 Come immerse yourself in vibrational sound healing through the tones of Gongs and crystal bowls. Reservations necessary and FMI: call (203) 779-0345 or email joan@ronandjoan.com.
April 14th, 1:00pm-4:00pm The Angelic Realm: Angels are powerful healers and messengers of the Divine, who are here to assist and guide you. This workshop will focus on the different categories of Angels. We will also examine the various ways to sense these divine beings. FMI-Yvonne Thibodeau, Sacred Heart of the Wolf at (207) 356-2662.
April 14th, 11:00am-1:00pm Meditation and Healing Workshop Life is an adventure and we each possess the tools to make it richer and more fulfilling. Come join me to discover your inner resources. I am Suzanne Camp, a practicing Energy Healer and Teacher for over 30 years. Testimonial: The class is wonderful. I recommend it to anyone on a spiritual path. SG, Belfast, ME. Free to the Public! Location: Belfast Library. Call for information (207) 338-3081 or www.suzannecamp.com.
April 21st Medium's Day First Spiritualist Church of Willimantic, 268 High Street, Willimantic, CT - Noon to 5:00pm, several medium's, 20 minutes readings for $25.00.
April 16th & 30th, 9:00am-12:00pm Portland Free Well Woman Clinic
April 26th-May 31st, Thursdays, 7:00pm-9:00pm How To Read A Regular Deck of Cards
April 21st, third Saturdays of each month A gathering together as a community
A comprehensive 6-week course in how to read a regular deck of playing cards. Pre-registration is required so that Karen can send you your practice decks marked with meanings in advance of the class. Be prepared to have some memorization of meanings done before the first class begins. It is easy and fun! You will amaze yourself with your accuracy! Readings By Karen, 2433 Main Street, Suite 9, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. $200 per person, includes all materials, payment plans available. 6 persons minimum - 8 maximum. Call Karen at (860) 665-8024 between 9:00am and 7:30pm.
Offered by local midwives and midwifery students. Routine well woman care; all services are free. Located at Birth Roots in Portland. Call (207) 647-5968 for appointments.
Those of us in this Spiritual Field can come together to meet and to create a community. This will be a potluck lunch, with good laughter, good company, and a chance to meet each other, face to face, in a safe environment. We will meet at the Unity of Greater Portland facility, at 54 River Road, in Windham, Me. The gathering will be from noon until 4:00pm. FMI Bob Beane, (207) 749-1857, or email sebagojourney@yahoo.com.
SEND ALL LISTINGS TO: info@innertapestry.org 42 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
April ~ Rhode Island
April 27th, Friday, 2:00pm & 6:30pm Harmonic Sound Immersion ~ With Ron and Joan
April 1st, Providence, RI area The Joy of Intuitive Healing, with Medical Intuitive and Intuitive Healers-Teachers Aaron and Sue Singleton. A group healing experience-combining intuition, energy healing, quantum physics, sacred geometry and cutting edge science. What is the cause of your headaches, neck, back or hip pain? Are you dealing with allergies, anxiety or phobias? Physical pain, trauma, scar release, spinal and cranial bone re-alignment, emotional patterns of fear-anxiety, loss-grief, anger-frustration, guilt-shame, and more, may be healed during this session. Are you ready to heal? 1:30-4:30 pm, register and pay: www.TheWayToBalance.com; (978) 834-0341.
May ~ Connecticut May 5th, Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm. 26th Annual Mug Day/Spring Open Studio at Birch Mountain Pottery. Find your perfect "Soul Mug" from 100's of handcrafted pottery mugs made on the premises. Also, a wide range of other pottery perfect for Mother's Day. Free refreshments, music. Birch Mountain Pottery, 223 Merrow Rd., Tolland, (860) 875-0149, www.birchmountainpottery.com.
May 10th, "Taste of Access" How to BE Money & More May 12th, Energetic Healing with Access Body Processes May 14th "Taste of Access" Generating Business & Wealth May 16th "Taste of Access" How to Begin Living as the Question May 17th, Access Bars™ $200 first time/$100 repeat May 18th&19th Access Foundation $600 first time/$300 repeat May 20th&21st Access Level 1 $600 first time/$300 repeat Roy Burns C.F.M.W., Access Consciousness™ Facilitator, youarethemagician.com Please contact: Vanessa Riyasat (203)-232-7927.
May 11th, Friday, 7:00pm Harmonic Sound Immersion ~ With Ron and Joan Joseph N. Goff House, 2 Barton Hill Rd., East Hampton. $20 Come immerse yourself in vibrational sound healing through the tones of Gongs and crystal bowls. Reservations necessary and FMI: call (203) 779-0345 or email joan@ronandjoan.com.
May 25th, Friday, 2:00pm & 6:30pm Harmonic Sound Immersion ~ With Ron and Joan at Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center Wellness Room, 536 Saybrook Rd. #280, Middletown. $20 Come immerse yourself in vibrational sound healing through the tones of gongs and crystal bowls. Open to the public reservations necessary and FMI: call (203) 779-0345 or email joan@ronandjoan.com.
