Inner Tapestry "It's A Wonderful Life" December 2010 January 2011

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A Holistic Journal Celebrating & Supporting LIFE! Dec 2010/Jan 2011

u It's A Wonderful Life! u

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Volume 9, No. 4

Inner

Tapestry Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

u No Thinking!

u 21st Century Bohemian ~ Julia Cameron

u Guides For Life

u Wandering Sage Wisdom ~ Remembering Ourselves

u Constructs of Reality

u A Breath of Healing ~ Every Master Was A Disaster!

u Glad During The Holidays! No Matter What!

u Modern Shamanic Living ~ A Wonderful Time To Be Alive!

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Inner TAPESTRY

UP COMING THEMES Februar y/M arch 2011

Contents

C h angi ng Yo ur M ind

It's A Wonderful Life!

Em ergence

This Issue's Theme

Apr i l/M ay 2011

Dec 2010/Jan 2011

Features

J une/J uly 2011

Glad During The Holidays! No Matter What!

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Su p er Co nsc i o usness

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August/S eptember 2011

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by SARK

No Thinking!

by Kerrie O'Connor

Tis The Season To Relearn A Few Things!

by Holly Howley

Letting The Creative Spirit Find You!

Page 16

by Kat Logan

The Hero's Journey

Page 21

by Joseph Campbell

Celebrate A Safe Holiday All Year Long!

Page 22

by Donald and Sara Hassler

Guides For Life

Page 27

by Elfeya Raftos-Hoopes

Page 28

by Silla Von Faulk Trueworthy, CRTh, RMT, LMT

Constructs of Reality

Page 29

by Sandra Diamond

Electro-magnetic Fields (EMFs): An Unseen Cause of Illness

Page 30

O c tober/November 2011

M ovi n g At The Sp eed o f Grace

Submission Dates February/March 2011 Articles – December 15th Display Ads & Directory of Resources To Reserve Space – January 1st For Ad Copy & Graphics – January 5th Calendar & Classified Ads –January 5th

by Sue Singleton, Medical Intuitive, CST, MHt, EOLMTT

Departments

Awareness and the Art of Seeing ~ Gaia Giving

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by Jen Deraspe

Modern Shamanic Living ~ A Wonderful Time To Be Alive!

Page 14

by Evelyn C. Rysdyk

Wandering Sage Wisdom ~ Remembering Ourselves

Publishers

Page 17

Joan Emmons Ron Damico Betty Close

by Pat Foley

21st Century Bohemian ~ Julia Cameron:

An Artist Making Her Way In The World

by Teresa Piccari

The Way of Life-Itself ~ Getting The Big Picture Of Life's Processes When Times Are Hard

by Skye Hirst, Ph.D.

Welcome Home ~ Ask Asrianna

Page 18 Page 20 Page 23

by Asrianna Dameron

A Breath of Healing ~ Every Master Was A Disaster!

Page 26

by Donna Amrita Davidge

Exploring the World Religions ~ The Reality And Not The Illusion

by James Bean Of Having A Guru, Part Two Mixed Media ~ Book, Website & Music Reviews

Directories

Directory of Resources Yoga, T'ai Chi, & Meditation Directory Heart Visions, Calendar of Events, Classifieds

Tapestry

Page 16

by Aaron Hoopes

Loving Earth ~ Chilling It Down With Food

Inner

Page 32

Pages 46 & 47

Pages 33-41 Page 41 Pages 42-44

Advertising & Distribution (207) 799-7995 (203) 779-0345

info@innertapestry.org

(207) 799-7995 ~ (203) 779-0345 Email: info@innertapestry.org Or Visit: www.innertapestry.org 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.

Payments and Correspondence To: P O Box 122, East Hampton, CT 06424 Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 3

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Exploring Your Inner Terrain with Crystals and Stones

Are We There Yet ?

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INNER WORKINGS New this issue: "It's A Wonderful Life" something that we all have in someway strived to accomplish. Through many means, in many ways we have all been influenced by our imaginations improvisation of this concept.

I recently read the statement that we do not find happiness in our lives, we bring happiness into it. Actually this says it all, so why is it so hard to keep that flow of happiness into our lives...?

One thing I have found is each person must feel what happiness is in their life.

For myself I have found that shifting the definition of that feeling to a different word has helped tremendously. I connect to feeling the embodiment of joy.

For so many years my "happiness" was in others hands, I looked to them to bring that happiness to me, by being what I wanted and what I needed. Not! To me, Joy is grounded in a deep sense of Thanks. It is a life full of gratitude and the willingness to share, give and receive. My happiness was fleeting and not grounded in any part of self, not that I could realize.

Now that we are in the seasons of Thanks-giving and Joy, let's feel within our core of existence the Thanks, the Love, the Joy and bring that to what we have been gifted, "Life." We will find the action of living a joy-filled life will allow others to connect to their way of accessing this in their lives and on and on and on.

It is the way we learn, grow and find our "Wonderful Life."

Life is unfolding gracefully for Inner Tapestry, we have 59 new distribution locations in CT and very soon you should be able to pick-up the journal at the Hannaford Stores in Southern Maine. We are always looking for new locations and would like to extend the invitation to anyone who would like to share and offer the journal at their event, please let us know.

and beyond. We are never at a lack to find the ways to bring that Thanks and Joy into the world and express it as we feel drawn to.

We are starting a New Year. At this point we will be two months into the 6th day of the Mayan Calendar. This is the last 360 day of what the Mayan's called the "underworld." Some describe this as the age of the mind, the age of male dominant energy, with a shift to living a life from the heart, living from a softer nurturing female energy. Whatever the shift is, no matter how bumpy the road, we all have the choice to bring our Hearts, our Thanks, our Joy and our Love to the final moments of another's view of civilization as it was known to them. To the final moments of our way of being as it evolves and leads us to another way of being that will bring forth a new willingness to embrace all that is... All That Is. So please accept our gift of Thanks and Joy this holiday to help you to connect to your gifts of Thanks and Joy and to keep it moving just like the many emails that are passed around everyday.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS and

Our Best Wishes for an excitinG

NEW YEAR!

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The Holiday season for the journal is a quiet time, people are immersed in preparation for the holidays and their connection with family and friends. As we flow through this season, remember the many places that could use our help and physical assistance. Find some time to help a family member, a friend or maybe even your local food bank or shelter. They not only need funds to provide but also the physical presence of many hands to do a great deal of work.

The greatest gift we can give is the one of self, of our time, to help another whether it be as a dog sitter for some who needs to travel, for a mom who needs to shop, for the less fortunate that will need food or fuel for the holiday season

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Joan

Ron Betty

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GladDuringTheHolidays: No Matter What!

by SARK

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he holidays are full of pressures to be glad even if you don’t feel that way.

People talk about “holiday cheer,” “finding the silver lining,” “looking on the bright side,” all of which are fine when we feel those things, but can actually add to feelings of loneliness and depression when we don’t. There is also a certain kind of “holiday tyranny” where we are encouraged to hide how we’re actually feeling, for the “sake of the holidays.”

We are meant to feel what we feel when we feel it, then let it go. Most people don’t know how they’re feeling, or that it’s okay to feel it. We are not taught how to have, or hold multiple feelings simultaneously, so many people choose one and cling to it.

That one feeling might be described as happy or sad, but it’s not a true reflection of our complexities as humans, and results in our feelings not flowing. Instead they get stuck, or other feelings are left untended.

Practical Gladness means living in the “messy middle” of all of your feelings and finding your “glad ground” underneath. From this glad ground place, you can be aware of and hold all of your feelings, notice ways to respond instead of react, and transform what’s possible to transform.

When we find our glad ground in the middle, it is possible to enjoy the holidays truly, authentically, and with grace and wisdom. Here are some practical ways you can experience more gladness this holiday season: 1. Create a new self-care plan — Think of what you need to feel good during the holidays, and provide it for yourself. Some of these things might be: *Special foods that you know you will enjoy *Call a friend to share how you’re really feeling— not how you think you should be *Practice ways to experience less stress, like going for a walk or attending a yoga class *Write in a journal or book with lists of things that nourish you, and do the things.

6. Practice transforming what hurts into what helps — Find the places that aren’t working and speak up about them. For example, you might ask a group of people in your home to talk about different subjects like what they’re loving in this moment, instead of sitting there judging how bored or dissatisfied you are feeling. *If you’re cooking and get crabby, let others know and help you! *If you hate shopping, ask others to create experiences or adventures for each other instead of buying gifts *If you keep complaining about the holidays, see if you can put your complaints on paper and resolve to have new experiences *If you feel ungrateful, find someone to listen to who is facing challenges that you’re not Being glad no matter what is not about feeling glad when you don’t- how annoying. It’s about practicing with all of your feelings and feeling glad as often as you possibly can- especially during the holidays!

SARK is a best-selling author and artist, with sixteen titles in print and well over two million books sold, including the national bestsellers Succulent Wild Woman, Bodacious Book of Succulence, Eat Mangoes Naked, Prosperity Pie, and Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper. Her newest book is Glad No Matter What. She is also the founder and Creative Fountain of Planet SARK, a thriving business that creates innovative products and services to support empowered living. SARK lives and creates gladly in San Francisco, CA. Visit her online at http://www.planetsark.com or call her Inspiration phone line at (415) 546-3742.

Based on the book Glad No Matter What © 2010 by SARK. Printed with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA. www.newworldlibrary.com.

2. Adjust and lower your expectations, or better yet — have none — Notice how your expectations bring suffering when they aren’t met. For example, if you feel ignored or overworked at holiday times, take yourself out for champagne and ignore some things you “should” be doing. Change your expectations about what you or others “should be” doing or acting like, and practice allowing how it actually IS. Focus on what’s good and working.

3. Educate others in the best ways to support you—Become clear about what actually feels supportive to you, and ask for others to contribute. For example, if you typically care for others and wish others would or could care for you, figure out what they could contribute to you that would be easy and fun. You might ask a friend to meet you for tea and laughter in the midst of a busy shopping or cleaning day, or sit with you while you wrap gifts or write cards.

4. Experiment with new traditions and rituals for the holidays — Do things differently. We all tend to repeat and become habituated. For example, “we always have our meal at _______.” Some of my greatest holiday experiences have taken place at the movies, miniature golfing or serving food at a shelter instead of trying to participate in rituals or traditions that no longer represent who I am now.

5. Allow yourself to experience your holidays imperfectly — Revise your ideas of perfection and increase your capacity for spontaneous joy. For example, if you get tense and pressured about preparing a meal, buying gifts, sending cards, or trying to do it all, try: Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 5

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For example, you might feel happy to see your mom at Christmas, sad that she’s physically declining, angry that your sister isn’t doing more, and worried about the future. If you fixate on just one of those feelings, it will not be as productive or helpful. Instead, it would be much more effective to feel all that you feel, respond lovingly to yourself, your mother and your sister, and create good systems for your family and self-care practices too.

*Doing less and feeling good about it—refuse to be a prisoner of others expectations *Doing parts of things — fix the dessert, ask others to bring the other things *Doing tiny amounts — consider attending a holiday party for 5- 15 minutes with no explanation about why *Asking others to help and then don’t control or manage “how they do it”

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No Thinking!

by Kerrie O'Connor

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y daughter was trying to decide what college to go to after she graduated from high school. She was torn between what her friends, feelings/heart, were saying and what she “thought” she should do. I was watching her going through this turmoil for months. One day she was talking to me about it and I said “Taylor, our home is now an official “NoThinking” household. The “rules” are you can’t just keep on thinking... She looked at me like I was crazy. I looked at her and said I was serious. No more mental merry go rounds that brings us right back to the same place, feeling confused and split. Torn between what we are feeling, what our hearts and intuition are telling us and what our old patterns/programs are saying we “should, could or have to do”.

I told her that she’ll get a “time out” for thinking in this No-Thinking household. The “time out” means she was to go outside, put her back against a tree and breathe. To allow her thoughts and e-motions to melt away and sink into her heart and feel. Whenever she would try to engage me in some kind of mental or emotional merry go round I would put my hand up and say “Stop” and point outside and walk away.

At first she resisted then she said, "Only You would come up with NoThinking!," then she tried it. She went outside, connected to nature and allowed herself to just be.

How many of us could use a “No-Thinking” household? If it were a worldwide “law” it would allow all of us to get out of our emotional, mental merry go rounds. To re-connect to our natural state of being to really start listening to our own intuition. Are you ready to get out of the emotional/mental merry go round that keeps us trapped in old programs/ patterns? Are you willing to give up your stories, to be silent and stop the madness?

If you are willing to try the No-Thinking household that also includes no e-motions, you are guaranteed to start feeling, clearing and stepping beyond the “veil” that keeps us from feeling our connection with our “natural state” of being. We are all eternal, immortal Creators, part of a God-Force that “knows” everything. When we re-connect we go with the flow and life and it becomes a lot easier. We re-align with the “angel” within us, we stop looking outside of ourselves for happiness, abundance, peace and love. We begin the journey of re-membering. When you have just one experience of feeling fully aligned with the Creator and awaken the Creator within you, you will be guided knowing what to do. Feeling yourself being supported by a force that is beyond words, you will start re-aligning, re-connecting to the God-Force energy. It will awaken the God within you and all of life will look and feel different. You won’t sweat the small stuff because it’s only small stuff when you see it from an infinite point of view.

So if you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired try the No-Thinking way of life and step into living a life full of infinite potentials. You will feel what unconditional love and support really is.

Namaste, Kerrie P.S. Taylor now tells everyone this is a No-Thinking house to leave the mental/emotions at the door.

Kerrie O'Connor has a unique approach to delivering information directly from the soul. Beyond acting as a medium and other psychic ability, Kerrie accesses a person's Original Blueprints, which holds all the information you need to live a more empowered, joyful life. The basis of her work is found in the LightStream™ material, of which Intuitive LightStream™ Reading is the cornerstone. Her capacity to literally read and decipher our energy field (like someone can read a book) makes her uniquely qualified to offer the personal and practical guidance that will truly empower any individual or group. Please go to her website for more information at www.kerrieoconnor.com.

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Awareness and the Art of Seeing: Contemplations on the environment and interconnection

by Jen Deraspe

Gaia Giving All things in this creation exist within you, and all things in you exist in creation; there is no border between you and the closest thing, and there is no distance between you and the farthest thing, and all things, from the lowest to the loftiest, from the smallest to the greatest, are within you as equal things. In one atom are found all the elements of the earth; in one motion of the mind are found the motions of all the laws of existence; in one drop of water are found the secrets of all the endless oceans; in one aspect of you are found all the aspects of existence… {Thus} “Your life has no end, and you shall live forevermore.” ...Kahlil Gibran

Jen Deraspe, is the founder of Nurture Through Nature, an eco-retreat center in Denmark, Maine. Jen is a certified yoga instructor, a licensed Maine guide, and a certified coach and facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie. She has been leading holistic nature retreats since 1999. www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929.

Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 7

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She innocently gives and gives and gives. Whatever we want, it’s there for the taking. We don’t even have to ask permission.

While carefully selecting the location for a new cabin to be built, I look for natural openings; placeholders nestled into the curves, around the trees, highlighting the massive boulders, oriented toward the sun. I was keenly aware of the trees that would be laid down to make room for new growth of another sort. No trouble with the few standing dead hornbeam, and the pre-teen maples, lanky, lean and too top heavy, arching over from the weight of it. This was easy enough—fire wood for later; thank you.

There were a few gorgeous and strong mountain oak and maple, young adults thriving. I paused to survey if there was a way to save these trees. I sat on the ground, trying to find my way in playing God. I heard a rustle in the leaf litter blanketing the forest floor nearby. At nearly the same instant, leaves began to move from various places. I began to see evidence of a network of channels,

access holes and exits. I never saw who it was, what beautiful brown eyes would be looking out through silky eyelashes towards me from beneath the leaves. I presume it was a vole family, the ones that turn the soil, aerate it and keep it rich for new growth from the sprouting acorns, the buried forgotten from the red squirrel.

Life. It’s everywhere and it’s everything and we’re all working it out together, or we’re not, or somewhere in between. I found myself asking all the life forms, seen and unseen, known and forgotten, to welcome creating in this particular footprint on this particular locale at this certain time. Would Life make room for us to share the land? It’s generosity seems to prevail.

It also seems that it is human consciousness, ultimately, that will honor and save Gaia, beyond what the vole family will be able to do. Sharing the earth in this place may just bring the awareness, clarity and vision that are warranted for the great turning, towards sustainability and balance.

I cannot know anything for sure. Although trees will be turned into lumber and metal will be extracted from the earth and transformed into nails, screws and roofing. Sand will be heated with oil and made into glass. And it goes on and on—this receiving.

The people will come; from the cities, from their homes, leaving their families and their responsibilities to re-fork here, seeking quiet connections with the natural world and with their own souls, all from this cabin‘s beginning. The people will come in the name of trees, water, sky, granite, stars and soft morning light. And if they notice, they may even see the vole family who find their way with precise attention to detail, in the humble places beneath their feet.

8 The Thirteenth Moon

Susan Bakaley Marshall ATR-BC, LCPC board-certified art therapist, licensed clinical counselor, Shamanic practitioner

ART from the heART

Art Therapy & Shamanism Studio ~ a light-filled circular sacred space surrounded by fields and trees ~

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• Shamanic journeys and healings • Soul retrieval • Individuals • Groups • Classes (207) 589-3063 moonarts@gmail.com

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Tis The Season To relearn a few things!

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by Holly Howley

his year was going to be different. Most of my shopping was done in November and I was wrapping by day one of the advent calendar. A summer visit with family had produced an almost perfect picture for the ceremonial card and I was able to quickly locate equally stacked piles of gifts for our two sons.

Each year our family—me, my husband and our boys—travel around the holidays. The timing and order of visits varies, but we are always on the road. Even though I am used to the shopping and wrapping and laundry required for the trip, every year it comes down to a lot of last minute. But this year I was in good shape. I even made haircut appointments for everyone about ten days out.

Four days before the car would be packed and ready to roll; I decided to take both boys, with their festering colds and coughs, to the pediatrician. Just to be sure. Both received a clean bill of health. “Just watch the congestion” the doctor advised as she suggested some overthe-counter medicine and added “you never can be sure of where a cold will settle.”

And so I shouldn’t have been surprised when on Christmas Eve morning my youngest woke up unable to open his eyes. Three hundred miles from home, we found our way to a doctor who confidently diagnosed double ear infections and conjunctivitis.

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As I stood in line at the local pharmacy, trying to remind myself that in thirty years I would look back on this time with longing, I caught my reflection in a strangely placed mirror sporting a drug logo.

I looked tired and unremarkable. Not at all what I had imagined when I bought the latest product for my new “piecey” haircut (as my stylist called it) or as I labored to pack five complete outfits for long lingering cups of coffee and catching up with relatives.

Later that night after my little ones were sound asleep, my brother and sister and their spouses began to arrive. As we carried in packages, caught up on the day and slowly made our way to the living room—glass of sparkly bubbles in hand—I started to remember what I seem to have to relearn every year.

Christmas can’t be captured in a card or a superbly thoughtful gift.

Christmas arrives in moments.

Playing with little ones, telling the stories of loved ones long gone, listening to siblings talk about their latest endeavors, singing carols at the piano, watching my mom make the same oyster stew, that no one really likes, because that’s what her mom made at Christmas time.

Basking in the warmth of connection.

And, if I’m lucky, each year getting a little closer to acceptance.

Because the kids will probably get sick and my hair will most likely fall flat.

And despite my grand desire to orchestrate the endless details, as though somehow this year will be different, the simple fact is: the season is bigger than me and my efforts.

That’s what makes it Christmas.

Holly Howley is a freelance writer who lives in Glastonbury, CT. She writes on a variety of topics including work-life balance issues and the adventures of being mom.

She also leads the Idea Workshop, a workshop for people interested in exploring their creative process and ideas.

For more information, Holly can be reached at hollyhowley@cox.net.

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ON THE COVER John Lennon Imagine

by Stuart Hampton

Our theme "It's A Wonderful Life" came from the well-known Christmas movie starring Jimmy Stewart. The written submissions of our last issue "What Moves You?" spoke to us about bringing out from within, what really moves us to create "A Wonderful Life!"

So now, you may be asking yourself, why John Lennon. A friend of mine, Deborah Knighton Tallarico and her husband Leo, publishers of Spiritual Renaissance and founders of the Spiritual Renaissance Center in South Portland, Maine, sent out a celebration email that had been forwarded to them on what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday, October 9th. I loved the picture that accompanied the email so much that I kept it on my computer to remember the sense of life that it's coloring reminded me of.

As this issue was starting it's creation process, I had numerous artwork pieces to consider. As soon as Ron saw this picture on my computer screen not even in the selection group, he said "that one." "That one?" "Yes, that one."

Right under my nose, every day as I worked at my computer this small picture of John Lennon was there in my awareness, and not even making the connection.

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John Lennon and George Bailey, the banker in It's A Wonderful Life, were both in search of "A Wonderful Life," both shared slightly tormented and tumultuous lives in their own ways. Both seemed to suffer under the limitations they saw within society, struggling between heart and mind but remaining true to their heart. Both found their way to their wonderful life. Both Imagined that it was possible.

So on to search for the artist that captivated my attention with his work.

Some days I can't deny that someone or some ones are watching over my shoulder just waiting for their next assignment. With just one clue where to start I emailed Deborah. She had no idea, she just received a forwarded email. So I took a chance to listen to the voice that said just put in the title of the picture as photoshop listed it with its numbers and letters and see where you go—right to the artist, go figure. His artwork was featured on the Wikpedia site.

This search lead me to Stuart Hampton, a self-taught artist from the county of Dorset, England, who has his own unique and distinctive style of painting.

After he attended university he spent time in India, visiting temples and staying on ashrams in the South. And, it was upon his return to England that he began to explore his own creativity within art and poetry. I am excited, as always, to connect to fellow journeyers in other countries, and especially the artists who are willing to share their stories with me as they do through their art.

I asked Stuart if he would be willing to share with our readers, something about himself and his art. My coming into relationship with Stuart was through his art and poetry, not through a BIO online, though unbeknownst to me there could have been a lengthy one. Stuart is one who is true to his simplicity and message of Peace and Love. This is from Stuart.

"I was born in Manchester, England into a family of artists and musicians. I have always been quiet. A spaced out dreamy person who values all the things in life that are free. I love nature, people, feelings, and dreams. I try my best to keep the child in me happy.

I studied psychology with an intention to form a career, but I think really it was a subconscious move to try and further understand myself. I have spent most of my life questioning the nature of my existence and reality.

Studying helped me to realize that my true calling in life is creativity.

At present I'm living in a community and am discovering more about myself.

Music plays a big part in my life and 10 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

inspires most of my artwork. I play guitar and sing. I feel through developing my interest in music and art I can appreciate the ancient languages of light, sound and colour that speak to us through our senses endlessly.

In my paintings I try to convey simple messages of peace, love, harmony and nature.

John Lennon, for me, is a great inspiration. I love how, throughout his life, he remained honest, loving, free spirited and true to what he felt deep in his heart and mind. I feel John Lennon was a great spiritual teacher because he has shown the world that an ordinary man from Liverpool can change world consciousness, all we have to do is Imagine.

I am Beauty, I'm all around In the air, in the ground the crashing waves of the sea In dreams that spring endlessly The sun, the moon, the whole of space In every time and every place I sit and wait to be revealed For peaceful minds who see the real.

