1
A Holistic Journal Celebrating & Supporting LIFE! Feb/Mar 2008
ELDER WISDOM
u
u
F
R
E
E
Volume 6, No . 5
Inner
Tapestry Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
u Home Sweet Home
u Modern Shamanic Living ~ Grandma Wisdom
u Beyond Knowing
u Destination Healing ~ The Music of Elder Wisdom
u Loving Our Future
u Loving Earth ~ An Interview With G.A.L.A.'s Josh Arnold
u A Gift Of Years & Longing For The Darkness
u Exploring The World Religions ~ Living Water Spiritual Center
2
Trager®
An Approach for Every Body www.trager-us.org
Movement Education. Body/Mind Integration. Gentle. Effective. Life-changing.
"Creating peace in the world, one person at a time." Dr. Milton Trager Maine Certified Trager® Practitioners Marlena O'Hagan-Buzzell Fryeburg, ME 207-212-7721 kmbuzzell@roadrunner.com
Gail Edgerly Portland, ME 207-761-3765 www.movementashealer.com
Virginia Reidy Islesboro, ME Kissimmee, FL 207-734-8132 904-874-4896
Liz Berks Cornish & Portland, ME 207-637-2074 207-653-8148 lizland@fairpoint.net
Carla Keene Portland & Bath, ME 207-653-8393 cskeene70@hotmail.com
Lew McGregor Hope, ME 207-763-3129
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
THE TRAGER® APPROACH Introductory Workshops FMI: please contact Marlena O'Hagan Buzzell at 207-647-3521 or Email: kmbuzzell@roadrunner.com
2 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
3
Inner T APESTRY Contents
This Issue's Theme Elder Wisdom Apr il/M ay 2008: Hear t Sto r ies June / July 2008: Th e Ar t o f Sim pl ic it y Au gu st /S ep tember 2008: Light' n Up O c tobe r/Novemb er 2008: B ein g Yo u r s el f
A Holistic Journal Celebrating & Supporting LIFE!
Feb/Mar 2008
Features
Special On The Cover ~ Home Sweet Home
Page 6
by Cover Artist Andrew Mitchell & Joan Emmons
Elder Wisdom ~ Walking the Path of Poetry
Page 9
by Rhoda-Neshama Waller
Then and Now
Page 11
A Gift of Years and Longing for the Darkness
Page 13
Loving Our Future
Page 15
Qualities for Eldering
Page 17
Beyond Knowing
Page 35
by Holly Howley by Lisa Barstow
by Jeffrey Hotchkiss by Ina Albert
by Dr. Janis Amatuzio
Exploring The World Religions ~ Living Water
Page
Loving Earth ~ An Interview with G.A.L.A.'s Josh Arnold
Page 10
Modern Shamanic Living ~ Grandma Wisdom
Page 12
Feng Shui & Geopathology ~ The Chinese Zodiac
Page 14
A Breath of Healing ~ Many Moons
Page 16
Awareness and the Art of Seeing ~ Hearing The Mountain
Page 17
Destination Healing ~ The Music of Elder Wisdom
Page 19
Cooking Consciously & Eating Healthy ~ Plant Proteins for
Page 22
Welcome Home ~ Ask Asrianna
Page 23
The Way of Life-Itself ~ Something's Missing: Why Force?
Page 24
The 21st Century Bohemian ~ Mayhem, Money & Mirth
Page 25
Spiritual Center
by James Bean by Pat Foley
by Evelyn C. Rysdyk
and The Year of The Earth Rat
by Werner Brandmaier
by Donna Amrita Davidge
Brook's Voice
by Jen Deraspe
by Kevin Pennell by Meg Wolff
Cancer Recovery and Prevention
by Asrianna Dameron by Norm Hirst
by Teresa Piccari
8
At Maine Literary Festival
Mixed Media ~ Book, Website & Music Reviews
Directories
Directory of Resources Heart Visions, A listing of events, trainings & trips... Calendar of Events Classifieds Yoga, T'ai Chi, Aikido & Meditation Directory
Pages 26 & 27
Pages 28-34 Page 36 Pages 36-38 Page 38 Page 39
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 3
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Departments
4
Welcome to Inner Tapestry OUR EXPRESSION OF INTENTION: As we weave from within, we begin the
creation of the outward expression and celebration of our own unique tapestry. Our intention is to provide a pathway of support for all seeking the awareness of living a conscious life by creating and supporting a network of connection within the holistic community and its practitioners. The journal is advertiser supported and can be found in businesses and services that promote complementary healing, wellness, and wholeness and who support cultural, environmental and educational needs, where ideas of conscious living and integrative wholeness are welcomed and nourished. In our sixth year as a Holistic Journal celebrating and supporting the exploration of life, we have become a leading voice for people in their discovery of holistic health, natural living and spiritual wisdom and insight.
AVAILABLE IN MORE THAN 500 LOCATIONS Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Distributed bimonthly (six times a year) this free publication is filled with carefully selected inspiring and informative articles promoting conscious life choices that lead to a higher quality of life, unity within one's self and community and a greater experience of spirit! Our distribution area spans throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 500 locations. If you would like copies placed at your business or location please contact us. Inner Tapestry is a great resource for your family, friends, clients and customers.
SEE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT IN INNER TAPESTRY SIX WAYS TO ADVERTISE Throughout Inner Tapestry's pages are the Display Ads. Towards the back of the journal you will find the Directory of Resources, a comprehensive listing of practitioners and descriptions of their services. Immediately following you will find our Calendar of Events (the first 30 words per submitter are free) and the Classified section. The fifth method is the Yoga, T'ai Chi, Aikido, & Meditation Practitioners Directory, with a listing of styles and forms available for study. Our online web site is the sixth way to advertise, with an online Directory Ad. Directory Ads can be placed just online or in conjunction with an ad in print. For those who need ad design, we offer a service to create a distinct way for you to present your business. To our readers, we would like to ask everyone to take the opportunity to email our columnists, feature writers, artists and advertisers with comments, suggestions and information inquiries. They all are extremely wonderful and dedicated individuals who look forward to hearing from you. We also look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions as we all continue to evolve and grow together. Inner Tapestry does not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements. Responsibility for the products and services of our advertisers rests solely with them. Articles are for information only and do not constitute medical advice. Please obtain written permission before reproducing any part of this publication. All rights reserved. ÂŽ 2008.
Subscriptions are available:
$20.00/year, 6 issues A H olistic Journal Celebrating & Supporting LIFE!
Joan Emmons, Ron Damico, Betty Close, & Jacqueline Cone
4 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
Inner Tapestry can be picked up for free in over 500 locations, but to insure you don’t miss a copy, subscriptions are available.
Publishers
send check or money order to:
All inquiries call:
Inner Tapestry Journal 6 Kristin Lane Raymond, ME 04071
(207) 799-7995 info@innertapestry.org
5 INNER WORKINGS
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
New this Issue: This February/March issue of Inner Tapestry is "Elder Wisdom," a theme that has accompanied me through a surprising journey these past two months. Starting with my search for cover artwork, this issue has been an ongoing journey of correspondence with the very gifted English artist Andrew Mitchell, connecting countries and lives, and the creation of a special article which we wrote on pages 6 and 7. I truly hope you enjoy the sharing of our journey with you. This issue also brought changes for us. Kevin who had been working with us has relocated to New Hampshire to help support his mom, and we will all miss him. Our love and wishes for a gentle move and hopes for exciting new adventures. I am grateful to those who sent in articles. It seems that for many, our elder wisdom is found in the passing of those deeply loved in our lives. This passing seems to create an opportunity for an integration of feelings leading to a new awareness of life. Thank you all for sharing those times with us. This issue is a wonderful foundation for our April/May issue's theme of "Heart Stories" and I look forward to the continuing contributions from everyone. I would also like to thank those who have been contributing articles to the journal for their patience in waiting for publication. We have decided to expand the journal next issue by another eight pages! This was made possible by all of the support from our new advertisers and those who have continued to support Inner Tapestry during the past years... Again, thank you so much for your support of the journal and your commitment to the community. Just a reminder that the Northampton, MA Expo will be coming up March 8th and 9th, the Portland, ME Expo will be April 5th and 6th and the Portsmouth, NH Expo will be April 26th and 27th. There are also two more events in the future: The Women's Health Initiative on May 17th, look for more information next issue, and in Nashua, NH the New England Holistic Practitioners and Energy Healers Convention 2008 at the Holiday Inn on July 12th and 13th. All of these events are great opportunities for practitioners to support each other and the community and for our community to be able to meet and get to know the talented and varied practitioners that are available to them. As we have settled into our new location and with the upcoming expansion of the journal we look forward to the exciting things to come in 2008. We are happy and grateful that all of you are with us sharing our life's journey.
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 5
6
ON THE COVER Home Sweet Home A Journey
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
I would like to share a story that has become one of the most precious experiences that I have had since my journey with Inner Tapestry began. This issue's cover art is not only recognition of an exceptional artist, but of a special person who I have grown to admire over the past few months for the warm and generous person that I have been fortunate enough to come to know. It all started late one evening, as most issues do, while looking at artwork for the cover of the journal. I came across a web gallery of artwork created by both a father, Tom Mitchell and his son, Andrew. My story is about Andrew. As I browsed through this wonderful gallery of artwork, I came across the piece featured on the cover "Home Sweet Home." I was filled with many feelings which welled into my throat and soon I found myself in tears. Is this what I felt our connection with elders has become? My feelings of a mother's journey in a nursing facility and a father's journey into being alone for the first time in a very long while came right to the surface. All the elders that we have in our country, in the world, how many are being cared for the way we want to be cared for? How many stories from the full and rich lives of our elders are never heard? I had found my cover art. Over the next few weeks I emailed Andrew quite often with no reply. My usual response is to find another cover piece, most times thinking that the artist is not interested. I was not aware that the email address on the website was not working. But for whatever reason, this piece would not leave me. I started an online search, being an artist Andrew must be known, his work to me was definitely noteworthy. I came upon a website that listed people in the London area by name and there were roughly 40 or so Andrew Mitchells. I started reading each biography in hopes that something would click. Finally, on approximately the 27th bio, one Andrew Mitchell went to the same college and was by day a graphic designer. Alas, I had found someone whose information was similar to what I had read on the Mitchell Gallery's website. But from this new-found website I could not get in touch with him. After reading that he worked for a company in London I took a chance and emailed them asking if they would pass my email along to their Andrew Mitchell and ask if he were "the" Andrew Mitchell I was looking for and in about a week I received an email from Andrew asking how he might help me. Andrew was so open, as all our cover artists have been, to having his work on the cover and was also kind enough to ask if he might be able to distribute copies of the journal to local places as he and his father were opening a new gallery in Warwick, England. Just taking a guess that not only myself but all of our Inner Tapestry community would love to share who we are with everyone in England, I was quick to agree. Andrew also told me the gentlemen who was the subject of his drawings was a real person and that there was a story that went along with his artwork and asked if I would be interested in having him write this story, as well as writing about his work and the charity that receives some of the proceeds from the sale of artwork found on The Mitchell Gallery's website, and of course the answer was yes. The following is from Andrew, my thanks and appreciation for the person that you are .
About The Artist
Andrew Mitchell is a young and upcoming artist living in London. Originally from the West Midlands of England he studied Art through school and pursued his interest by completing both a Foundation course in Art and Design and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design at Kingston University. Andrew is best known for working mainly with charcoal on a relatively large scale. Although it could be said this is his preferred medium he is also a skilled painter and experiments regularly with other techniques such as pastels and watercolor. He believes that as an artist he should be as versatile as possible and follows the teachings from his design education that the medium, scale, format, style and color should all be dictated by the current subject. In this way Andrew tries to be as open-minded as possible when it comes to creating his own works, which is maybe why he has such high regard for the multi-talented masters of the Renaissance period such as Michelangelo and Leonardo. His greatest fear is to be typecast as an artist of just one 6 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
style so he always endeavors to push himself to the limits of his own ability and talents. Andrew currently works as a designer for a major London based design agency but is constantly drawing and painting in his spare time and is in the process of founding an art gallery with his father Tom Mitchell. The Mitchell Gallery began as a website (www.mitchellgallery.com) but has recently moved into a new premises in Warwick, England. Andrew and his father have worked hard to acquire the property and are now looking forward to establishing the gallery and increasing their reputation further. They focus on mainly selling their own original artworks as well as pieces from carefully selected local artists.
SADS UK It is the wish of the Mitchell Gallery that the money gained from the selling of certain pieces goes towards charitable funds, the main recipient being SADS UK (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome). The Mitchell Gallery has established a strong bond with this charity and continues to show its support for what they believe is a very worthwhile cause. In the UK it is estimated that somebody young and healthy dies mysteriously every day. In fact, an average of eight die each week of instantaneous heart failure, classified as Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome. SADS UK – The Ashley Jolly SAD Trust, is a charity that helps to prevent premature loss of life and to improve the lives of those adversely affected by cardiac arrhythmia. Anne Jolly, the Chairperson of SADS UK, established the Trust after her fit and active 16-year-old son Ashley died unexpectedly in his sleep. SADS UK supports research into the causes of cardiac arrhythmias. This research is essential in order to improve methods of detection and provide even more effective treatments in the future. Tom Mitchell first became aware of the charity having read an article about it in the Times newspaper called “The Silent Killer.” He was immediately struck by Anne’s story and her efforts in establishing the charity. With a strong belief in angels and spiritual happenings he was particularly intrigued by Anne’s belief that her son Ashley would send his love to her by dropping small white feathers. This is a common belief shared by many people suffering bereavement and it soon became a basis for Tom’s artwork. He quickly decided that the proceeds gained from a collection of his work should go towards helping SADS UK and the Mitchell Gallery continues to help support the charity and their cause for which it has so much sympathy and admiration. To read more about SADS UK and the work that they do please visit www.sadsuk.org.
The Subject
By combining his natural artistic flair and skills as a communications designer Andrew Mitchell is able to create emotional and engaging works encapsulating deeper meanings and subject matter. The piece that has been used for the front cover of this issue entitled “Home Sweet Home” is one of Andrew’s most recent drawings and is of a subject of particular resonance to him. As he began to embark on a new series of works he felt he needed to focus on a subject that meant something to him as well as the people around him in his local area. The subject he chose has a name, Bill. Bill is an elderly man who lives by the side of a motorway not far from Balsall Common, the village that Andrew originated from. Bill lives on his own, far from any human contact and has done so for many years, certainly for as long as Andrew can remember. Bill does not seek the attention and help from other people in a busy urban environment for in fact he is quite the opposite. He does not beg or ask for anything and he lives in solitude a few kilometers from the nearest village. Before Andrew Mitchell could consider using Bill and his story as a subject for his art he decided to pay Bill a visit. For all he knew the meeting could go very badly, after all Bill is a man who has consciously decided to live in a remote and inhospitable place and he might not want the extra company. At that point
7
S ewall H ouse
The Journey Continues I feel fortunate in being able to bring Andrew's collection of his work with Bill and their story to all of you. It started with just the search for cover art and grew into something larger, beyond my knowing of what was to come. On January 2nd as I woke and started working on this issue of the journal, I received an email from Andrew offering me Happy New Year's wishes and letting me know that shortly before Christmas, Bill had been found by the police inside his hut by the side of the road. The weather had turned quite cold and he simply passed away. The news of Bill's passing has been followed by a number of newspapers and Andrew has been quite busy speaking with them; answering emails coming through the website (which has been fixed) and as it turns out, being the one person who knew Bill more than most, he has been working with Social Services in the arrangement of his funeral. They have been able to find out that Bill's full name is William Rympel, and that he was born in Poland and was 81 years old. Amazingly, this has all happened as our journal comes out to the community and Andrew and his father Tom open their new gallery in Warwick. Andrew and Tom have decided to hold an exhibition at the gallery showing Andrew's work of Bill as soon as they possibly can with some of the proceeds going to a local homeless charity. This night as I sit and write this, I reflect on being in my car returning home last night the temperature gauge reading -15 degrees. I hope all of us will remember those who may not have heat, food, shelter or clothing this coming year and choose a way to contribute to local shelters, food and fuel banks as well. To stop and listen to those stories that our elders have to offer of a time of great richness which has brought us all to this place in evolution and to the many generations to come. It is now the 16th of January, many days later. As I am about to send the journal to print I received a message from Andrew. Bill's funeral service was yesterday afternoon, led by Rev. Keith Claringbull and Father Sebastian Arikrat, the Vicar and Roman Catholic priest from the two villages Bill lived in between. Unlike typical funeral services, no one knew the others. Joined by the same reason, 50 people from the communities came to share and express their regards for Bill, a wonderful tribute and offering to Bill and the world. Are we willing to find our own expressions of compassion for each other, no matter who we are, what we do or how we are perceived? It is not for us to judge how our purpose in life may end up expressing its fullest potential but to stay open to the infinite number of ways in each moment. What I am aware of is the awe that I feel in being a part of this time in both Andrew's and Bill's life journeys, and for the opportunity to share this story with all of our Inner Tapestry community both here in the US and England, connecting us all. Thank you Andrew and Bill, my hope is that you have enjoyed this journey. We hope that everyone will take the opportunity to visit the Mitchell Gallery's website at www.mitchellgallery.com to see more of Andrew and Tom Mitchell's work and to learn more of their work with Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome, SAD's charity, www.sads.org or www.sadsuk.org.
The Thirteenth Moon
Yoga Retreat July 4 thru Columbus Day
Where Theodore Roosevelt learned the healing attributes of nature. . . (207) 463-3428
v
www.sewallhouse.com
Uplifting, Unusual and Beautiful Gifts! Classes that Inspire! Angels, Books, Music, Jewelry, Crystals, Pendulums, Crystal Singing Bowls
ATR-BC, LCPC board certified art therapist, licensed clinical counselor, shamanic practitioner
ART from the heART
Experience history of an earlier time. . . Sewall House Retreat offers yoga v meditation v massage and more. . .
Susan Bakaley Marshall
Art Therapy & Shamanism Studio ~ a light filled circular sacred space surrounded by fields and trees ~
• shamanic journeys and healings • soul retrieval • Individuals • Groups • Classes (207) 589-3063 moonarts@gmail.com
COME AND VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE !
and so much more!
Leapin' Lizards
123 Main St., Freeport 207-865-0900 449 Forest Ave., Portland 207-221-2363
www.leapinlizards.biz
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 7
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Andrew’s only perception of Bill was the same as everyone else’s. Nobody knew this man’s name, nobody had taken a really good look at his face, no one knew why he lived there and nobody could remember how long he had been around. All they knew was that often as not, when driving their cars along the road they might catch a glimpse of his figure, trudging along the embankment carrying his bags either on his way home or heading out somewhere come rain or shine. The first thing that struck Andrew was how quaint Bill’s surroundings where. The sound of the rushing cars was dampened by the trees, there was a small stream that passed under the motorway and through the hedgerows the fields stretched on for miles. When Andrew first approached Bill he was understandably a little shocked to see that someone had made the journey out to meet him but nevertheless he was kind, smiling and approachable. It initially shocked Andrew how old Bill was. His face was tired, his hands swollen and he could see that his bulky frame was made up mostly of extra layers and a large grey coat. They had one small conversation, shook hands and Andrew gave him some food that he had brought along with him, but understanding that Bill might not have felt too comfortable he soon left. In the following weeks Andrew began to make more visits to see Bill. There was certainly much more to this man than meets the eye but Bill is a man of very few words. It was quite clear that he didn’t want to delve into his past or to talk too deeply about why he lived there but he was quite happy to show Andrew around his home and it was with Bill’s full permission that Andrew began to draw him in his surroundings doing his day-to-day tasks. “Home Sweet Home” shows Bill entering the small shed that he uses to store his food and extra clothes. There is even a mattress and pillow in there but he chooses to sleep outside in a makeshift tent, depending on the weather. The image itself interested Andrew for many reasons but particularly because of the reflection in the shed window. On the one hand we mainly see the back of Bill’s head, a sight familiar to most as they see him walking along the road but then we get a glimpse of his face and surroundings in the reflection of the glass, alluding to a much bigger picture. Initially it frustrated Andrew that he wasn’t going to be able to find out everything about this man and communicate that through his drawings but after much consideration he realised that perhaps this was for the best. Bill lives where he lives for a reason and that has to be respected. All we can do is wonder and perhaps this sense of mystery is a good thing because if we don’t know then we won’t ever judge Bill or find it hard to feel any sympathy for him. Andrew certainly knows that there is much more to this man than meets the eye but perhaps for now if people know his name and see his face, then that will be enough. What might be told in the future, well that will be up to Bill.
8
ex p lor ing the wo r l d r el i g i o n s
Living Water Spiritual Center One of Maine's Best Kept Secrets! by James Bean “When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” (Rumi)
Finding Your Sacred Space, Part-time Ashram or Monastery Without Walls
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Being involved with spiritual meetings over the years in Maine, giving talks, facilitating meditation groups or satsangs, it’s easy to observe that context really does matter! Does the location where you meet enhance, or detract from the message of your organization? Is it a location that overshadows your meeting with some public image or form of orthodoxy not really in harmony with your values, or is it providing you with a positive (or at least neutral) atmosphere that communicates to the world that all are welcome, that this is an opportunity for an expression of ideas, a space for learning, a local manifestation of one’s religion, spirituality and growth, “the free exercise thereof” as you conceive this to be? Centers where organizations can have spiritual gatherings, workshops, enlightened conferences or retreats are few-and-far-between here in our region of Northern New England. This is especially true if your group is seeking a quiet, contemplative atmosphere, and/or is following a vegetarian, vegan, raw food, kosher (Jewish) or halal (Islamic) diet. I have a dear close friend in Oregon that sometimes facilitates in- residence spiritual retreats. He is the representative of an Eastern Satguru, a Living Master from Rishikesh. Not long ago he was searching for a retreat center in Oregon or Washington State for a West Coast retreat and was rather surprised to discover how difficult it sometimes can be to locate a center willing to accommodate vegetarians, or even the needs of retreatants who are lactose intolerant, on a gluten free diet, have certain food allergies, or might have other special dietary needs! The center has been offering inter-faith retreats and programs since June 1994, is a 28-bed facility, and has three conference rooms—one with the capacity for 15 and the other two accommodating 75 to 100 people. MISSION STATEMENT With care and love, we offer sacred space for all – to seek the Divine and to embrace the interconnectedness of all creation. Having had meetings of various kinds over the years, and so far, two 3-day spiritual satsang-initiationdeeksha-meditation retreat weekends with a third spiritual retreat program already being planned for later this year, I can report that the Living Water Spiritual Center in Winslow is a great place to be, a great location to have spiritual or ecological events in Maine! I describe it as "one of Maine’s best kept secrets" since many in the Bangor or Portland areas perhaps are not aware of this retreat center, and some that know of its existence might assume it is only a retreat house in Central Maine for Catholic organizations since it does have Catholic roots. While the Living Water Spiritual Center includes programs in 8 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
the area of Christian mysticism, Centering Prayer and the contemplative tradition, the reality is it welcomes people of all faith-communities and is inclusive of all persuasions and beliefs. My own spiritual practice, which comes from India, is a form of Hinduism called Sant Mat, the Path of the Masters of the East, which follows a very NDE/OOBE out-of-this-world form of meditation called Surat Shabd Yoga: “Meditation upon the Light and Sound of God Within.” I remember a Jewish Rabbi that presented at the center a wonderful workshop on Kabbalah, called “the Tree of Life.” Also, Buddhist meditation, and, A Course In Miracles, has been the focus of meetings at the center. Awhile back, there was a talk on the Gospel of Thomas, one of the ancient books found in the Nag Hammadi Library of Egypt. I would say one of the favorite movies of the staff at the Living Water Spiritual Center is: What the Bleep, the popular film on metaphysics and quantum physics.