May ~ Maine
May – Classes starting Study Traditional Zen Shiatsu! Affordable and convenient professional certification programs. Saturday classes in Portland, ME or evenings in Brunswick, ME. New classes start May 2012 and October 2012. Shiatsu I, II and III (50 CE hours each/$675. per course). Biomechanics For Professionals (8 CE hours/$150.) Human Element Center is a NCBTMB continuing education Approved Provider #421848-12. GET CERTIFIED TODAY. FMI: education@HumanElementCenter.com or (207) 798-8488.
May 6th, Sunday, 11:00am–4:00pm May Day Fair At Gardens Of Atlantis! Admission is free Psychics, Local Artisans, Crafters, Healers, and Great Food! www.gardensofatlantis.org (207) 929-5088.
May 6th-11th The Ease of Being - Yoga & Meditation Retreat w/ Surya Chandra Das at Rolling Meadows a 100 acre sanctuary in Brooks, Maine. Vegetarian meals, nature, silence. www.rollingmeadowsretreat.com (888) 666-6412.
May 14th, 9:00am-12:00pm Portland Free Well Woman Clinic Offered by local midwives and midwifery students. Routine well woman care; all services are free. Located at Birth Roots in Portland. Call (207) 647-5968 for appointments.
43 May 14th, 11:00am-1:00pm Meditation and Healing Workshop
June 2nd, 10:00am-4:00pm Drum Making Class:
Life is an adventure and we each possess the tools to make it richer and more fulfilling. Come join me to discover your inner resources. I am Suzanne Camp, a practicing Energy Healer and Teacher for over 30 years. Testimonial: The class is wonderful. I recommend it to anyone on a spiritual path. SG, Belfast, ME. Free to the Public! Location: Belfast Library. Call for information (207) 338-3081 or www.suzannecamp.com.
I will be hosting a drum making class. Students will have the opportunity to make either a 12 in. or 16 in. frame drum. Class size limited to 10. FMI-Yvonne Thibodeau, Sacred Heart of the Wolf at (207) 356-2662.
May 19th, 9:00am-4:00pm Healing Arts & Psychic Festival Enjoy this festival of holistic health practitioners, readings from psychics and mediums, gems, jewelry, numerology, energy healing, hypnotherapy, animal communicator, medical intuitive, ionic foot baths, workshops, and more. $5.00 admission. Hutchinson Center, 80 Belmont Avenue, Belfast, Maine. For more information and workshop schedule, see website: healingartsandpsychicfestival.com or call (207) 314-1499.
May 19th & 20th, 9:00am-4:00pm, both days Welcome to “Shamanism: What’s it all about?” This workshop will be an introduction to shamanic practice. We will examine history, practice, and students will experience basic journeying techniques. FMI-Yvonne Thibodeau, Sacred Heart of the Wolf at (207) 356-2662.
May 25th-28th Present Moment Awareness Memorial Day Weekend Yoga & Meditation Retreat with Patricia Brown. Classical Hatha Yoga & Vipassana Meditation at Rolling Meadows Retreat Center, a 100-acre sanctuary in Brooks, Maine, located 12 miles inland from the midcoast town of Belfast. www.rollingmeadowsretreat.com (888) 666-6412.
May ~ New Hampshire May 19th 10:00am-4:00pm Integrative Wellness Fair
May 20th, 10:00am-5:00pm Up Close and Personal with Scott Killoby Discover spiritual freedom beyond the ego and our sense of separation. Scott guides one toward a greater sense of presence that is available now and that can lead to a sense of peace, a heart full of love and compassion for others, and the end of looking for happiness outside ourselves. Purity Spring Resort, East Madison, www.EvergreenForWellness.org.
Upcoming~Connecticut June 8th & July 13th, Friday, 7:00pm Harmonic Sound Immersion ~ With Ron and Joan Joseph N. Goff House, 2 Barton Hill Rd., East Hampton. $20 Come immerse yourself in vibrational sound healing through the tones of Gongs and crystal bowls. Reservations necessary and FMI: call (203) 779-0345 or email joan@ronandjoan.com.
June 22nd, Friday, 2:00pm & 6:30pm Harmonic Sound Immersion ~ With Ron and Joan at Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center Wellness Room, 536 Saybrook Rd. #280, Middletown. $20 Come immerse yourself in vibrational sound healing through the tones of gongs and crystal bowls. Open to the public reservations necessary and FMI: call (203) 779-0345 or email joan@ronandjoan.com.
Upcoming ~ Maine June 2012 Two-Year Advanced Shamanic Initiations led by Dory Cote and Barbara Bloecher this program is for persons who have completed other shamanic trainings and are prepared to enhance their experience of being the 'hollow bone'. Application required. Only 2 spaces remain. Residential program. Inquire @ www.earthlighthealing.com.
June 1st-3rd Mid-coast Women's Retreat: Cleanse The Body - Celebrate The Soul ~ Deep mind-body-spirit healing. Cost: $324 (includes Cleanse Kit). Hallie Holland, MSW, RMT - (207) 751-7537 Awaken Awareness: Reiki, The Polarity Way - Member of Team Northrup.
Shamanism and the Spirits of the Earth. This workshop is based on Joanna Macy’s and my own work, and is a way to connect with earth/animal spirits shamanically, and how this can be healing for all, including our Earthly Mother. It is a movement towards balance and peace. A basic knowledge of shamanism helpful, but not required. FMI-Yvonne Thibodeau, Sacred Heart of the Wolf at (207) 356-2662.