Peace and Love... Stuart."

As I visited Stuart's website I found through links that his work is in Art Galleries, and has been commissioned by Pete Townshend of "The Who" and Jimmy Page of "Led Zeppelin." His also was commissioned for the CD cover for "The Velvet Underground," one of his favorite bands.

The first picture of Stuart with a peace symbol is also the cover to his exploration of art, poetry and philosophical musing, in a 22 page book that can be previewed through the link www.lulu.com/content/7580540. It is an awesome collection of his poetry and his artwork, it is worth checking out.

You can visit Stuarts artwork and poetry by going to his blogspot www.stuarthampton. blogspot.com/, if you are interested in connecting with Stuart he can also be reached by email at stuarthamptonartwork@hotmail.co.uk.

Thank you Stuart for allowing this sharing and for all of the wonderful exploration that lies ahead. We all will continue to Imagine.

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If Money Were No Object Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

by Jane Honeck, CPA How many times have we started daydreaming with these words? If money were no object, what would I do with my time?

If money were no object, where would I live? If money were no object, where would I go on vacation? If money were no object, how would I spend it?

I was musing on this the other morning during my “Random” walk, and I thought – it’s the same as if I won the lottery…

We instantly go to a place of no worries because we’d have all the money we need. Life would be good. But we’ve all heard the stories of winners whose lives turned to disasters because of those lottery winnings.

And, then I realized winning the lottery and "if money were no object" really have nothing in common. Winning the lottery turns money into an even bigger object – the proverbial elephant in the room. And, all our dysfunctional money beliefs & values are still right there but now they are magnified to the nth degree. And at that degree it becomes all too loud and clear to see how our money beliefs can ruin our lives.

But, on the other hand, what if money were no object? What does that mean; on the belief level? If money were no object, we might not value one profession over another; lawyer over teacher or teacher over janitor. We might not look askance at the homeless or those living in ivory towers. Or, maybe we’d all eat organic and local because it was good for us, our neighbors and environment. What decisions would we make for education, our communities, our world?

Interesting to think about if it has nothing to do with quantity of dollars. What would our world really look like if money truly were no object?

Jane Honeck's extensive career as founder of a Big 8 accounting firm in Portland, Maine and her passion to help her clients find their financial freedom culminated in her six session workshops Cent$ible Living and her latest success, her recently published book The Problem With Money? It's Not About The Money! Jane can support the uncovering of the "real" problem behind financial issues. You can connect with Jane for a personal coaching session, workshop or to explore her new book at her webite or office.

Visit Jane at her new office 100 Gray Rd., Falmouth, ME her website, www.janehoneck.com Call or email to schedule an appointment.

207-797-4100 info@janehoneck.com

The Problem With Money? It's Not About The Money! www.the problemwith money.com

Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 11

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No Place Like OM

Discussion and Vibrational Sound Meditation

Wednesdays $20 7:00pm - 9:00pm The Goff House, 2 Barton Hill Rd. East Hampton, CT

Reservations & Information Call 860-655-5500 Space is limited so call first and come as often as you choose!

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Holistic Moms &

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I am looking for like-hearted moms who would like to get together for a weekly play group for pre-school age children in the Columbia, CT or surrounding areas. My intention is to create, with your participation, a supporting, loving, safe and healthy environment for our children to play, socialize and interact with new friends as well as their parents. We can determine the details regarding time, place and frequency once we establish the group participants. If this plan feels right to you and you would like to participate, please call me, Nela Franco, at 860-228-3692.

Have You Ever experienced A Gong and Crystal Bowl Harmonic Healing Concert?

You're not alone...

Join ArcSounds their Gongs and Crystal Bowls to experience the creation of a "harmonic" resonance that will vibrate through each cell of the body.

When in this resonance, the normal resistance of the ego-identity no longer exists as a dis-ease factor within the body.

Wear comfortable clothing. Bring plenty of water, eye covering, a pillow, blanket and something soft to lie on.

Please no scents ~ perfume or cologne.

Join us Fridays at 7:00 PM $20 Dec. 10th, Jan. 14th, and Feb. 11th at the Goff House, 2 Barton Hill Rd., East Hampton, CT for an evening of sound healing with crystal bowls, gongs and other vibrational instruments.

Reservations & Information

203-779-0345 Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 13

14

m od er n s ham an i c l i v i n g

A Wonderful Time To Be Alive!

by Evelyn C. Rysdyk

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his is a season of deep and profound gratitude. All over the world, millions of people are practicing the art of becoming grateful, Conscious Co-creators.

My partner and I are seeing a growing commitment to this path among both our shamanic healing clients and folks that we work with in our training programs.

Our students, who have chosen to reawaken their sacred connections to All That Is through shamanic spirituality, are perhaps the strongest in their desire to make this change. In their explorations, they continue to gain a visceral knowledge of the radiant connections that unite all of our cosmos. They also see the impact each of us has upon that whole. This, in turn, awakens the urge to only generate positive impact. Through engaging in this journey of awareness, they step ever closer to becoming powerfully transcendent human beings. They commit to this in spite of personal struggles, fears, illness or other “disruptions” because they realize it is the best hope for our world.

These wonderful people also realize that becoming a grateful and loving co-creative force makes it much easier to be peaceful and loving even in difficult times or when surrounded by angry or fearful people. This is especially true when all around us we see swirling divisiveness, alienation, judgment and deliberate fearmongering stirred up by fundamentalist fringe groups ranging from reactionary political parties to aberrant religious sects that intentionally distort their traditions to exclude or even harm others. All of these groups have a common thread in that they choose to spread fear, control and constriction as a response to the world.

Although not a shaman, Dr. David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. is an internationally renowned psychiatrist, physician, researcher, and pioneer in the fields of consciousness research and spirituality. In his book Power vs. Force, Hawkins writes, “We all float on the collective level of consciousness of (hu)man kind, so that any increment we add comes back to us.” Plainly put, that means, if you project fear, you’ll be bathing in more fear and if you radiate gratitude and love, you’ll actually produce more to be grateful for! This state enables you to feel lighter, be more compassionate and more easily radiate healing energy into the world. Hawkins also suggests that one person who chooses to live with optimism and non-judgment of others offsets the energy of 90,000 individuals vibrating at lower energetic frequencies that include despair, rage, blame, cynicism and antagonism. These impressive numbers are further multiplied by those who choose to live in gratitude and peace.

As you can see, this act of practicing gratitude exponentially boosts your ability to change the world around you. As Brother David Steindl-Rast (www.gratefulness.org) states, “In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.” By living in gratitude, we create the very situations we desire to experience. This happens, as all matter initially exists as a wave or vibration, which may take form. Form happens when the wave is “collapsed” into a point in time/space.

By consciously working with the “inner technology” of our feelings, we can change the wave or vibratory state that in turn changes the nature of reality. In a sense, our feelings “decide” how the waves collapse into physicality.

Numi, a Shuar shaman from the Ecuador rain forest once told John Perkins: “The world is as you dream it,”... “Your people dreamed of huge factories, tall buildings, as many cars as there are raindrops in this river. Now you begin to see that your dream is a nightmare....

Everything you do ripples across the Mother.” When Perkins asked another of his teachers how people might be able to change this terrible situation, the shaman replied, “All you have to do is change the dream.” After which he added, “It can be accomplished in a generation.

You need only plant a different seed, teach your children to dream new dreams.”

As the outer world seems more and more intent on glorifying calamity and apocalypse, as we grow ever closer to 2012, it is very timely to begin “dreaming a new dream” for yourself, our species and our planet. Each of us can start by using our waking imagination to visualize and feel the new reality. Once you have imagined the new possibilities, you must be unwavering in your dedication to it. It means continuing to

practice gratitude and feeling the new world that you desire already happening now. It also means backing up your feeling prayers by taking physical actions.

So for instance, if you desire a cleaner world, take all the “stuff ” that you haven’t used for over a year to Goodwill. Once you’ve tackled your living space, organize your neighbors to clean up the street or a local school or volunteer for an organization that supports your new dream. If you want a world with more social justice, you could begin by approaching people who look, speak, worship or love differently than you do with an open heart. Don’t let the prejudices of the media; your family or friends turn you away from learning to appreciate all of humanity. You’ll find that practicing this creates a tidal wave of internal change!

I would also suggest that if you want more peace, take a break from the negatively biased, fear-generating news media! Vow to take the last week of December as a news-free week in preparation for the New Year. Use the time you would have been watching the news or reading the paper and turn it into the time you create a brand new gratitude list!

Start with a beautiful notebook you have either made or bought. Begin the list on the first right hand page with the following sentence: “I am grateful for the co - creator,_____________________.” and put your own full name on the line!

On a new right-hand page, start with the line: “I am ...Numi grateful for ___________________ who made my life possible.”

On that blank line, place the names of your parents and grandparents. This is important to do even if they were not nurturing presences. Their only gift may have been to give you life, but what a wondrous gift it is!

Then add on the same page, “I am grateful for these people who nurtured me to wholeness.” On this part of the list, add the names of every teacher, friend, therapist, relative, coworker or neighbor that gentled your path.

Continue using only right-hand pages as you add new sections to your list.

Now start a list of all the role models living and dead who have inspired you with this sentence: “I am grateful for these people who helped me to know my life could have meaning.” This is the place to list historical people and others who you may have never met and yet have positively influenced your life. Whether they are the Rachel Carson, Jesus, Susan B. Anthony, Einstein, Joan of Arc, Thomas Edison, Georgia O’Keefe, Harriet Tubman or others, add all of your heroes, heroines and inspirations to the list.

Start a fresh page to be grateful for your body with this heading: “I am grateful for these aspects of my physical body and it’s marvelous abilities.” List all of your senses, the abilities you have to move your body, and your ability to feel.

On the next page add, “I am grateful for these other beings who shared my life.” This is the place to list all your animal and bird friends. List all of your pets and then include any amazing animal and bird sightings you have had over your life. Remember all your encounters—the deer who just stood and watched you, the hummingbird that hovered nearby, the butterfly that landed on you, a turkey vulture rocking in the sky, the chattering chipmunk that made you giggle, the formation of geese you heard at dusk.

Whatever beautiful memories you have, put them on the list.

Broaden your list to include the following on the next page: “I am grateful for these places and the experiences I have had in them.” Write down everything you can think of that you are grateful for in nature on the list. Include all the stunning sunrises and sunsets you’ve been fortunate to experience. The times you went into nature and felt beauty, majesty and awe. Include rainbows, full moon nights, fireflies on a summer evening, the aroma of the pine, sea smoke dancing over the ocean, a fresh snowfall— reach deep into your memory and pour it all down on the pages.

This gratitude list is part of you planting the seeds of a new dream. If a part of you is thinking this is silly, let me share a study done by researchers from UC Davis and the Mississippi University for Women in 2007. They found that organ transplant

The World Is As You Dream It...

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15 recipients who kept “gratitude journals” scored far better on measures of mental health, general health and vitality than those who keep only routine notes about their days. In feeling gratitude, the patients were able to significantly improve their overall health and clinical outcome of their surgeries. In short, their gratitude changed their physical reality!

So, dear hearts ignore the doomsayers, pundits and negative people that tell you the world is anything less than a splendid miracle! Keep your intent clear, stay in gratitude and take beneficial action. Gather with other people who share optimism for this beautiful place and are willing to work toward creating that reality. If you don’t already know how, learn the shamanic journey process* or begin a meditation practice so you can expand your spiritual support, as well.

The simple knowledge that we have this kind of a power, which when added to our ability to imagine a better world can shift the entire human race to a path of beauty, love and restoration; fills me with tremendous optimism about our future as a species.

By choosing the path of the conscious co-creator, you and I have the capacity to transform the world for the better! Treasure every one of your precious days here.

Spend them imagining a beautiful future in all of its richness and adding your energy to making it manifest.

It is a blessing for me to write this column for you. My heart leads me to inspire and encourage you because I have deep faith in your ability to create more beauty, love and peace in the world. © 2010/2011 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 though 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.

*The author is facilitating a Shamanic Journey workshop on December 4 & 5. You may register by going to the calendar listing: http://www.spiritpassages.com/calendar.html.

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16

wand e r ing s age w i s d om The process has a number of steps:

Remembering Ourselves by Aaron Hoopes

Aya Itagaki

he winter season should be one of reflecting on our lives and remembering what makes us happy, healthy and peaceful. The holidays are often spoken of as a time of giving however, giving should not be something done only in the holiday spirit. Everything we are fortunate to have is a blessing and sharing those gifts with others is the way we give thanks for the miracle of this life we are living. The more we give away, the more we encourage the flow to bring things back to us. You never lose anything. This is the wonder of life.

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Reflecting on the wonder of life should be a regular practice especially during the holiday season yet, more often than not, the holidays can stir up quite a lot of issues that lie just below the surface. When we combine this with a general sense of unease that seems to pervade the world at the moment, it breeds difficulty and uncertainty into our daily life. The result is a generous helping of stress and worry which we often don’t have an answer for. There is a tendency to simply try and hold on tight, hoping to make it through unscathed.

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Fortunately, just as it feels as if things are unraveling, there also seems to be something quite amazing taking place in the world. Many people are starting to sense a shift in consciousness as a transformational change begins to take place.

No longer are the old patterns working for us and many people are starting to look for answers deeper within themselves. The distractions of the media would have us believe that things are at the brink of collapse, but if you take a moment to center yourself, you quickly realize collapse is relative. Talk a walk in nature and you can observe the life force energy flowing along. The sun rises, the rains fall, the wind blows and the snow accumulates. The hardships we face teach us valuable lessons.

They temper our being and prepare us for change.

Embracing change can be a real challenge. Our ability to do it depends a lot on where we live and the holistic practices we engage in. Bringing ourselves into alignment is a long process, but it is one we cannot neglect.

1. Nourish the Body. We need to learn to breathe effectively to bring in more oxygen and energy. We also must engage in movement practices in order to circulate the energy through the muscles and joints. In addition, we should be clearing out the toxins and poisons from our diet.

2. Calm the Mind. We need to bring clarity of thought to our thinking process so that we are able to react and adapt to the challenges we face. A drastic reduction in the distracting noise from the television should be a priority.

3. Open the Heart. We need to begin to use the heart as an organ of perception. By getting in touch with our feelings and the energy fields that surround all living beings, we can start to project a more loving and caring energy out into the world.

4. Honor the Soul. We need to take the journey inwards and confront the dark parts of ourselves and shine a pure light of truth onto them. Only then will we be able to release that which no longer serves us.

5. Embrace the Spirit. We need to embrace the spiritual part of us that is connected to the whole spirit of existence. By engaging in ceremony to honor the sun, moon, wind, trees, animals and elements we can more fully remember our place in the universe.

It would serve all of us this holiday season to try to be a little more forgiving and humble in our thoughts and actions. We always have a choice as to how we react in any given situation. We have all felt the energy change when an angry person walks into a room. Everyone gets a little on edge. Remember… this dynamic works both ways. If we can find a calm center within ourselves, then we give others a reference point to find calmness within their own selves. Let the holiday season be about cultivating peace and harmony in the world. Finding faults in others or laying blame for things elsewhere simply creates friction and unease.

When you drop a pebble into a pool of water the ripples spread out. You determine the ripples you send out to the people around you. Let your pebble be positive and loving. We are only going to find the way forward by turning inwards and getting our own self in order.

I wish you much happiness, joy and peace this season.

Please visit my blog to share any comments you may have.

More Wandering Sage Wisdom at: http://wanderingsagewisdom.blogspot.com.

Aaron Hoopes has spent 28 years studying and teaching martial arts, tai chi, yoga and meditation. He is the founder of Zen Yoga and the author of five books. He teaches an Online Personal Development Course for Spiritual Deepening and holds retreats at the Ledge End Retreat and Healing Center in the mountains of Vermont. His bestselling Zen Yoga Daily Warm-Up DVD is a simple method for integrating breath and movement into daily life. Please feel free to contact Aaron: breathe@artofzenyoga.com. Visit the Zen Yoga Website: www.artofzenyoga.com

Letting the Creative Spirit Find YOU! How many years have you started out your New Year’s Resolution list with BE MORE CREATIVE? This year I am going to learn to paint, to play the piano, to write, to sing, to dance…? Do you have boxes of craft supplies unused in your attic, or stacks of creative “how to” books that never get used? Have you been waiting for the creative inspiration that never seems to come? Well, if so, I am here to help and tell you that it is time for the Creative Spirit to come and get you! Creativity, which comes so naturally when we are children, is an inherent part of being a human being and it is as individual as a fingerprint. Each of us has our own kind of creativity, unique and perfect. Often it gets driven out of us, when we are young by teachers who want us to conform and make that green tree or by even well meaning folks who criticize our tender vulnerabilities. Often at these moments of embarrassing criticism, we shut down and this can last through the rest of our lives. BUT NO MORE!!! Your mark, word, song, etc., is meant to be made in this world... your mark that is as individual as you are… and you are the only one who can make that mark as you do.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your creative spirit. Self-judgment is the greatest neutralizer to the act of creation. Our thinking can limit us by bringing us judgments like... I’m not an artist, I could never make money at this, I am too old, no one would ever want to see me perform, I could never sell my book... There are 16 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2010

by Kat Logan

millions of such messages that we can pour through our thoughts, sabotaging our joy of creation. I call this The Committee. We have to eliminate the committee and let our hearts be the ones that we listen to. Our hearts know what joy there is for us in the action of creating.

SO, let’s make a pact. Yup, just you and me. Today, I want you to make something. Create something and finish it. Today, write a poem or story. Today, draw something, even on the back of an envelope. Would you? Today, sing a song, paint a picture, dust off that guitar in the closet and play it! It can be a small little 5 minute thing... just do it.

Now, notice how you feel. Do you feel that enthusiasm that begins to tickle in your belly and makes you feel a little more alive and excited about life? Your creative spirit has been waiting for you to make just a little opening, now just open to the process and let yourself have some fun. If the chatter of the committee begins, send it off and get back in to task of focusing on whatever you are making.

The World is meant to be full of love, creativity and joy. The World is waiting for you to add your special, individual touch. This is your time here on the planet... let your creative spirit find you... and oh, the joy that it will bring!

Kat Logan is an intuitive healer and lives with her husband in Friendship, Maine. She can be reached at www.mygreatfulheart.com or email: kat@mygreatfulheart.com.

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lov ing e ar th

Chilling It Down with Food Saving the Planet a Meal at a Time

by Pat Foley

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ast issue we wrote about addressing global warming, suggesting that to correct the problem, we each need to take action because the situation is truly critical, and that what we as individuals do (or don’t do) definitely makes a difference. We believe it is important to focus on being the change we wish to see in the world. At the same time we think it is important to remain grounded in reality. Therefore, we believe talking gently about “climate change” in the face of the urgency of the issue obscures the seriousness of our situation.

Happily there is energy and excitement in positive ideas. As we review some of the changes people have actually made to address global warming, we see real action and feel contagious enthusiasm in the places we find people’s hearts are engaged.

Good Food=Good Health

Salt made by the Maine Sea Salt Company, a family business established in 1998

We knew from the folks at Stonewall Kitchen that a Maine company was making salt and that it was particularly flavorful. Although we haven’t used salt in cooking for years (not so much need when the food is fresh from the garden) we wanted to try some of this Maine sea salt. There is always room on our table for a special little something and it sounded like a good holiday gift idea.

Maine Sea Salt is made from filtered ocean water with the help of wind and sun in large greenhouses. No drying agents or artificial flavoring ingredients are used in production. Owner Steven Cook grew up on Bailey Island where his parents had a lobster pound and restaurant. People loved the way the lobsters tasted and wanted to know what made them so good. The answer was the salt water. Maine Sea Salt is Steve’s way of making that special flavor available to people no matter where they live.

In addition to the natural salt, there are herbed lemon, garlic, dulse, black pepper, apple smoked and hickory smoked salts; available in grinders, bags and jars. We prefer the jars because they are made of glass. Our favorite flavor is the apple-smoked salt that does not use artificial “smoke” but is processed over fires of real apple wood and definitely worth trying.

Fresh organic milk from Moo Milk, Maine’s Own Organic Milk, a company formed by 10 organic dairy farms, MOFGA and the Maine Farm Bureau, with support from the Maine Department of Agriculture and start–up funding from Stonyfield Farm, Oakhurst Dairy and Smiling Hill Farm

Moo was formed to promote farm preservation and economic development in Maine by marketing and distributing 100% Maine organic milk. The company’s mission is “to educate the consuming public on the value and intrinsic worth of preserving the local family farm while developing a line of premium quality milk products that support this mission”. Think sustainability and local food security here.

The business model Moo used is not new, but not common for Maine dairies in today’s world. Technically Moo Milk is incorporated as an L3C company, a low profit, limited liability Corporation that is eligible to receive grants and endowments the same way cooperatives and non-profits do. The farmers themselves are part owners of the company, thus owners of the milk all the way from cows to customers. They take responsibility for production, processing, marketing and distribution. These farm families all share a commitment to conservation and the wise use of our natural resources.

Whole milk, skim milk, 1% and 2% milk are available. We tried a glass of the 2% milk and were impressed. We generally avoid low fat milk, but in this case, the flavor is exceptional. Since the fair, we have found all varieties of Moo quite regularly at Whole Foods Market in Portland. Our favorite is the whole milk, but it’s all good and, we believe, worth seeking out. We also are impressed with the level of cooperation being engaged in all along the milk’s path, from farm to market, and want to support that as well.

The Cornucopia Institute (www.cornucopia.org) has given Moo Milk their "highest five cow" rating for organic milk with an impressive 1150 points. More information about Moo Milk can be found at www.moomilkco.com. The website has a product locater chart. We suggest you confirm current availability with the store you plan to visit.

Henry’s Organic Sunflower Oil from Bull Ridge Farm, in the Perkins family since 1928

At the fair we learned that it takes seeds from more than seventy sunflower heads to produce a large bottle of Henry’s Organic Sunflower Oil. We already knew that “all natural” does not mean the same thing as “organic” so were pleased to see the oil is MOFGA certified organic. It is also packaged in glass bottles, another plus, since testing has revealed many plastic containers that we had assumed were safe leach into the foods they contain.

The sunflower oil has a mild, pleasantly nutty flavor. In addition to the oil, Bull Ridge Farm grows corn, oats, wheat and spelt. They also have milk, livestock food grade sunflower meal and oil and livestock food grade soybean meal and oil. Products, according to MOFGA’s organic food directory, are available through Crown of Maine Cooperative at www.crownofmainecoop.com.

It hardly seems fair to single out just three products from among the bounty of food items at the Common Ground Fair. We suggest making plans to attend the fair next September and picking your own favorites. We’re quite sure you’ll find many more than three!

People have written about the 100-mile diet, the 30-mile diet and the seasonal diet.

All these ways of eating reduce the carbon footprint of storing and transporting our food. If the food is organic as well as local, the footprint is reduced even further. These ways of choosing our food are possible to do, they do make a difference, they include the yummy factor and we each can take steps to enjoy them. Bon appetite. © Pat Foley, 2010 Pat practices cutting carbon dioxide emissions and general greenness to the best of her ability just outside of Cornish, ME. You may contact her at earthrest@psouth.net Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 17

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Using our food choices as a way to create positive change is a favorite of ours. It’s something we all can do. We all have to eat and, quite literally, we are what we eat, so it makes sense to seek out the best possible ingredients for our meals. Fortunately, the choices that are best for us also benefit our planet. Our search for sustainable farming practices, the best flavors and the highest nutrition guides us directly away from industrial agri-business and the huge impacts of its inhumane, unsustainable operating procedures right toward the small, local, organic farm.