Living Water Spiritual Center, A Retreat & Conference Center, Winslow, ME
Here is a list of some 2008 programs as well as holistic services being offered at the Living Water Spiritual Center, which serves to illustrate the types of programs one might expect to encounter: A Modern Prophet of Compassion: Ram Dass; Drumming Workshop – “join the rhythm of life”; Midweek Reflection on Inspirational People (George Fox, Emily Dickinson, Bede Griffiths); Taize contemplative worship; Men’s 11th Step Retreat; Women’s 11th Step Retreat; Spirituality and Aging; Writing from our Spiritual Hearts; In the Shadow of God’s Wings... Grace in the Midst of Depression; Directed Silent Retreats; Healing the Wounded Inner Child; Voluntary Simplicity; Book Discussions; various Day Programs; Spiritual Direction–Guidance; Qi Gong; Reflexology; Massage; Polarity Therapy; Shiatsu; Reiki; Health, Wellness and Healing Workshops. In addition to the center’s own programs, which are published in their annual Program Guide, and in their weekly email newsletter called “Wisdom from the Well,” many non-profit and faith groups also rent space in order to have their own meetings, or to facilitate workshops, in residence or overnight spiritual retreat programs: men’s and women’s groups, non-profit social action, environmental or other causes and organizations. Individuals may also come on their own for a relaxing “getaway” to enjoy the peaceful, contemplative environment, not only within, but also without. Often I’ve seen deer or turkeys walking around – sometimes both at the same time, and many species of birds. The center has 61 acres bordering the Sebasticook River, groomed trails through the woods and along the river, a “Cosmic Walk,” and labyrinth. The center offers several nature-related ecological programs. And this particular year-round, full-time, spiritual retreat and conference center does accommodate groups
following specific diets such as vegetarian (including lacto-vegetarian), kosher/halal, or other special dietary needs. The food is always very good, very healthy. The dining room capacity is one hundred people. Contact Information: Living Water Spiritual Center 93 Halifax Street Winslow, Maine 04901. Phone: (207)-872-2370 Email: info@e-livingwater.org Website (which also includes Driving Directions): www.e-LivingWater.org
My New In-Residence Learning Approach to Initiation and Satsang Retreats “I thank Thee oh Light for having compassion on me. And Thou hast rescued me, O Light, with thy Gnosis.” (Book of Pistis Sophia) Initiation or deeksha is an Eastern term referring to an individual or group learning the secrets of spiritual practice. With Indian and other esoteric paths, at the time of initiation one receives “the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God.” Each stage of meditation has specific hallmarks to indicate progress as one embarks upon the “Voyage Interior” exploring the vast realms of Inner Space. Initiation is an opportunity to not only receive instruction but also actual spiritual experience as one meditates with a qualified teacher or Living Master and other more experienced meditators on the path. “Be ready at all times for the gifts of God, and always for new ones.” (Meister Eckhart, German Mystic) A couple years back I was absolutely overjoyed to have the privilege of making contact with, and actually begin working with, a very rare, highly advanced, nononsense, “old school” Living Master connected with the Sant Tulsi Sahib lineage, who happens to have a few qualified teachers living in the Western world. These are disciples and representatives of his who are advanced in their own meditation practice. Fortunately for us in this particular school of spirituality, they have a desire to share something of their “rich spiritual heritage” with us spiritual seekers and satsangis who wish to deepen our meditation practice and understanding of the Path of the Masters. They have translated and continue to work on translating some amazing books of Masters from Hindi into English. These are satsang discourses of Living Masters and
www.iscallops.com
9 spiritual classics, the poetry and prose of past Masters that have never been seen before outside of India or in the English language... until now. By facilitating spiritual retreats in the US, these in-residence satsang programs, with the blessings of the Master; they are providing opportunities for a very deluxe version of initiation. With this approach, instead of an initiation lasting a couple of hours followed by the customary grabbing of car keys and heading back out to the parking lot again, which is the norm in many groups, people have three days and nights, an initiation weekend of satsangs, group meditations, talks, Q and A sessions, private discussions if one desires, in an absolutely unhurried, quiet, peaceful, contemplative atmosphere for the meditation to take root and become real in one’s own inner experience. Spiritual seekers have the opportunity to ask questions to their heart’s
content, get clear about the practice in every possible detail with nothing missing or left hanging, and gain many hours of actual experience by doing the meditation in this most conducive, spiritually charged ashram-like environment.
or two, or week or two, terribly missing the space they once enjoyed, very much looking forward to the next retreat and doing it all again!!! Time to go meditate. Jai Guru! “Remember God so much that you are forgotten. Let the caller and the called disappear; be lost in the Call. We are as the flute, and the Music in us is from Thee; we are as the mountain and the Echo in us is from Thee.” (Rumi)
“This mysterious path is described in the holy books, but it cannot be found simply by the study of sacred texts. It is found by the grace and guidance of an accomplished teacher.” (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj) As with the Buddhist monks who at the end of the day sweep away the tiny grains of color that once formed such a magnificent artful mandala creation of light and beauty, pouring their grains of sand back into the river of time, when all is said and done, the retreat comes to an end. One will inevitably go back home again, will have “withdrawal symptoms” for a day
James Bean reviews books and music for the Wisdom Radio Network and other stations via a syndicated radio program called Spiritual Awakening, and teaches Sant Mat Meditation and Surat Shabda Yoga in the Bangor, Waterville, & Portland areas. Address questions or comments to PO Box 7, Newport, Maine 04953, or email: james@spiritualawakeningradio.com.
I Write
Elder Wisdom: Walking the Path of Poetry by Rhoda-Neshama Waller
T
The reading and writing of poetry is always a gift to be treasured, and this is true in a very particular way for elders. As our consciousness continues to evolve, working with time, experience, and the tools of intention and awareness we access deeply intuitive levels of mind; poetry invites us to enter completely into the openness of this altered state.
Wisdom In my years of conducting poetry workshops for elders, I have found the poetic experience to be a magic elixir. Poetry provides a place for the healing expression of grief, a field for the sharing of joys. In poetry’s state of heightened awareness, we make a stunning discovery: what we did not know, we knew. Here are some lines by the nineteenth century Indian poet, Ghalib: For the raindrop, joy is in entering the river – Unbearable pain becomes its own cure. Travel far enough into sorrow, tears turn into sighing; In this way we learn how water can turn into air. When, after heavy rain, the stormclouds disperse, Is it not that they’ve wept themselves clear through to the end? If you want to know the miracle, how wind can polish a mirror, Look: the shining glass grows green in spring. It’s the rose’s unfolding, Ghalib, that creates the desire to see – In every color and circumstance, may the eyes be open for what comes. Communication Poetry offers a path of deep communication with family and friends. One poet in my workshop presented a poem written to her daughter as a birthday gift. Her daughter responded with a poem of her own, and this exchange of poetry has become a ritual between them, a means of expressing their love for one another. Another poet was saddened because she felt that after almost fifty years of marriage her husband had become indifferent to her. When she was regularly
Here is a poem by Alice Paul, a workshop participant:
Is This A Table? The wind blew the door shut The screen door slammed. He had to dance quickly into the house before the door closed on him. He put his cap on the table. His cap was an African print worn at a jaunty angle. He bought it at Black Expo in New York on one exciting afternoon shared with Black Yankee Baseball Stars of Yesteryear. He put the cap and its memories on the table. He put the “junk” mail on the table: magazines offering exotic travel and glamorous clothes. He put thoughts of visiting his daughter on the table... looking forward to seeing those he loves and those they love. He put the events of his life and his mind on the table the ribbon stretches on unraveling as life unfolds recording the days endlessly while telling the story... The table is available near the door allowing him to put everything on it no matter what it weighs because it stands strong unbending while the putting continues. Community Poetry acts as a balm for loneliness. Particularly as we reach our late eighties and nineties, we may have outlived spouses and many close friends. The deep personal connections that we value may no longer be available. The reading and writing of poetry together provides opportunity to create new bonds of heart, mind and spirit, transforming a sense of isolation into a feeling of connection in warm, supportive community.
You might want to continue these explorations by looking into Nine Gates: Entering the Mind of Poetry, a book of essays by Jane Hirshfield. I’d like to close with a poem by an anonymous Navaho poet:
I ask all blessings, I ask them with reverence, of my mother the earth, of the sky, moon, and sun my father. I am old age: the essence of life, I am the source of all happiness, All is peaceful, all in beauty, all in harmony, all in joy.
Rhoda-Neshama Waller, a Certified Seminar Leader of the Spiritual Eldering Institute, is founding president of TimeLines Community, a not-for-profit organization celebrating the wisdom and creativity of elders. She holds a Masters degree in Comparative Literature and has taught creative writing in schools, universities, libraries and senior centers. She publishes “Traces,” a journal of elderwriting, and is completing a manuscript, “Your Life is a Poem,” about writing your memoirs in poetry. Rhoda-Neshama conducts seminars and workshops. She will be conducting a workshop on Saturday, February 2nd at Living Water Spiritual Center in Winslow, Maine. She lives in Freedom, Maine and can be reached at (207) 382-3135.
Mental Stimulation While poetry keeps all the senses intensely alive to the present moment, it also provides stimulating exercise for the mind. Studies have shown that the intellectual challenges of lifelong learning can create new neurological connections for the brain, As the poet struggles with form, seeking the precise word, the desired tone, the intellect is nourished and sharpened; as the poet and/or reader of poetry delves into meaning, searching for insight into what it is to be truly human, extra neurons and connections between neurons are created, strengthening and revitalizing the brain, Here is a Shakespearean sonnet, created by workshop participant Muriel Brooks:
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 9
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
As we pass through the gateway of poetry, we set out on a journey of infinite wonder, where we harvest unexpected stores of wisdom and beauty within us. Fully present, with concentrated attention, we reap new understandings from the rich memories of a long life. Then, when we turn this same focused awareness to the present moment, fully alive to our senses we find ourselves living more intensely and experiencing more fully.
asked to read her poetry at church events, her husband heard her work and reawakened to the truth of her being. Their relationship was transformed.
I write this sonnet, not by choice But by assignment given To express my poetic inner voice So secretly within me hidden. Hours so tirelessly spent Creating mental images to express My deepest thoughts so eloquent Hidden images, within possessed. Genius I’m not, but continue to try With limited level of my mind To make an effort to comply No vile obscenity you might find. So be critical, but discreet Where my sense and dullness meet.
10
lov ing e ar th
An Interview with G.A.L.A.'s Josh Arnold (Global Awareness, Local Action) by Pat Foley G.A.L.A. is a small non-profit organization based in Wolfeboro, NH. whose mission is to provide a networking and resource hub that facilitates the learning and practice of sustainability in the lakes region of NH and in adjoining communities. The letters of its name stand for Global Awareness, Local Action.
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
I first encountered G.A.L.A. when my friend David asked me if I would be interested in joining a discussion course on voluntary simplicity that would be meeting weekly in the Wolfeboro area for about two months. Curious to learn what others interested in the subject would have to say, I agreed. The course, developed by Northwest Earth Institute, proved to be thought provoking. The discussions were informative and worthwhile. This was just one of G.A.L.A.’s educational outreach efforts and, I thought, a good one. Therefore I wanted to learn more about the organization. G.A.L.A. activist Josh Arnold agreed to talk with me. Pat: Can you tell me what G.A.L.A. is all about? Josh: Basically G.A.L.A. is an organization that started with a potluck, almost two years ago. I invited a few community members, family and friends to a potluck so we could talk about some of the changes we would like to see in the world and how we might be able to be a part of that. Community organizing and activism has always been a passion of mine. In school I did a lot of campus organizing. When I got home, I wanted to apply that same passion in my community. And this (G.A.L.A.) is what happened! It’s been an amazing process. I definitely spearheaded it, but what it is now is reflective of a lot of different peoples’ contributions and ideas. Pat: You had that initial potluck and then, roughly sequentially, what happened? Josh: It just so happened that the town was dealing with a milfoil issue in the lake and there was pressure to apply a chemical called 2-4-D to control it. This is a known, very toxic carcinogen whose use has actually been banned in some Canadian towns. G.A.L.A. called out to its network of people. We were very loosely knit at this point. We put together information about the chemical and wrote a stream of editorials to the paper and attended planning board meetings that were addressing the milfoil issue. We stirred up the issue in town quite a bit. The town ended up not applying the chemical. I don’t know if it was completely because of our campaign, there were weather issues as well, rain that raised the water level to a point which made it even more unsafe to apply the chemical. But it was really exciting. We got together, raised awareness about an issue, and then saw results. Pat: At that point, how many of you were there? Josh: About ten people. Pat: So ten people can change the course of events if they work at it right. Josh: Right. I really think one person can change the 10 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
course of events. Yet (in this case) we needed a collective response. And it was great. Pat: Did you have an alternative to offer in place of the chemical? Josh: We researched alternatives. One of the big problems was nobody had addressed the fact that the nitrogen fertilizers that were being used on lake front properties were (washing into the lake) making the milfoil flourish. So we saw an obvious thing that could be addressed. We volunteered to do hand pulling. There is a particular turtle that feeds on milfoil. So we raised that issue too. We not only offered alternatives, we volunteered to do some of the work. There is still pressure to apply the chemical. Once this becomes a hot enough issue again, I think we will need to re-energize the group. From there we thought we would do simple things. We started a film series at the library to create a venue for people to learn about social and environmental issues in an entertaining way, and to have a place to discuss the issues in a semi-facilitated space where there were some rules of respect. We get films from a company called Bull Frog Productions. They have a list of films that are educationally oriented. You can purchase the screening rights for a relatively small cost. If you were to purchase screening rights for Lord of the Rings, it would be a huge amount. For these, it’s say, $40. We use the films as an educational device. It’s also for outreach. On our website, we offer to show the films in other communities as long as they are relatively nearby. We will come with the film and facilitate a dialog in that community. This makes it easier for community leaders in another place. All they have to do is provide a venue and promote the event using their local community networks. Pat: Where did the start-up money for G.A.L.A. come from? Josh: In the beginning after we generated a solid group of committed people who were invested in seeing our ideas come to fruition, we all chipped in some money. But then, for about the past year and a half, I’ve been writing grants relentlessly. We got one from New England Grass Roots Environmental Fund, $1,500 seed money. That helped us with our non-profit application, our films and materials for displays. We also did a big feedback survey. At this point we had about 100 people on our e-mail list, so we did a feedback mailing. We used some of the money for that. We got a grant from a group called New American Dream to publish a Buy Wisely Locally Guide to help area residents align their consumer choices with their environmental and social values. There were also donations. At all the films we have a donation basket. Between 10 and 30 people might come to a film. The off-season population of Wolfeboro is about 6,000. But we get people from Conway and Barnstead. People have come from Portsmouth. That’s with only advertising in Wolfeboro. We haven’t developed enough to advertise further than that. But I think eventually we will and we might bring in larger crowds. Good as this is, my goal is to empower community leaders to host events in their own communities, and have us bring the events to them. We also have study circles. This (voluntary simplicity)
is the second one we’ve done. I think it’s good to have people come together and talk about issues in a supportive and inquisitive atmosphere. We do theme potlucks. Our last one was a clothes swap. Pat: So you are actively doing some of the sustainable actions you are promoting? Josh: Right. The potlucks are informal gatherings, but with something fun like the clothes swap, or a recipe exchange, some kind of resource sharing. It’s a time to share food and resources. We also have a sustainability workshop series. This is a practical hands-on series, wine making, how to make food out of acorns, sourdough baking, composting basics. These are homesteading skills that don’t use a lot of materials. They’re cheap and they’re fun. They empower people to be more locally self-sufficient or selfreliant in some way. Ideally what I’d like to do is have the film series, the workshops; maybe even the potlucks blend with a (particular) theme. So for example in, say, December, we might show a movie about water rights. Then that month’s workshop would also be about water, for example ways of doing water filtration, so there is consistency in all the projects. That’s where we’re going. We’re not quite there yet. Pat: This is a solid beginning. Tell me about the belief system that got it all started. Josh: Why are we doing what we’re doing? There is a quote that resonates with me, something about “Don’t ask what you think the world needs, but do what makes you come alive, for that is what the world needs, more people who have come alive.” That really works for me. Cultivating community and sustainable relationships between people, ecology and economy really excites me. I get up early and stay up late, working and writing grants, but it’s not burdensome. Actually it’s almost like a spiritual practice in that I’m consistently trying to articulate my vision for a better world or a better future. That is very nourishing to my soul.
Continued on Page 34
11
Then and Now by Holly Howley
Last week my grandfather, my father’s father, died of cancer. He had cancer for almost fifteen years. At each step, he’d conquer the cells at hand, live somewhat worry-free for a while and then new little demons would move in. Eventually he had a certain grouchy acceptance of his fate. He was getting older and he’d beaten many odds. A couple months before he died I visited him at his home in Florida. He was inching ever so slightly closer to letting go. He was not the sort of fellow to indulge in soulful talk about death. And so as we spanned topics, all ordinary in nature, my heart raced alongside clamoring to retain—his inflection, his gestures, his words. Mostly his presence. I needed to go beyond hearing so that I could remember.
Holly Howley is a freelance writer living in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Holly can be reached at 860-430-1577 or hollyhowley@cox.net.
Let us support your business in growing! For Connecticut Advertising Call Inner Tapestry at 207-799-7995 or email info@innertapestry.org
I n n er Ta pe str y is lo o k i n g fo r wr iters, a r t ist s, an d distr ibutio n locat io n s in C T, MA a n d NH. For mo re infor m at io n em a il: info@ inner ta p est r y.o rg. Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 11
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
The weeks to follow provided more opportunity for phone conversations, mostly about the weather, my sons, baseball. But on the evening I received the call that there was no more time to talk, I wept like I was seven. I’d had a long time to prepare for this, but it didn’t seem to matter. I am an “only child” of two high school sweethearts who, like most first loves, out grew each other as they grew into themselves. I have no memories of my family because my parents divorced when I was two. My memories of family are fragments. Playful years with my mother. Struggles as she remarried. Joy and resentment as half brothers and sisters were born. Summer vacations with Dad. Holidays spent having multiple dinners, surrounded by many people who loved me, but without any one person who shared my unique history. I longed for my own sense of place. Except when I was with my grandparents. All four, in their own unique way unequivocally let me know where my place was. It was with them. When with them, there was no prefix needed. I wasn’t half or step anything. I was simply Holly. I relished in just being me. No change of heart or re-configuring of anything would erase my status as granddaughter. Their granddaughter. I soaked up ever bit, in fact needed, their love. Better yet, they seemed to desire the same oneness with me. Maybe it was because I was the first grandchild. Or, it was their way of showing love to a son and daughter. The reasons they gave their love do not matter. That they did made all the difference. And so on the night my grandfather died, I sat eyes closed momentarily yearning to be ten again. To feel the warmth of grandparent pride. Of endless hope and admiration. I thought of summer vacations, hours spent cooking, dinners out sipping Shirley Temples, late night conversations, card games, boating, golfing, and shopping. A grandmother’s generous laugh—a grandfather’s trumpet sweet and loud—a grandmother’s gift to indulge, to teach, to pray—a grandfather’s simple presence providing security beyond measure. And then, a little left, but not at all alone, I opened my eyes and felt the warmth of my home—my place. The unconditional tenderness of a husband. The boundless, silly love of two sons. And I thanked them, all four. For being there, then and now.
12
mod er n s ham an i c l i v i n g
Gran dma Wisdo m by Evelyn C. Rysdyk
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
In the world of the shaman, guidance, wisdom and insight is garnered through journeying into the spiritual realms to meet teachers and guides. These compassionate spirits work in partnership with us to facilitate healings, divine hidden information, provide perspective and offer support in many other ways. For seventeen years, I have been fortunate to have one of my ancestors as my primary spirit teacher. My great, great grandmother–Grandma Henderer, known simply as “Grandma”–has been a faithful and consistent source for spiritual wisdom. After so many years, I cannot image how my life would be without her steady and heartfelt support. Although Grandma passed “into the Light” before I was born, she has retained memories of her life here and so has a profound understanding of the stresses we experience on Earth. She raised seven children and at least two grandchildren, ran a rooming house and did much of this alone as her husband was an alcoholic who was absent from the scene. As a single, working mother living at that time, she certainly had her challenges! Though she must have been an enormously busy woman, she also practiced herbal medicine, which she made available to all who knew her. She is remembered as someone who was very tough–my father remembered her as “mean” but paradoxically would help anyone, “even those who weren’t her people.” What my father meant by this statement that she shared her knowledge regardless of a person’s status, class or ethnicity. This was certainly very unusual, as early twentieth-century New York City was comprised of a collection of distinct ethnic neighborhoods with clear boundaries. Typically, people rarely strayed from their ethnic enclaves and seldom interacted with anyone who was from another “group.” For some reason, she was one who did things differently. Whatever the reasons, the circumstances of her particular life infuse her guidance with an extraordinarily compassionate perspective that is well grounded in physical reality. In other words, she has gained the expanded perspective of Spirit while retaining the knowledge of this plane of existence. It gives her wisdom a unique twist that makes it much more accessible. For many years, we shared Grandma with groups of people in salon-like evenings. We did these first in our home and over time, in many diverse settings across the country. * In these gatherings, I typically journey to Grandma, merge with her and allow her to use my body to speak with those in attendance. She generally answers questions, gives a spiritual perspective on what happens to us here on the Earth and offers us her teachings. Over the years, she has been an incredible resource, not only for my own life issues, but also for many hundreds of people. Since the focus of this issue is about elder wisdom I thought is would be useful to actually have her contribute her “voice” to my column. In a journey, I asked her to offer some insight about the year 2012. As the looming “end of the Mayan calendar” grows nearer, it seems to be generating quite a bit of fear. For some people, there is a perception that this time frame will somehow be apocalyptic. Since Grandma regularly teaches us that fear is a feeling that can actually generate difficulty for us in the physical realm, I thought hearing her perspective might be useful. I asked her the question, “What is important for us to know about 2012?” What follows here is her reply. 12 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
“ Dear Ones, First let us say thank you for the opportunity to share our perspective with you. It is a gift for us to be able to do so. Those of us in the world of Spirit require assistance to be able to communicate with you on the Earth plane. We no longer have mouths to speak, or fingers to type! We need to work together with one in a body to be able to assist. As we provide you our perspective, we too are nurtured since we are able to share in the physical world a bit during the process. In addition, since we have committed ourselves to helping others, our interchanges with you give us opportunities to continue fulfilling our soul’s purpose. In other words, the benefits are quite mutual! My great, great grand daughter has asked my about this date over which there is a great deal of energy being expended. Many of you are fearful about this year being an end time. What we would like to say about that is several-fold.