June 11th, 9:00am-12:00pm Portland Free Well Woman Clinic Offered by local midwives and midwifery students. Routine well woman care; all services are free. Located at Birth Roots in Portland. Call (207) 647-5968 for appointments.
July 1st Camp Etna Summer program begins Mediumistic Readings, Healing Modalities, Beginner – Advance Workshops in Developing Mediumship, Intuition, Self-Discovery, and Organic Gardening. Go to www.CampEtna.com to view the entire summer program.
July 26th-29th, Shamanic Retreat For Women (3rd Annual) sponsored & led by Dory Cote of The Center for Earth Light Healing. On sacred land at Borestone Mountain Sanctuary. A restful, spiritual, time with the bounty of nature spirits with nightly fire rituals and blessings. Cost: $390 includes 3 nights lodging and all programs. www.earthlighthealing.com for details.
UpcomingMassachusetts June 16th, Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm, Newton Psychic Development, Past Lives & Angel Communication Workshop with Ross J. Miller, psychic healer, medium, regression therapist. In this unique, experiential workshop you’ll learn how to identify your guardian angels and spirit guides by name and receive their guidance, healing and inspiration; discover your soul’s life purpose; experience two of your past lives and heal the residual karma from them; give psychic readings to others in class and more. To register for the workshop or to schedule a psychic or past-life reading or healing session in person or over the phone, visit our website: www.TheMysticWay.com or call Ross J. Miller (617) 527-3583.
Upcoming Vermont June 6th-11th, Lyndonville VT. American Society Of Dowsers - 52nd Annual Convention Join us for a week of workshops and classes with worldrenowned teachers (including Keynote Speaker: Michael Tallinger author of Temple of the African Gods). Learn to dowse, not just for water, but also for health, well-being and much more. Explore this ancient art to inspire and deepen your own practice in the fellowship of like minds. Early registration discounts. www.dowsers.org Headquarters (802) 684-3417.
Ongoing~Connecticut Every Monday 6:00pm YOGA class The Sunflower Bungalow all levels, (with heated Floor in the Dream Room) 1273 Queen Street Southington, CT 06489 (860) 747-1100.
Second Wednesday, Meditation with Clare Vidich Willimantic - Windham Hospital, Women's Center for Health, 7A Ledgebrook Drive, Mansfield Center, CT (behind the East Brook Mall). For more information call (860) 456-6766, Time: 6:30pm. Cost: Free
Sunday ~ Bhakti-Yoga Festival – 3:00pm Join us for kirtan, philosophy and vegetarian dinner. No charge. Hare Krishna Temple. 1683 Main St. East Hartford (860) 289-7252, www.iskconct.org.
Ongoing Reiki Offerings Individual Reiki Sessions, Crystal Healings, Reiki Shares & Classes in Eastern CT. Please call Carleen, RMT at (860) 884-3125 for more information.
ALL EVENTS ARE LISTED ONLINE AT www.innertapestry.org
National non-profit organization for parents with an interest in holistic health and green living. Visit www.holisticmoms.org to find a local chapter.
SunDo Mountain Taoism Classes in Taoist breathwork, meditation and postures for all fitness levels. SunDo Taoist practice enhances the body's qi-energy flow, which promotes health and higher consciousness. (860) 523-5260, www.sundo.org.
ECKANKAR Temple of CT -- a place for all who love God. ECKANKAR Worship services 10:00am, 2nd Sunday of the month. Inspirational talks and uplifting music awaken spiritual understanding in everyday life. Middlefield. www.ct-eckankar.org; eckinfo@ct-eckankar.org.
O ng o i ng ~
M aine
Holistic Life Coaching Residential Immersion at Nurture Through Nature Retreat Center with Certified Facilitator, Jen Deraspe. Discover the source and way out of your stress on a transformational, personalized immersion into you. Denmark, Maine, (207) 595-8260, www.ntnretreats.com, HolisticCoachJen@gmail.com.
A gathering together as a community Third Saturday of each month. Those of us in this Spiritual Field can come together to meet and to create a community. This will be a potluck lunch, with good laughter, good company, and a chance to meet each other, face to face, in a safe environment. We will meet at the Unity of Greater Portland facility, at 54 River Road, in Windham, Me. The gathering will be from noon until 4:00pm. FMI: Bob Beane, (207) 749-1857, or email sebagojourney@yahoo.com.
Experience New Options in Life! Release stress and discomfort in gifted healer, Suzanne Camp’s ongoing Meditation Class. Testimonial: The class is wonderful. I recommend it to anyone on a spiritual path. SG Belfast, ME. FREE to the Public! Location: Belfast Library. Call for dates and reservations (207) 338-3081 or www.suzannecamp.com.
Access Consciousness™ The Bars Ongoing private sessions and classes with Anneshin. Energetically release thoughts, beliefs, emotions that keep you from being you. Windham ME. FMI anneshinhealing@gmail.com (207) 523-9941 www.accessconsciousness.com.
Augusta Spiritualist Church Sunday Service 10:30am, First Thursday, Mini Readings 7:00pm-9:00pm $15/15 min. Awareness Classes, Thursday 7:00pm-9:00pm. Corner of Perham/Court St. FMI call (207) 504-1088 or visit our website, www.augustaspiritualistchurch.org.