This past fall we spent a day at the Common Ground Fair, put on each September by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners in Unity, Maine and called “the best small fair in the country” by the New York Times.

The fair celebrates sustainable rural living and all that entails. It’s a showcase of organic Maine grown foods and a positive happening that indicates local food security is indeed possible, and with it come flavor and nutrition.

At the fair we wanted to see if we could find Maine suppliers for some of the products we use which rack up a lot of miles traveling from their points of origin to reach New England markets. In this way, by buying more locally, we hoped to further reduce our own carbon footprint. We also had visions of putting together baskets of good things to eat as holiday gifts, and were looking to see what might be available right here in the state. We were thinking "maybe a little crusty bread, some fancy jellies tucked in among the heirloom apples, maybe some honey, some organic sausage for our meat eating friends…"

With these thoughts in mind, we happily sampled our way from booth to booth.

Following are just three of the many tasty things we found:

Who would have thought salt could be local? Yet 200 years ago salt works were a common thing along the New England coast. The company web site is www.maineseasalt.com.

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t he 2 1 s t c e n tur y b oh em i a n

Julia Cameron: An Artist Making Her Way in the World

by Teresa Piccari

TP: In your new book, The Creative Life, you give us a detailed picture of your life in New York. You take us into restaurants, classrooms and into your home. I found myself curious, having read most of the body of your work that you have moved back to New Mexico.

JC: I’m in Sante Fe. I never lived here before. I lived up in Taos for 10 years. Sante Fe is more urbane. Perhaps a little bit gentler. I found that after 12 years in New York I was craving nature. I lived a block from Central Park but going to Central Park didn’t seem to scratch the itch. I had one part of Central Park I went to, which was a grove of pine trees. And when I came to New Mexico, I took a little house up in the pine trees. I take my dog for a walk every day in the pines. She loves it.

TP: Do you see nature as a big feed for your creative well?

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JC: Yes, absolutely so. When I wrote The Creative Life, I would have one little sentence identify what was going on in the atmosphere. ‘Today it’s gray and socked in. Today I have two blue jays.’ I think that for me nature is a great catalyst for work.

TP: How is being back in New Mexico, different from New York?

JC: I find myself wanting to write more, which is enjoyable. I have bought bird feeders, and I have flocks of birds coming right near my writing room window. It’s very nice.

TP: Are you near Natalie Goldberg then?

JC: I’m about three miles from her house.

Five minutes from Nat. TP: Have you had time to catch up?

JC: Yes, I’ve been over to her house, which is wonderful. She has a little orchard at her house and I found myself being very jealous and thinking, "Gee I want an orchard." So who knows where the next house will be.

TP: Do you have a planned creative collaboration with her?

JC: We’re talking about doing another tape on writing. We did a tape about 10 years ago, and we both have grown up and changed, and we thought it would be good to do another tape. So we may do that.

TP: I wanted to ask how you use the writing tools you have developed, the Artist Date, the Morning Pages and now, over the last several years, your walks. I am curious, and you touch on it a little bit in The Creative Life. But with your own Morning Pages, how would you describe your use of them?

JC: I’ve been writing Morning Pages for about 25 years. I write them daily. I get up, and I drink cold coffee. You’re hearing the voice of a fanatic here. I make my coffee the night before. And then in the morning, I grab a cup of cold coffee, and I sit down in my writing chair, and I begin writing. And I am awake, and I am tired. And I sort of take my emotional temperature and look at the day that lies ahead of me.

And I also use the Morning Pages to pray. So for about a half a page, I pray on the page. Dear God, guard and guide my beloveds.

TP: Is there an amount of time you average with them?

JC: They take between 20 and 40 minutes.

TP: Has there been a change in how you apply them?

JC: I think I just understand them better. Morning Pages are a catalyst for all the other forms of creativity that I practice. There’s no wrong way to do them but my critic, whom I call Nigel, Nigel will rear his head and say, ‘Oh, you’re being so petty.’

And I say, ‘Nigel, thank you for sharing.’ And I keep going. And that becomes a 18 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

portable skill, so that when Nigel rears his head, when I’m trying to write music, I say, ‘Nigel, thank you for sharing’. And the process of the Morning Pages really has trained Nigel that he has to step aside when I tell him to, and that is invaluable.

TP: If you could take only one of the thirty some books you have written, to a deserted island, which would it be and why?

JC: I think it would be The Artist’s Way because it has the most concrete use of spiritual tools. If I were on a deserted island I would definitely want to feel that God was playing close attention to me.

TP: You have continued to choose to teach. In The Creative Life you talk about two workshops. One a shorter one based on The Right to Write and then a 12-week course on The Artist Way. JC: In all the years that I have taught, I’ve had a couple classes that were really difficult. And one of them was during the writing of The Creative Life. I was faced with skeptics. I had one girl raise her hand and say, ‘Julia, I’ve been having Artist Dates and doing Morning Pages for nine weeks now and absolutely nothing has changed.’ I said, ‘I think that’s impossible” and she said, ‘It’s true.’ Then I said, ‘I think you should drop the class.’ And she said, ‘But Julia, I’m getting so much out of it.’ Cameron recalled with a laugh.

TP: I guess she hadn’t gotten her Nigel in line yet.

JC: Right, she was kind of a little stinker.

TP: I know you believe that creativity is married to spirituality. Has that ever been challenged or proved an obstacle in your teaching?

JC: I teach in environments that are open. I taught for 17 years through the New York Open Center. And the Open Center tends to attract a clientele that is willing to dabble in spirituality. So when I tell them ,’I want you to write a prayer,’ I haven’t had anybody say, ‘I’m not going to write a prayer dammit.’ They seem to be open to experimenting. Right now I am teaching through Unity Church in Sante Fe. So again it’s sort of a pre-selected, pro-spiritual group.

TP: I wanted to ask you about your relationship with your editors. In your memoir Floor Sample, for instance, we learn a lot about Jeremy Tarcher. And now your editor is Sarah Carder?

JC: The way it works for me is I write a rough draft. I give that rough draft to a woman named Linda Kahn. Linda goes through it, as does my group of Believing Mirrors. I get all those notes, and then I sit down, and I do a second draft. And after I get finished with the second draft or maybe it’s even a third draft, then it goes into Sara Carder and Joel Fotinos; Joel is my publisher. So Joel and Sarah will read it, and if they have notes, they will give me notes.

TP: How would you describe you relationships with your editors and the publishing industry?

JC: First of all, I have been very lucky. I have had a lot of continuity in my career.

A lot of people have grown up with me. And a lot of times, I have listened to stories about how horrible publishing is, and I think that’s not true because that has not been my experience. I think editors have less power politically than they used to have. And if you turn in a book, it has to please the editors but it also has to please the marketing people. So I think for editors life is a little bit more difficult. They can’t buy things with as much impunity. But I’ve had very good editors. I had a good editor last year when I wrote my novel Mozart’s Ghost. Marsha Markland was my editor, and she was very deft. And I should also say Susan Raihofer, who is my literary agent, is a tough, tough editor, so she’s very useful too.

19 TP: What are your creative goals right now?

JC: I’m writing another book for Putnam.

TP: Can you tell me what it’s about?

JC: I should probably keep it a secret because I find if I start talking about it, I lose my momentum.

TP: So that is a rule you use, in general?

JC: Yes, I think that the part of us who writes, wants applause.

And if you get applause for telling about something, you don’t have the same impetus to write it. You’ve probably run into that in your writing workshops. Where people will give a great pitch on something and then mysteriously, not be able to write it very well.

TP: Is there anything else you wanted to share with our audience?

JC: Just that I didn’t realize that I was writing a farewell letter.

Now when I look at The Creative Life, it looks like it’s a love letter to New York. It’s a love letter to that life.

Julia's upcoming schedule will be: December 12th ~Creativity and Divinity: Dancing Partners at the New York Open Center, NY, NY..

March 11th-13th ~ A Workshop on The Artist's Way: Creative Myths and Monsters at Kripalu – Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, MA. For more information on Julia's work please visit www.theartistsway.com. © 2010 Teresa Piccari

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Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 19

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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 writing workshops including Memoir, Creative Writing and Mythic Structure, and she also runs the monthly Ducktrap Writers’ Round Table on third Sundays at the Camden Public Library from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Contact her at The21stCenturyBohemian@hotmail.com or (207) 344-7070.

Have You Ever experienced

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t he w ay o f lif e - it s e l f Getting The Big Picture Of Life's Processes When Times Are Hard

by Skye Hirst, Ph.D.

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As living growing participant-organisms in this greater organicism of life, we are “phase locked” through organizing coherence principles that make life in all its complexity possible.

Norm Hirst When life gets hard, falls apart, as it seems to be for so many today, history has shown us that the living reality, living universe, the organism of life reveals one more of her secrets – a discovery is made and we shift our consciousness. Today is such a time.

I read in an astrology book that the universe has only one rule; nothing comes to pass until all conditions are right. This appears to ring true as life’s picture unfolds.

Norm says that there are cycles within life processes, some so short, so fast we don’t even perceive them at all, they are so small as to not even have a measure to name them, and yet we are cycling through these processes and they are probably even outside space and time. Also there are cycles that extend over years, centuries called epochal time. However, we sense them through intuition when something organizes itself within us or around us to feel right for the moment – for us, for the whole, and all is aligned. Such moments give us goose bumps; make us cry when we feel such knowing. Something rings true, deeply at the most fundamental levels of our core.

Consider what has happened with the Chilean miners – their solidarity – their knowing sense of how to survive working collaboratively. They have reminded us of this truth. Each person (organism) in his/her part, fulfilling a role he/she is born to create.

Each one’s contribution is key and needed for the survival and thriving of the whole.

Norm has spent over fifty years studying and slowly putting together an amazing picture of the organism of life, her unique requirements of everything from a metaphysics (the most fundamental of beliefs and assumptions about reality) to the living logics, laws of form and distinctions that can account for the emerging discoveries about organism of life. He believes there are organizing living coherence principles that will soon emerge, revealing and explaining much of our human experience heretofore unexplainable by current dominant worldviews of physics. To get there, we are all participating in this emergence – as we learn, know ourselves more deeply, and sense our own uniqueness and connection to the greater whole. Just as the cells in our bodies’ function collaboratively to keep us alive, we are each cells in the organism of life keeping it alive – connected by water, our own bio-water. (This will take some explaining to come later.)

Let me share with you some of our conversations about these emerging secrets of organismic life. First, what is an organizing coherence principle? In physics there are laws of motion, gravitation and such that govern much of what we know as reality today. They are omnipresent whether or not you know about them, work with them as a physicist or engineer. But if you want to build a bridge or house you need to know about them; use them. We’re grateful that someone figured out how to use them to make a car or computer run. These laws have been discovered by intuitives reaching beyond what was known and accepted about reality many years ago.

And now – new intuitive reaches are occurring about the phenomenon of life and what it requires of us going beyond what has been the primary science of physics. The organizing laws of physics are incomplete and cannot account for much of what is now being discovered about organism life. The more we keep trying to push life into constraints that don’t apply, the more fragmented and disconnected we become from the living universe. We create the novelty that’s disconnected from meaning making more and more things, fragmented parts with no coherence.

For instance – the dominant logic most use today involves something about the need for consistency – survival of the fittest – need to compete, to negate, even destroy others who get in our way of what we individually believe is ours by divine right. So we must fight for it dividing us one against the other creating a culture of war. The concept of peace eludes us. I asked a couple of young teenagers what they thought peace was and their response was that it does not exist – it’s just a nice ideal.

As Norm has put forth in his paper "Towards a Science of Life as Creative Organisms" published in the Cosmos and History: The Journal of Natural and Social Philosophy two years ago – we live in a living universe, (see full paper www.autognomics.org) a cosmos that has established coherence conditions and these coherence conditions are showing up as researchers look into the Sea of Dirac – zero point energy, and biophysicist Mae-Wan Ho and others are discovering that wherever there’s life, it has to be connected to the coherence of the universe. So the push is on to know more about life-itself.

You and I non-researchers are sensing the consequences of such organizing principles within life-itself as well. Many have lived their lives making choices from their inner knowing of these principles, however, they have had no name for the process other than to say it just feels right.

So what do we know so far? I’ll try to give tiny examples of the complexity and this just might surprise you.

Biophysicist Mae-Wan Ho... asks us to consider in her book, The Rainbow and the Worm “a typical muscle contraction, all the cells in the muscle – billions of them at the very least – are executing the same molecular treadmilling in concert.

Contraction involves numerous autonomously occurring cycles of attachment and detachment of all the individual myosin heads to and from the binding sites on the actin filaments at the rate of 50 cycles or more per second each of which molecular event requiring the transfer of energy contained in one molecule of ATP – precisely coordinated over the whole cell. This energy is available to us at will whenever and wherever we want it, just as we need it. Moreover, the energy is supplied at close to 100% efficiency.”

It appears that organism-life-reality is made up of billions and billions of processes of complexity of blendings, signals, vibrational frequencies, bio-electro magnetism, firing and heating up, but not burning up, not atrophying, but regenerating, creating anew, sustaining us as we act, and live.

So what organizes it all?

Think of the idea of a railroad track as an organizing principle. It provides organization for trains and anything about trains, but it doesn’t dictate that trains use the rails, but if a train wants to go someplace, a track of some kind is necessary to coordinate the process. Life is like that. There are living tracks of coherence by which we know how to be alive as organisms living together, working, creating, playing, communicating, finding-our-way as living beings. If we are alive, we are organism-driven. There is an energy source and water, and vibrations forming crystals and each species vibrating at different frequencies but throughout this living universe the music of nature vibrates us using 93 octaves.

And yet, this vast variety of processes dance to something that is like a “phase-lock,” unifying, organizing, creating a giant orchestra while each of us creates a major tune with this bio-energetic force called life-itself. What Mae-Wan Ho and others are helping us to understand is that such a complexity is organized by elegant collaboration and unification, even solidarity.

What an open possibility for creation! You and I create how we think about what we think about as our bodies vibrate to a tune that is singularly recognizable throughout the cosmos as us. If you think you can be anyone but yourself, think again. The entire universe has organized itself to create you as you are in your nature. How you create with this nature of you is clearly part of the infinite variety of life-creating itself anew.

Now here’s a kicker – it’s water that has miraculous organizational properties – it has memory. Yes, water appears to be most complex in the ways it helps cells to know what to do, a kind of interface between energy and matter/molecules. Watch for all kinds of research coming out on water. It will explain the mysteries of homeopathy and how it uses water and energy.

Consciousness, our thoughts, emotions, value intelligence, felt senses are intangible – yet, they intersect with the molecular actions (perhaps through water, say by the form of crystals it forms from our “attitudes”) to influence what action manifests in the body and

... It's water that has miraculous organizational properties – it has memory.

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21 out – this is where there is great plasticity in organisms. This is where values and will come in. There are organizing principles within life that provide manifesting coherence conditions allowing great freedom and plasticity and at the same time allow unification and collaboration in a constantly changing reality inside and outside our body/fields.

As these secrets are revealed, I’m quite sure we won’t learn how to make life, but we’ll know how better to align ourselves and avail ourselves of these principles, instead of creating fragmentation and disconnects that lead to dysfunctional and warring cultures.

We know when something organizes itself within us to feel right for the moment – for us, for the whole, and all is aligned. Such moments give us goose-bumps; make us cry when we feel such a connection. Watching and learning about the miners and their rescue helped us recall this possibility of life. Consider other times when you’ve felt this unification of processes.

Phase lock – I like this term; I can feel it in my bio-water – my inner landscape where the molecules intersect with the life force that joins life together. Keep your eyes, ears, hearts and bio-water tuned in to the coming of life-itself principles being discovered. We’re learning together that It’s truly a Wonderful Life. It’s a big picture and we’re just beginning to see it. Oh my, what beauty and amazing gifts she has in store for us.

Skye Hirst, Ph.D. provides executive and personal coaching and writes a blog on www.autognomics. org. Skye’s blog on life with Norm, her husband and partner, lessons and challenges of learning about living and loving together. Norm and Skye are co-founders of The Autognomics Institute and continue together to do research on life as creative organisms, bringing their insights on creative processes to audiences and new leaders for the emerging shifting living consciousness. skyeh@autognomics.org

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by Joseph Campbell The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.

What you have to do, you do with play.

Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it.

The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be.

Being alive is the meaning.

The warrior’s approach is to say “yes” to life: “Yea” to it all.

Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world.

We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.

When we talk about settling the world’s problems, We’re barking up the wrong tree.

The world is perfect. It’s a mess. It has always been a mess.

We are not going to change it.

Our job is to straighten out our own lives.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.

If we fix on the old, we get stuck. when we hang onto any form, we are in danger of putrefaction.

Hell is life drying up. The Hoarder, the one in us that wants to keep, to hold on, must be killed.

If we are hanging onto the form now, we’re not going to have the form next.

You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.

Out of perfection nothing can be made.

Every process involves breaking something up.

The earth must be broken to bring forth new life. If the seed does not die, there is no plant.

Bread results from the death of wheat. Life lives on lives. Our own life lives on the acts of other people.

If you are lifeworthy, you can take it. What we are really living for is the experience of life, both the pain and the pleasure.

The world is a match for us, we are a match for the world.

Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging. Negativism to the pain and ferocity of life is negativism to life.

We are not there until we can say “Yea” to it all.

To take a righteous attitude toward anything is to denigrate it. Awe is what moves us forward.

As you proceed through life, following your own path, birds will shit on you. don’t bother to brush it off. Getting a comedic view of your situation gives you spiritual distance.

Having a sense of humor saves you. Eternity is a dimension of here and now.

The divine lives within you. Live from your own center.

Your real duty is to go away from the community to find your bliss. The society is the enemy when it imposes its structures on the individual.

On the dragon there are many scales. Every one of them says “Thou Shalt.” Kill the dragon “Thou Shalt.” When one has killed that dragon, one has become The Child.

Breaking out is following your bliss pattern, quitting the old place, starting your hero journey, following your bliss. You throw off yesterday as the snake sheds its skin.

Follow your bliss.

Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 21

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The Hero’s Journey ((On Living in the World))

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Celebrate a Safe Holiday All Year Long!

by Donald and Sara Hassler

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s pet parents all over the world look forward to celebrating the holidays, there’s one simple rule of thumb to follow each season – Safety First.

Don’t be shy sharing these tips with other pet owners. Responsible pet parents talk-up pet tips and safety guidelines all the time! Enjoy your pet-friendly celebrations and we wish you a very happy holiday all year long!

Plants & Holiday Trees Whether you are the giver or receiver, many plants are highly toxic and potentially lethal to pets. Choose carefully when buying or displaying plants and if in doubt, another non-toxic gift could be a better choice. If you as a pet parent have received a holiday plant, and are unsure if it’s safe, spread the joy and offer your plant gift to a friend that doesn’t have pets. Prior to the holidays share your concerns about plants as gifts and give your family and friends inexpensive alternatives to add to their gift lists for your family—pet household.

Pine needles, if ingested by pets are hazardous because they can puncture the intestinal tract.

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For people that add aspirin to their holiday tree water, this aspirin-laced tree water is highly toxic to pets if they drink it. Also, additives to holiday tree water often contain fertilizers that are also lethal to pets. Stagnant tree water can breed bacteria that are also toxic to pets.

Secure holiday trees and other tall decorative items so they don’t tip over onto pets. A decorative plant hanger with a toggle bolt that is secured into your ceiling can offer peace of mind for these tall home decorating hazards. Clear string or fishing line can be used for an invisible tie-up.

Holiday Decorations Many decorations contain questionable safety issues for both humans and pets. Snow globes and bubbling lights often contain toxic chemicals that are poisonous to pets.

Electrical cords can be pulled out of wall outlets and injure pets. To prevent pets from chewing on cords consider using an electrical cord cover that wraps around cords that lay on the floor. Unplug all electrical items when you’re not home to prevent fires. Alternative plugs like safety circuit plug outlets with remote controls or on/off switches can offer safety too. These circuit plug outlets shut down the power to decorative holiday lights when they are not in use. These cost effective plugs also save on electricity because they stop “vampire” electricity and save money on your monthly holiday electric bills.

Beware of ornamental items like tinsel, glass bulbs, snow spray/flock, Styrofoam, dried food ornaments, and other similar decorative items. All of these types of pretty-to-look at holiday dangers can be ingested, block the intestinal tract and cause life threatening physical complications that result in holiday pet fatalities.

Candles are a fire hazard if left unattended and can also burn a curious or clumsy pet if they are knocked over. Flameless candles come in many shapes, sizes, colors and even with holiday themes that are all very eye-catching. They even look and feel like real wax candles!

Air fresheners can be toxic to pets if sprayed in the house. The fumes when wet, put a fine mist into the air, with the help of gravity, winds up floating towards the floor and pets can either inhale this mist or it can get into their eyes. Keep pets out of the rooms you plan to spray or don’t use spray freshener at all. Try baking a holiday treat to re-fresh the air in your home instead.

Using a Safety Barrier There are so many options today to keep pets safe and out of areas that could pose danger. Previous to home safety gates, pet owners had to rely on bubble wrap on the floor, crushed aluminum foil or placing bottles filled with pennies around the house in order to hear a pet that entered a danger zone. For some pet parents a balloon tied to a chair worked wonders until someone stopped by and asked when the party was!

Today there are so many beautiful decorative home barrier gates, fences and play yards. Pet parents can look forward to choosing from a wide variety of safety options.

Walk-over gates are low enough to step over, but high enough to contain a small pet. These low profile gates are pressure mounted to a doorway and keep pets safely 22 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

out of bedrooms, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Mount a step-over gate in an enclosed hallway, shut your doors and plug your outlets and you have an instant pet-friendly area!

Staircase gates are mounted with screws and toggle bolts to the top and bottom of a staircase and provide the ultimate in staircase safety inside the home. For families with young animals or seniors, these staircase gates are an absolute must to keep their companions from having a tragic accident. Beautiful painted and wood stain designs are available.

Play yards are stand alone gates that open up to a variety of widths and many have a door built in. Play yards can contain pets when company comes for a visit.

These wide barriers can also be opened up and used as a temporary wall to section off a living dining area for eating or entertaining. Most come with wall mount brackets that can be purchased separately. Play yards are usually about 30” high and can be as wide as 144”. Many of these barriers can be attached to each other to make a double, triple or more, wide barrier.

Pressure mounted gates come in all sizes, heights and widths to accommodate most doorways or room openings. These are an attractive easy to use and install option for any home.

Freestanding gates also come in a wide variety of choices. These gates can be put up temporarily and taken down when needed. This offers a great option for holiday entertaining.

Wrapping & Unwrapping Presents Keep pets in another room or use the top of your kitchen table to wrap packages.

Scissors can cut a pets feet and can injure their mouth if walked on or picked up.

Ribbon, string, small sticky labels and other wrapping items can also be harmful to pets if chewed or swallowed.