Instead of thinking of
2012
as the “End of Time” see it as “The Great Mayan Sticky Note!!” Think of it as a reminder that you can participate in creating a Great Shift to a higher plane of existence. Firstly, we will talk to you about your feelings and manifestation. Your fears, Dear Ones, are a source of great turbulence! Fear energy is a disruptor whereas Love and Gratitude are fundamentally creative in nature. These vibrations are in harmony with the vibration of All That Is. They put the person feeling them AND the world around them into sync or alignment with the universal flow of energy. As a result, intentions flowing in harmony with the energies of Love or Gratitude can actually manifest those intentions in the physical plane. Contrarily, the energy of fear produces a disruption to this flow–within the person, which can cause harms to the person’s body and psyche–and the surroundings of that person, as well. A constant bath of fear produces distress in the immune system, limits your brain function and this disruptive energy ripples out from you. Fear actually creates similar disturbances in the body of the Earth. This occurs because you live within her body. While you may think of yourself as existing on the Earth, she is more than her surface. You are swimming through the currents of her atmosphere and bathed by her magnetic field. Therefore, you exist inside of her. Although you may not realize it, I call the Earth, 'her' because the Earth is a being, a living entity. As all living beings who are alive during this time window, she as well as you have the opportunity to raise vibration and experience a shift to a higher frequency. Just as individuals can become Ascended, so too can your world. For the Earth, this means a potential transformation of the physical reality to one that can provide an environment for a much higher plane of existence for
all her inhabitants. Imagine a world without the dense energies, which plague human experience! It is possible.
In fact, you have been 'wired' to be able to do this, your biology not only permits this shift, it supports it! Because you live within your world, you are in relationship with her. For many of you, this relationship is rather one-sided and largely unconscious. This is the time to make your relationship with the Earth conscious and positive! To do this requires you to focus on your own inner environment. Within your wonderful laboratory of self, you must scrutinize your self and your actions–doing so without judgment! Locate the sources of your fears so that you can begin to release their hold upon you. In this way, your actions can become more conscious and less reactive. Once conscious, you can begin shifting your way of being in the world to one that is in resonance with the creative energies of transformation and manifestation. You do this by learning to live more and more of your days in the energy of Gratitude and Love. It is imperative for individuals to work within themselves to diminish fear and promote gratitude–not only for the benefit of you who experience these feelings, but for your beloved planet as well. You see, much in the way that your immune system is beleaguered by the energy of fear so the planet is affected in a similar fashion. In addition, the denser vibrations of fear cause ripples of disruption not only within the family of humans, but to the health of the larger environment. You see, it is not only industrial advances that have jeopardized the health of the biosphere; it is the impact of so very many people generating fear vibrations! Many people living in the world today do not have the 'luxury' of being able to become more conscious. Too many people spend every waking moment scavenging scraps of food from trash heaps or running from bombs and bullets. You, however, can make this the focus of your spiritual work. You are so precious! It takes such a relative few people being willing to change themselves to completely transform the entire world. The ancients knew this opportunity was coming. They also knew this time had the possibility to change so radically that the perceptions of ordinary reality would be forever different. The old rules simply wouldn’t apply. It is for that reason that the Mayan calendar ends in 2012. For this reason, we wish you to see this date as a reminder. Instead of thinking of 2012 as the 'End of Time' see it as 'The Great Mayan Sticky Note!!' Think of it as a reminder that you can participate in creating a Great Shift to a higher plane of existence. When you so choose, you do this work not only for your own well being, but for all those souls that cannot either understand or focus on such an undertaking. You have chosen to be alive NOW to support this shift. Your soul has longed to be free from suffering and to free others. You came into a body this go ‘round to be here at this pivotal juncture. Dear One, you are a precious part of this miracle–no less important than any other aspect of Creation and perhaps more needed for your willingness to participate. We honor you, as it will take courage to rummage through your psyche to eliminate Fear. However the prize is more incredible than you can imagine. Your entire world can become a true paradise–not looking backward to some illusionary past Eden–but forward into an entirely new way of being. Spring is coming and let it remind you of your
13 commitment to renewal. Allow the rising sap to remind you of your purpose. Let green shoots of Gratitude grow inside you as the growing season begins its return to the North. Keep focused on the importance the work of changing your inner environment. Notice the changes inside of you and be patient and compassionate with whatever these changes stimulate on your way to your own shift. Through nurturing gratitude and love, you bring yourself into coherence with the divine creative energies of transformation. You become a divine instrument of change and healing. As your being changes, your “doings” will be in alignment with the flow of source energy and so become very powerful. Becoming aware of this you will need to be mindful of only taking actions that will benefit the Whole. As all is changed, you will benefit so it is not completely altruistic! Dear One, you are a part of the Whole that you support and transform! There is no separation. There are many of us in the spirit world who have also committed ourselves to assist at this time. Allow us to share our perspective, which can help to put what you experience into a larger context. However, remember that we in the spiritual realms cannot make the Great Shift. It is only you who are physical who can make the transformation possible. So, Dear Ones please come to us and get the support that you need. Let us inform, assure and encourage. We stand at the ready and love you more than you can imagine. We send you off now with our blessings to focus on your part in the Great Shift!” Thank you Grandma! *For those who’d like to meet my spirit teacher “in person,” an Evening with Grandma is scheduled for 6:30pm on Thursday, February 7th at True North. Reservations may be made by calling (207) 781-4488. © 2008 Evelyn C. Rysdyk Evelyn C. Rysdyk, author of the book, Modern Shamanic Living, is a nationally recognized teacher of shamanism, healer & artist in joint practice with C. Allie Knowlton, LCSW, DCSW as Spirit Passages. Since 1991, they have offered workshops across the US and Canada. In addition, they have worked with hundreds of people in their private shamanic healing practice at True North in Falmouth, Maine. Featured in the book, Traveling Between the Worlds, interviews with 24 of the world’s most influential writers and teachers of shamanism, they may be contacted at: www.spiritpassges.com.
A Gift Of Years by Lisa Barstow My journey into elderhood is, quite frankly, determinate upon believing that I have passed through adulthood and am ready to go to the next stage of my development. However, I am not sure that growing older is a linear event because there are moments when, at 62, I will find myself back in the center of adolescence once again. A reaction worthy of a teenager steeped in self-centeredness will appear out of the blue and prompt me to say out loud to anyone who might be within earshot, “What was that all about? It’s like I’m back in eighth grade.” Then there are times when I might regress even further, into what feels like childhood with a parent watching from inside my head. I really try to keep my little one playful and sweet, full of wonder and innocence, especially when I am with my grandchildren who love my inner child. I try my wise woman out on them from time to time but they roll their eyes and help me to stop taking myself so seriously. Now and then though, I’ll catch the older ones pondering what I have just said, and an expression of both confusion and knowing will come over their faces. This is when I feel most like an elder. I have reached toward, and grabbed, a moment of who I am today – with all the years and experiences to back me up – and imparted what I believe to be truth to the younger generation who may not know it, but are craving the stories that elderhood can provide. In these moments I like who I have become. I am deeply centered and sure of myself. Not cocky or cynical like the adolescent could be, and without the ego defenses I needed during much of my adulthood.
In my opinion, there wouldn’t be any point in writing about elderhood without mentioning death. In the last decade I have been trying to make friends with what I have always thought of as the final stage. I realized that because of many early losses in my family I was frightened of death, and that the Native American saying “this would be a good day to die,” might be fine for them but certainly not for me. But fear of death is a self-imposed limitation. It creates separation and boundaries and sees death as a place rather than a passage. I am learning to expand my consciousness beyond my old beliefs, so that when the time comes for me to let go of my physical body I will do so gracefully and prepared. Just as childhood, adolescence and adulthood have prepared me for where I am now, the embodiment of every stage, the years of elderhood will help me to take the step out of body into whatever soul stage is next.
Longing for the Darkness
I am out of the box, over the edge, dropping into the unknown, opening wide to receive myself. I am scared and yet I feel strong. Ego clings to its comfortable boundaries, but my soul is leading the way Please God remember me. I must not get lost in the darkness. I can feel myself falling into more grace, seeing my life through a wider lens. I am not there yet, my vision is still blurred. Oh, I don’t want to see. Hold on, hold back, go slowly, stay here. Everything is fine as it is. NO!! I must go explore. There is so much more. There are so many dreams to dream. Now, I feel terror in the unknown. I am afraid I will lose myself. God says “THERE IS NO SELF.” Now, I am out of the box, walking the spiral of life, circling into self, losing the self. I slip through God’s fingers like sweet spring air. I am gone in one breath, the seeds of my life are blown into limitless space. I am falling away from myself. I am gone.
Lisa Barstow’s essays and poems have appeared in numerous publications including the anthology
Mid-Life Clarity: Ephiphanies from Grown-up Girls.
Dividing her time between homes in Maine and Hawaii, Lisa is currently at work on a personal memoir. Visit www.lisabarstow.com
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 13
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
For me, being in elderhood is both wonderful and daunting. I love feeling settled within and yet I am aware of the great responsibility I have to myself. This is another side to this stage of life: I cannot get away with behavior that isn’t “grown up.” I know because I have tried (my adolescent bleeding through again). My inner parent/ witness, who has gratefully become unconditionally loving, will step in and remind me that being an elder is a gift of years well spent, time to relax and enjoy who I am rather than listening to the incessant inner judge. This does not mean that I am letting myself off the hook to sit and bask in the light of a setting sun. What I feel now is more permission to let ego enjoy the beach while my soul, who has never left my side, expands beyond the confines of my 62-year-old consciousness into unchartered territory where I can keep growing, without self-imposed limits.
14
Feng Shui & Geopathology by Werner Brandmaier
The Chinese Zodiac and the Year of the Earth Rat The Chinese Zodiac consists of twelve animals of the Earthly Branches. These animals do not represent planetary constellations as in western astrology, but rather the movement of earthly Qi. As part of the Compass School, one of the two ancient traditions in Feng Shui, they express the energy qualities within repeating cycles and with that the essence of time itself. The legend goes that the Jade Emperor, the creator and ruler of Heaven, had invited the twelve most interesting animals to come and present themselves in terms of intelligence and their ability to serve humanity. There are many anectodes of how the different characters made it to where they stand today, e.g. how the rat outsmarted the cat, who, in the end, did not get a spot, how he took a ride on the ox and finished first in the list of all chosen animals. Each of the twelve animals had a specific quality to offer and were chosen for their virtues, intelligence and strength.
The Chinese Zodiac The Popular Rat
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
A very charming and charismatic sign. Rats are intelligent, happy, social and have many friends. With good business instincts, detail-oriented and hard working, they are sometimes overly ambitious. They are apt to gain wealth easily. On the negative side they can tend to self-obsession and greed. Rats are compatible with dragons and monkeys. They clash with horses, their opposite sign in the Zodiac.
The Methodical Ox
and outgoing. Don’t try to keep them on a short rope. As the strongest of the fire signs, they spread their charm and sex appeal, but might overwhelm people. Considered headstrong, they need to be aware of their manipulative and sometimes intolerant behavior with others. Horses go well with tigers and dogs, less well with rats.
The Sensitive Sheep Sheep are creative, eccentric, multi-talented, gentle and romantic. They make a great parent and a generous, loving partner. On the other hand, the sheep does not like to be pushed and may become resistant if forced to do something he doesn‘t like. Sheep are considered lucky and always have a friend to rely on for support. Sheep are compatible with rabbits and pigs. They clash with oxen.
The Curious Monkey Monkeys like to learn new skills and persevere until they master them. They are ambitious, failure is not on their list. Extremely clever and intelligent they want to be at the top of their field. This can sometimes make them feel overly-competitive and even self-centered. Monkeys like rats and dragons; they might have some issues with tigers.
The Meticulous Rooster Roosters love to show their feathers. They are perfectionists who like details and do their work precisely. They handle money well, love to travel around the world, but often are too direct and critical instead of diplomatic. A weak point is their pride, which can lead them into isolation and loneliness. Roosters match well with oxen and snakes; they clash with rabbits.
The Loyal Dog
Oxen like routines and tradition. They are hardworking and stay on task until their job is done. This makes them loyal and valuable employees. At home they take care of their family and provide strong support. It is important for the ox to practice tolerance and spontaneity to counteract their sometimes intimidating and overdisciplinary manner. Oxen go well with snakes and roosters. They clash with sheep.
A dog person has many positive attributes like the animal itself: trustworthy, warmhearted and honest. They stand up for their principles and make excellent leaders. Friendships are built slowly, but hold forever. These attributes taken to an extreme can develop into self righteousness. Dogs are compatible with horses and tigers; but do not get along so easily with dragons.
The Unpredictable Tiger
Last, but not least, is the pig. Brought in by the Jade Emperor when the cat, who was originally invited, did not show up. The pig brings sincerity and loyalty to the table. Patient, excellent listeners, pigs make strong, lasting friends. Their generosity leaves them little wealth left for themselves. A danger is their naivity. They just can’t say "no." Pigs do well with rabbit and sheep, but not snakes.
A person born in the year of the tiger is said to be magnetic, independent and courageous, but also lovable and romantic. He loves life, but by seeking adventure his intense spirit can disregard the feelings of those around him. Tigers do well with horses and dogs. There might be some problems with monkeys. The Lucky Rabbit The rabbit is discrete, well-mannered and gracious. Among all the twelve signs, it is the most fortunate one. Rabbits are well-respected in the business world for their good judgement and negotiating skills. They love the comfort of a beautiful home but can become self indulgent. They are also very caring but can become overly caring and superficial. Rabbits get along well with pigs and sheep, however not with roosters.
The Charismatic Dragon
Dragons show enthusiasm, energy and passion whatever they do. They love to organize and make things happen. They also want things done their way, which sometimes leads to conflict. This can also create perfectionism and fanatism. However, their open and friendly nature helps them to be well-liked, despite their obsessiveness. Dragons are compatible with rats and monkeys, yet they don’t go that well with dogs.
The Wise Snake A person under the sign of the snake is considered a thinker who always examines both sides before forming an opinion. Snakes rarely make the same mistake twice. They learn fast, love books and arts, have sophisticated tastes and enjoy the luxuries of life. The dark side is a growing scepticism which might lead to suspiciousness and some neurotic behaviour with age. Forgiving is not easy for a snake. Good matches are roosters and oxen. Snakes clash with pigs.
The Freedom loving Horse Horses need their space, they are attractive, friendly 14 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
The Nurturing Pig
2008 – The Year of The Earth Rat: Each of the twelve animals can, in addition, be combined with the five elemental energies (phases) to characterize them in more detail and to describe additional qualities. There is, for example, a wood rat, a fire rat, an earth rat, a metal rat and a water rat. The same with all the other signs.You can find books with more in-depth information on this topic at the end of the article. The year of 2008 is an earth-rat year. The rat being the first of the whole cycle represents new beginnings, excellent relationships and good business in general. In this specific year the earth element is in control of the water quality of the rat. This balances the overly hectic activity of the rat and provides groundedness and stability, helpful with achieving results and increasing profits. A great year for entrepreneurs, especially when they are born in a metal year themselves. (metal energy being supported by earth quality in the five element cycle).
15 What is your Animal sign? All twelve of these signs repeat themselves over the years as shown in the attached table. Check for the year you were born and take into account that the Chinese year starts on February 4th or 5th. If your birthday is before this date, the year before and the sign correlated with that year would be your animal sign. In case your birthday falls exactly on one of those days you need to consult more detailed tables which show the exact time of the change of the year.
Table: Chinese Zodiac Animals with Element Quality (Phase)
save enough in your working years, always be up on the latest skin treatment, surgeries, and in the future, gene therapy, to keep you young. Yes, keep running faster, to stay in the same place. But, what if you were meant to slow down? A review of information on aging suggests that the decline of old age is not necessarily as we fear it to be, from our youthful perspective, and that the decline tends to be accompanied by increasing emotional maturity and physical adaptability. There are many opportunities, on the Internet and in books, to correct our misperception of what aging means, and to give us hope for a blossoming elderhood. Here is a brief survey, barely scratching the surface of the huge ferment now brewing, of creative approaches to aging: What are Old People For – How Elders Will Save the World, by William H. Thomas, M.D. Dr. Thomas lucidly demonstrates how powerful forces in our society have gotten it wrong about aging. Aging is a natural journey that brings great benefits. Elders who can follow the path, their freedom unhindered by ageist assumptions, can find great treasures. He has followed up his thesis by starting a program, the Eden Alternative, to humanize elder care facilities (see www.edenalt.org). Thomas’ ideas were one of the inspirations behind EldersBloom, this author’s project to bring Reiki to elder communities. The story that begins this article is a future vision of EldersBloom. On the Internet, you can find a succinct debunking of myths about aging, at the Ithaca College Gerontology Institute’s website. See: www. ithaca.edu/aging/schools/pdf/myths%20and%20facts.pdf. Far fewer elders end up as permanent residents of nursing homes than we think; sexuality survives much longer in life than we assume; and ability to work, meaningfully, continues long past statutory retirement ages.
Recommended books: Chinese Astrology – Man-Ho Kwok, The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes – Theodora Lau, Ming Shu – The Art and Practice of Chinese Astrology – Derek Walters Werner Brandmaier Dipl.Ing., a medical engineer and a citizen of Austria, studied with prominent international Feng Shui masters and trained in Germany to practice dowsing and geopathology. Werner offers consultations for homes and businesses and teaches workshops and seminars. He is a member of the International Feng Shui Guild and the American Society of Dowsers. You may contact Werner at (207) 772-7888 or werner@InstituteofFengShui.com.
Loving Our Future by Jeffrey Hotchkiss
H
er hand trembles, but not enough to spill water from the cup as she raises it to her lips. You can see each vein, through the translucent skin from her fingers to forearm. She sips, the folds of skin around her throat moving as she swallows. She puts the cup down, sighing audibly with a smile.
hands move to your shoulders, back, chest and head. You feel her hands in two places at once. Your mind says, this is strange, while your body simply accepts it.
“Well, let’s get started,” she says. “Give me your hands.” She takes your hands in both of hers. Immediately you feel peace. Subtle pressures from her fingers coax the day’s stresses out of your palms, fingers, and thumbs. Warmth moves up your arms and into your shoulders. Your heart suddenly aches, in a good way; your eyes feel prickly, and there’s a tickle in your throat, making you gulp.
“Already?” you ask. It seemed like a moment ago, and at the same time an eternity, that this old woman started holding your hands.
Without looking up from your hands, she tells you, “let your tongue rest against the roof of your mouth.” You do as she says, and your throat tickle calms down. Warmth and calm settle into your body. Your breathing slows; your mind settles. Time becomes fluid. Eyes closed, you are aware of movement around you, the slight squeaking of wheels on linoleum, as
Your eyes open, to see her beaming face, haloed by white hair, smiling broadly, her false teeth perfect amid wrinkles.
“Yes, already,” she smiles. She glows with inner light. “Now go and be well.” She turns and wheels her chair to the next one waiting for treatment. You sit for a while, feeling both light and settled within yourself, at peace. Old age. Inevitable decline. Uselessness. Boredom. Loneliness. Unable to even use the bathroom by yourself. Out of touch, out of the loop, unaware of the latest Internet fad, celebrity scandal or political outrage. This is what awaits you if you don’t keep active, right? Worst of all is the loss of your mind, with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. The fear says you must stop that at all costs. Keep working in retirement, because you couldn’t
Encore, a book by Marc Freedman, challenges baby boomers to find meaningful work in the second half of life. The website at www. encore.org invites visitors to tell their own stories of elderhood. Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, co-author of From Age-ing to Sage-ing, blessed the project based on that book, at www.sage-ingguild.org, writing “The wisdom of elders is needed to steer us all to a place of greater health and peace.” Another website, www.theelders.org, identifies world-famous elders and tries to organize our thinking around solving global problems with their wisdom. And, www.wisdomoftheelders.org is a site dedicated to providing radio programs from the wisdom of American Indian elders. I am listening to it now, a program honoring the Sacred Earth. And this brings us to a core meaning of elderhood. Dr. Thomas writes that elderhood became important the first time a hominid grandmother shared food with a grandchild. We spring from the Earth: our mother’s food, that gave us nourishment to grow in her womb, came from the Earth. Food, water and energy from the Earth sustain us while we live. Elders, as they physically age, visibly settle back into the Earth and, in death, return to the Great Mother. The slowing and settling of aging shows the way to a more expansive contemplation of who we are, where we come from, and where we are headed. Everyone has this “sage-ing” opportunity, and the right to explore it. The greatest elder wisdom I have heard in my work, comes from those who have lived, suffered and loved deeply, and now have the time to contemplate it, without needing any degrees, certificates or mystical disciplines. Conscious of it or not, our elders hold in trust the thread of connection to Earth. When we deny that thread, when we hide our eyes from aging, wrinkles, white hair and frailty, we deny the Earth under our feet. When we affirm the thread, when we practice to truly see the beauty of our elders’ bodies and spirits, we reaffirm our love for the Earth they came from, all the way back to our ancient ancestors whose bones and spirits still live in the rock, so that we may stand on their shoulders, and see the stars.
Jeffrey Hotchkiss is a Reiki Master and Emergency Medical Technician, who works with elders in both roles. He is the founder of EldersBloom, creating ways for Reiki people to connect with elders for the benefit of whole communities. See www.jeffreiki.com/eldersbloom.html. Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 15
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
The Live Oak Project (www.liveoakinstitute.org) seeks to promote a positive culture of aging. Their definition of an elder: “An Elder is a person who is still growing, still a learner, still with potential and whose life continues to have within it promise for and connection to the future. An Elder is still in pursuit of happiness, joy and pleasure, and her or his birthright to these remains intact. Moreover, an elder is a person who deserves respect and honor and whose work it is to synthesize wisdom from long life experience and formulate this into a legacy for future generations.”