A Course in Miracles Every other Monday noon-1:15pm at Meadow Wind in Falmouth. Newcomers welcome! FMI and dates contact Kathie McCatherin - kathiemc@maine.rr.com or www.meadowwind.org. $10-$15.
Authentic Movement Dance at Bath Dance Works First and third Saturdays of the month, 10:00am-1:00pm. April 7th and 21st, May 5th and 19th, suggested donation $15-$30 on a sliding scale, no experience is necessary. We dance an unfacilitated Wave as a warmup. FMI: call Kay Mann (207) 504-1929 or email dancingfewl@pobox.com.
Monthly Dowsing Classes Learn how to dowse with a pendulum or L-Rods. Check out www.trustyourspirit.org or www.leapinlizards.biz for classes and times. FMI call Paul at (207) 332-9681.
Women’s Group Meeting weekly for support and relaxing body-mind exercises. Thursday’s 6:30pm-8:00pm in Damariscotta. Call Angela Hassenpflug at (207) 592-7888 or email angela@gestaltyourlife.com
Wai Nei Academy of Health Every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00pm we study ancient and sacred Taoist healing arts, martial arts and meditation. Come by and join us for free! Facilitated by Shifu Kelcey Hart. FMI call (207) 839-LIVE (5483). Also offering private teaching, healing and consultation.
Healing And Prayer Circle ~ Free 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00pm-8:30pm. Come in community to pray, meditate and send love to those who you are concerned about, or ask for healing for yourself. Open to all! Bring a goodie to share for refreshments after. Sacred Circle Studio, Friendship. Contact: Kat Logan, (207) 226-7446, or email kat@mygreatfullheart.com.
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Free admission to peruse over 40 exhibitions. Exhibitors offering free health screenings, chair massage, treatments, samples and more. Buy a $10. Presentation pass and attend 4 lectures on health and wellness and six stress busting workshops. CME’s and CEU’s available. View our Ad on the back cover. Purity Spring Resort, East Madison, www.EvergreenForWellness.org.
June 9th & 10th, 9:00am-4:00pm Council of All Beings:
Holistic Moms Network
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EnergizeTM Sessions with Emmanuelle Chaulet
Ledge End Retreat & Wellness Center
Does your eating behavior make you or others unhappy? There is help available in OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS! Check out oamaine.org to learn more, or call 211 for meeting times.
Stress relief, energy clearing and balancing, RYSE®. Self-confidence, boundaries and empowerment issues. For artists, performers, women, body workers. $80 ($70 students) Holistic Pathways, Gorham, (207) 929-2651. www.emmanuellechaulet.com.
Zen Yoga classes Monday & Thursday evenings at 6:00pm. $10 per class. All levels. Vershire, VT. www.artofzenyoga.com (860) 805-6551.
Kirtan at Portland Yoga Studio, 1st and 3rd Fridays Join us on a vocal journey through the sacred sounds of ancient India with call & response group chanting. Beginners welcomed. $5.00 suggested donation. 7:00pm-8:30pm, 616 Congress St., 3rd floor, Portland. FMI: www.kirtanandyoga.com.
Reiki - Healing Ways of Kennebunk Reiki classes offered monthly. Learn this ancient art of hands-on healing for yourself, loved ones, and pets. FMI Rachel Pelletier, LMT (207) 967-0035 or www.healingwaysonline.com.
The Ducktrap Writers’ Round Table
The Birth House Bridgton's freestanding birth center is available for free tours. FMI: contact heidi@birthwisemidwifery.edu, www.birthhouseme.com or (207) 647-5919.
Wavelengths Hypnotherapy ongoing classes: Self-Hypnosis, Weight Management, Smoking Cessation, Relaxation, Guided Imagery Classes. Bonnie Lee Gibson, CH and Ernie VanDenBossche, BCH, CI; www.hypnowave.com (207) 453-6133, (207) 649-9655, Waterville.
meets on third Sundays at Camden Public Library from 2:00pm-4:00pm. A venue for writers who wish to share work, receive feedback and be supported in their craft. Call Teresa Piccari, proprietor of The Village Scribe, at (207) 344-7070 for more info. Suggested fee is $15.
Regular Oneness Deeksha Circles (free)
Taoist Tai Chi TM Internal Arts of Health
Center of Inner Light, Rev. Gloria Nye
Sustain or reclaim your good health with the Taoist Tai Chi Society® internal art of Tai Chi Chuan. In more than 25 countries around the globe, people of all ages and abilities enjoy the many benefits of practicing this art of holistic health. Classes are offered in Westbrook, Bridgton, Brownfield & Blue Hill. FMI: (207) 329-4346, or email: portland.me@taoist.org.
Located at 267 Congress Street, Portland, (within the synagogue). Sunday Services: 10:30am-12:00pm followed by fellowship. FMI call (207) 576-7276, visit www.RevGloriaNye.com.
Wednesday Women’s Meditation Group All women welcome to a weekly meditation in the Greenfire tradition. Location: Newcastle, St. Andrews Parish House, Glidden St. 6:30pm–7:30pm (not on the 3rd Wednesday of the month). For more info please call: Angela H. (207) 592-7888 or Mary A. (207) 677-3229.
Sunday Night: Portland Spiritualist Church
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meets at 17 Dunn St., 2nd floor, Westbrook for 6:30pm Service, Healing Meditation, Inspirational Talk, Messages from Spirit. FMI call (207) 655-6673 or visit our website at www.portlandspiritualistchurch.org.