Toss out all the wrap, tape and string/ribbons so they don’t clutter the floor. Pets are naturally drawn to investigate new things, and the paper garbage on the floor is an appealing mountain of fun for a pet to rummage through and/or eat. Also small plastic pieces and rubber items are common causes of intestinal blockage and choking for lots of pets. These types of hazardous materials often need to be removed surgically. Keep a bag close by and have everyone open one gift at a time, and throw the trash out as you go.

Don’t Feed the Animals!

During the holidays, your door often becomes a revolving door with guests in and out of your home more than any other time of the year. To keep your pets safe, healthy and happy, it’s important to remind house guests to not feed your pets.

You can set up your next party for success by putting out little custard cups of your pet’s food kibble. Guests can offer tidbits of your companion’s food instead of human table scraps.

Most human foods are off limits to pets because many are toxic and difficult to digest. Grease drippings, left-overs and odds and ends are absolute no-no’s. House guests that are unaware of your pet’s dietary needs should be informed either before they arrive or when they arrive.

Don’t Forget About Your Pets The holiday entertaining season can get busy and cluttered with a busy schedule.

Making time for your pets will be easy if you can keep a daily to-do list. Walking the dog, changing the litter pan or picking up meds are all duties that can be easily forgotten. Next time you’re at the store, pick up a little refrigerator calendar or holiday scratch pad, and start filling in your furry friend’s to-do list.

Cut Down on Stress Letting your pets enjoy your holiday party might be fun for you, but might not be so fun for them. Long arms of strangers holding holiday delights that smell yummy could send most pets onto their hind legs for a night of begging. Most nonpet people do not appreciate a wide-eyed begging pet and will shoo-shoo them away

Continued on Page 45

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ask asrianna Questions and Answers on Relationships, Spirituality and Conscious Living perfect. The Vietnamese Zen master, Thich Nat Hanh, teaches about seeing a beautiful flower in full bloom. He speaks of how when we see that perfect flower we are seeing within it everything. We see the seed before it is planted, how when that perfect seed is within the damp earth it splits and cracks. We might be tempted to say, ah, that is now an imperfect seed! It is no longer whole and unmarred. But from that open seed the sprout appears, pushes through the earth and eventually turns from a perfect seed and tender shoot into the perfection of a flower at the zenith of its growth.

Then, eventually, the flower droops, petals fall, the stem bows and it becomes—if you’ve gathered it as a centerpiece on your table—refuse, garbage as Thich Nat Hanh gently says. When we see that rotting bit of plant life, do we see in the complete cycle its perfection? And yet, it’s no less perfect when it becomes compost to nourish the growth of other seeds than when it was at the height of its resplendent glory!

We are perfect. We come from the perfection of the Great All in All, God, Goddess, the Great Spirit, whatever the name you choose to give the ineffable life force that created all there is within and without the Universe. Just as an orange grows from the branch of an orange tree and we do not expect an apple to appear upon an olive branch, so from perfection comes perfection.

Yet if your definition of perfection is stasis then it will be hard for you to accept or believe in your inherent, perfect nature.

You see because we seek perfection as an end goal, we’re unable to ever reach that unattainable pot of gold. We think, I cannot be perfect! I’m not thin enough, wealthy enough, good enough, young enough, or, conversely, mature and wise enough yet! And spoken or unspoken is the thought that if this is perfection, you are consigned to be right where you are now, which for many people is a place of dissatisfaction and unhappiness Change is unavoidable and constant. Every passing second is new, we’ve never experienced it before, and we’ll never again breathe through the same moment.

Understanding your true perfection means realizing the foundation of what you do next is built upon the sturdiness of self-love and self-kindness.

You’re not the person you were five years ago, five months ago, five weeks ago, or even five minutes ago. Everything you are now is the sum total of all you’ve experienced and learned. From this moment’s place of perfection you move forward into continued perfection, more fully realized and actualized.

When you understand the beauty of your spirit and being, you cannot allow it to be abused or compromised. You cherish it, you protect it and at least part of this nourishment arises from something many think of as quite unspiritual. The idea of conditional love.

We can love others unconditionally. This means that at a soul level we honor the spirit and perfection inherent in another. We work to be loving, fair, and kind in our thoughts and actions toward those around us. What it doesn’t mean, however, is allowing ourselves to be mistreated, or to accept a lesser dream because we don’t want to offend or alienate another.

You can love your romantic partner, you can honor his perfection and right to unfold as he chooses even as you affirm your needs, your goals, and what it is that a fulfilling, loving, joyful relationship means to you. Indeed, we can fully, unconditionally love someone even as we make a decision to live a separate life from them because their treatment of us is unacceptable.

When we allow for our desires, we’re fairer to others because we express what we need in order to experience a safe, loving, trusting relationship. While it might not be something they initially or ultimately agree to, this honest and loving communication forms the groundwork upon which a healthy relationship is built.

Ultimately, your forward steps will lead you where you’re meant to be, but you can choose to walk upon one path, or another, can lovingly set the boundaries around you. We’re each far more empowered than we ever understand. Many blessings to you in your perfection.

Signed, Asrianna Asrianna Dameron is a Psychic Medium, a Certified Hypnotherapist, and a Certified Past Life Regressionist in private practice. She offers individual sessions and gallery readings as well as workshops and speaking engagements on the topics of Psychic Development, Mediumship, Energy Management and Shamanic Healing. For her upcoming Gallery events or to learn more about her newest CD’s, email Asrianna at Asrianna@asrianna.com, visit her website at www.asrianna.com, stop by and see her at Facebook, or call (603) 892-1268. As always, your emails and questions for her column are greatly welcome.

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Dear Asrianna, I’m in a relationship for the first time in several years after a really painful marriage and divorce. I feel like I’ve spent a long time healing and learning about my spirituality and what I want in a relationship. I really love my boyfriend, but I’m worried because after over a year it’s clear that my goals and his aren’t the same at all.

It’s confusing to me because during the time I was alone, I worked really hard to feel good about myself. I’m trying not to regret anything I had to go through in order to be where I am now. I try to see myself as perfect just the way I am, but if I see myself that way, how can I judge what my boyfriend does?

And if I unconditionally love him, how can I reconcile the fact that I want marriage and faithfulness and commitment when it seems like he doesn’t want those things?

How do I put this all together?

Signed, Unconditionally perfect Dear Perfect, We speak about the subjectivity of experience. Part of that subjectivity is due to the many definitions we each give a single word, expression, action or feeling. And there’s no clearer example of this than the thoughtful questioning in your letter.

So let us start first, with the idea of spirituality and, more specifically, your idea of spirituality. You see, I can practically guarantee that if you ask any ten people about their religious background at least one of them will say that they’re “spiritual, but not religious.”

Typically that statement means that while they might acknowledge a belief in the numinous, while allowing for an unknowable presence of something larger than themselves, they prefer not to adhere to a particular church doctrine or specific institutional teaching. Quite a few people do so because of personal issues with the idea of judgment, or the feeling that certain laws and requirements are limiting or unjust.

There’s absolutely nothing untoward or wrong with being spiritual or religious, and frankly, the lines between those two labels are typically blurred. What can be problematic is when we call ourselves spiritual and pretend—or overlook—that there are indeed very human needs and feelings that are not only okay, but are healthy. They might be church boundaries and laws about how we treat ourselves and our neighbors, or they might be your own requirements gleaned from personal exploration and spiritual seeking.

The truth is that it’s healthy to look out for your needs. Being spiritual does not mean that you present the other cheek on a constant basis even as you know you’ll be slapped over and over again. It doesn’t mean becoming so evolved that you benignly experience unacceptable, hurtful and avoidable behaviors and treatment from loved ones or others.

So ask yourself what it means for you to be spiritual? While it may be true that we’re spiritual beings having a human experience, we are, nonetheless, human. This isn’t a minus because being human is truly a spectacular opportunity. There are pleasures and joys, depths of learning and sensing only available to us here, while we’re in these tangible, dense bodies. With all of the challenges and tasks of being upon Mother Earth, at the very deepest level it’s a divine blessing. We’re not asked to overcome our human selves, but to honor them and live a life that includes the sacred within our humanity. And it’s all sacred.

Perhaps what you mean when you say you’ve worked on healing and on your spirituality, is that you understand what you need in order to be happy and fulfilled.

If so, fantastic! There’s nothing more important to the world than a person who lives a truly fulfilled, passionate, curious, happy, and loving life. And we don’t get there by constantly sacrificing our dreams and hopes on the pyres of other people’s demands and requirements.

Being spiritual means, in part, that you pay attention to the very breath of your soul’s longing, that you dig deep to find the jewel at the core of your being, what it is that you are meant to do. As part of your healing and spiritual seeking—at the center of all our spiritual seeking—is the question, “what is my soul’s highest joy?” When we live from a place of self-love and tenderness, we radiate that very self-same love outward, living a life of grace and service toward ourselves, our unique soul’s path, and toward the true benefit of others.

This is where we come to the idea of perfection, to yet another definition.

You see, it’s all perfect. Right now. In this moment. Yes, in this moment you are indeed

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a b rea th o f he al i n g

Every Master Was A Disaster!

by Donna Amrita Davidge

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As I ponder the topic “It’s A Wonderful Life,” messages came while my mind searched for “material.” If we think of any classic story of inspiration and wonderment, it is never filled with ever and only blissful moments. By living we can usually see that something is to be learned, if not gained, in the moments that don’t feel so wonderful.

Before sitting to pen this, I was on Facebook, something I reluctantly joined a year ago. Life seems saner for me without too much technology.

There was a fabulous one minute clip on failure and all those who were told they would be failures, like Abe Lincoln, the Beatles and Michael Jordan. Someone’s comment on that clip became the title for this article. I had never seen that one before but liked it a lot. It brings to mind Yogi Bhajan’s quote “the biggest saints were the biggest sinners.” That one-minute clip, these brief moments, can give us inspiration through the wonder of the technology we have available at this point in time.

In comparison to the technology we move so quickly with these days, I received a snail mail postal package a few days ago, simply marked “Yoga pupil” on the return address from Pennsylvania. In the package was one of my old business cards no email address, no website, simply some images on the card, the words yoga trainer and my home phone number, no cell phone. On the two yoga books enclosed was a Stick-em saying, “ I am so sorry it has taken me so long to return these. I truly lost track of time.” It was all a bit mysterious. I reflected on how, in the time she had lost track of, things change. I then received a call from a woman who said she had worn out two of my “Clearing Your Chakras” audiocassettes (also dating things—how things have changed!) and asked if we had it now in CD format. These moments are actually a wonder for me, these communications seemingly coming out of nowhere, unexpected and from relatively long ago. These moments may appear small but to me they are filled with the wonder of inter connectedness, the wonder of surprise, good surprises, that can affirm us as people or the work we do or the relationships, even ones forgotten, that we have or have had. On a day that you may feeling like that disaster, a package or phone call may come to let you know you are not, or that you or what you are doing is worthwhile, is having an impact on someone.

In yoga practice the goal is self-mastery. In yet another Facebook post I recently saw, a young yoga aspirant who I know, who spoke about her path to enlightenment. I remember thinking I was going that way myself in my early years of yoga practice. Now I realize that the path of self-mastery is long and will take more practice than a lifetime. We likely will never get there but, as the Dali Lama said, yes, in a recent Facebook post (!), if we can step by step, inch by inch, make changes that improve us as human beings – that is perfect progress (I am paraphrasing). As we move towards wisdom the less we really feel we know.

Then there are the phases of life (and yoga practice). Can we hold them in wonder instead of wishing we were someone else, somewhere else? Could self-acceptance be the greatest wonderment of all?

Life itself is a wonder, with its complexities, challenges and rewards. Yoga is a useful tool to be more in our life with awareness. All life is connected by this thing called prana, Life force. Swami Rama, in the book Lectures on Yoga (that the “Yoga Pupil” kindly returned to me after a few years loan) says that prana is composed of two words – pra, which means first, and na, which means energy. The first unit of energy is in its subtlest aspect in the human; the universe is its expansion, says Swami Rama. Thus, there is no difference between man and the universe, a profound concept, no?

To expand the prana in yoga we practice pranayama. Prana sustains the body and without its help the body and mind could not exist. In other words, prana sustains life. Both food and breath contain prana. Prana moves the mind and through the

mind it moves the will. Prana relates our individual soul to the cosmic soul (or Supreme Being) (also Swami Rama).

These are concepts that we may grasp in the intellect, which is one aspect of yoga, yet the practice of pranayam is what helps us to awaken the vital energy in such a way that the yogi, with practice, experiences “unique joy and is freed from the bondage of time” (Swami Rama). More basically, this is why we feel wonderful after a good yoga practice where we move the body and breath, thus affecting our mind.

Is it not some strange wonder that each of us has a body and mind? Swami Rama put it this way (Boy, am I glad the yoga pupil sent me back the book!)

“If prana ceased to exist, thoughts would never arise, for the relationship between prana and the mind is that of the supporter and the supported – the relationship between a flower and a fragrance. A comprehensive knowledge of pranyama is therefore of paramount importance in controlling the mind”.

He goes on to speak about the importance of knowing our breath, our nostrils and techniques to work with these to help colds, headaches, depression and other disorders. Is that not a wonder that our ever-present breath is there to alter our physical and emotional state if we just become acquainted and work with it?

There are various ways to change the flow of the breath. Swami Rama offers an interesting one, a way most people might not know. Make a fist of the hand opposite to the nostril that is blocked and press it into the armpit opposite of the blocked nostril. It will open. Yogi Bhajan taught that if we had used our mind to focus on changing the breath from a young age it would be easy to do.

More commonly taught breathing techniques include alternate nostril, skull shining and breath of fire. To learn more about these helpful techniques consult a competent teacher or a yoga textbook (or find them online!).

Kundalini Yoga has an excellent book that deals with the breath called Prana Pranee Pranayam (2006) by Kundalini Research Institute, which is challenging to find but worth it.

Our DVD The Awakening begins with a segment showing long deep breath and breathe of fire on the back.

One of the best ways to experience the depth of the breath is to lay flat on your back, relax, and breathe in and out of the nostrils slowly feeling the inhale fill the belly and the exhale empty it, like a balloon or the waves of the ocean. This is a great antidote to stress and helps balance our energy. It only takes a few minutes a day. With practice we can progress to a more advanced breathing expansion.

We may not be enlightened or become a Master, yet with practice some of our haunting thoughts may become less. We may feel less like a “disaster” deep down inside. Instead we may begin to grasp more of the beauty and wonder of our breath, our life, each moment and how we feel in that moment, whether challenged or elated.

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Donna Amrita Davidge owns and operates www.sewallhouse.com in her great grandfather’s historic home where TR learned the healing attributes of nature with her husband Kent Bonham, chef and musician, in Island Falls Maine and still teaches in NY City when not retreating with guests in Maine. Please visit our website for more information about our small, personalized retreats and Holiday Retreat December 26th-31st. Chosen Top Ten Yoga Retreats World wide in 2009 and 2010, (888) 235-2395.

TO BECOME PART OF THE INNER TAPESTRY COMMUNITY AS AN ADVERTISER, DISTRIBUTOR, CONTRIBUTING WRITER OR ARTIST

Call 207-799-7995-ME/203-779-0345-CT or visit www.Innertapestry.Org 26 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

27

Guides for Life

by Elfeya Raftos-Hoopes

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17th day ‘Jewel’ emerged, a perfectly formed female monarch. She was noticeably familiar with me and was in no hurry to embark on the next stage of her journey... a 2500 mile migratory flight! And as we only had a 3 day window of sunny days before expected rainstorms in our area, I was forced to encourage her to set forth immediately. And away she flew.

Not since early September had I seen another monarch butterfly besides Jewel. And yet, the next day a male monarch flew down and landed right beside me, to take a brief rest before taking off again while I was sitting out by the pond. I was astonished, but being frequently blessed by little miracles of this nature, I took it immediately to heart. This little miracle reaffirmed to me that although she began her migration later than that of most other monarchs (a parallel to my own journey) she, like me, like the male monarch and like you too... has a destiny... a purpose that is revealing itself to us all, and all we have to do is open our hearts to receive it.

Animals were surely put here to be our teachers and guides, their gifts to us seem to be an innate ability to reveal in us how our Beingness can wonderfully manifest itself when not constrained through distorted thinking and perceived limitations.

When we connect with an individual animal, we are actually interacting with a highly evolved being, much more so than ourselves. Separated in form and found within each individual animal is "one" guiding consciousness for the whole species. Imagine a deva of unfathomable proportions projecting her consciousness through every butterfly and trillions of other creatures big and small alike.

When "animal medicine" provides an opportunity to encounter synchronicity in our lives we have a choice to either follow the guidance or not. In my experience, if we follow, then we are guided to experiences that help us open up, reveal our true colors and unfold our divine purpose.

Wishing you joy & lots of animal medicine magic, Elfeya

I became aware that I, like the butterfly was also working on a transformation of my own.

Elfeya is an Australian born spiritual life-coach whose work mainly involves healing through nature. Her intimate connection with the natural world and the animal kingdom gives her a special insight into the interconnected relationship animals and nature spirits play in our lives. She is a Zen Yoga instructor and has spent years studying and practicing various healing arts including Celtic Shamanism and Faery lore tradition. Elfeya resides between the Gold Coast Hinterland in Australia and the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont U.S.A. In Vermont, she and her husband Aaron Hoopes (founder of Zen Yoga) operate a holistic retreat & wellness centre, a place of serene beauty, offering Retreats and classes that bring peace, balance and well-being through the teachings and healing modalities of Zen Yoga, meditation, nature healing, bodywork, tai chi and qigong. To contact Elfeya please visit the Art of Zen Yoga website www.artofzenyoga.com.

Love is like a butterfly: It goes where it pleases and it pleases wherever it goes. ~ Author Unknown

Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 27

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requently I find myself experiencing moments where I am overwhelmed by the sheer beauty, perfection and awesome simplicity of animals. I have found that if we really want an answer to a particular question in life, one of the best solutions is to ask an animal. Talking to animals is not nearly as difficult as it may seem. Animals have no ego-based individual thought patterns governing their actions.

They simply live in the present moment free from the shackles of duality, judgment, greed and hate. How is it that creatures with such a small brain capacity manages to solve puzzles, design and build things of such profound beauty, and impact our lives so deeply? How, with no language, can they communicate and coordinate their actions so perfectly and harmoniously?

For me, the answer to this came from a recent experience whereby I found myself connected on a soul level with the emergence of a monarch butterfly.

Whilst my husband Aaron was harvesting our bumper crop of tomatoes on the day of the Harvest Moon, he came across a broken chrysalis with a deceased monarch butterfly on the inside. Sadly, we lay it to rest on our compost garden and I was reminded of another experience I had with a tiger swallowtail butterfly the previous year. I found her hopping around out in the woods only to discover that she could not fly. A butterfly that can’t fly is a sad thing that struck my heart, and I found myself going to ever greater extremes to care for her before she departed of her own volition; imparting to me a valuable lesson. As I was reminiscing I discovered a caterpillar clinging to one of the tomato plants.

A frost was forecast for the following day so I brought her inside still clinging to the stem of the plant and propped her stem and all up in an old wicker hand basket. Much to my delight, she had made the transition from caterpillar to chrysalis by the following morning. Hanging there, catching the morning sunlight was the most beautiful jewel I had ever seen. Never before had I encountered a gold more beautiful than that of the bead work found on the monarch butterfly’s chrysalis. I was besotted. I did the google thing and soon became an expectant mum for an emerging butterfly expert! I marked on the calendar the date of the expected emergence, and I waited. And waited and waited. The chrysalis had not changed in color for 10 days, which, by the way, is the average expected time for butterfly emergence. It was still a soft pale green with the ever present gold bead work. At this time I became aware that I, like the butterfly, was also working on a transformation of my own. How at first I missed the divine synchronicity of it all... I’ll never know.

From that moment on I began to focus my consciousness in sync with that of the butterfly. As I did the necessary work on myself, so too did the butterfly grow a little more. I became very aware of our inter-connectedness and had the realization of Knowing that we were interacting on a soul level. The success of this emergence was no longer independent of my thoughts or actions. For 6 more days we worked together experiencing the awesome powers of grace, beauty and divine benevolence. On the

28

Exploring Your Inner Terrain with Crystals and Stones

by Silla Von Faulk Trueworthy CRTh, RMT, LMT

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rystals and minerals interact with our energy field and physical body through chemical resonance. The crystal and mineral kingdom offers a wide range of chemical frequencies, available to us through resonance, for support of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. The chemical resonance between the stones and like molecules in the physical body creates a larger resonate field between the two. This larger resonate field within the physical and energetic bodies will then affect other vibrational fields in the body causing them to “attempt” to align with the energy of the stones.

Meditation Although crystals and stones are not alive or “conscious” in the same way human’s experience consciousness, they do gain and share information through resonance.

It is important to remember to acknowledge and “ask” the stone for information and guidance during a stone meditation. This active imagination technique is quite effective in garnering useful information related to the care and use of the stone. I suggest one “journal” immediately following any given “stone meditation” because, as with dreams, information gained during the meditative state quickly fades and retention of the information is greatly reduced with time. I “journal” my personal experiences during stone meditations, and I include any direction I may have received related to the general care and application or use of the stone for healing of self or others. I find that this is the best way for me to recapture any information presented during the meditation that I wish to retain for future reference.

Crystals and stones can also affect the human energy field through interaction with the electromagnetic spectrum. Light is the specific spectrum of energy frequencies known as the electromagnetic energy spectrum. These frequencies which are carried by photon particles travel in waves at about 8,000 miles per second (i.e. the speed of light). All frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum travel at the same rate whether they are high or low frequencies.

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The interaction of crystals and stones with light is visible to us in the form of color. The color of the stones on an energetic level may vary from the external color of the stones, and because of this it is important not to choose stones based on their color alone. Any given stone carries several frequencies such as the frequencies of the archetypal energy of the stone (the “vibration” of the type of stone it is); the energy created by the specific mineral make-up of the particular stone; that of the location on the planet where the stone formed; and the formation and interior alignment of the stone.

Many crystals and stones can be applied effectively for exploring one’s inner dimensions through meditation because they enhance resonance with one’s higher aspects of self, and increase one’s spiritual understanding thus affording deeper insight to one’s inner workings. This also makes them excellent tools for self-understanding, selfexploration, and expansion of consciousness especially during scrying and shamanic journeying. Although these various techniques or applications may sound mysterious, they need not be overly complicated. Guided meditations, scrying and journeying techniques may be self-practiced or be effectively facilitated by another. Through these processes one may uncover or rediscover previously hidden parts of self through stimulation of one’s imagination and thought association. Discovery, recovery and reintegration of these lost parts of self may aid one in becoming a more vital and whole person capable of living a fuller, more satisfying life.

Scrying is an

ancient form

of divination that utilizes the

unconscious mind

Scrying

Mention the word scrying and, for those who are uninitiated but who actually recognize the word, it usually conjures up images of ancient gypsies with crystal balls and images of unsavory characters wielding voodoo chickens (no, not a cuisine)! There are many methods of scrying with the most cliché being crystal ball gazing and “black mirror” scrying.

Scrying is an ancient form of divination that utilizes the unconscious mind to connect to one’s inner faculties. Scrying is usually done for spiritual purposes (visioning) and less commonly used for fortune telling. Scrying is traditionally done on a smooth reflective surface, but children instinctively know the magic in cloud watching (a form of scrying) letting one’s imagination focus upon the reflective surface of a body of water is something most of us have done at one time or another. “Smoking” is another form of scrying practiced by some native cultures and involves letting one’s imagination loose upon a cloud of smoke as a deliberate act to perceive events beyond the natural realm of the senses (guess it depends on what one is smoking).

to connect to

one's inner faculties.