16
a b rea th o f he ali n g
MANY MOONS his past June my husband and I attended the Kundalini Yoga Solstice celebration in New Mexico, an international gathering of Kundalini Yoga enthusiasts that I attended since 1989 for ten years straight. I skipped a year, went again in 2001 and had not been since. This was my husband’s first Solstice. We decided to commit to going, which meant opening our retreat Sewall House a little later than usual that season. Though some things had changed, much of what Solstice was remained the same; challenges in the desert heat, nature’s spellbinding beauty, processing emotions in the three days of white tantric meditation with our partner, the sense of spirits of Native Americans past as well as the elder who gave the invocation for the healing walk. One of the things that had changed is that this was the first Solstice I had attended Yogi Bhajan, our teacher, was not present, having passed from his physical body in 2004. I had studied with Yogi Bhajan since I was thirty; his teachings and technology of Kundalini Yoga were something that had entered, greatly influenced and gradually transformed my experience of life. This year I ran into Dyal Singh, who is now a respected healer. In 1989 he had been Harvey, a guy in a baseball cap. We reminisced a bit and came to the realization that we were now part of the elders of the movement. It was true. Looking around at many of the people I had connected with over the years at various Solstices I saw the effects of becoming an elder. Many of us had the same basic personality but our looks had evolved, in some of the men especially evident in the gray hairs in their beards. I have heard said: The 40’s are the old age of youth, the 50’s are the youth of old age. Dyal and I were there. At 53, I can only hope that I can be as positive an influence to others as the elders I have known whose wisdom has given me so much. The same year that Yogi Bhajan passed my mother passed. Since she had me when she was forty-five she was always something of an elder to me. As any daughter and mother may have, we had our differences, yet I know her quiet wisdom is still with me. My mother always had said I was a “seeker.” In my thirties I was still seeking the answers to life. I found Kundalini yoga and, still trying to understand unresolved emotions, I studied acting in New York City at the same time as I started teaching yoga. One of my acting teachers, Michael Moriarty, urged us to write our own show. Mine evolved out of a love for Maine, a biography my mother had written about her grandmother and likely the continuation of a dialogue and bond that I had had with my great Uncle Fred, a potato farmer who in his later years lived in an old guide’s shack on the lake in Maine where I spent my summers. Uncle Fred was someone who I could ask questions of and feel his calm answers in my heart and soul. I asked him about death, a young girl discovering the concept and not at all comfortable with it. He was honestly unafraid. Knowing nature like the back of his hand (he would tell us tomorrow’s weather by looking at the sky and wind) he trusted nature and its rhythms, including death. My show evolved out of an imaginary conversation with my great grandmother, asking questions about life in the present from a woman who had lived in the past (and who I had never actually known). There is something about roots that gives us fortitude. I thought searching my roots might give me this. The dialogue evolved into her story and I titled it “In This Our Home.” My great Aunt Nancy, Uncle Fred’s youngest sister, was another amazing elder in our family. She, like Uncle Fred, knew and loved the trees and flowers and cherished nature and its gifts and teachings. A wonderful home-maker, she and her husband had lovingly kept the family home alive that she and Uncle Fred and the others, like my grandmother, had grown up in. It was always the first place we went when entering town to go to our rustic camp for the summer. It was Aunt Nancy who I sat and interviewed for my show, the last sibling alive now. As she shared the story of her parents’ lives, we both welled with tears, the story full of love and devotion. “Oh, my dear,” I remember her saying “ I feel sorry for you, You are sentimental like me.” In a New England family this is not always considered a positive trait! When Aunt Nancy turned 100, people came from all over the country on a warm Indian summer day to celebrate with her. One of the wise things we can learn from our elders, and which Michael Moriarty taught as well, is never to lose our inner child. As everyone sang “Happy Birthday,” Aunt Nancy joined in, with a sparkle in her eye and pure joy on her face, singing “Happy Birthday to Me!” At 100, she also shared with us individually her memories of being ten at Theodore Roosevelt’s inauguration and shaking Geronimo’s hand. Life gives us each these uniquely memorable moments. When Aunt Nancy passed in 1996, her home stood empty. Childless, she had left
T
by Donna Amrita Davidge
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
the home to her three “boys,” all in their eighties now, nephews who had taken care of her with devotion, especially after her husband had died. When the contents of the house had been appraised and the house was to be put on the market, once again I had the opportunity to ask questions of the elders in my family. This time it was not about death or life growing up in the family home–this time, it was to ask to purchase the home. With a great love for yoga, for nature and for all the fabulous elders who had helped guide my life, I eventually was granted permission to buy it from cousin Bill, my mother’s cousin, a great story teller, with sparkling blue eyes, hands as big as a ham (you could get a quarter through his wedding ring), known as the strongest man in the County (that would be Aroostook). Bill loved to pull practical jokes, make you laugh and feel he really cared. Uncle Don, for whom I was named, was my mother’s brother, a proper, intelligently well-informed retired agriculture teacher, well respected by his students and visa versa, no matter what level they had attained in their lives, reserved, like my mother, yet kind and good hearted all the same. Then there was Sam, self-sufficient in every way, thrifty but ever generous, never a complaint despite several personal tragedies. As my sister said “Let’s find a man like Sam, thirty years younger for me and forty years younger for you.” Sam was devoted, honest and ever learning about and participating in life. For me, buying the house was a big step, a scary step (“I hope the house never becomes a burden,” Uncle Don once said to me before he passed). I was forty-one and single at the time. But these wonderful men and other elders in my family, Cousin Christine, Aunt Lib, Cousin Cleo, embraced what I was doing with non-judgment, only acceptance, curiosity and perhaps only a little concern if I really knew what I was taking on. Though this story is mine it would be so very different without the influence of Uncle Fred, Yogi Bhajan and all the others. In Yoga, I have learned from Dharma Mittra, almost 70, so very much, with deep reverence and respect. Perhaps because of my childhood influences, in Yoga I have gravitated toward older, wiser teachers rather than the latest trendsetter. I admire and respect teachers like Angela Farmer, also 70, who I have never studied with but know of through one of her protégés, and the lesser known elders, like the lovely woman from St John, in her 70’s, who brought seven of her devoted students to a workshop we did in Fredericton. Iyengar and Pattabhis Jois, both elder Yoga Masters, continue to share their wisdom in their upper 80’s and 90’s respectively. Just as the wisdom of the ancient yogic texts guide our yoga practice I believe it is important to look around us in our youth-oriented society and learn from, not ignore, the messages from the elders around us. Aging is an inevitability in life. Gaining and sharing wisdom and encouragement in this process is the gift we can give back.
\
16 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
Donna (Amrita) Davidge runs www.sewallhouse.com yoga retreat with her husband Kent Bonham in Island Falls, Maine, where her great grandfather William Sewall met a young Theodore Roosevelt and became a lifelong friend, elder and mentor to the future President (Mr. Sewall was called ”the old Mennonite” on TR’s ranch in North Dakota). Sewall House is open June through October and can be booked the rest of the year for special inquires and retreats. 888- 235-2395.
17
AwarenessandtheArtofSeeing:
Contemplations on the environment and interconnection by Jen Deraspe
Hearing the Mountain Brook'sVoice
Heart of Spirit Healing Fairs,Festivals&Events Sunday, April 27th 10am~5pm 3rd Annual Holistic Fair
The Holiday Inn, Nashua, NH Over 500 Attendees last year!
July 12th ~ 13th
NH HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS & ENERGY HEALERS CONVENTION "2008"
Convention ~ July 12th Holistic Healers & Spiritual Light Workers Festival ~ July 13th
The Holiday Inn, Nashua, NH
Registration begins December 2007
Sunday, August 2nd 10am~4:30pm Mid-Summer's Day Fairy Festival
The Village Shops, Lincoln, NH Fun for the entire family throughout the day!
VENDOR AND PARTICIPANT INFO: CALL ANGIE D'ANJOU AT (603) 886-4577 or heartofspirithealing@msn.com
www.heartofspirithealing.com
Nurture Through N atu re
Let Us Guide You Home...
Jen Deraspe, owner of Nurture Through Nature, is a holistic retreat facilitator and practitioner of The Work of Byron Katie. She lives off the grid on Pleasant Mountain in Denmark, Maine. www.ntnreats.com, (207) 452-2929.
it Integr SpirQualities ity for Connec Eldering H e a lt h tion by Ina Albert
Pleasant Mountain, Denmark, ME
These are the qualities by which I chose to guide my life in my elder years. But, in order to be tangible, they had to have character; they had to come alive so that I could include them in my everyday struggle to become whole. They are role models based on women I have known who personify these qualities for me. Their example makes it possible for me to fulfill life’s blessings. Integrity is clear about most everything. When she is not, she sits down and thinks hard about how to keep herself feeling like a whole piece of cloth without a single tear or rip. She loves seeing patterns come together, and pretty soon she knows what to do. She has abundant patience, inner strength and wisdom, but she never tells others what to do. She simply helps them discover what is right for them. Connection relates to everything and everyone. She is an optimist and a toucher. She loves to hug and tells Health that they must hug each other 13 times a day to stay well. Connection also talks to trees and plants and rocks and to God every day. She is joined to every cell in her body, to every living creature, and relates to the planet and the whole Universe. She says you have to be connected to feel alive and to be holy. Health is a strong woman. She jogs every day, eats organic food, thinks good thoughts, meditates and prays. Her body is supple, but she sees changes in her skin and feels tightness in her joints. She needs more rest than she used to and sometimes forgets things. But she has gathered more wisdom, her heart is open and she is calm. As Health reaches elderhood, she is growing deeper inside rather than getting stronger outside. Spirit is the mother of everything. Since she is the ultimate creator, she is in everything and is everywhere. Yet, she is invisible. You can only feel her presence. As Spirit creates, she leaves her seeds behind to grow, which makes her the strongest force there is. Lots of people have relationships with Spirit, though she never utters a single word. Somehow, she sends messages without talking out loud. Ina Albert is co-author of Write Your Self Well... Journal Your Self to Health, a journal/ workbook written for people suffering from illness and stress based on research demonstrating the health benefits of expressive writing. As a healthcare public relations professional, trainer, workshop facilitator and consultant, Ina has written numerous articles for healthcare publications during her 35-year career. The author lives and writes in Whitefish, Montana.
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 17
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
I love walking in the woods mindfully to see what catches my attention. Without question, I always get a lesson when I pause long enough to listen. One particularly peaceful day, I found myself walking along the water’s edge of the mountain brook I caretake on this land I live on. There is a moss-lined granite chute that draws me in every time. Autumn’s leaves find their way into the brook and were adhered underwater to the granite bed even though the current was very strong over the top of the leaves. There they were, all these leaves lined up next to each other with the crystal clear water passing over them possessing all the stillness and sense of place imaginable in the face of the forces pulling on them to keep moving downstream. I was so taken… moss gently holding the fallen leaves anchored while water rushes over each leaf. Amazing. At the bottom of the chute lies a pool of water, spinning and turning, creating its own whirlpool. I placed a small branch in the channel upstream and watched intently. The twig sped down the chute and dropped into the pool. As long as the twig remained on the water’s surface, it carried on in circles, chasing its own tail. Adding more sticks to the flow, it soon became a tangled mess of confusion, branches bumping, colliding, even getting stuck on top of each other, creating a haphazard dam. Alas, the next introduced twig found its way beneath the whirlpool’s surface, diving deep into the cold, dark water. I watched it,
suspending in a surreal stillness in the pool’s center amidst the sound and flow of rushing water. It’s as if it was gathering energy and momentum for the journey, perspective and direction. Meanwhile, superficial mayhem prevailed with the tangled sticks overhead frantically trying to find their own space, their flow in the scheme of bounding energy. It became clear to me that the way of it is to go deep to find the stillness, the direction. In that quiet place comes what is next, just the next step and then the flow will guide the way to the next resting place. Like a good friend of mine says, "go within or go without." Circumstances do not need to make or break my happiness, my home. It is the internal workings that begin to open the gateway towards the freedom that water and sense of place teaches. Looking for solutions, plans, direction with the logical mind keeps me at the surface; of what little I think I know. Allowing the guidance to come, to "live me" is another way that feels much more connected, whole and rich. In my experience, I am beginning to see just how simple life can be. Doing what is next, that is enough. What’s next? Whatever I hear the voice saying. Sometimes it says walk, or sit, or call, or email that one. Sometimes it says do the laundry now. Do the dishes. I am catching on to the peace available now if I listen. It feels like something bigger is doing me, living me. It’s here for all of us. Listening and following the voice feels kinder and easier than the alternative. Happiness can be this simple. I am testing it! Listening deeply to the rust colored leaves resting quietly in the surge, witnessing the branch diving deeply to find stillness and then freedom affirms the practice. I begin again always.
18
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black 18 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
19
d estinat io n he alin g
T h e M u s i c o f E l d e r Wi s d o m by Kevin Pennell
W
different approaches with each therapist offering skills, strengths, sensitivity, and intuition. Alan recommended a website depicting his method of music therapy: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/nordoff/ video_portrait. You may wish to look at the site because, according to Alan, “You could describe how you play tennis with somebody, but until you see somebody play tennis it’s hard to envision.” “Music is incredibly flexible and dynamic... it can go right and left, up and down, and go with all the nuances and subtleties of human experience. It goes places that words can’t. Music therapy becomes a bridge of contact for the individual in need” like those facing depression, isolation, or Alzheimer’s. When working with those with autism, for example, Alan has found for those with limited words or entirely nonverbal “music can make a connection when nothing else will.”
There's another medium of communication that's been used by elders wisely for generations ...music
Alan had been exposed to several levels of psychiatric care while working at Bronx Children’s Psychiatric Center in New York, but autism became a special area of interest. He left New York in 1982 and moved to Maine. During his time in Maine, Alan learned that the incidence of autism seem to be increasing in Maine. “There are several theories for this increase, but no one knows the exact reason.” Alan shared that awareness about autism should be raised about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). “People should acquaint themselves with this (ASD) disorder.” The Center for Disease Control explains that ASDs “are a group of developmental disabilities caused by a problem with the brain.” Apparently, scientists do not know yet exactly the cause for this problem. ASDs can affect a person’s functioning at various levels, from very mild to severe. Those with ASDs may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most people. Autistic disorder is the most commonly known type of ASD, but there are others, including ‘pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified’ (PDD-NOS) and Asperger Syndrome.” The CDC further explains, “People with ASDs may have problems with social, emotional, and communication skills” many with ASDs also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things.” Signs of ASDs arise in early childhood and last throughout the individual’s life. Alan Wittenberg finds music therapy often helps those with ASDs. His work has helped to identify that a significant number of autistic children and adults reside in Maine. Since its incidence are on the rise and increase in numbers in Maine and across New England, Alan again emphasized that our awareness about autism and ASDs should be raised. Besides autism, Alan extends music therapy to therapeutic care in nursing homes, rehabilitation, one-on-one intensive sessions, clinical assessments, on site consultations,
group homes, and schools. The Surry Music Therapy Center, possibly the only music clinic in Maine, can also be utilized as an educational resource for further insights into the roles of music therapy for people. “Music therapy doesn’t replace other therapies. It supports the other work.” Music can support speech therapists to enhance communication skills, the physical therapist in movement activities like balance or spacial understanding, or in schools for achieving developmental goals at fundamental levels like listening and awareness skills. “Music therapy can be something that attracts and stimulates the person who’s very distracted and disorganized on toward relationship, attention, or awareness (skills) and then into higher skills like memory. Psychologically, the emphasis is on social emotional skills and relationship building skills, so we want to develop trust.” So, how does Alan work with clients? Typically Alan evaluates the client. After determining the individual’s needs he tries to formulate a program, which includes music therapy as part of their treatment plans in a team effort with a parent, special educator, music teacher, speech pathologist, or psychologist. When he can’t be present, he provides a recording detailing movement, instrumental, or vocal “channels” as activity program ideas. These ideas can encourage client participation when possible “in a way that enhances their quality of life and helps them develop skills or have meaningful experiences.” Alan shares that music is a unique modality offering energy, emotion, and experience. “Very few modalities offer the same qualities simultaneously and as fluidly as music.” Music therapy can be creative, client centered, and individualized, while expressing itself through vocal, instrumental, and movement channels. “I work a lot with energy and emotion. I try to sense the client. It all boils down to utilizing various methods, using whatever musical means available to reach that person. It could be the Flintstones or 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'.” In speaking with Alan, there’s no doubt music therapy is his life’s passion. Starting out in a grass roots effort in Maine he continues his work here as often as he can. He also has wonderful projects in St. Petersburg, Russia and Kyoto, Japan. For further information on this Destination for Healing contact Alan Wittenberg at the Surry Music Therapy Center in Surry, Maine. Telephone him at (207) 667-1308 or you may visit his website at www.surrymusictherapy.com. I asked Alan to sum up his thoughts about music therapy. “Music is innate and instinctual. Rhythm is such a primary part of our anatomy and part of our life experience and music is a way we can relate to people who have difficulty relating and that difficulty might be resulting from genetic, psychological, or developmental reasons. Music can go where nothing else can. It can connect when words and physical activities and medications don’t. It has unique power to stimulate, motivate, and to integrate someone’s resources and well-being.” Kevin Pennell, an author from Bethel , Maine, wrote Two Feathers - Spiritual Seed Planter and has written for other periodicals and media. Kevin is an Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master Teacher, Certified Hypnotherapist, Shamanic Practitioner, and Psychic Empath. He conducts Reiki workshops and other workshops that assist spiritual and personal development. Kevin, with his wife, Vickie Cummings, operate Spirit Wings, their Compassionate Healing Center and Therapeutic Store located in Bethel, Maine. Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 19
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
hen thinking of Elder Wisdom, several subjects come to mind. Thoughts of aged leaders of indigenous peoples sharing knowledge passed verbally from generation to generation, wise lessons from our ancestral roots, or people sitting around a campfire engaged in idle conversation. There’s another medium of communication that’s been used by elders wisely for generations... music. The mood of simple conversations around a campfire shifts as the people are virtually transported out of the immediate surroundings into another time, another place, even another dimension escorted not only by the age-old teachings from the wise elder, but the gentle and constant “thump, thump, thump” of the drum. The music of the drum enhanced the mood of the people, so they could experience the elder’s words like lyrics accompanied by the song of the drum. The two together became a concert of learning, sharing wisdom from the soul of the elder to their souls. We can appreciate and grasp music on various levels, as entertainment, for relaxation, to foster countless emotions, or to aid the listener/participant therapeutically. Music as a therapeutic tool has been a passion for Alan Wittenberg for over 25 years. Now, he facilitates people on to wellness in Maine through Surry Music Therapy Center in Surry, Maine. The joy of music impressed Alan early in life when his parents offered him a piano at age ten. Like many parents in the 1950’s, Alan’s parents encouraged him to experience music. He started with the piano and moved on to participate in school bands with a trombone. The interest grew to enthusiasm as he began playing the flute around the sixth grade because a cute girl played the flute. Learning to play the flute “didn’t work for me getting dates in the sixth grade,” but he still enjoys playing it today. “I guess I grew up around a lot of kids who were interested in music. It’s funny. The same kids who graduated in my high school class are professional musicians and music teachers today.” Through a series of life events, Alan continued his journey from playing in school bands, to making music his major in college. “I was a sensitive shy kid where music was a solace and therapy for me.” Music was a gateway of expression for Alan, a young man of few words. “I never planned to be a music therapist... didn’t even know what it was.” He completed his masters’ degree majoring in music and got a state job at the Bronx Children’s Psychiatric Center as a music teacher. “When I got this job, it was very intriguing to me. I was interested in therapeutic process, personalities, and different schools of psychology.” They hired him as a music educator to guide the patients toward socialization through music. This led Alan to further studies at New York University where he gained his certification as a music therapist. Music and music therapy evolved into Alan’s passion through follow up with some of the highest-level conferences and seminars in music therapy then offered and by helping people achieve their highest and greatest self. “The music used is often improvised and not meant to therapise the client, but rather it’s used to engage the client into an interactive process.” Many may think that music therapy would be a matter of listening to music or the music therapist prescribing a slow movement of Mozart to create relaxation or Pete Seger to evoke some other reaction; these would “therapise” the client like taking a “music pill.” Music therapy, like psychology, has
Bethel, Maine
20
SANKOFA Providing Neuromuscular Therapy, including but not limited to: Myofascial Release, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Sports Massage, Trigger Point & Deep Tissue Massage
Member AMTA
Caring therapeutic touch to honor and nurture the total being
Helen G. Caddie-Larcenia Licensed Massage Therapist
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Frederica Marshall Artist/Teacher classes/workshops Sumi-e Oriental Brush Painting Watercolor Painting Mandalas
Cold Spring, Nikko, Japan, Š2001 (watercolor batik on rice paper)
81 N. Deer Isle Road Deer Isle, ME 04627
207-348-2782
20 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
Young Cherry Blossom –
www.fredericamarshall.com fredericamarshal@aol.com
207 845-2707
Washington, ME 04574
21
Come home to Clyfdale Villa Whether your life is in transition or you just don’t want to live
alone, Clyfdale Villa is for you. Be part of six women living in this tastefully restored, historic brick Colonial including 6 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, computer room, sun-room meeting space, 2 1/2 baths, gourmet kitchen, and in-ground pool. Situated on a beautifully landscaped 1.2 acre lot in prestigious Sylvan Site in South Portland you will be only 5 minutes from downtown Portland and steps from the bus line. Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Contact Jane at 207-233-7658 or jhoneck@honeckotoole.com for an interview.
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 21
22 PLANT PROTEINS FOR CANCER RECOVERY AND PREVENTION
B
ack in November, I picked up the newspaper and saw this front-page article: “Study Strongly Links Fat, Cancer.” I read it and thought... “Well, it’s about time!”
For those of you who missed it, this article flat-out said that a landmark study showed that, “Every 1.7 ounces of processed meat consumed per day increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 21%…” The study referred to beef, pork and lamb. It went on to advise “limiting red meat to 18 ounces of cooked meat a week.” This release of this study’s findings and resulting worldwide news reports had the National Pork Board & The National Cattleman’s Beef Association up in arms. Mary Young of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association said “the group engaged scientists to review the scientific literature on the topic, and they concluded there was evidence red meat causes cancer.” So, my questions were: Can our doctors now put this important nutritional “piece of the cancer puzzle” into their practices? Will the American Cancer Society focus on this, too? Can we keep this information in the media’s focus so that it becomes real to people? I will try to do my part! I’m certain we’ll be seeing articles by scientists and journalists who work for these powerful food industries, trying to discredit this important research, or confuse the general public with articles saying the opposite. I hope not, but I’ve seen it all too often. Or, we won’t see any follow-up articles.