Fourth Friday of each month - Gallery Readings.
Experience the transmission of Divine Grace – declutch the mind and awaken the kundalini – shift your life! Oneness Trainers Elizabeth and Maha'al. Contact Elizabeth@IntegralReal.com or (207) 619-1663.
Dragonfly Taijiquan, Larry Ira Landau Group & Private Instruction in T’ai Chi Ch’aun (taijiquan) & Chi Kung (qigong) for beginners & experienced students. Studios in Portland and Kennebunkport. Ongoing classes, workshops & retreats. FMI: (207) 761-2142 or (207) 967-4070.
Doula tea ~ meet with doulas in person Learn how doulas help families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We meet one Sunday each month at the Birth Roots, 101 State St., Portland from 9:00am-11:00am. There is no fee, pre-registration is required. Call Rebecca Goodwin at (207) 318-8272.
USM Center for Continuing Education. Ongoing classes in Complementary Therapies, (Traditional Chinese Medicine, Aromatherapy, Reiki, etc.) Visit www.usm.maine.edu/cce for course & registration information or call (207) 780-5900 for catalog.
Join us at the Portland Spiritualist Church, 17 Dunn St., 2nd floor, Westbrook for an evening of messages from Spirit. 7:00pm $10 event. FMI call (207) 655-6673 or visit our website at www.portlandspiritualistchurch.org.
“SANT MAT RADHASWAMI SATSANG”
Friday Night: Weekly Psychic Development
Ongoing~NewHampshire
and Awareness Classes, except for the 4th Friday which is Gallery Readings - see above. Portland Spiritualist Church, 17 Dunn St., 2nd floor, Westbrook. Classes start at 7:30pm. Most classes are by donation. FMI call (207) 655-6673 or visit our website at www.portlandspiritualistchurch.org.
Meditation and Buddhism: Are you searching for happiness, freedom, transformation and positive thinking? "We become what we think" (the Buddha). Learn more at Nagaloka Buddhist Center, 54 York Street, Portland. Our program includes weekly meditation sessions, regular scheduled introduction classes on meditation and Buddhism and events for all levels of practitioners. www.nagalokabuddhistcenter.org, (207) 329-8041.
The New Moon Rituals with Chief Oscar Mokeme www.museumafricanculture.org and the class "Developing Your Personal Healing Gifts" with teacher, healer and medical intuitive Regina Strongheart at "Forest Circles," Topsham, www.forestcircles.com.
Thursday Buddhist Meditation We practice Natural Wisdom and Love/Compassion and Tonglen. All practices are for beginners and long-time practitioners, 25 Middle Street, Portland. 6:00pm-7:00pm. Jane Burdick, janeburd@maine.rr.com or (207) 773-6809.
Spiritual Horizons Maine Seeking a spiritual community? Share illuminating, spiritual discussions/presentations in an open, welcoming environment. Meets every Tuesday at 7:00pm at 75 State Street, Portland. We've Changed Our Programing Format! For more Information: www.spiritualhorizonsmaine.ning.com.
Inner Light & Sound Meditation. Surat Shabd Yoga. For a Bangor, Waterville, & Portland meeting schedule, call James at: (207) 358-9381 or James@SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com.
Eaton Satsang Near Conway, an informal small group meets Wednesday evenings to support meditation, awakening to nondual (Advaita) awareness and spiritual understanding. All are welcome. Details at: www.eatonsatsang.org or (603) 447-5401.
Ongoing ~ Vermont Zen Yoga Breathing, movement, stretching and deep guided relaxation meditation. Every Wednesday evening. Beginners 6:00pm-7:00pm. All levels 7:00pm-8:30pm. $10 per class. Location: Studio Time and Space in Springfield, VT. Everyone welcome. www.studiotimeandspace.org. (802) 591-0990.
Classified Listings HEALING PLACES & SPACES ~ Maine Nurture Through Nature specializes in holistic personal retreats. Experience peace, healing and connection with self and nature in a simple and earth-friendly environment. Enjoy yoga, body work, a Finnish wood-fired sauna steam bath, dips in the mountain brook, hiking, meditation, The Work of Byron Katie, canoeing, kayaking... create your own getaway for individuals, couples and small groups. Bridgton Lakes Region, Denmark, (207) 452-2929, www.ntnretreats.com.
Dancing Angels Wellness Studio & The Maine Center for Pranic Healing We are happy to provide you with tools for Mind, Body and Soul Expansion! Angel Therapy®, Pranic Healing, Reiki and so much more! www.dancingangels.us or e-mail dancingangels@dancingangels.us.
HEALING PLACES & SPACES ~ Vermont Private Individual/Couples Retreat Getaway Join Zen Yoga founder Aaron Hoopes and his wife Elfeya for a special weekend of breathing, gentle movement and meditation in the beautiful mountains of Vermont. Program includes nature meditations, tai chi, qigong and deep relaxation. Home-cooked meals! Ledge End Retreat & Wellness Center, (860) 805-6551, breathe@artofzenyoga.com, website: www.artofzenyoga.com.
Continuing Education for Massage Therapists All Zen Yoga retreats and programs qualify for CE Hours for Licensed Massage Therapists. Zen Yoga is certified with the NCBTMB. We also offer an Online Course for CE Hours. www.artofzenyoga.com.