The law of resonance states that whenever two similar vibrating bodies encounter each other, their vibrations must come into a state of harmonic vibration or resonance. Their systems must come into harmony, and the system that has the stronger energy field will cause the weaker system to realign itself in an attempt to resonate with the stronger field.

The way crystals and stones can “release” and “clear” old energetic programming is through the law of resonance. Vibration is information, so if we change the information in our system by introducing our system to a stronger vibration, then the old information must realign to match the stronger energy to which it has been exposed. Conscious resonance is the ability to consciously attune to (resonate with) anything, no matter what its vibration, and gain and consciously “process” the information that it holds within its energy field into information which we can then access and understand. Through conscious resonance to any person, place or thing, one is able to access and process information which has been stored in a specific energy field. By continually practicing conscious resonance with particular energy patterns, you can clear old programs by realigning with the new energy.

When an old energy pattern is realigned with a new one, the old energy pattern is released to the conscious mind. This allows you to see and understand what your unconscious lessons or patterns have been. Thus, you are not only removing the information but you are consciously learning the intended lesson and freeing yourself of its pattern so that you are able to move on.

28 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

I like to keep things simple and exercise my imagination so I tend to lead myself through a simple self-guided meditation specific to resonating with crystals and stones. I find it helpful, from time to time, to listen to my own “recorded” voice during self-guided stone meditations, and so occasionally I’ll create a self-recorded meditation. I have even created written attunements for myself to use to come into strong resonance with a specific stone’s frequencies. Occasionally I do use guided meditations designed by others specifically for working with crystals and stones. In general, Wind Element stones make excellent tools for meditation as they enhance mental acuity, focus and cognitive ability.

Their psychoactive properties and propensity for enhancing inner reflection make them invaluable support for the development of intuitive and psychic abilities. Stones containing beryllium (promotes resonance with higher states of consciousness/expands consciousness) and/or aluminum (stimulates inner visioning and communication with higher aspects of self and one’s inner guides) are important stones for enhancing meditative states. Some of my favorite Wind Element stones for meditation are Amethyst, Blue Apatite, Charoite, Moonstone, Sodalite and Fluorites.

I have found that many “patterned” or “reflective” crystals and stones such as chrysanthemum stone, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, picture and other jaspers, agates, obsidian, jet, labradorite, spectrolite, rhyolite, astrophyllite, hematite, quartz (both clear or with inclusions) readily lend themselves to scrying. Although not all of these stones are necessarily clear, and only some have reflective surfaces, I have found them all to be quite useful for the purpose of scrying. The patterned surface of many stones easily stimulates one’s imagination to “see” forms or figures within the patterns and then from there to follow a flow of thought association, thus stimulating deeper intuition and visions. Add to this the enhancement of resonance

Continued on Page 45

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Constructs of Reality

by Sandra Diamond

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any years ago, there was a group of pilgrims that traveled to Kathamandu, Nepal for deep spiritual training and initiation into the Bon Shamanic traditions. The trip included working with healers, Tamang shamans within the Bon tradition, and visiting sacred sites. One particular day, permission was granted to view a sacred statue; a deity within ancient Hindu culture which only Brahmans, those of the highest caste, could view. Because the guide and translator was Brahman, the group was granted entry. It was considered an extreme honor, and they had to move quickly, so as not to offend anyone—mortals and deities alike.

After everyone had climbed the narrow staircase of the ornate, gold encrusted building and spent their brief, meditative time with this deity, they gathered at lunch and shared their experiences. “Oohhh”, was all they could say. It was the most breathtaking and amazing energy they had encountered yet. One person couldn’t believe the energy emanating from the beautiful gold goddess. “Gold?

What’s wrong with you? The Goddess was red!” was the reply. “Red? It was pure white”, was the next response. And yet another saw a black statue. Ten people perceived four different colors, at the same time, same place and there were two to four people at each time for viewing and meditating.

This dramatic event is merely an example of how perception varies from what’s “out there.” People create their own lives. They live within differing constructs of reality. People mirror back to others what the viewer wants to see, what she expects to see, not what there actually is to see.

People stay in drama as if it were quicksand. It feels as if there is no way out.

People think this is the normal way of things. They don’t have any experiential way out of this miasma of perception. But there is a way out and that is through the gift of Awareness. Awareness, in and of itself ,alters reality, alters perception.

Awareness is the stepping stone to transformation, beauty, truth and love.

Awareness leads us to a Life filled with beauty, but simply saying that is so does not transform people. It stems from a day-in, day-out practice of awareness.

This awareness leads to self-support, self nurturing and nourishing and self love. The human emerges from the miasma victorious, and that leads to the moments when the head lifts up and the mind and heart speak, “isn’t life so beautiful?!!” Nothing any one says or does can destroy these moments. We are co-creators with God as we admire the sunset, walk along the beach, hike the wooded trails and laugh with young children. This is what Life is all about.

People create their own lives.

They live within differing constructs of reality.

There is a theory that indigenous Americans did not see the boats of Christopher Columbus when he arrived at this continent’s shores because they had no experience, no knowledge of these boats. There was no ability to conceptualize them, so their minds did not perceive them on those initial exposures.

At the sacred sites in Kathmandu there is so much beauty and wonder and awe.

In your day-to-day lives usually there’s not so much beauty and wonder; not so much. It’s there, but culturally the focus, the perception is different. What is seen is laced with emotional pain instead of natural beauty, betrayal instead of wonder and rejection instead of awe. How does this happen when we know, we truly know “Life is Beautiful”?

The Toltecs, defined as Meso-American Zen Buddhists, call this the Parasite.

People experience life through a filter that shades the truth which results in an unseen enemy known as the parasite. Think about wandering through the rain forests. Natives had respect for the Jaguar, respect for the Rattlesnake. They could be seen. They could be heard. They could be perceived. The parasites could not.

Micro-organisms could not be seen or heard and yet the damage they cause is intense. Parasites cause massive, systemic damage. For the Toltecs, the parasite is the little voice in your head that validates all the negativity thought and felt about life and reality. There exists this parasite within people routinely. When life gets tougher, the Parasite takes steroids and becomes the Predator, a mighty force that perceives only the negative aspects of life. And people in turn become like addicts, addicted to this negativity. The Human is said to be addicted to self hatred, self loathing, self rejection and self abuse. Everyone known and everything done and everything every one else does substantiates, validates and enables this addiction.

We have been conditioned, socialized to be loved. If not loved, then to be liked. If not liked, then to be accepted. Humans will do anything to be accepted, liked and loved. They will even go against themselves to feel that they are loved, liked or at very least accepted. When it is clear that nothing is worth going against yourself and the most important thing is to accept, like and love yourself, then you walk through this creation with self-respect… and Life is truly beautiful.

When you notice that you are behaving as an addict, then pick up your head, look around and ask, “To whom am I giving away Happiness? Who has put my peace of mind in his or her pocket and is walking away with it right now? Who is so deserving of my peaceful heart?” You might find that the answer is, “No one; absolutely no one. Entrust your happiness to no one else but yourself.” You are one hundred per cent responsible for your happiness, your contentedness, your peacefulness; indeed, your self respect. If beauty is not in your heart, ask yourself, “Where did I leave it? Who walked away with it? Who am I using to support my addiction to sadness, to drama, to rejection and abuse? ”And then, “Who is worthy of my peace of mind?” When you come up with the answer, “no one is worthy of the loss of individual happiness. No one is worthy of the loss of self respect and self love.” If you have experienced this loss, then you know you have gone against yourself.

Was the statue white, black, red or gold? Since humans are the sum total of their perceptions, what is perceived is subject to individual creation. Very little is verifiable, scientific truth. The setting sun means the end of a day. Is it sad, beautiful, a gift, or a curse? The divine creator within is creating every moment of life. Take care to create with beauty. It’s a wonderful life.

Supporting client wellness, Sandra is an internationally trained master teacher and healer, T'ai Chi & QiGong Instructor. The foundational work for her is in T'ai Chi and QiGong, which she began studying in 1992. A registered Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master and teacher, she has a masters degree in Experiential Health & Healing. Sandra studied Shamanic healing & counseling and performs soul retrievals. She was initiated in the foothills of the Himalayans as a Tamang Shaman from the Bon tradition. Sandra trained in Tui Na, an ancient healing art, in the Xuan Wu hospital in Beijing and is a certified Toltec teacher under the auspices of Miguel Ruiz's Sixth Sun Foundation. She also leads annual trips to the pyramids at Teotihuacan, Mexico. Her background provides a wide variety of techniques and experiences in support of her clients. You can connect with Sandra at http://local.yahoo.com/info-48230833-dragonflyllc or www.dragonfly-llc.net.

Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 29

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It’s not as though they saw a color differentiation of lavender and plum, turquoise and sea foam green… so what had happened? How can this be explained? There was only one staircase, one room, one altar and one statue. They all agreed on that.

A very ancient building with a simple interior, no hidden passageways, no trickery built into the structure, they were assured. Each person saw a different Goddess, at least a different colored Goddess. Each person had to explain it individually; yet there was no explanation, no common consensus. It was simply another miracle from the sacredness of Kathmandu valley, and yet it led to a perfect understanding of perception.

For people who are actual addicts, alcoholics and drug addicts, gamblers and sexual addicts, these “drugs of choice” are used to cover up the underlying pain of the addiction to self-hatred. When the underlying addiction to self-hatred, self-abuse and self-rejection are addressed, understood and healed, the overlay of alcoholism, drugs, sex, gambling, etc. can easily be cleared away from the path of beauty and awe; it is clear, then, that life is beautiful. This may be easy to understand, simple to intellectualize and yet it is a challenge to achieve.

30

Electro-magnetic Fields (EMF): An Unseen Cause of Illness

By Sue H. Singleton, Medical Intuitive, CST, MHt, EOLMTT

CAUSE FOR CONCERN: The Electro-magnetic Field (EMF) emissions from your computer, cell phone, cordless phone, GPS, satellite radio, blue tooth, WiFi, hybrid electric car, TV and other common appliances may emit EMF levels 30 to 100 times greater than suggested safe limits.

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These may affect normal brain frequencies, which should operate at 8 to 22 cycles per second when we are awake, and drop to 2 to 6 cycles per second while we sleep. EMF may cause headaches, fatigue, hyperactivity, allergies, immune dysfunction, emotional highs and lows, disrupt brain and glandular function, sleep, cancer and much more.

A team of scientists reviewing 11 independent studies concludes that there is adequate epidemiologic evidence to suggest a link between prolonged cell phone usage and the development of a brain tumor.

Specifically, 10 or more years of cell phone use approximately doubles the risk of being diagnosed with a glioma or acoustic neuroma brain tumor on the same side of the head as that preferred for cell phone usage.

Some doctors are concerned about increased incidence of brain tumors and other very serious conditions from cell phones alone. Since 1979, scientific tests by a Medical Doctor and Electrical Engineer show a two- to three-times (Surgical Neurology, March 2009) risk of childhood leukemia for children living in homes close to power lines and transformers. By 2007, conclusions expanded from research by a top occupational medical epidemiologist and a representative of the Washington State Department of Health, and others, to report that up to 80 percent of all cases of childhood leukemia may be caused by exposure to these fields.

As early as 1982, researchers found a nearly three-fold increase in breast cancer among women younger than age 55 living near power lines. Their research also showed EMF exposure to increase risk of other cancers of the nervous system, uterus and lymphoid tumors among adults. In 2001, three men in one small office developed breast cancer. Their office was close to an electrical vault emitting EMFs. Leading occupational medical epidemiologists concluded that DEFINITIONS: the childhood leukemia peak Electro-magnetic Radiation (EMR) is was attributable to residential the radiant energy created by accelerating electrification in the US and electrons or photons, traveling as waves, UK; up to 80% of all cases of that emanates from all things in nature childhood leukemia maybe and from man-made electronic systems. It caused by exposure to EMF's includes cosmic rays, gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared and are thus preventable. light, radar, microwaves, TV, radio, cell Medical Hypotheses 2001 phones and all electronic transmission Bioinitiative Report 2007 systems. EMR is made up of electric and magnetic fields that move at right angles to each other at the speed of light.

Electro-magnetic Fields (EMFs) surround electronic and electric equipment, high voltage power lines and all the man-made devices listed above, and thus exclude cosmic rays, visible light and some versions of ultraviolet light.Often the terms EMR and EMF are used interchangeably. Technically, however, EMF is a subset of the broader EMR category that includes geopathic stresses and other naturally occurring EMR, some of which are non-beneficial. Another term is ElectroSmog (or e-smog, for short), defined as environmental pollution due to electro-magnetic fields and radiations. This article will focus primarily on man-made electronic EMFs or e-smog.

SYMPTOMS:

Symptoms from EMF exposure and retention vary according to an individual’s cumulative stressors from other environmental toxins, health issues, poor diet, emotional stresses, etc.

Key common symptoms of EMF retention and exposure include:

"The artificial stress placed on a human body by EMF's will create ill effects to hormone production and metabolism.

The degree of damage it will cause is directly related to the person's volume, frequency and cumulative exposure to EMF's, as well as other Root Cause factors specific to that individual."

Early stage exposures— v Insomnia, or fractionated sleep v Headaches v Nervousness v Irritability v Restlessness, or feeling “wired” v Mental fog, difficulty focusing Sue Singleton, Medical Intuitive v Change in appetite v Fatigue v Prickly, tingly sensations anywhere in the body, but especially head, hands, throat/chest and abdomen (the latter if you use a laptop on your lap or abdomen) v Fertility issues Significant cumulative effects stage—symptoms more pronounced v Agitated, hyperactive v Flushing, burning sensations of the skin v Personality changes v Ringing in the ears, tinnitus v Migraines, cluster headaches v Fatigue, weakness, poor stamina v Poor memory, mental fog, confusion v Attention Deficit, difficulty concentrating v Depression, manic-depression, bi-polar disorders v Allergies, sensitivities to food, environment, etc. v Endocrine disorders, including thyroid, thymus, pineal (dopamine, serotonin, melatonin) v Body aches and pains, stiffness v Weakened immune system v Decreased sexual libido v Blood sugar dysregulation v Cardiac arrhythmia, palpitations v Infertility v Weight gain or loss v Learning disabilities v Autism v Chromosomal abnormalities v Fibromyalgia v Chronic Fatigue v Chronic dental pain Disease stage— v Cancer diagnoses, especially breast, brain, leukemia and lymphoma v Multiple Sclerosis v Parkinson’s Disease v Auto-Immune Disease v Other neurological, endocrine and immune disorders The World Health Organization (WHO) and researchers use the term EHS (Electro-

30 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

31 magnetic heightened sensitivity) to name the illness for those who exhibit symptoms with EMF exposure. The term ES (Electrical sensitivity) is common in North America.

Many people with EHS also have multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and allergies.

Some are also bothered by light, noises and other stimuli.

SOURCES OF EMF:

Every electric and electronic appliance emits EMFs, and the frequency at which a magnetic field is pulsed determines whether or not it is harmful.

Electric power lines and transformers, cell towers, radio towers, computers, cell phone, cordless land-line telephone and base, GPS, satellite radio, blue tooth, WiFi (including wireless internet or wireless local area network L.A.N. connections for computers), handheld electronic games, hybrid electric cars, refrigerators, fax machines, photocopiers, televisions (large flat screens especially: higher Hz means more EMF), washers, dryers, microwave ovens, electric heaters, fluorescent lights (compact ones worse than tubes), food processors or mixers, electric shavers, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, electric blankets, clock radios, electric toothbrushes, wireless doorbells, remote control devices and other common appliances all emit potentially dangerous EMFs.

The risk is directly related to: 1) The relative frequency emitted by the device 2) The distance you are from the device 3) The number of EMF-emitting devices that are part of your daily life 4) How long you are exposed, cumulatively over time.

CASE HISTORIES FROM OUR CLIENT FILES:

Case #1—A healthy 9-year-old boy presented with prickly discomfort and itchy sensations in his forearms, hands and face. He was hyper, impatient, unable to stay focused or sit still. We discovered excessive EMF exposure: he plays handheld video games and uses a pc daily with his face very close to the monitor and watches several hours of TV daily on a large flat screen.

Case #3—A woman in her 50’s was emotionally distressed, fearful and paranoid that she was under surveillance by the government and under constant psychic attack. She frequently had insomnia and was subject to mood swings. It soon became apparent that this was neither a psychiatric nor psychic attack. She worked for many years in a highly EMF-polluted environment, and she lived in a building where most occupants used Wi-Fi technology. Her symptoms worsened whenever she used a computer or cell phone.

Case #4—A woman in her 60’s moved from one location to the next, trying to escape the debilitating effects that she instinctively knew were EMF-related. Her body shook with tremors when she was near high-tension wires; she was unable to sleep because the cell towers’ emissions constantly over-stimulated her nervous system.

Cell phone use caused immediate nausea, headache and tremors. Yet every doctor she went to treated her like a psychiatric case. Her earliest known exposure to EMF was as a teenager huddled next to an old tube-style radio, doing her homework. To avoid disturbing her parents, she sat with her ear next to the speaker.

Case #5—A woman in her 50’s suffered from mood swings, depression, and heightened sensitivities to cell phones, computers, fumes and sounds. She had difficulties with memory, focus and concentration. She was also diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. We were able to trace many of her concerns to over-exposure to EMFs. In her 20’s she used headphones for many hours on a daily basis. She then worked at a variety of jobs with extensive computer use and relied on her personal computer (wireless) and cell phone to stay in touch with family and friends.

HOW TO MITIGATE EXPOSURE TO EMFs: The best approach is to eliminate unnecessary exposure to EMFs and to minimize necessary exposures. In this electronic age, it is impossible to eradicate all exposure because walking down the street, living with any electricity at home or work, driving down the highway, there are power lines, cell towers, transformers, cell phone users, etc.

I recommend the following steps to improve your EMF environment: 1) Evaluate what the risk factors are at home and at work. Either use a common sense approach with these guidelines, or hire an expert to fully evaluate for you.

An expert has EMF measurement tools and can use them to pinpoint your most significant concerns and recommend specific solutions. If you or someone in your household or business are already suffering with symptoms or illness, I recommend hiring a professional. Many homes have improperly grounded electrical systems, electrical systems crossing over water plumbing lines, leaky electrical outlets, problematic radiant heat flooring and much more.

2) Mitigate your risks by making corrections. Avoid locating EMF-emitting devices near where you sleep or spend a lot of time. Infants and children under the age of 12

a. Do not have a computer set up in your bedroom. b. Do not use a laptop on your lap or abdomen—use it seated at a table instead. c. Replace wireless internet, wireless routers and L.A.N. connections, wireless mouse and keyboard with corded connections. If this is not feasible, then disconnect them entirely at night before bedtime. d. Disable the wireless signal on your laptop. Only enable it for the short time you need to use it while traveling, so that it will not be looking for a signal and emitting EMF as it does so. e. Sit at least 18 inches away from a computer monitor f. You may need to sit 8-12 feet (possibly more) away from a large screen TV, depending on its Hz. The higher the Hz, the farther away. g. Do not sleep within 8 feet of the corner of the home where the electric power lines connect. h. Relocate cordless or cell phones at least 3 feet from where you sleep. i. Place clock radios or LED clocks at least 2 feet away from your head. j. Sleep or spend time as far away as possible from any electrical generators, transformers or storage batteries related to solar, wind and water generation of electricity. Be aware of a false sense of “green”: green does not mean that EMFs are not being produced! k. Be aware that when a hybrid car kicks into the electric mode, its occupants are sitting in a powerful EMF. l. Stay a safe distance away (2-3 feet) from a microwave oven in use. Minimize time on a cell phone. Using the speaker function exposes you to the least EMF. The fancier the phone, the higher the EMF. Cordless headsets are the most EMF, corded headsets reduces it, but not as much as the speaker function. Texting limits the EMF exposure to your hands, and away from your brain.

3) Detoxify your body from your cumulative EMF load. Some helpful techniques and tools to stimulate their release include: a. Sit or stand barefoot in sand for 20-30 minutes at a time b. Sit with your bare feet on a large Selenite crystal (“log” or “generator” size) for 20-30 minutes at a time c. Color Therapy in a healing session d. Sound Therapy in a healing session e. Rings of Oden configurations specific to EMF, electricity, etc. f. EMF Release Crystals from the EOL Stone Play collection g. EMF Clearing Mini-Matrix h. EMF Clearing and Protection Jewelry 4) EMF Protection and Shielding Products. Unfortunately, we have not found any tools to be 100% protective, but they can block some or most of the EMFs. Some protection tools actually concentrate the EMFs in the area of your body where the device is. We recommend you ask the right questions when tuning in, or using muscle-testing, applied kinesiology, dowsing and pendling for your answers.

Ask about long-term use benefits or risks, and effectiveness of the tool you are considering. The items listed below are available from The Way To Balance, LLC. a. EMF Clearing Mini-Matrix b. EMF Clearing and Protection Jewelry c. Sodalite crystals placed near your computer monitor and keyboard help neutralize EMF d. Large Selenite crystals near your computer, television or other EMF-emitting devices help neutralize EMF CONCLUSION: The best approach to EMF is to educate yourself, minimize your exposure, mitigate the continuing EMF culprits and detoxify your body. Many people are very surprised at how light, healthy, relaxed and happy they feel with the EMF load on their body minimized or eliminated From the list above, (c) through (h) are available from The Way To Balance, LLC in Amesbury, MA. In addition, a website called www.LessEMF.com carries a number of EMFrelated tools and information Sue Singleton is an internationally renowned Medical Intuitive, Master Hypnotherapist, Cranio-sacral Therapist, Energy Of Life Master Healer and Teacher. Sue and Aaron Singleton, are the co-Founders of The Way To Balance, LLC Center For Advanced Healing and Training in Amesbury, MA. The Singletons’ book, Nine Simple Laws to Manifest Joy and Grace is near completion. For more information on the Singletons, their Center, Products and Training, please visit www.TheWayToBalance.com or call (978) 834-0341.

“Sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation is the emerging health problem of the 21st century.

It is imperative health practitioners, governments, schools and parents learn more about it.

The human health stakes are significant”.

William Rea, MD Founder & Director of the Environmental Health Center, Dallas Past President, American Academy of Environmental Medicine Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 31

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Case #2—A man in his 60’s suffered from depression, anxiety, fractionated sleep, fatigue, difficulty focusing, low testosterone and extreme sensitivities to cell phones (instant headaches when a cell phone is used within 10 feet of him). When he testdrove a hybrid car, he developed a headache when it switched to electric. He was also sensitive to EMFs generated by GPS and satellite radio. We traced these symptoms back to nearly 40 years in the computer repair industry. His exposure to EMFs included large mainframe computers before the advent of EMF shields.

are at higher risk for EMF damage—their brains, nervous systems, endocrine and immune systems are still in the process of development.

32

ex plorin g the wor l d r e l i g i on s

The Reality and Not The Illusion of Having A Guru, Part Two:

by James Bean

Learn New Things Ascend and Discover A New World!