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
This information needs to be out there so that people can make the necessary dietary changes to help with cancer prevention and recovery. Everyone needs this important and life-saving information! To read more about this study go to: www.dietandcancerreport.org. This Web site has a downloadable summary of the report, or you can order a copy of the book, The Second Expert Report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and The Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective, which explains this report in detail… I ordered my copy. The study is a result of a five-year process that included examination of the world’s literature by a panel of the world’s leading scientists, which includes Harvard School of Public Health’s, Dr. Walter C. Willet. Until this becomes common knowledge (reading it in the mainstream press and our doctors recommending it), we can exercise our option (or not) to decrease our animal protein intake and add more plant protein to our diets. Adding plant proteins is quite simple, really. To get you started, here are some delicious grain and bean recipes from my book Becoming Whole, The Story of My Complete Recovery From Breast Cancer:
Pressure-Cooked Rice & and Beans 1½ to 1¾ cups brown rice ½ cup beans – chickpeas, adzuki, black soybean, etc. (soaked overnight, covered with water) 3½ - 4 cups spring water small piece of kombu sea vegetable Use 10-15 percent beans per cup of rice, pre-soak bean of your choice for 3 to 7 hours, depending on the hardness of the bean. Discard the soak water for any but adzuki or black soybeans, and mix beans with rice. Place rice and bean mixture in pressure cooker, add water (1½ to 2 parts water for every 1 cup of grain and bean you have combined) and bring to a gentle boil. When boiling, add a 1 to 2 inch piece of kombu, seal the lid and bring to pressure over a medium flame. When the full pressure rises in the pot, lower the flame, place
22 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
on a flame deflector and cook for 45-50 minutes. When finished, turn off flame and remove from heat. Allow pressure to come down naturally and remove lid. Transfer to a serving bowl. Note: Include soaking water from black soy or adzuki beans. And... the beans will not soften if you add salt at the beginning... so salt after.
Sweet and Sour Pinto Beans 1 cup pinto beans, soaked overnight and covered with water 3 cups water 1 inch piece of kombu 1 large onion, diced 1 carrot, diced shoyu 2 tablespoons barley malt 1-2 teaspoons stone-ground mustard umeboshi vinegar Drain beans, then pressure-cook with kombu 50 minutes. Allow pressure to come down, then add vegetables. Cook 20 minutes. Add several shakes of shoyu and barley malt, cook 10 minutes. Add umeboshi vinegar and mustard.
Baked Beans with Miso and Apple Butter 2 cups kidney beans (soaked overnight, covered with water) 6 cups water 1 strip kombu 1½ tablespoons mellow barley miso ¼ cup unsweetened apple butter 1½ teaspoons whole grain mustard 1 tablespoon grated onion ²/³ tablespoon brown rice vinegar Cook beans with kombu in water for 45 minutes. Drain and save 1 cup of the cooking water. Preheat oven to 350o. Mix everything except the beans with the cooking liquid, then mix in beans. Place in 3-quart casserole, cover. Bake for 1½ hours.
Chickpea Burgers 1½ cup chickpeas (soaked overnight, covered with water) 4½ cups water 1-inch piece kombu ½ cup rolled oats 2 organic dill pickles, diced 1 small carrot, diced 1 red onion, minced 1 tablespoon rice syrup 1 teaspoon mustard 1 teaspoon white miso 1 teaspoon umeboshi vinegar cornmeal for coating Pressure-cook chickpeas with kombu in water for 40 minutes. Mash cooked chickpeas, add all ingredients except cornmeal. Shape into patties. Coat with cornmeal. Let patties sit for 20 minutes, then fry in a cast-iron skillet on medium heat until browned on both sides. Serve plain, or with a sauce, on steamed bread.
Meg Wolf is a breast cancer survivor. Her memoir, Becoming Whole: The Story of my Complete Recovery from Breast Cancer, includes recipes and menu plans. Meg's new release photography book, Breast Cancer Exposed, The Connection Between Food and Survival is now available at local bookstores and both books can be found on her website at www.megwolf.com.
23
welcome ho m e
ask asrianna Questions and Answers on Relationships, Spirituality and Conscious Living www.webclipart.about.com
Dear Asrianna, I’m 36 years old, divorced, and lonely. I’m intelligent, attractive, and friendly, but I can’t seem to find anyone who’s interested in a long-term relationship. I’ve gone the route of blind dates, dating sites, and anything else I can think of but I’m still single. I don’t know what more I can do to find a man to share my life with and I’m afraid I’m meant to always be alone. Can you give me any advice that can help? Signed, Lonely and at a Loss
Lastly, another exercise is also helpful when working toward manifesting a loving, healthy relationship. Pretend you’re a six-year-old child who believes in Santa Claus and you’re writing out your gift list. You trust that whatever you jot down, Santa is going to deliver. A child gets quite specific, you know. They don’t just want a bicycle, they want a red bicycle with tassels on the handlebars and a white and red basket attached. Your list is going to be titled, “What traits I want in a romantic partner.” Do you want someone with humor? Write it down. Better yet, if you love wry humor, but slapstick drives you nuts, make sure you say, “I want an individual who finds humor in everyday situations,” rather than, “I love a man who can laugh at a banana peel skit.” Again, be specific and above all, have fun! This is your letter to God, a written prayer than spells out what you really want in your true love. If you’re going out to buy a car, it helps immensely to know if you prefer a sports car or a luxury sedan, a red one rather than yellow, and a new model rather than a classic. Will you get everything on your list? Most likely not, but without it you’re casting a wide net and what you pull up might be far less satisfying to you than if you’d concentrated on a particular lure. Finally, Lonely, don’t forget to state your desires silently or aloud, in other words, ask Higher Guidance for help. Even if you don’t believe in God or an unseen deity, by asking for help you’re setting in motion forces that begin to work on your behalf. I envision it this way. Think of the power behind a laser. Left unfocused and diffuse, that energy is random, hit or miss, and is likely to be ineffective or at worst, harmful. But channeled, focused and specific it can cut through the thickest steel. A prayer, or request, a ceremony or ritual is just another means of honing your power toward your desired goal. Many blessings, Asrianna Asrianna Dameron is a Psychic, a Spiritual Medium, and Certified Hypnotherapist in private practice. She offers individual and group sessions as well as seminars and speaking engagements on the topics of Psychic Development, Mediumship, Hypnosis and Shamanic healing. Asrianna can be reached at asrianna@shamansheart.com, by visiting her website at www.shamansheart.com, or by calling 603-892-1268.
Enjoy Reading This Issue of
Inner Tapestry
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 23
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Dear Lonely, Love is the lesson life teaches us and one of the biggest—though not the only—way we can learn love is through a romantic relationship. Within that deep connection and commitment we’ve the opportunity of experiencing the full gamut of human emotions. In doing so, we become aware of our personal strengths as well as those areas still needing work. So it’s no surprise that you’re longing to find a romantic connection. I also don’t believe that God—or the Universe, Higher Power, All-in-All, Buddha, Mohammed, whatever name you choose to give your deity—gives us a desire and longing we’re not meant to assuage when it comes to matters of love. This doesn’t mean you can force the individual of your choice to love you back, nor will the Universe reward you with something at the expense of another. But I assure you that if you dream of a loving relationship, you’re meant to have it. That being said, there are several things you might consider on your path toward true love. For instance, have you made an assessment of your past relationships? You mentioned you’re divorced. What worked in that relationship and what didn’t? What traits or situations in past relationships caused you pain and what gave you delight? Make good use of earlier lessons so you avoid recognizable pitfalls. Often clients tell me that God must not hear their prayers for a loving union, or that they’re being punished somehow. Perhaps, instead, the Divine is actually saving you from making the same mistake again until you’ve figured out what the problems are, thus eliminating additional, unnecessary pain. Think of your desire for a stable, loving relationship as a potential garden plot. For many people the ground is hard, arid, riddled with weeds of past hurts and disappointments. Any new relationship growing in such soil is likely to be strangled or never sprout at all, tainted and stunted by unresolved old-growth. By tilling the ground, consciously realizing what worked and what didn’t, gaining understanding from all that grew there before, you ready the garden for future growth. The fertile soil is then ready for a fresh, new love and all that went before lays the foundation for that deep relationship. Quite often one of the limiting factors—particularly for women, but men experience it as well—is that they consistently give all of themselves to a relationship, completely handing over their power to another without asking for, or expecting, anything in return. You start out as a powerful, independent, interesting, curious and adventurous individual but eventually you focus so completely on the other that your needs and longings become buried and ignored. Rather than being a dynamic part of a whole, you become the support upon which your partner leans, setting the relationship up for
future problems. Use this time to gain an understanding of what it is that you need in a relationship. One of the exercises I frequently give to my clients is the “needs” list. Take a piece of lined paper and at the top write down, “What I need in a romantic relationship in order to be happy.” Think about past relationships. What did they lack? What elements stood out that made you happy? For instance, one woman realized that in all of her previous relationships she’d never felt respected. It became one of the first things she listed. Yet I encouraged her to go even deeper. What does respect mean to her? What would it look like? When thinking back to her most recent past relationship she remembered that one of the things she felt most diminished by was that when she’d try to talk to her partner, he’d keep watching the television, occasionally mumbling an, “uh huh,” or, “mmm yeah.” So, on her list she wrote down, “I need a partner who focuses on me fully when I communicate with him.” Notice she didn’t say, “I don’t want a guy who ignores me.” Make sure to put all your statements in a positive format, what you want rather than what you don’t. When you write down a list of what you need, without realizing it, you’ve also created a “boundaries” list. We speak of having healthy boundaries, but what are they, really? Boundaries arise from needs. If you need respect at work, then when a co-worker makes a disparaging comment you can stop the conversation and say, “Mary Ann, you just said I spoke out of turn in the morning meeting and I’m uncomfortable with that. I’d like more clarification. Let’s talk more about this.” It gives you the opportunity of protecting yourself from unnecessary pain and shame. A boundary is a healthy way of establishing protective perimeters, a tool for better communication, and a signpost for spotting potential relationship challenges before they grow into corroding resentment and anger. What this all does, Lonely, is to remove any energetic roadblock to your romance. When an individual tells me that they’ve done everything conceivable in order to find true love, and it still hasn’t arrived, a red flag waves. It tells me something deeper keeps them from the relationship they’re longing to manifest into their lives. The list of needs and the recognition of boundaries does more than just make conscious those things making you happy or unhappy in a relationship. If you’ve been hurt before and trust is an issue—and who hasn’t experienced this to some degree?—then even if you consciously want love in your life, your fears may be setting up an unseen barrier keeping a relationship at bay. Putting in place a healthy structure in order to protect your needs and emotions removes the necessity of wider, less discriminating ways of avoiding hurt. I’ve seen people who want a committed relationship more than anything in their lives walk around with remote, off-putting demeanors, or conversely, those who constantly joke and kid around and effectively avoid emotional closeness. Both of these are typically unconscious behaviors meant as a means of selfprotection. When your boundaries are healthy, you don’t need such measures because you’re able to recognize a potential threat when it actually occurs and you’ll feel confident in your ability to deal with them when—and if—necessary.
24
t he w ay o f lif e - it s e l f
Something's Missing: Why Force?
T
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
hroughout my life I have encountered experiences that made me feel there was something missing. I remember reading Ayn Rand novels. I found her heroes appealing. But I felt there was something missing. I remember working on artificial intelligence. I felt there was something missing. While most of my colleagues believed computers could be more intelligent than humans I believed the "something missing" would prevent their ever having any real intelligence. Hype to the contrary today, computers are not in any way equal to the intelligence found in life; nor will they ever be. In our previous article, “Why War?” I concluded that our misunderstanding of life and living processes has led us to the use of force as a means of control and management of life processes leading to calamities such as war. I believe all our social institutions are failing because force to control prevents normal living processes from working. There are effective alternatives to solving living problems that don’t require force. I warned against politicians who want to get tough on this and that, such as crime. I pointed out that the U.S. has the highest percentage of its population in prison along with the toughest sentencing. In research, we discovered that tougher sentencing increases recidivism; a seemingly paradoxical conclusion until one understands how life works. So now I want to continue the theme. What is missing? What do we need to know to solve problems without destroying life? The dominant Western worldview has no room for life! It is a world focused on nonliving matter governed by laws that require force. It is a view of mechanisms, cause and effect, and determinism. It can be understood through reductionism, i.e., breaking everything down to the smallest particles to see how they go together. Physics is said to be the most fundamental science from which all else can be derived. What is left out of that picture (what is missing) are living energy and living entities! Living entities can initiate acts. In acting they add an uncontrollable quality that cannot be calculated through any physical laws of force. Living entities do not passively await an external force to do something. For life there is no cause and effect. No determinism. Life is wholistic from bottom to top. Using reductionism destroys knowledge of our living organization and how best to work with it; the very aspect we should be trying to understand. Physics as we have known it can no longer be considered the most fundamental science. What now? Physics may no longer be the most fundamental science; but let us give thanks to physics for what it has provided. It has provided technology by which the internal workings of living organisms can be observed as they live. How living organisms work is unlike anything ever imagined. Biologists used to think that the molecules in the cells of our bodies were moving by being jostled about. Sometimes two molecules would become attached. It was presumed that their shapes were like locks and keys; when they collided they stuck together. Imagine the surprise when it was observed that the molecules were sending signals looking for partners, and when they detected a partner they would move together. Everything in the body is living and acting as an ensemble. In the human being there are 75 trillion cells living and acting in a pure democracy. Due to coherence conditions they have maximum freedom. All the cells are functioning in unison as what is now being described 24 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
by Norm Hirst
as a jazz band. As long as we are alive this internal jazz band is playing our personal theme in 72 octaves. Every living entity, each cell, molecule, you and me, society, Gaia and the universe, functions as artists in creating its own life; jazz artists! There are no written parts to be played. Every living entity is connected to the wholeness, oneness, of life. Through such connection there is great awareness possible within from which to determine action, more than can be experienced through traditional senses. In contrast, psychologist Eleanor Rosch, in 1996 characterized the current state of human knowledge and what I would call the world of technology, or machine world, as follows: “In the analytic picture offered by the cognitive sciences, the world consists of separate objects and states of affairs, the human mind is a determinate machine which, in order to know, isolates and identifies those objects and events, finds the simplest possible predictive contingencies between them, stores the results through time in memory, relates the items in memory to each other such that they form a coherent but indirect representation of the world and oneself, and retrieves those representations in order to fulfill the only originating value, which is to survive and reproduce in an evolutionarily successful manner.” In keeping with current discoveries, she now speaks of primary knowing: “Primary knowing” arises by means of “interconnected wholes, rather than isolated contingent parts and by means of time-less, direct, presentation” rather than through stored “re-presentation. “Such knowing is open rather than determinate, and a sense of unconditional value, rather than conditional usefulness, is an inherent part of the act of knowing itself,” said Rosch. Acting from such awareness is “spontaneous, rather than the result of decision making,” and it is “compassionate… since it is based on wholes larger than the self.”
The missing element is primary knowing!
In life we are jazz players. We are actors. The world is our jazz band. Ideally we “listen,” not through our ears but may I say through our souls tuning in. The new science of axiological psychology has very recently been announced. That means psychology based on value theory. It’s diagnostic instrument, the Hartman Value Profile, tells a most amazing story. Without determinism, living organisms choose their acts based on value processes. There are three kinds of values. We have discussed these in previous articles. They are • Intrinsic, primary knowing • Extrinsic, conceptual, abstracted from experience • Systemic, relational, mentally created order Unfortunately the value profile shows that many folks don’t “listen” well. With the prevalence of force they hardly ever had a chance. To know what could be and to know what is in today’s world is heartbreaking. Is anyone really free to create his or her own life? While participating in a Health Fair, Skye asked
people if they thought they were healthy. If they said yes, she asked them to what they attributed their health. Without exception their response was that they had always followed their own interests. Part of the Hartman profile shows how people value themselves: • Intrinsically, how much they value their own unique being, unconditional love in primary knowing • Extrinsically, how much they value what they are contributing to the world. • Systemically, how much they value the theory they have created for who they should be. In the U.S. culture, the typical response I have seen shows the intrinsic valuation is rejected while their systemic is over valued as a means of compensation for the rejection of the intrinsic. They are driven to achieve while seeing their unique identity as irrelevant. No matter what they achieve they will find difficulty in finding meaning. For example note in the financial industry where it is typical for successful young 35-yearolds to retire with lots of money (systemic) only to seek out philanthropy (intrinsic) to find meaning. Regarding values in the world, it is not uncommon to see the intrinsic (life) rejected while compensated by the extrinsic (practical) and systemic (thought forms). This is a troubling situation. There is, in life, a natural value hierarchy. Coherence laws of life require life to take priority. Unfortunately, the hierarchy has become inverted leaving life out of the picture. Words cannot describe intrinsic value. As I told Skye, “If I could tell you why I love you it wouldn’t be love.” To speak of my love I would have to go to poetry and metaphor. To act in concert with my intrinsic feeling, I would choose to be there for her through any context or situation, the same as she would do for me. Unfortunately it seems people today mistake reality for what can be said or thought about as words in the mind. When ideas in the mind trump everything and we wind up in violence and mass killing, as in war; we have gone terribly wrong. We are committing crimes against others, all life, and ourselves. In today’s conditions, both in our environmental life support and our possession of weapons from Hell, we are likely to terminate all life. Well, you might ask, what are we to do when
Continued on Page 38
25
t he 2 1 st c e ntu ry b oh em i a n
Mayhem, Money & Mirth at Maine Literary Festival by Teresa Piccari
I
t was a seriously stormy night that kept threatening to go dark inside Elan Gallery in Rockport and after much flickering of lights, compliments of Hurricane Noel, finally did. A battery operated tape recorder saved this writer’s chance to interview Joe Hill, the pen name of bestselling author, Joe King, who hails from Maine’s royal writing family – the Kings, as in Stephen and Tabitha. Joe and his brother and fellow writer Owen King were in town participating in the 2007 Maine Literary Festival, held in early November at the Camden Opera House and other local venues. The festival, in its second year, is a scholarship project of the Midcoast branch of the American Association of University Women, helping to send Maine residents to college.
There was something different about Hill’s ability to "tell" a story from a stage as opposed to the more likely scenario writers are used to, of writing a story from the page, which stood out. Pressed about it, he offered, “When I’m on stage I worry about being someone who is droning away. I try to find that good voice to hold people’s attention. It sounds very Victorian but when I was a kid it was very normal for us to all sit together and pass a book around and read together. Around the dinner table our conversation was literary conversation. We argued about books. What we believed about characters. And in some ways, we’re still having it,” he added, although his family members don’t often get to all be together at the same time. Earlier this year, King’s first novel, The Heart-Shaped Box, was on the best-seller list for seven weeks. Despite his lineage, King was not an overnight success. “I wrote for ten years as Joe Hill when people didn’t know me. I had a long time of getting books rejected, getting short stories rejected. “I had a lot of time in private, away from public scrutiny, to craft my voice. The best thing about it was my mistakes were made in private. You know, people didn’t get to say, did you read that stupid story that was written by Steve King’s son? If I wrote a really bad story it just never got published.”
Regarding the handling of rejection, King commented, “It’s kind of a Harry Truman thing. If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen. Rejection is definitely part of the process. Time can be a writer’s best friend. It’s always through the process of rejection and gradually, acceptance that you learn what works and you learn your craft.” Another writer and festival participant Gary Goshgarian, a professor at Northeastern University and author of six thrillers, said his publisher suggested a pen name. “We want you to change your name to fool the bookstore,” he recalled them urging him, in an effort to get stores to order more books than the previous numbers his preceding book had sold. He has sold three of his six titles under the name Gary Braver, which, he remarked, is a translation of a family name.
Writing Tips from a King Asked to share some writing tips for a creative writing class in process, the amiable and generous King offered: “I would say don’t tell yourself you’re going to write a story because that’s too frightening. Tell yourself you’re going to write a scene.” And what would the key ingredients in a scene include? “I think a great way to start is a scene is action. And dialogue, which is another kind of action. Action and dialogue. A scene can be almost play-like. There almost doesn’t need to be any description. There just needs to be a couple characters. I think a great exercise is to write a scene where one person wants something and the other person isn’t going to give it. And they talk about it. Because contention is exciting. Two people agreeing with each other, that’s not interesting. That contention, that back and forth works. If you’re on a bus and you hear two people bickering, you listen in. You can’t help it,” he said, getting caught up the scenario. “Another thing is, if you must write a story instead of a scene, if you feel like you want to write something complete. One great first story to try is the list story. The most famous list story is The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. Writing about soldiers in Vietnam he tells you what each of them has in their (back) pack: lucky rabbit’s foot, photo of their girlfriend... And gradually through finding out what these soldiers are carrying, you find out who they are.
• Dowsing • Energetic evaluation of a home or property • Space Clearing • Special attention to sleeping problems • Products that neutralize the effects of Geopathic stress and electro-magnetic fields of cellphones & computers
• 20 yrs experience in health, engineering and energetic medicine.
(207) 772-7888 • www.InstituteofFengShui.com
“Everyone can write a list story. A kid in high school can write about the cars their dad has owned. You know, the truck with the snowplow on the front. The Datsun. Gradually, over the course of a few hundred words, a portrait is painted. Not of some cars but of the man who owned them,” King explains.
A Writing Muse Does King have a writing muse? “Well there’s my wife
because if she doesn’t like it, it never goes anywhere. She is not a writer, he says, but “a great first reader." “Another muse would be who I was when I was ten years old in 1982. It’s very important to make that kid happy. If he’s not happy with what he’s seeing than I’m not happy with what I’m writing,” King observed. As for his writing habits, he said he writes every day for six hours and in the evenings he reads fiction by other writers. King said he knows many writers avoid reading while they are in the process of writing but not him. “I think other writer’s fiction is the whetstone you sharpen your blade against. If you’re not reading you’re gonna get dull. Somehow you have to steel yourself to resist being tainted by the voice of the great book you are reading. You have to try to remain yourself but still you need to hear those other voices. You don’t want to plug your ears to them or you’ll miss an important opportunity to learn,” he concluded.
Just Do It. Like so many journeys in life, writing a book is an interior one that we must travel on our own. And no two journeys are the same. During the course of the three-day festival, listening to both individual and group presentations from the nearly twenty participating writers, this thought crystallized. How did they find their writing voice? How do you keep writing in the face of rejection? Where do their story ideas come from? How do they create characters? What comes first, the beginning or the end of a story and which do they think is more important? The answers to these and myriad other questions that were posed and addressed, were as different as each author who appeared. A non-pattern emerged. Each author walked a different path, learning how to be a writer, by writing. By sitting down and doing the work. No smoke and mirrors, not so much divine inspiration as putting pen to paper. No big mystery. The words create the mystery. The words are everything. During the panel discussion on New Voices in Contemporary Fiction, Christina Baker Kline said she gave herself the task of learning how to write a novel, as she was writing her second novel, Sweet Water. The only thing they all seemed to have in common is that they did the work and learned how to be a writer by being a writer.