PRACTITIONERS ~ Connecticut Intuitive Phone Readings: Jennifer Page has been giving intuitive phone readings for over 25 years. If gaining clarity or assistance in decisionmaking would benefit you; dial (860) 919-7107 to make an appointment. See jenniferpage.org for more information.
PRACTITIONERS ~ Maine Indigo Hypnosis Gentle relaxation process to experience past life memories. Receive guidance from your higher self in this calm state. Trained in Dolores Cannon Quantum Hypnosis Technique. FMI: debbiegilmour@hotmail.com (207) 730-1781.
Holistic Event Organizing and Planning Hosting your own wellness event? If you are interested in putting together your own local wellness event and need assistance in planning, please contact Doug Reighley at 207-749-1961 or dareighley@comcast.net .
SACRED RENTAL SPACE ~ Maine A Place In The Heart Energetically clear, beautiful spaces for classes, workshops, celebrations, and ceremony. Outdoor ceremonial space available. Located in Falmouth. Reasonable rates. FMI call The Vywamus Foundation (207) 797-6106.
Green-Certified Eco-Retreat Space available for rent. Nurture Through Nature offers three solar-powered eco-cabins, yurt, private camping, wood-fired sauna, yoga studio, hiking trails, mountain brook, Denmark, ~ Greater Bridgton Lakes Region, www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929.
Gardens of Atlantis Rental space available to practitioners/teachers. We are committed to providing our best to our community to support growth, beauty, healing and Love. Call Linda at (207) 929-5088.
Deadline for Calendar & Classified Listings is May 5th Please send listings to info@innertapestry.org
44 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
45 EMBRACING NON-DUALITY AS THE PATHWAY TO FREEDOM AND ENLIGHTENMENT by Sharon Malenfant “We live our lives asleep. Our minds are programmed for self-centeredness. This programming causes us to spend our lives seeking the future for a sense of contentment we can’t seem to find.” – Scott Kiloby That endless search for contentment can manifest itself in addictive and harmful behaviors. The object of addiction – food, drugs, gambling – doesn’t matter because the cycle can be very difficult to break. After a 20-year battle of his own with addiction, noted author and lecturer Scott Kiloby began “looking” in a different way. He writes that he stopped turning away from negative thoughts and feelings from his past and looking for release in the future. He began to face his suffering directly, and allow all negative and positive energies of thought, emotion, and sensation to simply be as they are. He began to rest and recognize presence as the stable foundation in which these energies temporarily come and go. Scott travels across the U.S. and overseas giving talks on understanding our “non-dual presence.” He describes his message as “the Middle Way” – freedom from dualistic extremes. “Each of us believes separation is real. We believe we are separate people living in a world of other separate things and people,” Scott says. “In that stage of our lives, we tend to emphasize ‘personal’ viewpoints about ourselves, others, and the world.”
“This is about seeing through the belief in separation. In the simple recognition of presence as our true nature, we go from being self-centered to being selfless. That makes all the difference. That seeing is what life is all about. It’s why we are here on earth.” In Scott’s workshops on non-duality, a person’s every position and belief is challenged, including belief about the self, others, our spirituality, and the world. This allows those attending to open completely to the present moment – to unfold in a new way, free from identification with thought. “This freedom can never be captured by words,” Scott explains in his writings. “It cannot be known as a belief or a mental position. It is much too simple. It is your very presence. And yet words are all we have to communicate with each other. In looking for freedom in the future, or in ideas about yourself, others, or the world, it is missed. “In relaxing completely into the present moment, you see that it was never lost. It is always and already here. And this presence, this freedom of hereness, includes all stories of others, the world, and ourselves. Once the belief in separation is seen through, we are free to experience and celebrate life in all its diversity.”
(Scott Kiloby is the author of Love’s Quiet Revolution: The End of the Spiritual Search and Reflections of the One Life: Daily Pointers to Enlightenment. His addiction and recovery program called The Natural Rest Method: A Revolutionary, Simple Way to Overcome Any Addiction, is scheduled for release this year. On Sunday, May 20, Scott is offering a day long “nonduality” workshop in Madison, New Hampshire as part of the Integrative Wellness Weekend hosted by Evergreen Institute for Wellness. Learn more at evergreenforwellness.org, call (603) 651-7475, or email evergreenforwellness@gmail.com.
Continued from page 15 ~ The Inner Tapestry Of A New Generation More evidence of such is documented worldwide. This makes for a win-win situation. Have you noticed?
and/or managed effectively, fear eliminated, and self-confidence heightened. A happy being….
The weaving of the inner tapestry of a new generation now requires, if not necessitates, use of silk, gold and silver threads of skillful living tools which promote wellness and wholeness and support the needs of the human being… for a better quality of life … at any age. A new tapestry for the new generation, where such tools for skillful living are like the warp threads hidden in the completed work… a weaving of a happier, healthier life where stress is reduced
Rosa M. Fierro, M.S., M.S Ed., is a consultant, educator, facilitator, workshop presenter and intuitive with international business, training & development, teaching and alternative wellness expertise, certified in various CAM modalities. She works with individuals and groups. Nominated for the 2009 State Education Department Teacher of the Year award, she has been interviewed on both TV and radio. Rosa’s book, entitled “Manifest Your Miracles – Just a Breath Away,” will be available soon. Rosa can be contacted via email at PureHeartVisions@aol.com.