There are unexplored “rooms” within the “interior castle” of the human body, the true temple of the Spirit. What ultimately is to be uncovered along this mystic-journey of inner soul travel exploration is our true identity, which has been given various names: the true Self, higher Self, New Nature, New Adam, “Christ in you – your hope of glory,” Atman, Supreme Soul, drop from the Divine Ocean, the Pearl, Spark of the Light, Nuri Sarup (Light-Body or Radiant Form), spirit entity, or Surat (the attention-faculty of the soul). Eventually the observer will observe it’s own Self.

It occurs to me that the definition of “soul” for most is really atman or Spirit combined with the astral and mental subtle bodies or coverings. Those are generally lumped together and called “the soul.” That’s understandable of course, as it represents “us” as separate individual or individualized “drops” of the Divine Ocean.

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There are Realities that we do not see, many things we do not hear, and a vast treasure-trove of wisdom we are not paying attention to. The outer world via the five senses comes pouring in – we are outwardly gazing all the time and dominated by impressions of mind and matter. We have accepted our own reflections (bodies) as the only reality. Thus the need for meditation, and not just any form of meditation, but an initiation into the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Inner Space, so that we may see and hear spiritually, know and explore those realms we inhabit: the astral plane, the causal and mental regions, and ultimately beyond mind and matter, to the purely spiritual region, until there is Oneness. Kirpal Singh’s axiom is: “God plus mind [manas] is man, and man minus mind [manas] is God.” Swami Bhagirath Baba, a Master from Bihar, India, said recently: “Moving down from the middle of the two eyes is going towards ignorance, and moving up from the middle of two eyes is going towards Knowledge.”

“The beginning of the Turiyaa state has been said to be the Aajnaa-chakra [Third Eye Center] (the Guru instructs about the Point in between the two eyes where the vision of both unites), and the destination of this is in Kaivalya—the State of Oneness—Pure Consciousness.” Swami Bhagirath Baba describes as ignorance or spiritual poverty a situation of only being aware of the world below the Third Eye Center, the material world of the fives senses but cut off from awareness of the reality that exists above and beyond the Third Eye Center. For Bhagirath Baba and other mystics, above the Third Eye is a kind of tunnel that ultimately quite literally leads to God. Those who have had NDE’s or Near Death Experiences have described this same tunnel. The observer passes through certain visions, sights and sounds, stars, moons, and suns, inner regions or heavens, then bright Light, from Light to Sound, and from Sound to Soundlessness and Formlessness. I even know of several helpful “charts of the heavens,” illustrating the various levels, or regions of Inner Space, this Kingdom of the Heavens that are within. Email me and I will gladly send some Shabd Yoga as well as Gnostic charts to you!

Three Ways We Can Honor the Soul Kabir once said, “There is no other God like compassion on living beings and worship of the Supreme Self.” (The Bijak of Guru Kabir, published by Shri Kabir Ashram, Jamnagar, India). There are three major ways (no doubt many more) we can honor the soul, the divine within others and ourselves.

1) A Sociable God: Where Two or Three Gather in My Name, I Am in Their Midst.

The first way we can honor or acknowledge the soul is through spiritual community, by connecting with other souls. The Eastern term for this is “Satsangha” or “Satsang” (Associating with the Eternal Truth or God), referring to people getting together to meditate as a group, discuss spiritual principals of truth, sing hymns (bhajans, kirtans, bhajans), and focus on the Wisdom of one’s spiritual teacher, path, mystic order, or tradition. It’s also easy to recognize parallels to this in various expressions, East and West: synagogue, church, mass, message board, 32 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

chat room, book discussion group, class, teleseminar, friends meditating together, meeting together, including over the phone, or via the web. These all, to varying degrees may or could contain elements of Satsang in some cases.

As we develop our meditation practice and ethical foundation, one of the fruits of this is the bhakta principal of seeing God in everyone. Eastern cultures are quite advanced in this area. I really like the salutation used by an Eastern religion known as the Kabir Panth, the Path of Guru Kabir: “Bandagi Saheb!” Bandagi is from the Sanskrit ‘vandana’ – a salutation, and saheb is a word for master. Bandagi saheb thus means: “I offer salutation or greeting to the master dwelling in you”. Bandagi Saheb also reminds me of the greeting “Namaste,’” which means: “The God in me bows to the God in you.” Also, in the Radhasoami tradition of India, satsangis greet each other with “Radhaswami”, meaning, Lord of the Soul. The principals of this art of seeing God in others is quite eloquently articulated in a holy book of the East known as, The Narada Bhakti Sutras, which I highly recommend. One can find translations of it online, as well as can order it via any good bookstore or library.

2) The Supreme Soul Assuming Control The second way we can honor souls is by adhering to ahsimsa values. Ahimsa is an Eastern term for the Golden Rule meaning, cultivating non-violence in one’s thoughts, words, and deeds, to, increasingly with each passing day, become truly peaceful in all aspects of life. This means being inspired, not by vague platitudes about inner and outer peace, but by specific ethical principals to be guided by in every aspect of life and living. As of late, rich sources of inspiration for me have been the Bijak of Guru Kabir, the Saakhi Granth of Guru Kabir, and countless Jainist Sutras. The religion from India founded by Lord Mahavira known as Jainism has a vast amount of wisdom to offer about ahimsa ethics, the values of the Supreme Soul.

If our meditation becomes deep and successful however, over time we will realize that we are soul.

3) Become Your Real Self In Meditation The third way we can directly honor the soul is by being the soul in meditation. When we first start practicing meditation, we may believe that we have a soul. If our meditation becomes deep and successful however, over time we will realize that we are soul. It is the soul that inhabits this body and mind. We don’t merely have a soul hidden away someplace—We Are That.

Not All Saints Are Dead

When it comes to spirituality, there are two basic approaches that most have. The most common one is finding a book on spirituality. Many begin the learning process this way. Of course, rather than the pursuit of knowledge leading to mystical experience, it could be the other way around for some. One may begin the spiritual search as a result of something acting as a catalyst. People may begin seeking answers as a result of having an experience that opens them up to new possibilities. In any case, most with a spiritual curiosity may get ideas from certain books, perhaps a book from a popular author with a best seller. This could be described as an eclectic do-it-yourself spirituality. One is not necessarily tethered to any specific spiritual path, tradition or direction, just some of “this” and some of “that.” Most of us begin this way. There is however another approach. Some go from being an eclectic spiritual seeker perpetually in seek-mode to someone who has “found” a certain path or contemporary spiritual movement they resonate with, that feeds their soul like none other thus far in their experience. One may join a living school of spirituality, a mystic order or lineage. Perhaps this lineage or path has been in existence for many centuries. One may find that the wisdom of mystical paths such as Kabbalah, Sufism or Sant Mat is not solely based on ancient scriptures, scrolls, or holy parchments from the past, with a focus of looking back to an earlier time of prophets and saints, like we usually find in the mainstream exoteric religions.

Continued on Page 45

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INNER TAPESTRY's Directory of Resources Holistic Practitioners, Products and Resources Each category contains practitioners from various states. a l t e r n a t i v e livin g

counseling & the rapy Maine

Maine Greensward Hamlet

Alternative Living .................................................. page 33 Counseling & Therapy ................................... pages 33-34 Creative Healing Arts ..................................... pages 34-35 Evolutionary Consciousness................................. page 35 Holistic Healing Centers ...................................... page 35 Holistic Publications & Radio ............................... page 35 Hypnotherapy ...................................................... page 36 Integrative Healing ........................................ pages 36-37 Life Mastery ......................................................... page 37 Meditation ............................................................ page 38 Psychic & Spiritual Mediumship ........................... page 38 Reflexology & Healing Massage .......................... page 38 Retreats ......................................................... pages 38-39 Schools & Trainings .............................................. page 39 Shamanic Healing ................................................ page 40 Writing Services.................................................... page 40 Yoga, Tai Chi, Aikido ............................................. page 41

Greensward Hamlet A Cohousing Community In Buxton, Maine Drawing on the Strength of Community To Live Sustainably.

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.

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 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. Offices in West Baldwin & Yarmouth, ME, (207) 625-7012, pab@patriciaburke.com, www.patriciaburke.com.

cou ns e l i ng & t h e r apy Connecticut

Live From Your Center

Introspective Psychotherapy & Life Counseling

Mark Nakell, LCPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Awareness-based Psychotherapy Growth and Self-Realization Individual & Couples Counseling

Jim Govoni

M.A.Ed., S.Y.C., R.Y.T., L.P.C.

"There is a crack, a crack in everything, that' s how the light gets in, That's how the light gets in." ...Leonard Cohen

The seed for growth is often in our shadow self and addressing what hides inside us can be knowingly and unconsciously scary. The therapeutic process necessitates a willingness to address acceptance of our shadow, embrace the totality of who we are and to make change, if necessary.

I promise to provide you with the safe harbor of objectivity, warmth, respect, honesty, empathy and positive regard to explore the issues you wish to bring forth. Remember your Life has its own Story to tell and the right to be heard.

The telling of your Story may be done in the security and convenience of your home or at my home/office.

Licensed Professional Counselor Since 1994. Professional Affiliations: Connecticut Association For Jungian Psychology (Board Member) Connecticut Counseling Association Connecticut Mental Health Counseling Association Yoga Alliance-Registered Yoga Teacher 17 Parker Road, Marlborough, CT 06447, (860) 295-6491 or email:jagovoni@comcast.net

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.

Ihavelearnedthatpeoplewillforgetwhatyousaid; people will forget what you did, butpeoplewillneverforgethowyoumadethemfeel.

Maya Angelou Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 33

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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

Patricia A. Burke, MSW, LCSW

34 co u n s e l i ng & t h e rapy- c o n t .

counseling & the rapy- cont.

Prana Regina Barrett, BS, MIA, ERYT, CYT

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 Douglas Smith also regulates emotions and behavior. So practice 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.

Life Coach, Spiritual Counseling and Therapeutic Yoga Life Coach, Spiritual Counselor and Yoga Therapist, offering private sessions..., workshops and retreats in Portland, Maine and world-wide.

Visit www.pranaheals.com, (207) 632-6698.

Services: Life Coaching (healthy lifestyle, transitions, small businesses, Law of Attraction) ~ Spiritual Counseling ~ Private Yoga ~ Yoga Therapy for physical and emotional healing ~ Hands on Healing ~ Tantra Instruction for Couples ~ Individual & Couples Retreats (studio apartment for rent with healing sessions) ~ Workshops (Tantra, Law of Attraction, Therapeutic Yoga for Yoga Instructors & more).

Prana is an exceptional role model and teacher of yoga and natural healing. She is devoted to healing and personal transformation and gently invites us to join her on the path. Prana guides us to deep places of self-discovery and acceptance, where healing happens and wholeness is restored. Like 'water that wears away rock,' Prana's guidance dissolves physical, emotional, and energetic barriers to being healthy, joyful and fully alive.

Her teaching is a gift! ~ Mary Anne Bright, EdD, APRN, BC Professor Emerita University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Author of Holistic Health and Healing.

Gestalt Your Life Angela Hassenpflug

Nancy Roberts, Ph.D., Psy.D. Transformational Psychotherapy Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

In my psychotherapy practice I deal with the concerns that bring most people into therapy: depression, anxiety, stress, and challenges with relationships and work. However, my transformational focus goes beyond

this to address the yearning that many people feel for a deeper sense of meaning and joy, and highlights an appreciation for spiritual paths to a more heart-centered life. Offices at 141 North Main Street in Brewer and 5 School Street in Ellsworth. Telephone: 207-852-7656

Body-Mind Life Coaching Specialist

TM

Gestalt Practitioner This experiential and body-oriented approach supports you to

- - - - -

reconnect with your body, its language and wisdom learn to relax, reduce stress and practice being fully present enhance your relationships, both with yourself and others reinforce your strengths, passions and skills make sustainable life changes happen

Dynamic life coaching tools combined with Gestalt Therapy elements build the foundation of this life coaching 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 A healthy functioning brain is crucial to your everyday cognitive, psychological, AND physical well-being. At Maine Neurotherapy

Center, we provide EEG Neurofeedback utilizing cutting edge techniques and equipment, without the use of medication, to help you achieve your goals. Neurotherapy is a powerful tool which involves exercising and training the brain to function better, manage anxiety and stress better, and improve overall day-to-day cognitive ability. We believe our clients deserve choices in care – whether that involves state-of-the-art neurofeedback or other traditional therapies. We provide both. In addition, we will work collaboratively with your current providers to develop a tailored neurofeedback program that works for you. For more information contact us at www.MaineNeurotherapy.com., 1051 Washington Ave, Suite 2, Portland, Maine 04103. E-mail: MaineNeurotherapy@gmail.com

Nancy C. Campbell, LCSW (207) 650-9728

Sandra E. Couch Kelly, LCSW (207) 233-3469

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," (207) 589-3063. moonarts@gmail.com.

Thank You All... For Letting Your Light Shine And To Be The Way For All This Holiday Season!

34 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

35 creative healing arts-cont.

Surry Music Therapy Center: Alan Wittenberg M.A., CMT 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.

Vermont Zen Yoga & healing arts center

Zen Yoga is a journey of spiritual deepening that begins with the breath.

Main e Gardens of Atlantis Healing Arts Center Happy Holidays Everyone! Join us for our 4th Annual

Holiday Fair on Sunday, December 5th. Admission is free!

And we're giving free gifts to the first 10 folks to arrive! HO HO HO! While you're here, you can get a chair massage or energy work session, an angel card, psychic or tarot card reading, consult with a Medical Intuitive, buy some awesome locally grown garlic (it's the best!), experience an infrared sauna, or foot soak and get your nails painted, buy a few hand-made holiday gifts & goodies, and have a wonderful lunch. Share the day with friends and family!

Life is what you make it. Make yours wonderful! We can help!

(207) 929-5088, www.gardensofatlantis.org.

the awake collective

We are a co-creative community platform in support of awakening. We offer massage,

hands-on healing, classes, workshops, yoga, dance, and space rental. It is our intention to create a supportive and nourishing space for our collective awakening. Your invited to come to events, enjoy our healing arts services, or rent space at the collective as an micro-enterprise, teacher, or practitioner. We value creating accessibility and sustainability within our community so we have made a commitment to providing affordable high quality healing arts services. We offer all of our basic services, like massage and life coaching at only $40 an hour. We also offer membership and monthly massage packages that will save you even more on our services. If you are wanting to create a conscious work space for your practice or you want to experience some of our services, then you should check out our website and join us in co-creating this amazing awakening. www.theawakecollective.com info@theawakecollective.com 207-318-1931, 79 Vesper St., Portland, Maine. Stay connected FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Awake-Collective/ 102331896486384?ref=ts

Email: breathe@artofzenyoga.com, Website: www.artofzenyoga.com.

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.

TA; 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.

Di recto ry of R es our ce s $375 for 1 year Print & Online Listing with an active link to your website!

Includes 2.8 inch ad space, (approximately 130 words) Initial set-up fee $20

holistic publications & radio

Main e 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.

Online listing (without print copy) with an active link to your website. $100 plus an Initial set-up fee of $20

Call 207-799-7995 or 203-779-0345 email: info@innertapestry.org Dec 2010/an 2011 Inner Tapestry 35

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Zen Yoga uses deep breathing to gather energy and then introduces soft, flowing movement and stretches to facilitate the smooth flow of that energy throughout the body. Based on the fundamental principles of qigong, tai chi and yoga, Zen Yoga is like nothing you have tried before.

We offer ongoing classes, workshops, therapy and retreats at the Zen Yoga & Healing Arts Center in the mountains of Vermont. We can customize special programs to meet the needs of your group throughout New England.

We also offer a 12-week online program that provides time honored teachings of various spiritual disciplinary arts designed to assist you on your journey of self-discovery. For more information: Phone: (860) 805-6551,

holistic healing centers

36 hypnotherapy

M a i ne HypnoWave Hypnosis Training Center 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 and other trainings available.

integrative healing–cont.

Main e Roberta Barnes, CHT, Gendai Reiki-ho & Komyo Reiki Shihan (teacher/master) & Herbalist

Gendai Reiki-ho brings balance and harmony to mind/body/spirit, and all areas of your life. Roberta teaches and

practices as she learned from her Japanese Reiki Shihans, each of whom has only 2 Shihans between themselves and Mikao Usui, the founder of Usui Reiki. Roberta has practiced various forms of natural healing for over 30 years. Her Natural Healing & Learning Center, nestled in a wildlife habitat in Windsor, Maine, is the perfect environment to reflect the balancing and harmonizing essence of Mikao Usui’s spiritual practice.

Encased in harmonizing relaxation, you can... *Learn Japanese styles of Reiki, *Experience Reiki healing sessions, *Learn inward or outward meditation, *Receive a personalized herb report, or *Experience a healing journey into your past. Roberta schedules classes to meet individual needs and travels out-of-State to teach groups. Roberta’s guided meditations are available on CDs. View scheduled classes at www.naturalhealinglearning.com or call (207) 445-5671 today to register for classes or healing sessions.

integrative healing Connecticut

Belanger Physical Therapy Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

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.

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 (207) 799-7998/(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).

We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.

36 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

Shen THerapy Thai Bodywork

S. Brennan Murphy, CST, CTYB, CYI SHEN Therapy: A highly effective and accelerated

approach to resolving stuck emotions and physical conditions that are directly affected by emotions.

Have you lost direction? Are you stressed? Do you feel disconnected from yourself and those around you? SHEN therapy works by releasing pain, old emotional memories and life scripts/beliefs buried in our unconscious mind. SHEN also helps with release of grief, depression, low self-esteem, panic/anxiety attacks, anger, shame, guilt, hate, eating disorders, bowel problems, sexual problems, PMS, post traumatic stress disorder, pregnancy and labor. Thai Bodywork: is a comprehensive and relaxing approach to opening the physical body, reducing tension, opening joints, stretching muscles, over-all grounding. Excellent for athletes, sciatica and more! For more information on these modalities and Brennan, please email: sowelu@midmaine.com or phone (207) 326-3236.

Sattva

Health and Wellness

Enjoy a Healthy Body and a Peaceful Mind Sandra Maguire, Kripalu Certified Ayurvedic Consultant, has helped clients lost stubborn body weight, increase energy, improve mental clarity, sleep better and overcome many common imbalances such as anxiety, depression, PMS, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, poor digestion, self-defeating patterns and more. At Sattva Health and Wellness you can

find new hope to achieve your wellness goals and live the life you want with energy and enthusiasm! Learn to make right choices in your diet, lifestyle, and daily routine that will help you sleep soundly to wake refreshed and motivated... and stop feeding the imbalances that impair your quality of life.

There is no better time to reconnect with your Self and say "Yes" to life! Call or email Sandra to find out how to begin on your path to optimal health!.

(207) 838-1602, www.SattvaHealthandWellness.com South Portland, North Windham and Gorham, Maine

37 integrative healing–cont.

Susan Ortiz, MD Board Certified Physical Medicine & Pain Management Medical Acupuncture & Energy Medicine Mind-Body Medicine Are you living up to your full potential? If you have joint, muscle, spinal pain, headaches, sleep problems, mood disorders, gastrointestinal issues, stress, fatigue or other troubling symptoms, you do not have to settle for ineffective or toxic treatments.

After 20 years of medical practice, I know that a combination of traditional Western and Alternative methods is usually the best form of medicine.

Having studied many different styles of healing over the years, I combine them with the latest in nutrition, movement and mind sciences to improve your health, function and vitality. Stillpoint Rehabilitation & Wellness,

integrative healing–cont.

Peaceful Energies Balance your Energetic Body, Physical Body, Emotions and Spirit As a certified MCKS Pranic Healer, I balance your body’s energetic system by intuitively sensing and removing stagnant, diseased energy and strengthening depleted energy with specific healing frequencies and techniques. 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 at mgsenergy@comcast.net or (978) 683-6129. www.PranicHealingNE.com.

15 State St., Bangor, ME 04401. Stillptrehab@gmail.com, (207) 990-2934, www.stillpointrehab.com.

Lilysongbird Healing Jewelry, Sunsets & Flowers, etc.

A Healing Session includes, Reiki, Integrated Energy

Fern Dyer, Reiki/Master Teacher, Advanced IET Practioner Call (207) 415-8638, fdyer@maine.rr.com, www.lilysongbird.com located in Portland.

SpiritWings CompassionateHealing and Apothecary

Kevin Pennell, Herbalist/Usui and Karuna ® Reiki Master Teacher/ Hypnotherapist/Shamanic Practitioner/Psychic Empath and Vickie Cummings, Licensed Massage Therapist/Cranio Sacral Therapist/Usui and Karuna® Reiki

Practitioner: Therapeutic, Seated and Couples Massage, Outcalls available,

Herbal Consultations and Past Life Regression. We consult with each client to identify the appropriate modalities to achieve Health and Harmony in their life. Classes are offered in Herbology, Reiki and Karuna Reiki® plus other workshops. Visit the Apothecary for Herbs, Patent Formulas, Teas, and Supplements. Essential Oils, Candles, Incense, and other Accessories are also available. Visit our website www.spiritwingsbethel.com. Apothecary Open Tuesday-Wednesday 10-4 & Thursday-Saturday 10-5. Therapeutic Sessions by appointment SpiritWings, 85 Main Street, Bethel, Maine. Telephone (207) 824-2204. Credit Cards Accepted.

Massachusetts

intuitive HEALING

"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 Wendy Marks changes that have a ripple effect on M.Ed, C.A.S.,FAPA 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.

Maine Ocean of Possibilities Life Coaching Deborah 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 principals 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.

Jen Deraspe, MS

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 experiencing 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. I am happy to offer a complimentary phone consultation if you are interested in the possibility of working together. www.ntnretreats.com, 207-452-2929, ntnretreat@yahoo.com

There is no question of going anywhere, arriving anywhere, or doing anything; you are there already.

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 37

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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. Beginning November, 2010 I will be teaching Integrated Energy Therapy as an IET Master.

life mastery

38 meditation

reflexology & healing massage Maine

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) 368-5866, or email: James@SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com, Website: www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com/santmat.

psychic & spiritual mediumship Maine PsychicMediumship, Hypnotherapy

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.

retreats Maine

Bonnie Lee Gibson is a professional Psychic Medium, Hypnotherapist, Registered Counselor, Reiki Master, healer, teacher and lecturer with thirty years of experience. She

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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.

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 skillful 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

• 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.

Rolling Meadows, a 100 acre yoga and meditation retreat center over-looking the hills of coastal Maine, provides a unique environment for inner reflection away from the stimulation, demands and distractions of daily life. Scheduled silent retreats for up to 10 participants are offered

throughout the year blending meditation, creatively-explored hatha yoga, and guidance in the direct path of self-inquiry. Patricia Brown and Surya Chandra Das teach from 30 years of experience, encouraging students to cultivate intuitive receptivity and openness, guiding them to find the unique expression of their True Nature. They also teach retreats in Guatemala, Mexico and throughout the US. Rolling Meadows Retreat, Brooks, Maine, (888) 666-6412, www.rollingmeadowsretreat.com.

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

38 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

39 schools & trainings

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, 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.

is a non-profit, tax-deductible organization. We teach yoga to elementary school children and their homeroom teachers. We can come to your school and teach

formal yoga classes, or we can come to your classroom and help you to initiate a yoga program you can use on a daily basis in your class. We also offer Tools for Teachers, an in-house workshop, which teaches teachers to use four basic yoga tools in their daily teaching. These tools will allow teachers to help children with relaxation, breathing and stress reduction, which will complement their overall learning and create a harmonious learning environment. Workshops can be scheduled as in-house workdays for teachers in public and private schools.