Agents, Publishers and Authors During a panel discussion of mystery writers entitled "Did the Butler Do It?” moderator Tess Gerritsen, whose latest title is The Bone Garden asked the participants who is in charge: the agents, the publisher or them? Matthew Pearl recalled arguing a manuscript point with his first editor, who said he would give into Pearl's suggestion but noted “This is going to be in your obituary, not mine.” It is a different era for writers, as agents are more and more taking on the role that editors used to perform, it was noted. But for each author, the relationships between agents, editors and publishers varied. Writer Gary Goshgarian said he would welcome more control over the marketing of his work. “Sometimes, a lot gets lost, between the editor’s tower and the marketing
Continued on Page 38 Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 25
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Hill, along with several of the festival’s participating writers, had just taken part in a festival challenge: to expand upon the following sentence. “In the midst of chaos, she took the wallet and disappeared into the laughing crowd.”
He had a long time, he recalled, to daydream about what it might be like to have success as a writer and once it came, it far exceeded his daydreams, he said.
26
m ix ed m e dia Book Review by Scott Cr owenenweth Zen Yoga: A Path to Enlightenment through Breathing, Movement and Meditation. By Aaron Hoopes Kodansha International ISBN: 978-4-7700-3047-4 www.kodansha-intl.com Zen Yoga is a holistic practice for the mind, body and spirit developed by Aaron Hoopes, founder and sensei of Zen Yoga (http://www.artofzenyoga.com/). In his book, Zen Yoga Aaron introduces and teaches this simple yet profound yoga, meditation and movement program through words and illustrations.
MIXED M E D IA Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
BOOKS WEB SITES MUS IC
DV D s S I E O V M AND F OO D
REVIEWS and more
26 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
Zen Yoga blends breathing, moving, stretching and relaxation exercises to combine the mindful serenity of Zen meditation, the fluid, low-impact movements of Tai Chi, the energizing breathwork of Qigong and the gentle stretching exercises of Shanti Yoga. The program is accessible to all of us, regardless of our physical condition and prior experience with yoga, martial arts or other practices. Hoopes conceived Zen Yoga not as yet another exercise program, but as a comprehensive, holistic and up-to-date way to enhance all aspects of the human experience by supporting physical health and fitness, emotional balance, and a more peaceful mindstream. Zen Yoga’s benefits include reduced stress, greater relaxation, a higher level of energy for daily activities, enhanced muscle tone and improved athletic performance. It is a testament to the elegant coherence of the Zen Yoga program that it flows smoothly into a how-to-book format. The Zen Yoga book features plenty of clear, easy-to-interpret illustrations combined with engaging, highly readable prose—not surprising given the wealth of personal experience Hoopes has with teaching his program. It’s intuitively organized into three parts, each of which is divided into short chapters. Part 1 (Mind) presents an overview of relevant ideas about yoga, meditation, the Tao, and the human energy system, as well as introducing Zen Yoga. Part 2 (Body) describes and illustrates the practice itself. Part 3 (Mind) explores ways to directly experience and deepen your relationship with your chi and chakras, how to cultivate mindfulness, and a great deal more. Hoopes also provides thoughtful advice for adapting and expanding the pace and level of the Zen Yoga practice in whatever way is most beneficial for you personally, as well as suggestions for integrating Zen Yoga with other practices you may be working with. All in all, Zen Yoga provides a highly accessible, engaging and practical approach to improving the health, flexibility and openness of our bodies, minds and spirits. If you like the idea of an integrated movement/meditation practice that is gentle yet powerful, will be helpful right away, doesn’t require years of training, and can be integrated with a busy schedule, Zen Yoga is well worth checking out. You can purchase Zen Yoga at Amazon.com (http://www. amazon.com/Zen-Yoga-Enlightenment-Breathing-Meditation/ dp/4770030479/ref=pd_bxgy_d_text_b) and elsewhere online.
Scott Cronenweth is a freelance Shamanic Buddhist Naturalist Bird Guide Personal Dog Servant writer in idyllic South Portland, Maine. Connect with Scott at skyhorse@maine.rr.com or visit www.naturalpathwalks.com.
To become part of the Inner Tapestry Community as an advertiser, distributor, contributing writer or artist call 207-799-7995 or visit www.innertapestry.org
Book Review by K aren Rider The Treasure by Michele Gentile ISBN: 10 1419674161 Publisher: BookSurge Publishing The Treasure is a simple, profound and artfully crafted rendition of an ancient Sioux legend that tells of a special gift given to humans from the Creator. According to the legend, the Creator approached each animal with a task: "I want to hide a secret from the humans until they are ready for it." The animals, including bear, dolphin, llama and seal (among others) each have an idea about where to hide the secret, but none of them has just the right place for the Creator's special gift. Not until the very wise, but also blind, Grandmother Mole offers her suggestion. Grandmother mole sees with "spiritual eyes" that show the best place to hide the Creator's secret. Read this inspirational story to find out what the secret is, where it is hidden and what the treasure is. The author, Michele Gentile, had no formal art training prior to illustrating and writing The Treasure. Yet, it became her driving passion to bring the Sioux legend to full-color life. In a little over four years, Michele learned how to illustrate and paint each of the striking animal characters in the book with the aptitude of a seasoned artist. (That alone is inspiring!) The essence of each creature is magnificently captured in the details of each image. Children will be delighted with the striking illustrations and the tale woven through the dialogue between the Creator and the animals. Parents and grandparents will be inspired to teach their children, and to remind themselves, where the greatest treasure of all is hidden. The Treasure is a wonderful gift to share on most any occasion, or none at all. It provides the opportunity to share elder wisdom between generations or among friends. To learn more about Michele Gentile and how to order this delightfully engaging title go to http://www.thetreasure.mobi/
DVD Review
by Joan Emmons The Movie: You Can Heal Your Life Starring: Louise L. Hay Featuring: Christiane Northrup www.youcanhealyourlifemovie.com
I have just seen the screening of The Movie: You Can Heal Your Life. I do have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The talented Director, Michael Goorjian has once again captured the process of life as he did in Illusion. This story is reminiscent of One the Movie with a story woven into interviews with some of the most grounded, spiritually minded people of our time. The film features Greg Braden, Christiane Northrup (who will be appearing at the beginning of February in Freeport), Ester Hicks, and others. Like One the Movie and The Secret this movie also has its own message, one that I feel takes us past The Secret and gives most of us what we have been looking for. It is about the single thing that creates dis-ease in our life and actually lets us connect to people who have found their way into it and to their own "silver lining." Michael and Louise have collaborated in not only the sharing of Louise's story, but the stories of the other contributors and the story of what most of the human race is afflicted with. The message is simple, the reminders profound. The portrayal of our life's awakening process is done in a loving and gentle way, giving everyone a safe space to explore a sometimes scary process. You can catch the next showing at Leapin' Lizards February 2nd or buy one of the movie packages at www.youcanhealyourlifemovie.com. Movie screenings and purchases go to support Hay House.
27 Book Review b y J a me s Be an Encyclopedia of Saints of India, Volume 25 By: Sant Dadu Daya Edited By: S>R> Bakshi and S. Mittra Criterion Publications, New Delhi, India http://www.NatarajBooks.com I know of a thousand “Rumis” of the East. Countless are the poets and lovers of the Beloved. Rumi is just the “tip of the iceberg.” Dadu is one of my all-time favorite classic mystics of India. He was a great poet and guru from Rajasthan. Anyone who studies his teachings will encounter a very genuine version of Hindu mysticism. Translations of Dadu bhajans are quite rare in English. Volume 25 in the glorious Encyclopedia of Saints Series represents the most complete collection of the works of Sant Dadu Dayal in English to date. It is published by Criterion of New Delhi (distributed by Deep & Deep Publications). Nataraj Books in Virgina is one source where this volume can be ordered from in North America. (See link above.)
Background on Dadu Sant Dadu Dayal was a Saint from Rajasthan. "Dadu" means brother and "Dayal" can be translated as “the Compassionate One.” He lived in the second half of the sixteenth century (1544-1603). His songs are in a Hindi dialect known as Braj Bhasa, being a mixture of Hindi and Rajasthani. Like the earlier Saint Kabir, Dadu came from one of the many low artisan castes that had converted to Islam. He lived in the Jaipur region of Rajasthan, most probably as a pinjari, a cotton carder. He married and had a family of two sons and two daughters.
Positi ve Ta l k R a d i o R e vi e w by J a m e s B ean
The Positive Radio Network http://www.HealthyLife.Net In a crazy, stressed-out, over-caffeinated world of broadcasting where all too often creativity is stifled and actually sometimes even punished, there is a unique commercial radio network called HealthyLife.Net with impressive demographics, generating web-traffic, streaming audio and much enthusiasm these days, featuring programming with a positive vision for the world – the way radio should be and can be. Launched September 1st, 2002, HealthyLife.Net – The Positive Radio Network, was founded by Linda Mackenzie. HealthyLifeNet is a 24-hour-a-day-holistic network based in Manhattan Beach, California featuring all-positive and healthy talk shows by a variety of hosts including: Guy Finley, Dr. Bernie Siegel, Jean Houston, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Jonathan Goldman, and programs on: spirituality (including ‘Spiritual Awakening Radio’), holistic health, wellness, sports, fitness, diet, yoga, peace, the environment, ecology self-empowerment, inspiration, motivation, relationships, family/children’s/women and men ‘s issues, psychology, new thought, awareness, meditation, tea, mindfulness in the present moment, news, music, recorded lectures, and numerous call-in shows featuring well-known guests and authors. The advent of Healthy Life Net in a very real sense represents a turning point in broadcasting, and you could say, the “legalization,” so to speak in our mediaculture, of spirituality as a subject worthy of coverage and discussion on the airwaves in a serious sort of way. For many, HealthyLife. Net is the fulfillment of a vision for a more meaningful, constructive right-use of broadcasting, a yearning
Results of True Love – The Vision of the Beloved One sits fearlessly by repeating God’s Name; the Negative Power can never consume him. When thou ridest the elephant, 0 Dadu, then dogs bark in vain. When love and devotion arise; one is firmly established in blissful meditation. With the grace of the Master, he then drinks the divine Nectar, 0 Dadu. By being dedicated to the Lord, millions of obstacles are removed. A tiny spark the size of a mustard seed burns a huge amount of wood, 0 Dadu. Impurities and blemishes of the mind are burnt up in the fire of separation. The separated lover will now see the vision of the Beloved, 0 Dadu. An Outer Guru that is not an Inner Guru, not a Qualified Teacher The whole world makes an outer display, whereas the practice of the Saint is within. This is the difference between the two; hence no accord is found between them. A new pot taken from the potter’s furnace may be decorated with many pictures outside; But of what use will it be to thee, 0 Dadu, without any contents? Such are the ones who make outer display of religiosity. From one who bears no outer religious symbols, but has unfathomable riches within, Receive the wealth and keep it within thy heart, 0 Dadu, and be obedient to such a Saint. There is a great difference between a Saint and a mimic, the two are as far apart as earth and sky. The Saint is absorbed in God, whereas the mimic pins his hopes on the world. The One alone dwells within my heart, Day and night I repeat His Name. The Name of God alone is true, keep that within thy heart. Forsake all hypocrisies and cumbrous practices, this is the teaching of all Saints, 0 Dadu. by many for a very long time, filling a real void in our media wasteland... that missing holistic channel we’ve been searching for. We have scores of other kinds of radio and media – why not a channel for spirituality and well-being! From the Mission Statement of HealthyLife.Net “To utilize radio to encourage a positive world community towards positive thought and action, elimination of fear and the concept that we are all one here for the greater good of all." “WHO & WHY WE ARE: CHSR HealthyLife.net – The Positive Radio Network is dedicated to enhancing Positive Health & Spirit! Everyone can use a little more positive energy in their lives and we believe POSITIVE programming helps point the way to a healthier, happier life and a better planet. Most media outlets provide fear-based, sensationalized programs that constantly assault us (consciously and subconsciously) with negativity... To our best ability we promise... ALL POSITIVE PROGRAMMING that can help your life, make you feel good and encourages our world to be a more positive place."
How To Hear Healthy Life Net Or Other Web Radio Stations Online. How can you hear HealthyLife.Net? At www.HealthyLife.Net click the blue “LISTEN LIVE” button, which should automatically activate your Windows Media Player or current Default Player that plays. asx files and you will hear the live audio stream. If you don’t have the Windows Media Player, I find the Winamp Player works really well (PC or Mac) for listening to online radio with your computer. Just make sure you check-mark ASX, so it will play those. In the Winamp Player, go to: “Options,” “Preferences,” “File Types,” then look for “ASX.” The Winamp Player is a Free Download from: http://www.Winamp.com/Player .
James Bean reviews books and music for the Wisdom Radio Network and other stations via a syndicated radio program called Spiritual Awakening. Address questions or comments to: P O Box 7, Newport, ME 04953, or Email: james@spiritualawakeningradio.com.
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 27
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Dadu gathered around himself a group of followers, which became known as the Dadu-panth. This organization has continued in Rajasthan to the present day, and has been a major source of early manuscripts containing songs by the North Indian Saints (the Panch Vani). He himself did not write down any of his compositions. These were recorded by his disciple Rajjab. Another disciple, Jana Gopal, wrote the earliest biography. A translation of the Janma Lila by Jana Gopal is also included in this book. Dadu clearly experienced the bliss of Sahaja and alluded to it in his songs. Surviving songs do not record the name of Dadu’s guru. Certainly much of the imagery used in his songs is similar to that used by Kabir, and similar also to that used by the earlier Sahajiya Buddhists and Nath Yogis.
Some Samples of Mystic Verses of Dadu Dayal, a Lover of the Beloved.
28
INNER TAPESTRY's
Directory of Resources Holistic Practitioners, Products and Resources Each category contains practitioners from various states. co u n s e l in g & t h e rapy Maine
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
I am a clinical counselor and practitioner of Somatic Experiencing© with a private psychotherapy practice in Portland, Maine. My work integrates traditional talk therapy, somatic therapy and mindfulness in work with individual clients. The emphasis is on helping people learn to access the innate healing ability of the human body. The end goal is to heal trauma, stress, compulsions Douglas Smith and other challenges in order to enjoy an open, embodied flow of experience. I also teach workshops in somatics and sensory awareness for clinicians and others interested in mind-body integration. Most insurance accepted. For an appointment or more information please call, email or visit me on the web at www.mindmeetsbody.com. Douglas Smith, LCPC, SEP. 205 Ocean Avenue, Portland, ME 04103, (207) 773-7993 x19. smith@mindmeetsbody.com
Counseling & Therapy .......................................... page 28 Creative Healing Arts ..................................... pages 28-29 Evolutionary Consciousness ................................. page 29 Holistic Healing Centers ....................................... page 29 Hypnotherapy .................................................... pages 29 & 30 Integrative Healing ........................................ pages 30-31 Life Mastery ............................................................. page 31 Living Spaces ......................................................... page 32 Meditation ............................................................. page 32 Nurturing Foods ................................................... page 32 Psychic & Spiritual Mediumship .......................... page 32 Reflexology & Healing Massage ......................... page 32 Retreats ................................................................ page 33 Sacred Space ...................................................... page 33 Salons & Spas ...................................................... page 33 Schools & Trainings ................................................ page 33 Shamanic Healing ................................................ page 34
creative healing arts Connecticut Zen Yoga is a journey of spiritual deepening that begins with the breath. Zen Yoga begins
with 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 yoga, tai chi and qigong, Zen Yoga is like nothing you have tried before. Prepare to feel wonderful! Our instructors create programs specifically designed to meet the needs of your group. We are available to teach workshops and stress relief programs throughout New England. We hold special retreats in the mountains of Vermont in September. Our Online Correspondence Course is a 12-week email program that provides tools to assist you on your journey of self-discovery. For more information: Phone: (860) 805-6551, Email: breathe@artofzenyoga.com, Website: www.artofzenyoga.com.
Maine Psychotherapy with a conscious intention, can help us shift our focus from seeing life’s challenges as problems, to opportunities for spiritual growth. Exploring the dynamics of our
relationships can help us understand ourselves better, increase our capacity for intimacy and co-create fuller, more balanced lives. Mindful relationships, in this way, become spiritual life LCSW, LADC alchemy, transforming old wounds into inner gold. Together, we create a sacred space to find your inner wisdom where you can honor the truth of your authentic self. I specialize in group therapy for both men and women, as well as individual and couples work, for Spiritually–psychologically–oriented adults. A free monthly electronic wellness newsletter, "The Heart of The Matter," can be found by visiting www.davidwardlcsw.com. For more information call (207) 846-3422, or,
David Ward
e-mail david@davidwardlcsw.com, 261 Main Street, Yarmouth, ME, 04096.
DEBORAH VALLANCE, APRN, CS
I offer holistic counseling and psychotherapy to individuals and couples in my Bangor office and by phone. I have over 30 years’ experience in the health
profession, as well as in integrative therapies. I am licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and certified as a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist. My counseling approach addresses all aspects of oneself and relationships, including, spiritual, mental/emotional and physical. Trauma healing has been a strong interest. I offer years of training in traditional and medical approaches, as well as extensive studies in natural methods including nutritional/herbal, energetic and body-mind approaches, and spiritual/metaphysical studies. I may utilize my knowledge of astrology or dreams, or flower essences in my work, if appropriate. I accept most insurances for psychotherapy. Please call me for more information at (207) 942-6996 or (207) 942-2090.
28 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
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.
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 the website at www.surrymusictherapy.com for seminar and conference information.
29 creative healing arts–cont.
holistic healing centers-cont.
Gardens of Atlantis Healing Arts Center
Movement as Healer
Gail Edgerly, RN, CTP
Movement as Healer is rooted in the premise that movement is the expression of life, and movement on all levels is fundamental to health.
Cabin fever is setting in and it's time to get out of the house! Bundle up! We'll have
the hot chocolate ready and the fireplace going! We have lots of fun things to do this winter. Georgi Nelson ~ DNA Healing and Qi Gong, Pam Loffredo ~ Reiki Practitioner training, Akashic Records Workshop and Tarot Readings, Jeanette Lakari ~ Yoga, Tina Both ~ Beginners Intuitive Tarot, Maggie Carle ~ ArtSprits, Brenda Colfer ~ Quantum Touch Workshop, Barbara Erkson ~ Mindful Meditation & Evening Yoga, Claudia Moore ~ Transformational Healing, Massage & Spa Therapies with Linda Stilphen, plus Special Guest Michael Red Sky. Spring will arrive before we know it. Let's start some seeds of learning inside and be ready to grow in warmer weather!
When we experience the possibilities of our own unique and authentic movement, we release into freer movement, deepening our awareness, sense of connection, and state of well-being. The offerings of Movement as Healer are specific and collaborative. The Trager® Approach to movement involves a one-on-one practitioner/client relationship using touch and rhythm to assist in the experience of fluid, free and pleasurable movement. The 5Rhythms™ Movement Practice (developed by Gabrielle Roth) is an improvisational and expressive exploration of our uniquely personal movement following a map of rhythms inherent in every body and in everyday life. Sessions can be one-onone, with a couple or in a class/workshop setting. The 5Rhythms™ can also be used in collaboration with the work of other teachers and facilitators, to expand and support the embodiment of the program's intention. I offer private sessions and classes in Portland and Kennebunk. FMI call (207) 761-3765
Route 35 – Dayton, ME 04005, (207) 929-5088, www.gardensofatlantis.org.
hypnotherapy
or visit www.movementashealer.com. For further information: www.gabrielleroth.com and www.Trager.com.
Maine
evolutionary consciousness
ELISSAGARDE-JOIA
Maine
Harness the power of the mind-body connection. As a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, I have the tools
The Autognomics Institute since 1992 Norm and Skye Hirst co-founders TAI provides basic Research, Consulting and Education on the emerging new paradigm of living processes and the organizing principles within the energy of life-itself. Using a
"wholistic" perspective for social and individual change, TAI offers in-depth examination of old problems with new possibilities as we draw on emerging discoveries about how the energy of life-itself works. Bring your inquiry and find effective action for yourself or your organization. Call for consultation to
Garde-Joia at 207-338-1669, egardejoia1@verizon.net. Home visits available.
explore how we can help you during this consciousness shift. www.autognomics.blogspot.com or call (207) 236-6331.
holistic healing centers
Hypno-Health ~ Hugh Sadlier, M.Ed., C.H.
M a i ne
As a practicing certified Hypnotherapist since 1991 in Blue Hill and Portland, I have helped hundreds of people improve their lives. Together we have resolved over 120
different issues, ranging from abuse, anxiety, dejection and insomnia to smoking, sports performance, sexual dysfunction, weight concerns—and much more. As I guide people, they bring forward from their subconscious mind an awareness and understanding of “the roots of their problem.” They are then empowered to disconnect those roots and create a new, positive thought pattern, which becomes their permanent reality through repetition. I feel Hypnotherapy is a comfortable, gentle, genuine and powerful way to learn the techniques to heal one’s self. Hypnotherapy could be the answer for you. Call (207) 374-2344 (Blue Hill) or (207) 773-5200
Meadow Wind Center for Holistic Arts is a beautiful place for people to gather, to learn, to teach and to be a part of a community interested in conscious living. We offer the
individual services of a holistic center through our community of practitioners, as well as a wide spectrum of wonderful workshops and classes. The practitioners at Meadow Wind offer services from massage, polarity, spiritual healing and life coaching to art, yoga, hair, skin & beauty. To contact any of our practitioners call Meadow Wind or go to www.meadowwind.org for a list of practitioners and their personal contact information. We have a beautiful workshop/class space available to teachers who want to share what they have with others. To explore teaching at
(Portland), sadlier@hypno-health.net, www.hypno-health.net.
Meadow Wind contact Andrea Ferrante at (207) 878-3899. Our workshops and classes are also listed on our website, www.meadowwind.org. We are conveniently located at 100 Gray Rd., Falmouth, ME.
D i r ector y o f R e s o u r c e 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 $100 plus an Initial set-up fee $20 For an online listing with an active link to your website. Call 207-799-7995 or email: info@innertapestry.org
e
TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT'S NEW!
e
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 29
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
and skills you need. Hypnotherapy eliminates fear and stress and creates a blueprint for health and healing that your mind can read and follow. Medical experts acknowledge that Hypnotherapy complements all medical procedures, maximizing their effectiveness and minimizing negative side effects. Pre/post surgical patients experience reduced anxiety, blood loss, and anesthesia need, and rapid healing. Hypnotherapy is extremely effective in treating many physical challenges such as chronic pain and disorders of the stomach and digestive system. Hypnosis for Childbirth removes the fear and pain of childbirth. Hypnotherapy played a major role in my own successful battle with breast cancer. After 16 years of private practice in New York, I am now privileged to serve my neighbors here in Mid-coast Maine. Please take advantage of a FREE phone consultation to discuss your questions and concerns. Contact: Elissa
30 hypnotherapy–cont. HypnoWave Hypnosis Training Cener
integrative healing–cont.