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“To say that we live in self-centeredness and conflict is not a moral judgment. It’s a statement of fact,” he explains. “The good news is that awakening from this self-centered dream is possible in this lifetime. This awakening reveals a depth of freedom and contentment that no relationship, job, material item, self-improvement plan, or other worldly accomplishment can bring. This level of freedom releases us from our endless seeking towards future fulfillment and lets our true loving nature shine through, into every area of life.”
He began inquiring into the nature of our belief in separation, how it arises, and how to make presence primary in his life. Scott discovered that the key to release from the addictive cycle exists in the one place addicts refuse to look—the present moment.
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mixed media
HEALI NG S E I V TOOLS MO WE SITES O I D A R EWS R E V Iand MUSIC more
F OO D
BOOKS
Movie Review
by Corina Bardasuc
Meetings With Remarkable Women A Journey Into Women's Spirituality Director/Producer Shawn Nevins Poetry In Motion Films www.poetryinmotionfilms.com/remarkable.htm
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The documentary Meetings with Remarkable Women is an inspiring film by up and coming director/producer Shawn Nevins, who previously directed the spiritually-themed documentary Closer than Close. Filmed in 2010 and 2011, Meetings with Remarkable Women explores the spiritual paths of five women from varied backgrounds: Linda — an Australian spiritual teacher whose discipline of meditation led to a profound spiritual realization. Anima — whose childhood in India steeped her in spiritual traditions, but it took a journey to America before she realized her true desire was to find enlightenment. Jem — who lived the roles of wife, mother, engineer, musician, and writer before discovering Reiki and A Course in Miracles; paths that eventually led her to a spiritual awakening. Heather — from Christian to Atheist, Buddhist to free-form seeker of selfknowledge wrestling with meditation, self-inquiry, and prayer. Deborah — who, after the tragic loss of her husband, launched a years-long spiritual path through ancient Buddhist texts and the practice of Yoga that culminated in the discovery of a deep and lasting inner peace. Each of these women tells of her life and how she came to be on a spiritual path, and what experiences brought her closer to the truth of her existence. What is truly "remarkable" about these women is their willingness to practically experiment with different spiritual systems in order to find something that works for them. From meditation to poetry and writing, from yoga and music to selfinquiry, their methods are as varied as their personalities, and they inspire the viewer with their thirst for truth. The most engaging aspect of the documentary is the women’s honesty in their personal search, and their sense of experimenting with different techniques in order to approach an abstract concept such as "enlightenment." How does one "search" for an abstract concept with one’s feelings? How does one send one’s tentacles through the darkness, searching as if blind for something that is unseen? These questions are hard if not impossible for anyone to answer, yet the women in this documentary have managed to answer them for themselves. The flow of the documentary takes on a meditative feel as the stories of each protagonist are connected by clips of a young woman reading poetry that reflects her spiritual longings and existential frustration. The feeling of honesty and sharing is pervasive through the entire film, and is an invaluable tool to anyone
sincerely interested in a spiritual path, whether male or female. Women viewers will find inspiration and strength they never encountered before, and energy to continue on a path that other women tread before them. The men who watch this film will find an emotional honesty and gentleness of spirit that may be sorely needed on their own spiritual path. Meetings with Remarkable Women touched me as a viewer on several emotional levels: I found myself swinging from compassion and sadness to awe and fearlessness, as the women exposed their souls to the camera. The texture and depth of the documentary is woven by the women’s recounting of their lives and trials illustrated by snapshots from their past and clips of the places they came from. Director Shawn Nevins interlaces the women’s stories with clips of poetry and meditative musical scores, and he does so with the gentle grace of a Celtic monk illustrating an illuminating manuscript. In his effort to convey the women’s determination, vulnerability and openness on their path, he offers the viewer more than a revealing encounter, but a genuine work of art. At the end of the documentary I was left feeling not only emotionally inspired, but also feeling calm and renewed, as if I had just participated in a meditation session myself. The quality of silence, which is evoked by "blank screen breaks" in-between the different story chapters, reflects a seeker’s moments of silence upon the spiritual path, as well as giving us as viewers a break to contemplate what we have just seen. This documentary is especially relevant to me, as a young woman about to turn 30, still searching for the meaning of my life; embittered and hardened yet made vulnerable and broken open by personal trials and sorrows, I am more determined than ever to find "the truth" on my spiritual path. At times I waiver, at times I give up. At times I shut down and never want to deal with the world again. But always, always I return, and persist on my path to find whatever it is that will make me "complete." Some of the remarkable women in this documentary have found it, and as such, they are invaluable resources and teachers to me. They are, like the stars in the sky, distant and yet ever giving in their inspiration to those who follow them with anxious hopefulness from the darkness of the earth. Meetings with Remarkable Woman is available at www.poetryinmotionfilms.com or visit Poetry in Motion Films on Facebook. Also a short trailer of the movie is available at: http://www.poetryinmotionfilms.com/ remarkable.htm.