These workshops are individually tailored, and price varies according to the length. Please contact Lily Goodale at ngoodale@aol.com or (207) 236-6001.

Workshops can be given from Portland to Bar Harbor and are certified and part of the Yoga Ed foundation of yoga for children. www.yogaed.com.

Chaplaincy Institute of Maine

Interfaith Spiritual Growth and Ordination World Religions, Art as Meditation, Creation Spirituality, Interfaith Worship

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.

schools & trainings Maine 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.

First Year: The Way of Contemplation • Second Year: The Way of Action The next two-year program begins September 2010

ChIME offers a two-year program for Interfaith Spiritual growth and possible ordination as an Interfaith Minister.

Students commit to attending class one evening a week and one weekend a month September through May. Two weekend retreats are also built into the schedule. Some weekend workshops are open to the general public.

Tuition for the two years is $5,400.

Information and applications: ChIME Admissions, P.O. Box 3833, Portland, Maine 04104 (207) 347-6740 • chimeadmin@gmail.com • chimeofmaine.org

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.”

Five frogs are sitting on a log.

Four decide to jump off.

How many are left?

Answer: five. Why? Because there's a difference between deciding and doing.

Mark L. Feldman & Michael F. Spratt, 'Five Frogs on a Log' Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 39

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Sewall House Yoga Retreat

Treat Your Feet

Yokids

40 shamanic healing

writing services

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.

D O R Y C OTE

…Follow the Path to Your Own True Essence. At

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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.

I work with adults, couples, animals & specialize in working with gifted, autistic, aspergers, sensitive and ADHD children.

Please see my workshop schedule or make an appointment at www.earthlighthealing.com, email me at dory@dorycote.com, or call (207) 841-1215.

Pacha Works

Connecticut

Grow Your Business You need professionally written advertorials, ads, interviews, reviews and web content that align who you are and what you do with your target audience.

A professional writer saves you time and gets you and your business in print.

Ghostwriting: articles, books, columns, advertorials and more Freelance Work: feature articles, interviews, book reviews, web content Coaching: guidance and insight for your own writing Published in local, regional and national print and digital media Portfolio: www.KarenMRider.com Email: KarenMRider@comcast.net

phone: (860) 638-8140

Maine

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.

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. A new 16-month course in beginning Shamanism begins June 2010. More information about classes, private

Article submission deadline for February/March issue "Changing Your Mind"

is December 15th Please send articles to info@innertapestry.org

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 spirits help, energy moves.

A door opens and new possibilities are now available."

Happy Holidays!

40 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

Calendar and classified listings submission deadline for February/March issue is January 5th Time flies don't forget!

Please send your formatted Calendar and Classified listings to info@innertapestry.org

41

Yoga ~ T'ai Chi ~ Meditation

Yoga ~ T'ai Chi ~ Aikido Meditation Listings

Maine DENMARK, GREATER BRIDGTON LAKES REGION Nurture Through Nature's Donation Based Yoga Center

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.

Yoga ~ T'ai Chi ~ Meditation

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,.

SOUTH PORTLAND Sadhana The Meditation Center Sadhana is a meditation and chanting center.

Open all days from 6:30AM to 9:00PM. All people and meditation techniques are welcome. We offer meditation classes, chanting sessions, spiritual gatherings and retreats. Donation based on affordability. www.SadhanaMe.com; (207) 772-6898; info@SadhanaMe. com; 100 Brickhill Ave., South Portland, ME

Connecticut WINDHAM www.ReDefiningYogaandPilates.com In the hustle of this modern day, technologically, media manic world, there is a place of balance.

Yoga, Pilates, Massage, Nutrition, Reiki and Community.

Yoga for Health Marcie Loffredo, RYT ~ No experience needed. Styles of Yoga: Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Hot Yoga, Back Care, Stretch and Tone, Weight Loss, Yoga-lates (combo of Yoga and Pilates), meditation, and relaxation.

Visit our website for details www.yoga-4-health.com or email us at marcialoffredo@sbcglobal.net or call (860) 267-8279.

EAST HAMPTON, HEBRON, MIDDLE HADDAM & MOODUS Radiant Yoga

725 Roosevelt Trail, (207) 892-0964.

Our thanks to the many who support our community.

Offering all level group classes, private sessions, workshops and yoga hikes. Classes are a blending of styles with attention to alignment, fluid movement, pranayama (breathing), and relaxation. Erin McGuire, RYT. Check us out on facebook at Radiant Yoga, CT - Life Illuminated, call (860) 267-6388 or email radiantyoga@sbcglobal.net.

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.

We Hope You Enjoy reading this issue of Inner Tapestry!

Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 41

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COLCHESTER, CROMWELL, EAST HAMPTON, PORTLAND & WESTCHESTER

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Calendar and Classified

Guidelines And Advertising Rates Are Located on Page 44

H eart V isions

January 10th-17th, 2011 Making Art in Paradise

Join clay artist Alan Steinberg and writer Fred Taylor for a relaxing and inspirational week of writing and clay sculpting in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Write, create, rest, hike, and snorkel. www.viers.org, $1,075 includes tuition, 3 meals daily and accommodations. FMI and registration call Alan (802) 387-4820 or Fred (802) 387-2681 email alans@sover.net or www.brattleboroclayworks.com.

December 4th, 7:00pm-10:00pm Kirtan with Muraladhir Pai

January 16th & 17th, 9:00am-5:00pm Laughter Training for Professionals

born in India, son of two Sat Gurus. He is an accomplished classical musician who will share original bhagans including ones written by his parents. Sadhana, the Meditation Center, 100 Brickhill Ave., South Portland, ME. FMI: (207) 772-6898 or www.SadhanaMe.com.

Become a Laughter Professional with Katie West. $295 for Saturday and Sunday. Sadhana, the Meditation Center, 100 Brickhill Ave., South Portland, ME. FMI: (207) 772-6898 or www.SadhanaMe.com.

December 4th-5th Loving What Is and What Isn’t through Yoga, Meditation, Nature and The Work of Byron Katie, 24 transformative hours expanding relationship peace & tranquility at Nurture Through Nature, $120, www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929.

December 5th, Sunday Holiday Fair at Gardens of Atlantis FREE Admission! 11:00am-4:00pm, www.gardensofatlantis.org.

December 7th & 14th, 5:30pm-6:30pm Laughter Yoga with Arline Saturdayborn We will play with different kinds of laughter without jokes and mindful movement ending with relaxation. By donation.

Sadhana, the Meditation Center, 100 Brickhill Ave., South Portland, ME. FMI: (207) 772-6898 or www.SadhanaMe.com.

January 28th-30th Intuitive Development Through your own direct experience you’ll learn how to recognize and access your intuitive senses. www.rockthepath.org, (207) 236-7459.

January 29th-30th Apocalypse NOT! 2012: Shamanic Preparation Flamouth, Maine. The Time is now, for a positive future for humanity. FMI: see page 24, Spirit Passages ad, www.spiritpassages.com, (207) 846-6829.

January~Massachusetts January 8th, 9:00am-4:00pm Connect with YOUR Past Lives

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Spring 2011 Spirit Passages' Shamanic Initiatory Training Program

Restorative Breathwork session, movement, reflection and meditation at Yogave, Falmouth. Register via Tania at breathwork2@yahoo.com, (207) 272-2847. $40 per event.

in Egypt, Atlantis and Lemuria. A fascinating hypno-meditative journey back through time, via the use of hypnosis, The Rings of Oden, Stone Play crystals, sound tools, music, energy vortices, etc.! The multi-sensory format creates a phenomenal psychoenergetic past-life regression experience. Imagine all the possibilities!

Details: TheWayToBalance.com; (978) 834-0341. $80

FMI: see the ad on page 24, or visit www.spiritpassages.com, (207) 846-6829.

December 11th, Saturday, 11:00am-4:00pm Holiday Open House At Meadow Wind

January 22nd, 9:00am-6:00pm Introduction to Medical Intuition:

May 23th-29th, 2011 Assisi, Italy ~ Remembering Your Sacred Work

Mini sessions with practitioners, Holiday Shopping, Food, Raffle, Music, Fun! Meadow Wind, 100 Gray Rd.,Falmouth, ME 04105 www.meadowwind.org. (207) 939-1124.

Specialty Model Within Complementary Medicine. Sue Singleton defines the specifics of Medical Intuition, and compares several "evaluation models" including Allopathic Medicine, Psychic/Clairvoyant, Aura/Chakra Reading. Practice and evaluate your discernment and Medical Intuitive potential.

Details: TheWayToBalance.com; (978) 834-0341, $175 (early pay $150 by January 5th)

Know the wisdom of St. Clare and St. Francis and the sacred silence of the stones of Assisi with Megan Don. www.mysticpeace.com.

June 13th-22nd 2011 Pilgrimage to Ireland ~ Exploring the Divine Feminine with Megan Don, www.mysticpeace.com.

September 11th-17th, 2011 Pilgrimage to Avila ~ Knowing Your Spiritual Self-Worth with Megan Don, www.mysticpeace.com

May 2012 Glastonbury, England Experience the healing waters of the Chalice Well, bringing harmony to your well being. With Megan Don www.mysticpeace.com.

December ~ Maine Date To Be Determined By Enrollment Introduction to Touch – with Douglas Smith sensing layers and systems in the body visit www.mindmeeetsbody.com for details.

December 3rd-5th The Monroe Institute’s Excursion Retreat All-Inclusive Excursion Retreat Workshop is a results oriented program designed to assist in expanding your awareness, dimensions of creative intelligence and discovering a new sense of purpose. www.rockthepath.org, (207) 236-7459.

December 4th, 9:00am-2:00pm "Welcoming the Dark" workshop With Deena Prestegaard and Tom Cannon. $25. Sadhana, the Meditation Center, 100 Brickhill Ave., South Portland, ME. FMI: (207) 772-6898 or www.SadhanaMe.com.

December 11th, 2:00-5:00pm Restorative Breathwork

December 19th, 7:00pm-8:30pm Winter Solstice Celebration Join Evelyn and Allie of Spirit Passages for their 16th Winter Solstice at Maine Audubon, Gilsland Farm, Falmouth, ME. Audubon Members: $ 5/adult, $ 3/child. Audubon Members: $8/ adult, $4 child. Contact Laura Duffy: 207-781-2330, ext. 209 or lduffy@maineaudubon.org

December 26th-31st Holiday Retreat at Sewall House Yoga Retreat in Maine Escape the crowds. Relax renew with meditation, yoga, winter walks, great meals, sauna and sitting by the fire! www.sewallhouse.com, (888) 235-2395, info@sewallhouse.com.

December 30th - January 2nd Annual New Years Yoga & Meditation Retreat w/Surya Chandra Das. Yoga postures, pranayama, yin yoga, restorative poses, meditation, self-inquiry, silence, organic vegetarian meals, free time at quiet 100-acre country sanctuary. www.rollingmeadowsretreat.com (888) 666-6412.

www.innertapestry.org

January 8th, 10:00am-3:30pm A Day of Channelling ~ Roland Comtois East Hampton, $150 Spend the day with Roland, learn what it is like to be a channel, awaken everyone's ability to receive and believe. Class is limited. FMI: (203) 779-0345 or www.rolandcomtois.net.

January ~ Maine with Tom Lena, Sura Das and the Temple Bhajan Band!

By donation. Sadhana, The Meditation Center, 100 Brickhill Avenue, South Portland ME. FMI: (207) 772-6898, www.sadhaname.com.

Send all listings to

info@innertapestry.org 42 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

An empowering experiential Playshop! Using powerful sacred geometry with The Rings, Aaron and Sue Singleton help you experience the energy of many Sacred Egyptian Sites, including the King’s Chamber and Sarcophagus inside the Great Pyramid!

Details: TheWayToBalance.com; (978) 834-0341, $40.

January 28th - 30th Wei Chi Center & Shop Open House Join us as we celebrate our Center's Opening at 57 Wingate Street, Haverhill, MA.! Special events include a Friday evening drumming circle. Free lectures, Belly Dancing and opportunities to meet with practitioners and do some holiday shopping on Saturday and Sunday. FMI: www.WeiChiCenters.com or (978) 702-4929.

January~Connecticut January ~ New York

January 1rst, 7:00pm New Year's Kirtan Celebration

ALL EVENTS ARE LISTED ONLINE AT

January 23rd, 9:00am-noon Create Your Egyptian Journey with the Rings of Oden

January 15th-16th, 2011 The Way of the Shaman Presents The The Shamanic Journey, Power and Healing Worshop (the Foundation for Shamanic Studies Basic Workshop) in New York City. FMI: www.shamanscircle.com or (207) 372-8823. To Register contact the New York Open Center, (212) 219-2527 or registration@opencenter.org.

January ~ Vermont January 15th Kangeiko (Mid-Winter Zen Yoga Intensive) Join us for a day of training to welcome the new year. A special Zen Yoga program presented by founder Aaron Hoopes and his wife Elfeya. In-depth practice of breathing, gentle movement, stretching and meditation in the beautiful mountains of Vermont. Home-cooked meals! Ledge End Retreat & Wellness Center, (802) 685-4448, breathe@artofzenyoga. com, website: www.artofzenyoga.com.

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Upcoming~Connecticut Ongoing~Connecticut March 5th, 1:00pm-4:00pm Emotional Freedom book tour West Hartford Yoga, West Hartford, CT. The Power of Emotions and Intuition to Heal, To enroll: (860) 953-YOGA (9642) or http://www.westhartfordyoga.com/

Upcom i ng M aine February 19th & 26th, 9:00am-4:00pm, Saturdays Karuna® 1 & 2 Practioner Workshops: Karuna-Compassion in Sanskrit. Learn Karuna symbols and their uses, toning with symbols, giving treatments, and much more. Ample practice time. FMI: Yvonne Thibodeau, Sophia’s Wisdom at (207) 356-2662.

February 25th-27th A Silent Winter Retreat Yoga, Meditation and Snowshoeing at Nurture Through Nature's Green Retreat Center, Denmark, Maine, $395 includes meals, shared eco-cabin stay and programming. www. ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929.

March 31rst - April 3rd, 2011 Healing Trauma and Loss Residential workshop with Edgebrook an organization dedicated to helping people heal from past and present loss through the externalization of emotions. At Notre Dame Spiritual Center, Alfred, ME. www.edgebrook.org. (207) 753-0135

Upcoming~Massachusetts February 12th, 9:00am-noon Pyramids as Energy Frequency Generators

February 12th, 1:30pm-4:30pm Temple of Isis: Initiation into the Holy of Holies Walk in the footsteps of Isis and unite with the sisterhood through 9 steps of initiation! Isis, the goddess who is Mother to all, and her great wings protect, serve and love. Awaken the Isis in you! $40. Details: TheWayToBalance.com; (978) 834-0341.

February 26th, 9:00am-6:00pm Resolve Headaches & Migraines Learn practical, proven ways to identify and resolve the Root Cause of headaches and related tension patterns, and more! $175 (early pay $150 by February 9th). Details: TheWayToBalance.com, (978) 834-0341.

February 27th, 9:00am-noon Crystal Vortices to Transport You to Ancient Egypt A unique meditative experiential Playshop! Details: TheWayToBalance.com. $40. Details: TheWayToBalance.com, (978) 834-0341.

February 27th, 1:30pm-4:30pm Saqqara: The Andromeda Connection The Saqqara Step Pyramid and Complex in Egypt are a focal point for re-discovering who we are, where we came from, and why we are here. Join Aaron and Sue Singleton for this amazing multi-sensory adventure on the Andromedan lightship! Details: TheWayToBalance.com; (978) 834-0341, $40.

March 12th, Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm Psychic Development, Past Lives, & Angel Communication Workshop with Ross J. Miller, psychic healer, medium, regression therapist. Newton, MA. 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.

Join us for kirtan, philosophy and vegetarian dinner. No charge. Hare Krishna Temple. 1683 Main St. East Hartford CT 06108 (860) 289-7252, www.iskconct.org.

Ongoing Reiki Offerings

Reiki - Healing Ways of Kennebunk

Individual Reiki Sessions, Crystal Healings, Reiki Shares & Classes in Eastern CT. Please call Carleen, RMT at (860) 884-3125 for more information.

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.

Holistic Moms Network

Taoist Tai Chi TM Internal Arts of Health

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, the religion of the Light and Sound of God. Worship services are the second Sunday of every month 10:00am with fellowship and refreshments afterwards.

Corner of Route. 66 and Harvestwood Rd. Middlefield, CT. (860) 346-2226; www.ct-eckankar.org.

Ongo i ng~ M aine

Peace & Meditation Group - Camden/Lincolnville Tuesdays at 6:00pm. Readings, Films & Audiotapes based on the works of H.W.L. Poonja. Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Jean Klein and other inspired teachers of Reality. All Welcome. Contact Michael at (207) 763-3860l.

Holistic Gatherings The Healing Connection Cooperative of Rumford, Maine Healing/meditation circles, Chakra balancing/cleansing Reiki, psychic games. 12/11, 01/15, 02/12, 03/12 from 10:00am4:00pm Call: (207) 357-3357, (www.healingconnectioncoop.webs.com).

Healing And Prayer Circle ~ Free 2nd Thursdays 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, Maine 04547. Contact: Kat Logan, (207) 226-7446, or email kat@mygreatfullheart.com.

Kirtan at WholeHeart Yoga Center, Portland Join us for joyful call & response chanting. We alternate between Fridays and Sundays, late afternoons/evenings.

Donations gladly accepted. www.wholeheartyoga.com or (207) 871-8274.

Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism

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, Brunswick, Bridgton, Brownfield & Blue Hill. FMI: (207) 329-4346, or email: portland.me@taoist.org.

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 meets at 755 Main Street, Westbrook (Mission Possible Teen Center) 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.

Join us at the Portland Spiritualist Church, 755 Main Street, Westbrook (Mission Possible Teen Center) for an evening of messages from Spirit. 7:00pm $10 event. FMI call (207) 655-6673 or visit our website at www.portlandspiritualistchurch.org.

Friday Night: Weekly Psychic Development and Awareness Classes, except for the 4th Friday which is Gallery Readings - see above. Portland Spiritualist Church, 755 Main Street, Westbrook (Mission Possible Teen Center). 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: Nagaloka is a spiritual community that provides space for individuals to explore and practice Buddhism. Weekly meditation sessions, retreats and introductory classes on meditation and Buddhism are scheduled regularly. Bookstore, too! www.nagalokabuddhistcenter.org, (207) 774-1545.

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, Maine, www.forestcircles.com.

Dharma talks, meditation, chanting, led by Geshe Gendun Gyatso (www.geshegendun.org). Thursdays 7:00pm-9:00pm at Healing Dharma Center North, 70 Stanford Street, South Portland, Maine (www.healingdharma.squarespace.com).

Contact Lorraine (207) 650-4391.

Thursday Buddhist Meditation

Dowsing For Your Health & Earth Energies Classes

ShivaShakti School of Yoga, Rockland

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. Portland.

Offered monthly at Leapin’ Lizards in Portland and Freeport.

Learn how to use pendulums and dowsing rods. Fun! FMI: www.newenglanddowsing.com or www.leapinlizards.biz or call Paul at (207) 332-9681.

Give yourself the gift of Yoga! Ongoing weekly classes morning and evening for all levels. Call (207) 431-8079 or visit www.ShivaShaktiYogaSchool.com.

Full Heart Community Kirtan: Chanting for Charity 3rd Saturday night monthly in Southwest Maine. Check website for details www.indigolotusyoga.com, or call Suzanne Silvermoon, (207) 831-0868.

Meets every other Tuesday at 7:00pm, 75 State Street, Portland. Alternate weeks group on A Course in Miracles.

Contact: Tom Peterson (207) 310-0030 or John Moulton (207) 874-7602, www.spiritualhorizonsmaine.ning.org.

Have a problem with food?

EnergizeTM Sessions with Emmanuelle Chaulet

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.

Authentic Movement Dance at Bath Dance Works

Upcoming ~ NewYork

First and third Saturdays of the month, 10:00am-1:00pm, December 4th & 18th, suggested donation $10, no experience is necessary. FMI: call Kay Mann (207) 725-9997 or email dancingfewl@pobox.com.

March 7th, Monday, 7:00-8:30pm Talk & Book Signing Emotional Freedom Book Tour

Kirtan at Portland Yoga Studio, 1st and 3rd Fridays

New York, NY, Borders Books 461 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022 (Manhattan) Contact: www.borders.com or (212) 980-6785.

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.

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, ME. FMI: www.portlandyoga.com.

Spiritual Horizons Maine

Stress relief, energy clearing and balancing, RYSE®. Selfconfidence, boundaries and empowerment issues. For artists, performers, women, body workers. $80 ($70 students) Holistic Pathways, Gorham, (207) 839-9819 www.emmanuellechaulet.com.

Meditation, Hatha Yoga, Family Constellations Classes and programs in yoga, meditation, pranayama and spiritual and psychological development. Also Constellating the Soul: Untangling Our Lives. FMI www.TurningLight.org (207) 829-2700 North Yarmouth.

Continued on page 44 Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 43

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The Giza pyramids generate specific energy frequencies and a steady stream of negative ions, similar to the cleansing of thunderstorms. Transport your consciousness through space and time, as you explore amazing possibilities of the true function of the pyramids in a multi-sensory meditative healing experience.

Aaron and Sue Singleton apply sacred geometry with net-neutral ionic technology that empower your ancient knowledge! Details: TheWayToBalance.com; (978) 834-0341, $40.

Sunday ~ Bhakti-Yoga Festival – 3:00pm

The Ducktrap Writers’ Round Table

44 "Yokids" Yoga Ed Tools for Teachers Workshops

USM Center for Continuing Education.

Yokids instructors Lily Goodale and Lynnette Moore will come to your school and train homeroom teachers to use simple, yoga-based mind/body integration techniques to enhance their teaching and support a harmonious teaching environment.

Please contact Lily Goodale, ngoodale@aol.com, (207) 236-6001.

HEALING PLACES

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.

Nurture Through Nature

Thank God It's Grace: Women in God, Women in Good

All levels including, Beginner, Level I, Level II, Gentle & Private classes & workshops. For more info and schedule see www.belfastyoga.com or call (207) 338-3930/338-4256.

Please join Women In God each Thursday, 4:30pm-5:30pm at Meadow Wind 100 Gray Road, Falmouth, for an hour of peace, grace and spiritually-based conversation. Women in God is a non-denominational spiritual support group that welcomes all women on a path of love, hope and inspiration. For more information call (207) 233-7658, or visit www.womeningod.com.

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, ME.

Oneness Blessings/Oneness Deeksha in Maine A Direct Experience of the Divine ~ Living in Oneness. Regularly scheduled circles (free). Become a Deeksha giver. Oneness Trainers Elizabeth and Maha'al. Contact Elizabeth@IntegralPotentials.com or (207) 619-1663.

Locavore Potlucks, 5:00pm York ME Locavore potluck (local and/or wild food from animal and plant sources) takes place every third Saturday at Aimee's Livin' Magic, 254 Cider Hill Rd., York. Occasional speakers from the health and nutrition field. Emphasis on connecting to local farmers. Call Aimee at (207) 409-0899 or visit www.liveinmagic.com for details.