Ron & Joan
...a pathway to you!
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, CD's 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, CDs and DVDs for your business. Call: (207) 453-6133, www.hypnotraining.us. Private consulting and other trainings available.
integrative healing Connectic ut
Belanger Physical Therapy A neck or back doesn't walk into the office, a whole person does and all their history as well.
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
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.
Beyond the logic and labels of healing modalities lives the heart-work that each of us is innately drawn to experience, to feel and to express the core truth of who we are. Within that ever-changing, ever-expanding
field of love and acceptance is where we play. This is a journey of limitlessness; every step is the possibility of change, growth and healing. You decide the next step, it’s your journey, your choice. Our choice is to support you within and through those choices as we are guided, and to help you explore ideas, options and possibilities. We offer individual, couple, family and phone sessions, playshops and gatherings to support you on your journey. As WE change so does OUR world. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. (207) 799-7998, www.ronandjoan.com, info@ronandjoan.com. Raymond, ME.
Janet Gleeson
Energy Therapy, EFT-ADV & TAT EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is one of the most powerful tools for regaining emotional and physical health. Simply stated, EFT is psychological acupressure. By
tapping key acupressure points located on the face and torso while tuning into the problem, unresolved negative emotions, traumas and beliefs are gently and easily released, causing the mind and body to relax into a natural healing state of well-being. Research now proves that our unresolved negative emotions are major contributors to most physical pain and disease. EFT is a simple, inexpensive and clinically proven healing technique that usually works, often when nothing else does. Even if you have doubts, EFT can still change your life. I work on all issues, but specialize in releasing anger, fear, stress, anxiety, PTSD, phobias, grief, guilt and traumatic memories. Call Janet at 207-236-0269, or email janetgleeson@verizon.net. Camden, ME.
Marlborough, CT (860) 295-0572, or e-mail Joe at joeb.pt@snet.net.
Maine
Roberta Barnes Reiki Shihan & Herbalist “Everyone is born with the right to be healthy and live with happiness, and the path of Reiki helps to fulfill that right.” -- Roberta Barnes, CHT, Gendai Reiki-ho
& Komyo Reiki Shihan (teacher), and Herbalist. Roberta's teaching and healing space, is nestled in a wildlife habitat, is the perfect environment in which to receive a safe healing experience. Encased in harmonizing relaxation, begin your journey to return to your natural state of well-being by... learning Japanese styles of Usui Reiki Ryoho > experience one or more healing sessions > scheduling a personalized herb report > journeying into your past for healing or discovery > learn meditation you can do any place/any time > learning to connect with nature. Roberta's Usui Reiki Ryoho lineage has only three Reiki Shihans between Mikao Usui, the founder, and her. Visit http://www.naturalhealinglearning.com or call today (207) 445-5671.
Marie Laverriere-Boucher, DMin,
MSW, MA
Our lives are so full of busy-ness that we sometimes find ourselves out of balance and in need of healing of mind, body and soul. I invite you to come and experience
the deep soothing effects of a variety of healing modalities that are offered at the Center. I offer hands-on energy healing, energy psychology, spiritual guidance and help in creating a sustainable spiritual practice. I would consider it a privilege to work with you. For more information or
an appointment call (207) 590-3884 or (207) 282-9722. For information and Reiki training schedule see web site www.marielb.net. The center is located at 69 Foss Street, Biddeford, Maine. Hours by appointment. Visa/MasterCard accepted.
Dr. Adi Philpott
Osteopathic P hysician Acupuncture Practitioner, Certified Hypnotherapist, EF T-Adv For those seeking gentle, safe, alternative methods to improve health and performance Dr. Philpott offers a multidisciplinary approach. Used
alone or in combination, osteopathy, auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture), hypnotherapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), and Quantum Touch Technique® modalities are highly effective in treating medical conditions and physical/emotional concerns. These treatments offer excellent results in areas such as pain, stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, phobias, weight loss, and smoking cessation. Dr. Philpott also offers assistance to athletes, performing artists, public speakers and others seeking to excel in achieving their personal performance goals. Free initial consultation. For more 30 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
information or an appointment call (207) 846-0728. Conveniently located at 26 School Street in Yarmouth, ME. www.DrPhilpott.com.
31 integrative healing–cont. Are you where you want to be? Are you ready to clear
patterns, beliefs & behaviors without emotional drama? Are you clear about who you are at your core? Are you ready to live from that Jill Leigh place? Once we understand that our physical experiences are the manifestation of what’s activated in our energy field, we can become creative, rapid change agents! Jill Leigh uses her clairvoyant abilities to view clients’ patterns, beliefs, and energetic constructs that inform their life experience. Clients receive tools, skills and hands-on clearing support to release, refine & reframe their energy field (chakras & auras). Shifting your energy will evolve your life. (207) 247.2442, www.transformativeenergetics.com.
FERN DYER - Reiki Master/IET Practitioner HEALING SESSIONS WITH FERN
these days call (207) 657-5609.
SpiritWings CompassionateHealing
Kevin Pennell, Usui and Karuna® Reiki Master Teacher/Certified Hypnotherapist/Shamanic Practitioner and Vickie Cummings, Licensed and Nationally Certified Massage Therapist/Cranio Sacral Therapist/
Usui & Karuna® Reiki Practitioner: Massage – Including Therapeutic Massage
– Seated Massage – Couples Massage and Outcalls available, Craniosacral Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Reiki, Past Life Regression, Shamanic Healing and Readings. We consult with each client to identify the appropriate modalities to achieve self-healing and overall well-being. We offer Reiki and Karuna® Reiki Classes plus other workshops to guide you on your spiritual journey. Visit SpiritWings for a cross-cultural variety of enchanting gifts, supplies and accessories to aid your spiritual journey, including an exquisite selection of healing crystals and quartz crystal singing bowls. SpiritWings is conveniently located at 14 Main Street in Bethel, Maine. Sessions by appointment. Store hours Tuesday through Saturday 10 - 5. Telephone (207) 824-2204 or visit us on the web at www.SpiritWingsBethel.com. Credit Cards accepted.
Kim Egberts Holistic & Cranial Sacral Therapist Transforming the stress in your life.
Professionally trained for the last ten years by the Upledger Institute. Work has included advanced
study in CranioSacral therapy including pediatrics and Somato-Emotional Release. Related course work has included advanced brain work. Offering Craniosacral Therapy, Lymph Drainage, and Neurological reorganization with intuitive healing and therapy from the heart. Integrative use of various techniques assists with a wide range of conditions, including: Migraines and headaches, chronic neck and back pain, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, learning disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, central nervous system disorders, infantile disorders, feeding disorders and anxiety. For more information or for an appointment, please call 207-653-8263. Yarmouth ME.
In an easy and relaxed manner, In a healthy and positive way
...Catherine Ponder
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.
Jasmina J Agrillo, Licensed HeartMath® Provider ENGAGE THE POWER OF YOUR HEART... Special Coaching Sessions with Licensed HeartMath® Provider, Jasmina J. Agrillo; learn the HeartMath System: Practical & Easy-to-Use Tools & Technology for Heart Intelligent Living in the 21st Century.
Research and case studies are showing many folks the world over are able to transform stress upon impact, improve health & spiritual well-being, relieve depression & anxiety, improve heart rate & brain function, enhance intuition & performance, experience more appreciation, joy, and peace in the moment for yourself and your relationships. “I bring to my coaching practice a love and dedication to help empower the hearts of others for transformation, healing of the body-mind, and positive, practical change in one’s life. After experiencing the success that the HeartMath System played in my own healing as a brain tumor survivor, I now dedicate my life’s purpose to helping others apply these tools of the Heart in their own life-journeys.” To schedule a free initial consultation, call: (207) 856-6042 § email: jagrillo@hotmail.com § visit www.heartfulliving.org § (HeartMath is a registered trademark of the Institute of HeartMath.)
TAROTWORKS Jeanne Fiorini The Tarot is an ancient system of symbols with relevant application to our everyday lives. A Tarot reading can
be an avenue by which to have an authentic conversation about your life, your goals, your heartfelt desires and how to achieve them. The study of Tarot is an unending path of deepened understanding of the life process, the movement of the spirit within the physical plane, and the larger patterns of universal development. A Tarot group can be a place of self-understanding, renewed perspectives, and support within community. TarotWorks offers numerous ways to experience the wisdom and beauty of this ancient system, through individual and group readings, classes from beginner's level to "Readers in Training," ongoing monthly groups and special events. TarotWorks also offers unique, made-in-Maine Tarot goods! For more information on readings, classes, Tarot goods and the Tarot Circle newsletter, check out the website www.tarotworks.com or call Jeanne at 207-799-8648.
Back to the Source Life Design
Ronda Alley, Certified Life Coach “Go confidently in the directions of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imaged!” This quote by Henry David
Thoreau provides the foundation for our work together. I firmly believe that each person brings a unique set of strengths and gifts into the world and that these gifts can lead us in the direction of our dreams. During our sessions I offer time for focused reflection, support and encouragement as you define and clarify your true desires, and an atmosphere that facilitates the exploration and identification of your gifts. I help you: stay motivated, identify any obstacles that may be blocking progress, and discover the potential for achieving your goals. To schedule a free sample telephone coaching session please call me at (207) 565-3125, email ronda@backtothesource.net or visit www.backtothesource.net.
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 31
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Healing sessions comprise a combination of Reiki, Integrated Energy Therapy (IET) and stones/crystals that you and I pick out. They are placed on or around your body for you to receive their healing energy. At the end, I give you a short reading. A write-up is then mailed or emailed to you with the meanings of the stones that we picked out, the meanings of the symbolisms that I saw/heard/felt and any other messages that came through. Sessions are: Tuesdays/Thursdays - Touchstone Bookstore, 1832 Forest Ave., Portland, ME (207) 878-3866. Fridays - Bella by the Falls, 89 Main St., Yarmouth, ME (207) 846-1476. Every other Monday Leapin' Lizards, 449 Forest Ave., Portland, ME (207) 221-2363. Can't make
life mastery
32 living spaces
nurturing foods
Connecticut
Carole Rothschild Personal Shopper
As an experienced image consultant and professional organizer, Carole Rothschild offers her expertise in image consulting, wardrobe consulting, home organizing, staging, paper management, time management, budget management and organizational skills teaching. What makes her company, Carole Rothschild
Personal Shopper, so distinctive is the individual approach. Carole provides consulting and organizing services for adults and students. Using understanding, encouragement and teaching techniques, Carole helps her clients reduce stress and organize their home, wardrobe or business. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), the Connecticut NAPO chapter and the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. To start living your life to the fullest, call (860) 523-0447, email carole@carolerothschild.com or visit www.carolerothschild.com.
meditation 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,
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
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 Shabada Yoga, in the lineage of Tulsi Sahib. For More Information call (207) 368-5866, or email: James@ SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com, Website: www.Myspace.com/Santmat_Mystic.
Learn Primordial Sound Meditation Learn the timeless practice of Primordial Sound Meditation, an easily learned mantra based meditation technique taught by Chopra Center certified instructor Brent Krizo. The Primordial
Sound Meditation program was developed by world renowned doctors and authors Deepak Chopra, MD and David Simon, MD based upon the ancient wisdom traditions of India. Learn how meditation can reduce the stress in your life and help you to live a happier, healthier and more meaningful life. Brent also hosts group meditations for meditators of all practices, beginners welcomed! Brent can come to you or you can come to Belgrade on the shores of Great Pond. Conscious based Life Coaching is also available. Call Brent at (207) 512-5844 to find our about the next FREE introduction class into meditation, or visit www.centeredself.net for more information.
Maine
CarynTreister~NutritionMadeSimple Independent Reliv Distributor, AEA, certified fitness instructor with a nutrition background
Do you want to feel better? Are you confused about
vitamins and how much to take? With Reliv Nutritional Supplements the formulas have been scientifically formulated for you. It’s easy, you don’t need to play chemist! My goal is to help you be successful in reaching the wellness level you want. I’ve been assisting people with Reliv for seven years and helping people with “fitness wellness” for almost twenty years. They go hand in hand… so nutrition became a real interest to me. I quickly learned most people were not getting enough nutrients in their food and was thrilled when I found Reliv. The Reliv products taste good, and are readily absorbed by the body for improved efficacy. The synergistic blend of nutrients in each Reliv shake provides maximum benefit by ensuring that each nutrient works to its full potential. The best part is that they are so simple to take; and you will receive my personal support to make sure you get results! I would be privileged to help you on your quest to better health…. why not change your life today? Please call (207) 767-3085, email caryn@maine.rr.com, www.reliv.com.
psychic & spiritual mediumship Maine PsychicMediumship, Hypnotherapy
Bonnie Lee Gibson is a professional Psychic Medium, Hypnotherapist, Registered Counselor, Reiki Master, healer, teacher and lecturer with thirty years of experience. She
resides in Fairfield and Northport Maine. Her first experience with Spirit was at the age of four. She has connected many people with loved ones who have crossed over, as well as their angels and spirit guides. Bonnie Lee communicates with pets, both here and on the spirit side. She gives spirit readings all over the world by telephone and travels in the US and Canada. Services include: Hypnotherapy, Psychic Mediumship Readings, Gallery Readings, Workshops, Classes and Lectures, Reading Circles and Private Groups in the comfort of your home. Call (207) 453-6133, cell (207) 649-7089, spirit@bonnielee.net, www.bonnielee.net, and www.hypno.us.
reflexology & healing massage Maine Hands on Feet ~ Lynn Danforth, Certified Reflexologist Reflexology is an amazing stress-relieving technique. Relaxation is a skill that most Americans do not practice often. Stress builds
and builds until it becomes a lifestyle. Lynn Marie Danforth has been practicing Reflexology for over 5 years. Lynn specializes in therapeutic Reflexology. Her greatest success is with tendonitis, plantar fasciitis and relief of tension. Lynn’s Reflexology sessions are quick, effective and could be the answer to your body’s cry for relief. Lynn has been able to show clients that change for the better is possible, that improved health is truly in your hands... and feet. To contact Lynn call (207) 767-5776 or 207-318-0129, or visit www.handsonfeet.net.
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 or email info@innertapestry.org 32 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
33 salons & spas
retreats Maine For 9 years, Nurture Through Nature has been offering transformative women's holistic retreats through weekend workshops and holistic canoe trips. We weave
Nurture Through Nat ure
mind~body~spirit experiences through guided meditation circles, gentle yoga, mindfulness practices and The Work of Byron Katie. Our Pleasant Mountain, Denmark unique offerings and reflective space together with professionally guided outdoor pursuits deepens connections to the living earth and our inner selves. Jen Deraspe, owner, is a Registered Maine Guide, Certified Yoga Instructor, Facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie and Community Faculty member of True North, Maine's Center for Functional Medicine and the Healing Arts. Our solar-powered green retreat is located on
Ravens’ Crossing — Come find some Raven’s Crossing Appleton, Maine
Let Us Guide You Home...
rural comfort and relaxation in our woodfired sauna and/or therapeutic hot tub.
Deep tissue, Swedish, and myofascial-release massage available by licensed massage therapist. Rustic retreat cabin can sleep four. Available by appointment in private setting. Trails to walk, ride horses, or X-country ski. Space for small gatherings. Please call Lori Cressler at
(207) 845-2304 or visit www.ravens-crossing.com.
schools & trainings
Pleasant Mountain, in the heart of Maine's western mountains, just over an hour from Portland, Freeport and Lewiston, Maine. (207) 452-2929, or www.ntnretreats.com, ntnretreat@yahoo.com. Contact for your custom
Maine
getaway, eco-cabin rental or to join a scheduled retreat.
The knowledgeable and experienced practitioners at The Wellness Center offer a full spectrum of holistic, traditional and alternative techniques.
VillageSoup.com. The Wellness Center, 69 & 71 Elm Street, Camden, ME 04843.
Sewall House Yoga Retreat Enjoy yoga twice daily, meditation, massage, sauna and healthy homecooked 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 July 3 – Columbus Day.
sacred space Maine Earthrest offers indoor and outside gathering space for retreats, workshops, spiritual questing, ceremony and celebration. Come,
surround yourself with natural beauty in a country setting of organic gardens, open fields, woods and water where the land is still a little wild and the animals remember their true names. We are just 35 miles from Portland on 350 acres of very special land, nestled in the foothills of the White Mountains. Inside enjoy the large gathering spaces, both with fireplaces. Outside walk the land, the labyrinth and hiking trails. Many options available. FMI call Pat at (207) 625-4179 or email earthrest@psouth.net.
Westbrook, ME: Learn to be a successful Massage, Polarity or Aesthetics professional in 6 to 12 months. Spa Tech Institute is the exclusive provider
of the Polarity Realization Institute programs, a pioneer in the field of transformational education. Advanced energy based teaching concepts contribute to accelerated learning. With over 30 years of experience training adult learners for the bodywork and spa professions, our profound understanding of what it takes to be successful is at the core of your education. The school is accredited by NACCAS and programs are approved for state licensing exams and national registration/exams. Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. Call (207) 591-4141, 100 Larrabee Rd., Westbrook, ME.
Yokids
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.
Treat Your Feet
A Very Rewarding Career ~ Nurturing your physical Nervous System through reflex points found within your feet & hands.
Learn about a specific touch technique of applying pressure, using your thumb and fingers, to reflex points of the feet and hands that relate to other parts of the body. Reflexology is credited with improving circulation and reducing body stress, which
removes blockages along the nerve pathways what we call Zones. A 250-hour certification course for School of Reflexology $3,300 to learn Reflexology and its Application. Cost includes two Reflexology chairs, all required reading books, foot, hand charts, footbath items & much more. For more information, call Board Certified Foot & Hand Reflexologist Myra Achorn, Augusta (207) 626-FEET. Classes start in February, May & September, www.treatyourfeet.com. Licensed by the State of Maine Department of Education.
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 33
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
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
34 shamanic healing Maine Spirit Passages Allie Knowlton, MSW, DCSW & Evelyn Rysdyk As Spirit Passages, C. Allie Knowlton, MSW, DCSW and Evelyn C. Rysdyk (author of Modern Shamanic Living) have facilitated shamanic healings and taught shamanic workshops across the U.S. and Canada since 1991. Graduates of the
Foundation for Shamanic Studies 3-Year Program in Advanced Shamanism and Shamanic Healing, they have also been fortunate to study with indigenous shamans from Peru, Ecuador, Tuva and Siberia. Working heart-to-heart with Spirit, they offer all traditional forms of shamanic healings at True North (207) 781-4488 ~ a unique, multidisciplinary medical center that they helped to found. They may also be reached at: www.spiritpassages.com. Transform your body, heal your soul and change the way you live and die with the ancient healing techniques of the South American Medicine people. The core of
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
healing occurs in the energetic or Luminous Energy Field; this is the blueprint for the physical body, and an archive of our physical and emotional strengths and wounding. Illuminating this field transforms these wounds into sources of knowledge and power. The loss, pain and sorrow may remain as a memory but they no longer define who we are; we realize that we are not our stories. The Illumination Process is powerful, efficient, effective transformation. In training with Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. Appointments in Brunswick (207) 729-7270, deb@midgette.org.
D O R Y C OTE
…Follow the Path to Your Own True Essence.
At the core of my shamanic healing practice is the belief that we have the capacity to be whole, stable, and functioning at our highest potential. Soul retrieval, divination, extractions, shamanic energy healing, and communication with those who have passed on, can all help us fulfill this potential. My training with the Foundation for Shamanic Healer Shamanic Studies, including completion of the Three Year Program in Advanced Shamanism and Shamanic Healing with Sandra Ingerman, author of Soul Retrieval, provide a solid footing for my work with adults, children and animals. Call me for information about workshops or appointments for shamanic healing sessions at (207) 841-1215 or email me at dory@dorycote.com. www.dorycote.com.
Pacha Works
Holding New Possibilities. Working with traditional shamanistic practices for healing. Eva Rose Goetz, director
"Healing is a collaboration. I love working with people privately or with groups. By working together we remove energies that may be in the way of our coming into wholeness and balance." Eva Rose Goetz: BFA University of Texas at Austin, MS Ed.
Bank Street College NYC, Medicine Wheel Training with Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. and Lisa Summerlott. Certified In Light Body Medicine with Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. Core Shamanism with Evelyn Rysdyk and Allie Knowlton. Eva gratefully continues her studies with indigenous medicine people in Peru, New Mexico, Canada, Africa and Mexico. Eva hosts workshops, leads ceremonies and has a private Shamanic Energy Practice in Falmouth, Maine. A new 16-month course in beginning Shamanism begins April 2008. More information about classes, private sessions, or ceremonies can be found at www.pachaworks.com or contact Eva directly at (207) 756-0488. "By
working with intentions of great love and spirit it is believed energy can move. A door opens and there is possibility of something new."