Corina Bardasuc can be reached by email at: cora_cb@hotmail.com
Submit Reviews and Products for Review to info@innertapestry.org 46 Inner Tapestry April/May 2012
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Tarot Deck Review
by Karen Hollis
Simply Deep Tarot By Chanel Bayless, Illustrations: James Battersby Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
The Simply Deep Tarot, by Chanel Bayless, is an Art Nouveau deck that weaves both mythology and legend together in ways that will delight and expand the psychic senses. Readers will enjoy the stunning visual representation of classic Tarot imagery and characters resembling the Legends of Charlemagne. The whimsical leprechaun amuses on the Ten of Coins while the King of Swords, who looks like King Arthur and has a feathered pen on the hilt of the sword handle reminds the seeker that the “pen is mightier than the sword.” This theme continues on the Two of Swords where the reader encounters a figure deep in thought, no doubt trying to make an important decision while a pen and a sword are suspended above the head. The Hierophant is depicted as St. Francis of Assisi. The Irish influence of the artist, James Battersby, comes through with the Celtic cross on this Major Arcana card. The Ace of Swords has a man pointing to "Yes" or "No" tattooed to his arm. This points to the “directness” of the meaning behind the card, for the Ace of Swords cuts through to the quick and can symbolize a fresh start, and an end to wavering and strife. I found this card to be liberating in its artistry.
Chanel Bayless believes that understanding the roots of our emotional and spiritual origins gives us perspective on the choices that we have made in life. Perhaps, that is why her deck the Simply Deep Tarot lives up to its name. You need to look deep into the deck and interpret with childlike wonder as depicted in the Ace of Wands, which shows a child who has struck a match and is staring with amazement at the fire created. From the Four of Wands that shows a contract being held by a man and handed to a woman, in a sign of commitment, to the 13th card known as Death where the eyes of the deceased are being shielded by angels before the person reunites with the collective Universal Consciousness, the reader will find this is a deck that is relevant and inviting to use.
Karen Hollis is a clairaudient medium and professional intuitive with 25 years experience. She is a sought-after Master Tarot Reader whose clientele come from around the world. Karen is lead psychic medium investigator with Ghosts of New England Research Society. She sees clients in her office in Connecticut or by telephone. www.ReadingsbyKaren.com (860) 665-8024.
Music Review
by Randall Davis & Ruth Forbriger
Peaceful Journey By: Tron Syversen tronmusic.com Keyboardist Tron Syversen is back with Peaceful Journey. On this recording he continues his march to the forefront of the new age music field. His sound encompasses the best of traditional, classic new age music with his piano and keyboards backed by wordless vocalizing and top European musicians on acoustic guitar, violin, cello, flute and English horn.
Much of Syversen’s music is composed in his yellow wooden summer cottage which sits in the green wooded hills overlooking the deep-blue Oslo Fjord which stretches to the North Sea between Norway and Denmark. “The breathtaking vistas of Norway and the oceans and the rivers and the beautiful sunsets inspire me. When I am in my cabin by the sea, I love to look at the water and the boats while I play and compose my music,” he explains.
In the past 15 years, Tron Syversen, who is from Norway, first became one of the leading new age musicians from Scandinavia and then from all of Europe. With the worldwide release of his last album, Piano Poems, he received sales, acclaim and airplay internationally, and that CD went to #6 on the prestigious Zone Music Reporter Top 100 chart.
“I had attended meditation training using the Silva Method some years ago, and one of the things I learned was to trust the ideas that came into my head. One of these ideas was to incorporate into my music a female human voice as an instrument. This has added another deep human dimension to my music. It is like recreating a primal experience, the singing or humming that most mothers do with their babies.
The inspiration for Syversen’s music comes from many different sources including nature, poetry (such as Norwegian writer Merete Atne), paintings (artist AnneElisabeth Lien) and sacred places (such as the Italian monastery Abbazia di San Pietro where St. Francis of Assisi often visited in the 12th Century). “I believe artistic endeavors can inspire one another. For example, I like to write music while poetry is being recited. Another time I improvised a musical piece in my studio while AnneElisabeth Lien was working on a painting so I like to think we inspired each other. I often let my heart and mind absorb the poetry or the painting, and then I sit at the piano and let the music flow out of my fingers as I improvise, making sure my mind does not get in the way. Much of my music begins as improvisation and later becomes complete when I create the full arrangement in the studio.”
“The making of Peaceful Journey took about two years. During this period a lot of personal development took place, both musically and spiritually.” This is beautiful music, good for listening and for setting the mood at get-togethers and dinner parties, but also helpful for relaxing and healing. Radio Promotion & publicity: the creative service company, 719-548-9872, Randall Davis (creatserv9@aol.com) & Ruthe Forbriger (cscruthe@aol.com), thecreativeservicecompany.com
April/May 2012 Inner Tapestry 47
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One of my favorite cards in any deck is the card number 15, The Devil. Often misunderstood and mysterious, The Devil can stand for many things, ranging from anxiety to chaining oneself to outdated modes of thinking. In these, both the male and female figures on this card are bound together in what looks like the shape of an eye or yoni. If interpreting this card in the shape of the cornea or center of your vision, it could be revealing one’s perception of being bound
by some mysterious force to a love interest. If taken as a yoni symbol, which is the Sanskrit word for vagina, you can interpret that the two people are bound together in a sexual relationship that is being perceived as being something more committed than it really is. The author, Chanel Bayless, interprets this card as an “insatiable desire running through your veins” which is a delicious way of saying that the emotions that you are feeling can be confused for love!
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