Belfast Yoga Studio. Iyengar style Hatha Yoga

“SANT MAT RADHASWAMI SATSANG” Inner Light & Sound Meditation. Surat Shabd Yoga. For a Bangor, Waterville, & Portland meeting schedule, call James at: (207) 368-5866 or James@SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com.

Ongoing~NewHampshire Tai Chi for Health Thursday, 5:30pm-6:15pm, $15 pay as you go. Zev Yoga, 16 Market Square, Portsmouth, NH. Age 14 and older. FMI: (913) 938-6384.

NESHHA Educational Presentation The New England Seacoast Holistic Health Association (an organization of Healthcare Professionals), has meetings monthly, third Thursday, Potluck 6:30pm, Networking 7:00pm at the Herbal Path, 839 Central Ave., Dover, NH. www.NESHHA.org.

Eaton Satsang Near Conway, NH 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

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Center of Inner Light, Rev. Gloria Nye

Zen Yoga

Located at 267 Congress Street, Portland, ME (within the synagogue). Sunday Services: 10:30am-12:00pm followed by fellowship. FMI call (207) 576-7276, visit www.RevGloriaNye.com.

Breathing, movement, stretching and deep guided relaxation meditation. Every Monday evening. 6:00pm-7:00pm. class. $10. Location: Ledge End Retreat & Wellness Center, Vershire, CT. (802) 685-4448, breathe@artofzenyoga.com.

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.

SpiritWings–Workshops, Reiki Classes in Bethel ME Reiki Share second Tuesday of every month. Well-Being and Healing Classes Regularly. Offering Tibetan/Usui and Karuna® Reiki-Meditation Classes and Shamanic Healing Techniques, which examines various methods of healing employed by our ancestors. For further information call (207) 824-2204 or visit www.spiritwingsbethel.com.

Tai Chi/Zen Yoga Gentle stretching, movement and breathing warm up followed by practice of the basic Yang style short form. Moving meditation for adults and seniors. Friday mornings 10:00am-11:00am, $10.

Location: Ledge End Retreat & Wellness Center, Vershire, VT. (802) 685-4448, breathe@artofzenyoga.com.

Classified Listings HOLISTIC BUSINESSES FOR SALE Yoga Retail Store

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.

Integrate your practice with your work in this unique business opportunity. One of a kind boutique serving Maine’s rapidly growing yoga /meditation/wellness community for the past 5 years. In Portland’s burgeoning Arts District. All reasonable and serious offers considered. FMI: cmackay@gwi.net or http://thehappyyogi.com.

Stretch, Relax and Recharge Through YOGA A gentle way to reduce stress, tension and pain, while increasing vitality, flexibility, strength, a positive mind and balance on all levels. Ongoing Iyengar Yoga Classes (20 years of teaching) Kennebunk: Monday 5:00pm continuing level & 7:00pm beginners, Thursday 5:15pm continuing level 8 weeks at $99, frop in fee $15. In Portland: Saturdays 10am continuing beginners. Yoga Vacation in Virgin Gorda February 14th-21st, $700 plus airfare FMI: call Jeanette Schmid Lakari (207) 282-5528 or email at yogajs@maine.rr.com.

Calendar of Events

HAPPY 2011!

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, Maine, (207) 452-2929, www.ntnretreats.com.

EverLastings, a Full Service Salon with an Organic and Holistic approach to hair and body, by Arlene Bouley. Also organic facials, body wraps and healing jewelry. Located in Madison, CT. FMI, call (203) 909-3837 for an EverLasting Impression.

PRACTITIONERS Opening of a New Osteopathic Family Practice Shawn Marie Higgins, D.O. Family Medicine for all ages, Osteopathic Consults, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, Energy Medicine, Counseling. Let's create a partnership in health and happiness! Located at Meadow Wind, 100 Gray Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105, (207) 998-2480.

Reconnective Healing & The Reconnection!

Experience healing frequencies that are evolutionary for: cancer, emotional stress, physical disease, addiction, etc.

Contact Ruth Kirkwood (207) 773-1406 in Portland, Maine. $50.00 Free Consultations For The Reconnection!

Zen Anti-Diet Weight Loss Counseling An in-depth personal approach to dieting and weight loss using the guidelines set out in the Zen Anti-Diet program. Focus is on mindful eating, reducing chemical additives and preservatives, and raising the metabolism properly. By appointment. Location: Ledge End Retreat & Wellness Center, (802) 685-4448, info@zenantidiet.com, website: www.zenantidiet.com.

SACRED RENTAL SPACE 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, private camping, wood-fired sauna, yoga studio, hiking trails, mountain brook, Denmark, Maine ~ 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.

JUMP IN! TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS NEW YEAR!

~ Ongoing Event Listings ~

Classified Ads

Inner Tapestry 's ~ calendar of Events and Classified Guidelines ~ Date Sensitive Listings ~ $12 per issue for 30 words, additional words are 50 cents each.

Please follow the format found in the journal and online, (Date information, title, description, location and contact information.)

A six-month (3 issue) listing is $25 for 30 words, additional words are 50 cents each.

Classified ads are $20 for 30 words, additional words are 50 cents each.

Please follow the format of our Ongoing Listings found in the journal and online, (Title, frequency, description, location and contact information.)

Please send formatted listings.

We do not publish press releases.

w w w .in n e rt ape st ry.o rg 44 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

All Calendar and Classified Listings are listed on the Inner Tapestry Website!

45 Continued from page 22 ~ Celebrate A Safe Holiday All Year Long with, a harsh word, a knee jerk or an arm shove. To avoid having friends and family disappoint you and your pet, keep animals out of the party area—especially when there’s food around. One great option is to take your pets favorite bed, blanket and lovey toys and set them up in their favorite room, maybe a back bedroom, with the lights on, soft music or a slow moving movie. Special guest visitors will enjoy holding or helping you take your pet out, checking on them throughout the evening or day and might even offer to help you feed your pet during their special mealtime. This can be a wonderful way to make your pet feel special, without feeling like you have left them out of your fun holiday event.

Be Prepared Always be prepared for a holiday pet emergency. Post your important emergency numbers on the fridge, by the doors and in your bedroom. Have back-up plans in case you cannot escort your pet to the vet and name someone to be your ER Care Contact. If you feel confident, put someone in back-up command of your party instead. Numbers to post in full view are, your vet, your local 24 hour emergency clinic, ASPCA poison control hotline, your back-up ER person, and instruction on how to finish your meal, put the party on hold or cancel in the event of a pet related health crisis. For pet parents with seniors or baby animals or those that need special attention, be sure to line-up a pet sitter for your evenings or days

out. No one should have to spend the holidays alone and that especially goes for the ones that love us the most — Our pets!

With some thoughtful care and helpful tips on your holiday planning, it will be easy to have a happy holiday all through the year! By keeping your pets at the top of your list, you and your family will be sure to plan accordingly and use special pet-friendly precautions during your holiday events. In general people are very happy to help out during the busy times of the year, and many will even offer to accommodate you and your pets needs. Start this holiday year off on the right foot with a little extra pet-friendly communication. If the feedback is positive you’ve done a wonderful job of including your pet in your plans; if not so positive, then become creative and turn the situation to favor you and your pet. We wish A Happy happy holiday to all and to all a snuggly night!

Donald and Sara Hassler are co-authors of the award-winning children’s book, Loving Marley, and reside in Connecticut with Marley and Belle the real-life inspiration for the PugTale Adventures storybooks www.lovingmarley.com. The Hasslers are active members of the press and write exclusive feature articles for several publications. Their columns are also published in Pug Talk Magazine.

Donald and Sara and Marley and Belle, write, produce and host their own talk radio show called The Responsible Pet Owner, which airs live on Good Company 14/WILI in Connecticut. Visit them online at www.responsiblepetowner.com.

Continued from page 28 ~ Exploring Your Inner Terrain With Crystals And Stones

The following is a simple “Scrying” exercise. This particular exercise works somewhat similar to a “Magic Eye Image” for those who may be familiar with it.

Sit in a relaxed fashion in a room with soft lighting; put yourself in a receptive state by taking a few slow, long, deep breaths in through your nose, exhaling slowly through your mouth (about three to five breaths).

Hold your choice of patterned or reflective stone in your receptive hand.

Now close your eyes while turning it over until it rests comfortably in your palm.

of your thought associations and take time to reflect upon any insights that surface.

Shamanic Journeying

Hold any given stone you feel a connection with in your most receptive hand (for most people this is their left hand but you decide for yourself ). Intend to be guided by the stone’s inner being during your journey. Breathe deeply into your heart and exhale your breath into the stone several times, connecting to it in a loving way. Ask, and thank, your stone for guidance and assistance during your journeying. Proceed with your preferred style of journeying using your stone as a guide. It is best to use a stone that you have previously meditated with several times for your journey. I like to use a clear quartz crystal, which I have previously programmed with love, compassion, and gratitude as a journeying tool.

References:

Mentally note its texture and temperature. Slowly open your eyes and study the pattern or reflective surface of your stone. Pick an area of the stone’s patterning or reflective surface on which to gaze and soften your focus on this area.

The Book of Stones (Who They Are & What They Teach) co-authored by Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian with contributions by Hazel Raven ©2005, 2007;

Narrow in on this area until you are focused only on a small area of your stone and fix your softened vision upon it. Now slowly bring your stone as close to the tip of your nose as possible without touching it (you may feel slightly cross-eyed *><* ); next slowly move your stone a short distance away from your nose, until the pattern begins to look “dimensional.”

Allowing your vision to soften and remain slightly out of focus while you peer at the pattern on your stone allowing any “associations” to come into your mind.

In the context of the modalities that I practice the elements are Earth, Fire, Water, Wind and Storm. This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. The author does not advocate the use of stones as a substitute for medical or psychological care. Appropriate use of the following information is the express responsibility of the reader.

“Watch” as your imagination creates a form or “Story” from the blurred imagines or on the reflective surface. Continue “viewing” in this manner for 3 to 5 minutes until you get a sense of what the stone is trying to show you (this is not unlike reflecting upon one’s dreams); make journal notes

Crystal Balls & Crystal Bowls: Tools for Ancient Scrying & Modern Seership (Crystals and New Age) – Paperback (Sept. 8, 2002) by Ted Andrews

Silla is a graduate of Naisha Ahsian’s Crystalis Institute and is certified as a Crystal Resonance Therapist (CRTh) and an Elemental Shaman. She maintains a private therapeutic massage and energy based bodywork practice, BodyKneads & Energetics, in Scarborough, Maine. Silla is also the creator of “Elemental Attunements Jewelry”, jewelry created with intention. Contact Silla at (207) 883-1440 or silla@wiseone.zzn.com for more information go to: http://www.bodykneadsandenergetics.com/

Continued from page 32 ~ exploring the world religions ~ The Reality and Not The Illusion... part two Rather – what’s especially noteworthy about mystic paths is, they may have Living Buddhas, Living Christs, Living Rumis, Living Hildegards, Living Kabirs, a Living Master or Meister Eckhart, a Living One: a living mystic or saint with us now, here on Terra firma in the Twenty First Century.

Living Students Have Living Teachers For it is the ability to truly listen that gives birth to an awareness of a message, and an appreciation of a messenger. An Infinite God could never have a limited number of inspired words, or be forever bound by bookbinders. If there is no inspiration now, how could there ever have been any inspiration in days gone by? There is also no missing element or trace mineral, once present in the water supply during the middle ages or earlier times but now gone, that once caused

the appearance of prophets and saints, and accounts for their absence now.

What was true then is true now. The same need that brought great souls into the world during past centuries is still with us. My experience and belief is that the age of prophets, apostles, masters or saints is still with us, that there is a Living Gnosis Now. There are living Masters in the world today. The reality and not the illusion of having a guru, begins here, with this openness to the possibility of Living Ones Now.

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.

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with the chemical makeup the stones and you have a great tool for stimulating the deeper aspects of mind. Some may argue that this is not true scrying and insist that in order to be called scrying one must have a “vision”. I have also experienced visions floating in a crystal ball or in the inclusions in a quartz crystal, as well as in mid-air or superimposed over the surface of leaves in trees and other objects but I try not to limit my mind to seeing only in one way.

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m ix ed m e dia

Book Review

by Karen M. Rider M.A.

Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life By: Judith Orloff, MD Publisher: Three Rivers Press, (2011)

BOOK

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WEB SITES

O I D A R MUSIC

DVDs S E I V O M HEALI NG TOOLS

AND F OO D EWS R E V Iand more 46 Inner Tapestry Dec 2010/Jan 2011

The world faces global financial, environmental and cultural crisis that is likely to lead to an increase in psychological and physical dis-ease. People are struggling with uncertainty and insecurity in their jobs; increased work loads for those who survive downsizing and outsourcing; unmanageable personal debt; escalating costs for food, clothes, and fuel and the effects of sending and losing loved ones to war. The effects of a society that is increasingly more reliant on technology to communicate than it is engaged in meaningful human contact and healthy relationships have yet to fully manifest. We are left challenged to find new ways not just to cope—but to survive.

What can we do to free ourselves of the emotions that drive us toward behaviors that neither nurture nor sustain us emotionally, physically and spiritually?

Esteemed intuitive psychiatrist, Dr. Judith Orloff delivers possible answers in her new book, EMOTIONAL FREEDOM: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life. Dr. Orloff, assistant clinical professor of psychology at UCLA, draws from, but goes beyond, allopathic medicine, combining neuroscience, psychology, and spirituality into an alchemical approach for transforming negative emotions. She offers practical, empowering strategies that will recharge your coping skills so that we might not just survive, but thrive even through challenging times:

[ Reprogram the Biology of Your Emotions [ Uncover the Spiritual Meaning of Your Emotions [ Learn the Energetic Power of Your Emotions [ Map the Psychology of Your Emotions

less traveled despite what others said. Or you fought injustice or helped someone in need... All acts of courage matter. Try not to judge one as better than another.

Part One of the book introduces the four components of emotions: biology, spirituality, energetic power, and psychology.

She provides a self-assessment test to evaluate your current level of emotional freedom. Practicing the principles she sets forth can help you increase your level of emotional freedom.

She also illustrates how to determine your “emotional type” so you can make the most of who you are in all areas of life.

The “emotional vampire survival guide” offers specific advice for dealing with people who drain your emotional, psychic and physical energy. You know you’re dealing with an emotional vampire when, suddenly, you feel overcome with anxiety, discomfort while engaged with this person. She describes several types of vampires, and provides quizzes to help you determine if you are in a relationship with one – or might be one yourself.

Part Two of the book is a guide to emotional alchemy.

Brilliantly, Dr. Orloff writes each chapter as a “transformation” in which you learn to turn a negative emotion into its more positive parallel. For instance, she teaches patience as an antidote to frustration and disappointment. She suggests selfesteem; “a breathing positive force that grows from within a person” can transform jealousy and envy. She encourages each of us to act from compassion as a counterpoint to anger and to live in service of the heart.

With her characteristic wit, wisdom and skill Dr. Orloff shows us how to become heroes in our own lives by transforming potent negative emotions—fear, frustration, loneliness, anxiety, depression, jealousy, and anger—rather than functioning in “reactive mode.”

The path to emotional freedom is the hero’s journey... every choice you make to triumph over negativity, large and small, is about transforming energy. The potent nature of such ongoing transformation makes you stronger, brighter, and more resilient, which in turn acts to illuminate the world.

Orloff is a compassionate guide, encouraging us to face fear and build courage. She shows us how to move beyond emotional paralysis to “awaken courage”: In a relaxed, quiet state, focus on a time when you were courageous. Perhaps you spoke up for yourself or took the road

March 5th, 1:00pm-4:00pm workshop and book signing at West Hartford Yoga, West Hartford, CT Dr. Orloff LIVE in New York City!

March 6th ~ 11:00am book signing, Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, 3:00pm-5:00pm workshop, Unity Church of New York, 119 W. 23rd Street at 6th Ave. #600, Manhattan, NY March 7th ~ 7:00pm-8:30pm Book Talk and Signing, Borders Books, 461 Park Ave., Manhattan, NY

Karen M. Rider, M.A. is a freelance writer specializing in holistic and metaphysical subjects. Karen also writes fiction centered on the awakening of human-spiritual potential.

She is co-writing Eating... The Angel Way with intuitive medium Annie Kelleher due to publish in 2010. Karen lives in Cromwell, CT. Learn more: www.KarenMRider.com, email: KarenMRider@comcast.net or call (860) 638-8140. Visit Karen's Blog: The Writing Parent, www.thewritingparent.blogspot.com.

HEALING TOOLS ~ A New Mixed Media Category For a number of years Inner Tapestry has been reviewing books, music and movies with great appreciation from all involved. With all the wonderful information and material we have experienced we have not included Product Reviews. Products such as; EMF neutralizing devices, crystal configurations with specific intensions, any device, idea or configuration of items that support the process of human healing and evolution.

If you know of a product or have developed a product you would like us to review please contact Ron at ron@innertapestry.org and provide me with detailed information of the product. Upon favorable review, we may request a working model to experience and try with willing participants—of which we have plenty. After review and a reasonable period of time to explore the product, 3-6 weeks on average, we will send the product back to you by your preferred method of shipment. All shipping fees are the product providers responsibility. We will willingly provide a review copy of what our experience was and if you choose not to have the results published, all written material will be destroyed. We have no interest in printing anything other than our sincere experience and views.

If you have an interest in this process please contact Ron at ron@innertapestry.org.

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Healing Tools Review

by Ron Damico

Stone Play Tools Created by: Aaron and Sue Singleton The Way To Balance, LLC, Amesbury, MA. www.The WayToBalance.com Egypt Stone Play— Sarcophagus Journey Stone; and Super-Charger Quartz Mini-Matrix Aaron and Sue Singleton founders of The Way to Balance, LLC in Amesbury, MA are creators of various healing techniques, training programs and numerous vibrational healing tools. Having been in business since 1993 they are committed to supporting empowerment and healing of others. I’ve grown to appreciate the tools Aaron and Sue have created for more than two years. They are simple to use, gentle in the creation of an energetic environment, effective for amplifying the intended focus, as well as awakening and expansive for personal and client healing and growth. Two products I would like to share are part of their Stone Play toolbox.

What are Stone Play Tools for Healing and Intention?

How the Stone Play” Tools Work: Stone Play Tools create simple yet powerful vortices using a combination of crystal formations, Rings of Oden formations, and more. For example, various configurations have been pre-designed to create the energy and resonance for opening, balancing and healing, as well as connecting with Oneness/Centering with the Divine, plus recreating the energy frequencies of sacred spaces such as Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, The Great Pyramid, and more!

Two of the tools I will share with you this issue are the Egypt Stone Play – Sarcophagus, Open Tomb of Resurrection (also know as The Journey Stone), and Super Charged Quartz Mini-Matrix. Both use activated crystals to support specific intensions in one’s healing journey.

Egypt Stone Play - Sarcophagus, Open Tomb of Resurrection (The Journey Stone) The Journey Stone uses a Sodalite crystal specifically activated with frequencies from Ancient Egypt by Aaron and Sue. These frequencies hold the energies of the three major chambers of The Great Pyramid-The Pit, Queen’s Chamber and King’s Chamber. A triangulation pattern of the 3 pyramids at Giza (Khufu-The Great Pyramid, Khafre and Menkaure) was then added to stimulate DNA healing on a cosmic and physical level. In addition, this crystal is also embedded with the energy frequency of the famous Sarcophagus. All of this supports the willingness to travel, without leaving your body; enhancing the effects of meditating in this transformational space; create a safe journey within self to know more intra-dimensional realities; and embrace this opportunity to transition from initiate to adept. You may intend a specific journey or dimension, or “whatever is for my highest good at this time.”

The Journey Stone is helpful in revealing that which is not seen or what someone is unaware of. It can be used in any number of ways beyond what is listed in the information which comes with the crystal. In my opinion this crystal will effortlessly support a heart felt, soul guided willingness to become a balanced and grounded human being. I have used this crystal to create and maintain a

At different times I have had clients create a focus for themselves without the Journey Stone in hand and then with it. The experience was expressed as “different”, “more intense and expansive”, “more vivid” with the stone in hand. Now one could argue that it is “mind over matter” or “the placebo effect.” That is up to each person to decide. My faith and willingness to become aware of and embrace Universal Truth is what I use to determine the sincerity of any person. The only times it was stated there was “no difference” or “nothing happened” was when the focus was to may steps ahead; the focus was to avoid something, which required honoring; or the level of tension, fear, and/or anxiety of what was surfacing to shift was greater than the willingness to welcome change. After the obstacles were connected with and shifted the original focus was engaged again and the results were appreciatively remarkable by the person.

Super-Charged Quartz Mini-Matrix Description: These specialized Super-Charged Quartz Crystals have been cleared, energized and programmed with The EOL Net-Neutral Ion Generator and other EOL techniques by Sue and Aaron. This greatly increases the energy amplification of these crystals, beyond the typical quartz amplification traits. Regular storebought quartz will not have the powerful effect of these programmed crystals.

When placed on the matrix as instructed, the crystals create a 360° energy vortex, with a radius of 35 feet (70-foot diameter). This vortex amplifies the energy of whatever is placed in the center of the circle, such as essential oils, other crystals, medications, liniments, vitamins, herbs, etc.

I have been using this item with Joan, myself, family, friends and clients for more than two months. This matrix is easy to use and truly affective. Not only is one able to use an expansive array of items listed above to support clearing, healing and balancing, but more than one matrix can be used at a time with complementary items. For example, if someone is clearing physical trauma from the body and there is an awareness of any emotional and energetic imbalances influencing the trauma, a matrix can be used to create a vortex to resolve the physical trauma, another to clear the emotion influences and one to support the clearing and balancing of the energetic field. After the release or clearing is experienced one or more matrix can be used to help re-harmonize the physical, energetic and emotional state. This matrix is as expansive as a persons willingness to explore. We have used this matrix with many individuals and groups with wonderful results and compliments of gratitude for the experience. If you are a practitioner of any technique, this matrix offers an opportunity to increase your offering of support and what a person will have access to in your presence and is a wonderfully supportive tool for all willing to heal and grow.

Size: All-inclusive kit contains an 8-inch vinyl mini-matrix mat, layout and usage instructions and 6 Super-Charged Programmed Clear Quartz Crystals.

Joan and I have been using a variety of their tools for a few years and greatly appreciate all they offer and support. Both of these products create an environment of support and help facilitate change whether you are a practitioner or someone interested in supporting yourself through the journey of life. When used with clear intention these tools are a joy to play with.

For more information about these or other The Way to Balance products visit www.thewaytobalance.com or call (978) 834-0341.

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend. ~Paul Sweeney Dec 2010/Jan 2011 Inner Tapestry 47

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The Stone Play Tools are innovations by Aaron and Sue that are designed to harness and apply non-force energy technology using specially-developed Stone Play Layout Mats and a variety of natural crystals. By placing crystals in various geometry designs on the Stone Play Layout mats (or on the body, as with Egypt Stone Play), the Stone Play Tools help to manifest healing, intention, and general goodwill and greatly amplify any work you may do with intention and Universal Laws.

focus for myself and clients. When used with clear intent, willingness, openness and focus it increases the ease of a person to hold a clear and centered willingness for themselves to move towards balance and wellbeing. With the honoring and welcoming of the experienced insight great change can be embraced.

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As We Birth A New Year We Begin The Birth of A New World and A New Humanity...

Happy New Year!