34 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
Continued from page 10 loving earth... Interview with Josh Arnold (G.A.L.A.) Pat: With the understanding that visions can grow and change, what is your vision? Josh: My vision for the future would be a world that is environmentally sustainable, socially just, and also spiritually fulfilling, (in which) people have a deep sense of meaning and purpose. Having that sense of purpose is one of the things that makes us more fully human. That’s huge, that’s everything! There is another quote I like from David Korten’s The Great Turning. Some people think because he is trying to change everything he’s unrealistic. Korten suggests that maybe they aren’t really getting the point. The fact is everything is going to change, and he would like to play a role in crafting those changes. That makes sense to me. The science is out, our current lifestyle is unsustainable. This ever-expanding accumulation of more and more goods physically cannot last. So things are going to change. Being a part of crafting the change is exciting! Another huge influence came from a realization I had traveling with my parents when I was in high school, going to different parts of the world for their business and from my education in college. I learned my context as a white male in the United States. I learned the privilege that comes with that context, the historical baggage, and the dark history. We built up this privilege on the backs of slaves and exploiting, raping and pillaging the land. Being in this point of privilege, I feel absolutely obligated to dedicate my life to restoring more wholesome relationships. There’s a sense of obligation that came from that realization. Pat: Where did you go to college? Josh: Wheaton in Norton, Massachusetts. It was there that I decided to design my own independent major called “global sustainability.” It really made sense to me, even then, that sustainability wasn’t about just environmental science, environmental policy, or politics, or even just culture, but it was about the relationships between these things. I really had started to look at things in terms of systems or webs. So I wanted an integral approach to sustainability. That was the basis for my applying to do an independent major. It included a semester at Naropa Institute in Boulder because it was important to include a spiritual or contemplative element in the major and that wasn’t really offered at Wheaton. So I did do that. It was an incredible experience. I did the Shambhala practicum. I began to explore the idea of engaged Buddhism. Some say Buddhism has always been engaged. I think that’s true to a degree, but (I was exploring) the idea of weaving one’s spiritual practice into one’s activism and not having them be separate. That’s one of the things that keeps me from getting burned out. Pat: Josh, as you’ve been working with this process and G.A.L.A. for the past couple of years, what have you found have been your most useful tools? Josh: Food! People love to come together around food. The potlucks have been great. Historically it’s such a common thing. It’s been so central to communities for so long to come together around food. And writing, learning to be an effective writer, articulating a vision clearly so that it’s meaningful to people. Another tool would be the Internet; the web site (www.galacommunity.org) and e-mail have allowed me to communicate easily with people. The Internet is an amazing tool. We are at a time, for the first time in human history, when we are confronted with a challenge that demands collective global action, and the Internet has emerged as a tool that can make this possible. The Internet has made it possible to expose injustice more (quickly and easily) than ever before, and disparities of wealth and poverty. It’s quick. Like any tool it can get abused, and it does. But it can open doors, and we need this. Pat: In closing, is there anything in particular you’d like to add to what we’ve talked about? Josh: I do want to get back to that first quote about doing what makes you come alive (because that is what the world needs). There is another very literal sense of that quote I’ve been toying with. It has a bit of evolutionary flavor. I’m reading a book called Animate Earth by Stephan Harding. It has to do with the idea we are the earth, very literally. We are made up of many of the same types of atoms and particles. The way cells and atoms organize reflects the same webs and networks that we develop and are a part of in our communities. The way they relate to each other reflects a drive toward sustainability. It is a cell’s destiny to be sustainable and an ecosystem’s destiny to be sustainable. So our work is not as much imposing sustainability, as it is harmonizing with our surrounding’s natural tendency toward sustainability, so together we can live our fullest potential. There is so much intrinsic wisdom in nature that we can learn from. I think trying to align our actions with this natural evolutionary tendency toward sustainability is very literally what makes us come alive. There is another saying, that in this work it is important to be humble because we are of the earth and noble because we are of the stars. Pat: Thank you, Josh. Resources: G.A.L.A.; www.galacommunity.org, Northwest Earth Institute; www.nwei.org, (503) 227-2807, www.millenniumassessment.org, Animate Earth, Science, Intuition and Gaia by Stephan Harding, The Great Turning, From Empire to Earth Community by David Korten, Limits to Growth, The 30-Year Update by Donella Meadows, Jorgen Randers, Dennis Meadows Copyright Pat Foley, 2007 Pat Foley attempts to live a green/sustainable life just outside of Cornish, Maine. She is the owner of Earthrest, a retreat center offering gathering space for groups and individuals. The underlying focus of Earthrest is on following Gandhi’s advice to be the change we wish to see in the world. You may contact Pat at earthrest@psouth or (207) 625-4179.
35
Beyond Knowing Mysteries & Messages of Death and Life from a Forensic Pathologist by Dr. Janis Amatuzio Dad died in August this year; my own father… a physician and internist, the one who inspired me to be a doctor. It is hard to believe that he is gone; from my sight, from our holiday meals, from our daily lives. What will the Holidays hold for my family and me? This year will be different. But it was always Dad who said not to worry, that he would be fine. I remember when I was in 9th grade and called 911 after I found my father collapsed in his chair, slumped over his desk in the library where he read each night. He was in the hospital for two weeks; when he came home he was very weak. The only thing good that happened was my mother let me drive his car to school and back every day. I felt quite proud of myself, even somewhat “grown-up.” When Dad was out of the hospital, I reported to him each day after school. We talked about my high school classes, exams and grades of course, and now we discussed “our Oldsmobile.” I often found him resting on the bed upstairs when I got home from school. It was autumn, and the door to the deck was open to let in the fresh leafy fall air.
“To be sure it keeps on running, Dad. You know, it’s ‘our Oldsmobile’ now.” “Not so fast, Janis, not so fast,” he said with a smile. “You remind me of myself when I was young. My Uncle Johnny had an Edsel, that’s when I learned to check the oil; actually Uncle Johnny taught me how to drive. We had so much fun with that old car, cruising around the old neighborhood, giving rides to our friends.” I remembered my great Uncle Johnny only slightly. I remembered that he always had a joke to tell my father, and that they would laugh so hard when they saw one another. John Chiovotte had died a long time ago. “When was the last time you saw Uncle Johnny, Dad?” I asked. Dad smiled slowly, and he paused. “I saw him when I had my heart attack in the library,” Dad said. “He put his arm around my shoulder and smiled at me. He was so gentle, and so happy.” I listened intently; my father seemed lost in thought. “Did he say anything to you?” “Not in so many word, Janis. I was so happy to see him, I felt like he was telling me not to worry. Then he started to leave, and I called after him. He looked back and I heard, ‘Don’t worry, Don, I’ll be here.’ That was the last time I saw my Uncle Johnny.”
However, now it is my turn. Dad died at home in August, with the help of hospice care. He had managed his chronic renal failure with all his medical skill and will power; eating no protein and following a diet low in sodium and potassium. Finally the symptoms of kidney failure caught up with him; nausea and weakness, and profound bone pain. My mother called me in tears late one evening, and I rushed down to their home to be there, and help with their decisions. The next morning he got up early, apparently unable to sleep. I found him sitting on the patio in the backyard. He was staring down at the cement; his hands were hanging motionless from the arms of the chair. It was cool out, and the chirping birds were the only sound. Dad was almost blind; his vision had deteriorated due to macular degeneration. I pulled up a chair and sat there with him. I am glad I didn’t know that it would be just ten days until he died. “I’m in trouble, Jan”, he finally said. “I can’t win this one; the nausea and pain is getting the best of me." He put his head in his hands, “I don’t know what to do.” My heart went out to him. “I’d have to go on dialysis to feel better, and at 88, I know how that could end… in disaster.” I had listened to my father all my life, I had always been the student and the daughter; he the physician, father, and teacher. He had always been the one to comfort and reassure me. Now, on a morning in early August, I realized the roles had gently reversed. Then, I used everything I knew about medicine, dialysis, dignity, and about my dad to help guide his decision. I had the strange sense I had known this moment would come all along. “Dad, you can’t think clearly when you feel so bad. Let me remind you of what you have always said.” His weary eyes looked up at me. “You have always told me you wanted to die at home, not in the hospital. You said you wanted to live in your own home, and plant your tomato plants and green beans. You said you wanted to die with dignity, and to be able to make your own decisions. I know things have been tough for you these past few months, you’ve told me more than once that ‘time is short’.” "And you have lived at home, you planted your garden, and you have been here with Mom. Dad, I don’t know how you could have done it better… You’ve handled this chronic disease, with such dignity and grace. You never complain." I could see he was listening. He clasped his hands in front and sat a little easier in the chair. "Is there anything else you want to do, Dad? Is there anything left unfinished?" He shook his head, no. Then he waited. “Well, Dad, I think you might want to consider hospice care; you can stay here, there will be no dialysis, and there is medication that will keep you comfortable. It can relieve the nausea and the bone pain. You can stay
home with Mom, and be here where you are comfortable, in your own bed.” “Thank you Jan, that’s what I needed to hear; thank you for reminding me. I will go on hospice; will you call my doctor and make the arrangements?" “Sure Dad, I will.” Then tears filled my eyes and spilled down on my cheeks. It seemed that time stood still, it didn’t seem real, but it was. “I’ll miss you,” I choked out. I couldn’t say another word. “I’m a free man now” he said with a smile. He looked visibly relieved and calmer. "Take good care of your mom, I am leaving you in charge. And Janis, don’t worry, I’ll be here.” I looked up quickly. “You know what I mean.” “Yes, Dad, I know,” I answered. “Just like Uncle Johnny.” Dad nodded and smiled. My father did die in his own bed sometime after three in the morning, when all of us who were staying at the house had gone to sleep. He died holding my mother’s hand. It was just the way he had wanted it. Later that evening, after all the arrangements had been made, I was driving home. I was finally alone, tired, and dazed. I drove in silence, reflecting on the life changing events of the day; tears frequently filling my eyes. After 45 minutes I was nearing my home, and suddenly I felt I had had enough silence. I punched on the radio to my favorite country station. What happened next amazed me. A song by Martina McBride was playing; “In My Daughter’s Eyes,” I listened to the words as the last verse was sung, “In my daughter’s eyes, I can see the future A reflection of who I am and what will be When I’m gone I hope you’ll see How happy she made me For I’ll be here, In my daughter’s eyes." As a forensic pathologist, I have listened to these amazing experiences for years and have written two books about them, Beyond Knowing and Forever Ours. Those who have told me of their own synchronicities, dreams, and visions after the death of a loved one have been comforted by the reconnection, once again. I have kept this experience close to my heart, and have written the words of the last verse on a piece of paper I keep in my purse. When the waves of sorrow come, often when I least expect it, I take out the paper and reread them again. And then I remember the beautiful words that Richard Back wrote, “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.” These brief, beautiful connections, these mysteriously soothing gifts of love and reassurance… Perhaps they really are true. And, of course, that would change everything! The holidays will be different this year, but then again, so am I. Based on the book Beyond Knowing: Mysteries and Messages of Death and Life from a Forensic Pathologist © 2006 by Dr. Janis Amatuzio. Printed with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA. www.newworldlibrary.com or 800-972-6657 ext. 52. Janis Amatuzio, MD, author of Beyond Knowing and Forever Ours, is known as the “compassionate coroner.” She is the founder of Midwest Forensic Pathology, P.A., serving as coroner and a regional resource for several counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 35
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
The day I filled up the gas tank for the first time on my own, I proudly handed him the receipt. “Now, I would like to learn how to check the oil, Dad.” My father looked at me with surprise, “The oil!! Why would you want to check the oil!” he said.
The story seemed real to me, and I was not surprised. My father had told me of other similar experiences; I never questioned their validity.
36
eart Visions Through March 2008: The 2008 Herbal Apprenticeship Certification Program Registrations are being accepted, early-bird discount. Crescent Moon Herbals, 76 Center Road, Lebanon, ME (207) 457-1114, www.crescentmoonherbals.com. Wednesday-Sunday, 11:00am-5:00pm.
March 2008 - December 2008 Deepening Your Shamanic Practice For the experienced shamanic practitioner this series of 4 intensive weekends in 2008 will involve additional initiations and ceremonies. Please call or email for details. Led by Dory Cote, shamanic healer and experienced trained shamanic teacher. dory@dorycote.com www.dorycote.com (207) 841-1215. Application required. Space Limited.
March 17th-21st or March 24th-28th Bones for Life® at Finca La Maya, Panama A program for stimulating bone strength through natural movement and weight-bearing processes. Presented by Gretchen Langner, gretchenlangner@mail.com, (207) 774-9685. FMI:www.fincalamaya.com, www.bonesforlife.com, www.movementintelligence.org.
April 4th-6th 2008 Building a Medicine Body:
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
6 month apprenticeship in beginning shamanism; see description at www. pachaworks.com. Contact Eva @ (207) 756-0488 for more information.
May 17th-18th 2008 Knowing the Medicine Heart With Eva Rose Goetz and Gina Mastroluca, www. pachaworks.com for description. Contact Eva @ (207) 756-0488 for more info.
June 8th-14th 2008 Assisi Pilgrimage - Journeying Into Love Join award-winning author Megan Don on this sacred pilgrimage. See www.mysticpeace.com for more details or email: clarepilgrimage@yahoo.com.
June 20th-22nd Coming Into the Light~Women’s Summer Solstice Retreat with Nurture Through Nature and Claudia Ragonesi, Demark, ME. www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929.
February~Maine February 2nd, 11:00am-4:00pm Wellness Fair ~ Freeport Leapin’ Lizards Healers include SaraBelle, Valerie Croven Light, Medical Intuitive Dr. Kevin Ross Emery, Sound Table Therapy, Aura Photography, Bio-Cleanse Detox Footbaths and great giveaways. FMI: Call (207) 865-0900.
February 2nd, Saturday 9:30am-3:30pm Looking Clearly At Mortality Living Water Spiritual Center, Winslow, ME with Rhoda-Neshama Waller. As we become more fully awakened to our own mortality, we may enter a time of expanded awareness that allows clear access to our inner sources of wisdom. This experiential workshop leads to a new sense of spaciousness and freedom. For registration contact www.e-livingwater.org or call (207) 872-2370. FMI call Rhoda-Neshama at (207) 382-3135.
February 5th, Tuesday Attract your ideal mate using law of attraction! Find joy in relationship w/mate by divine selection! 6:00pm7:30pm/$20 Info: Leapin Lizards.biz (207) 865-0900, Freeport, ME. Carol Cliche, LOA Life Coach for Conscious Creation Living™.
February 6th – March 19th, 8:15am–9:00am Lenten Pilgrimage: Morning Meditations Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays St.Luke's Episcopal Cathedral, 143 State St., Portland with Megan Don email:teresaretreats@yahoo.com.
ALL EVENTS ARE LISTED ONLINE AT www.innertapestry.org 36 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
February 8th-10th Snowshoe, Meditation and The Work of Byron Katie,
March 29th, Saturday, 9:00-4:00pm. Astrology For the Non Astrologer.
A women's winter weekend retreat. Nurture Through Nature, www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929, Denmark, Maine.
Experience astrology through meditation & visualization. Explore your sun, moon & rising signs, which is the triad that is you. Instructor Elizabeth Thorson is an Intuitive Consultant certified by Caroline Myss, Phd. Camden, $175 ET@elizabeththorson.com, (207) 712-9495.
February 9th The Northeast Professional Psychics and Mediums Guild Fair: Windham Holistic Fair at the Masonic Hall on the River Road 1/2 mile from the interesection with 302.Admission $2. Fair Includes Reiki and Massage and Psychic Readings. All services individually priced.
February 9th The Whole Writer Writing for self-exploration, creative expression and personal growth with Joan Lee Hunter at Fifth House Lodge, Bridgton. 9:00am-5:00pm. $80. www.fifthhouselodge.net or (207) 647-3506.
February 10th, Sunday & March 15th, Saturday, Developing Your Intuitive Self ~ 9:00am-4:00pm A 2-day experiential workshop to help you define your own unique intuitive radar. Instructor, Elizabeth Thorson is an Intuitive Consultant certified by Caroline Myss Phd. Camden, $300 ET@elizabeththorson.com, (207) 712-9495.
February 10th, Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm February Fun Fair at Gardens of Atlantis Lots of great gifts for Valentine's Day, Tarot & Psychic Readings, Homemade Goodies and More! (207) 929-5088, www.gardensofatlantis.org.
February 19th, 26th, March 4th and 11th, 5:00pm-7:30pm Losing Weight with Healthy Foods without Hunger With Marie Laverriere–Boucher, learn to choose, cook and eat tasty whole foods without hunger. Learn an energy psychology technique to maintain healthy eating. 4 weeks, $200,/$150 by February 1st. 69 Foss St., Biddeford, ME. (207) 590-3884.
March~Connecticut March 1st-2nd “CLEAR CLUTTER & PERSONAL CLEARING” with STEPHANIE BENNETT VOGT to be held in Waterbury, CT. (This class is a prerequisite to our Space Clearing Certificate program.) For information: The New England School of Feng Shui (203) 266-4211 www.newenglandfengshui.com
March 29th-30th A SPECIAL EVENT with DENISE LINN “THE SECRET OF MIRACLES,” Waterbury, CT. (See our Display Ad on Page 2.) For Information: The New England School of Feng Shui (203) 266-4211 www.newenglandfengshui.com.
March~Maine March 1st The Northeast Professional Psychics and Mediums Guild Fair: Auburn Holistic Fair at the UU Vestry Hall on 156 Pleasant St in Auburn. Fair admission is $2. Workshop "Meet your Spirit Guides with Bonnie Lee." Cost is $10. Pre-registration suggested. Call (207) 428-4448. Fair Includes Reiki and Massage and Psychic Readings. All services individually priced.
March 6th-27th, 4 Thursdays. 7:00pm-9:00pm The Art of Japanese Flower Arrangement: Ikebana is expressions of heaven, earth and man in harmony with nature. website: http://usm.maine.edu/cce/detail.jsp?offering_id=100037417
March 8th & 9th Awakening The Creative Seeds Within A Retreat for Women Nourishing the creativity and wisdom of our soul through Touch Drawing*, co-created ritual, labyrinth walks, and massage at Creative Spiral Studio, North Yarmouth, ME, Helen Warren, MSed, MFA, facilitator. FMI: www. creativespiral.net; helen@creativespiral.net, (207) 829-6876.
March 21st-23rd Reawakening to the Sacred A writing and meditation retreat with Joan Lee Hunter at Fifth House Lodge, Bridgton. www.fifthhouselodge.net or (207) 647-3506.
Send all listings to info@innertapestry.org
Ongoing~Connecticut Ongoing Monthly Group Reiki Sessions Come learn about Reiki and receive hands-on work from two Masters for only $20. Locations: Unwind… Body & Mind in Hebron, CT and Salon Naturell in Lebanon, CT. Contact Carleen at (860) 642-7410 for more information or to register. Reiki shares and classes forming.
Holistic Wellness Support Group Monthly meetings include discussions on holistic therapies such as: Nutrition, Digestion, Detoxification, Lifestyle Changes, Proper pH, Positive Attitude, Weight Loss, Supplements, Herbs and much more. Contact Cheryl O’Donnell N.C. in Bolton, Connecticut at (860) 268-6916.
Alternative Cancer Therapies Group Join like-minded people who wish to learn more about the many alternative therapies available for cancer. These methods may be used in conjunction with conventional treatment or as a primary therapy. Contact Cheryl O’Donnell N.C. in Bolton, Connecticut at (860) 268-6916.
Holistic Moms Network A non-profit support and discussion network for moms with an interest in natural, holistic and alternative health and parenting. Contact Heather LeFoll (860) 665-9766 or www.holisticmoms.org.
Have you experienced sexual assault or incest? We are Survivors of Incest Anonymous. We meet every Monday evening in Hartford, CT. Call Mae at (860) 236-1770 or email HartfordCT@sianyc.org.
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. The Temple is located at the corner of Rte. 66 and Harvestwood Rd. Middlefield, CT. For information call (860) 346-2226; website: www.ct-eckankar.org
O ng o i ng ~ M aine Rustic Retreat in a Solar Powered, wood-fired cabin. Experience deep quiet and nature's beauty while supporting an Environmental Leader in lodging recognized by the state and the EPA. $59/night for two. Denmark, Maine. www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929. Harrison D. Barrett Spiritualist Church, 514 Broadway, Bangor, beside Coldwell Banker Realty, Sunday Services, 10:00 am; Gallery Readings 2nd Friday of every month at 7:00 pm $10, Medium's Day 2nd Saturday of every month 10:00 am to 2:00 pm $15 for 15-minute reading. FMI visit www.hdbspiritualistchurch.org or call (207) 848-2273 or (207) 989-7266.
The Nia Technique Find joy in your body! Barefoot movement blending martial arts, dance and yoga. South Portland Community Center. Monday/Wednesday 6:00pm and Saturday 10:00am. Drop-ins welcome. Maggie Bokor, www.nianow.com, (207) 899-5939.
ShivaShakti School of Yoga, Rockland
Give yourself the gift of oga! Ongoing weekly classes morning and evening for all levels. Call (207) 785-5003 or visit www. ShivaShaktiYogaSchool.com
37 The Healing Bridge
New Moon Ceremony with Chief Oscar Mokeme
Therapeutic/ Relaxation/ Chi Energy Massage, Holistic Spa Services (Spa Pedis/Facials Etc) Very Flexible Appointments, 41 Depot St., Bridgton, Me, O4009, (207) 647-3553, www.healingbridge.net.
a monthly celebration with teachings, blessings and an African spirit mask coming to life. Go to www.forestcircles.com for more information.
Still Waters Run Deep
Classes in Psychological & Spiritual Development & more. Based in the Tradition of the Himalayan Sages. North Yarmouth. For full listing, see website. www.TurningLight.org (207) 829-2700.
Small professional development gathering & workshop for quiet, reserved, shy, or introverts. Please join us as we explore ways to be authentic and effective. 2nd Tuesday 7:00 pm each month in South Portland, begins January. (207) 797-4595, www.sageinsightscoaching.com
Intuitive Energy Release, Spirit Messages-Kathy Dowling On-site or Touchstone Bookstore (Portland), Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 12:00pm-6:00pm. Locate and release blockages at the source, deep relaxation frees healing energies, cells rejuvenate. Call (207) 337-5533.
Kripalu Yoga Class in Windham Class is held at the Masonic Hall Chapel on River Road on Wednesdays, 5:30pm-6:45 p.m. Drop-ins are welcome. Please contact Rebecca at (207) 749-4150 FMI.
A Course in Miracles First and Third Monday of each month, 6:00pm-7:30pm. Unity Church, 54 River Rd., Windham. FMI call Jane at (207) 232-2773.
Authentic Movement Dance at Bath Dance Works First and third Saturdays of the month, January 5th and 9th, February 2nd & 16th, March 1st & 15th, 10:00am-1:00pm, suggested donation $10, no experience is necessary. FMI: call (207) 725-9997 or email dancingfewl@pobox.com.
Inner Peace Retreat Weekends: Revitalize, Renew, Restore balance and inner peace to your Body ~ Mind ~ Spirit. Belfast: Every third weekend of each month. www.myenergyinmotion.com, (207) 338-5168.
Personalized Writing Retreats
Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Satsang
Call For All Artists ~ Visual, Musical, Dance, Storytellers Who live, have roots in Casco Bay Islands, please contact Maggie Carle, artsprits@verizon.net or www.maggiecarle.com regarding creation of a cooperative/association/organization to support & promote arts by Islanders. No commitments, 1st step a list.
Avanti Healing Arts® Restore wholeness to body, mind and spirit with Dr. Gianna Settin, psychologist, dancer, licensed Reiki Teacher. Discover the sacred nature of inner healing! (207) 735-3900, www.AvantiHealingArts.com.
Friday Gallery Readings ~ Fourth Friday each month Join us at the Portland Spiritualist Church, 719 Main St., Westbrook for an evening of messages from the spirit, 7:00pm, $10.00 event. FMI call (207) 655-6673.
Weekly Psychic Development and Awareness Classes Fridays, at the Portland Spiritualist Church, 719 Main St., Westbrook, Classes start at 7:30pm FMI: call (207) 655-6673.
The Path of Celtic Buddhism Celtic Buddist meditation in Rockland, ME. Group practice on Sunday mornings at 9:00am. Please call for information (207) 701-5022, heartln@sover.net, www.celticbuddhism.org.
Alternative Therapy Workshops For businesses, organizations, groups, schools. Educational and entertaining. Cost and length varies per subject. For brochure call Kate Boyer: (207) 858-5899 or email: kate@snigglebeach.com.
Science Of Spirituality is sponsoring a satsang.
Spiritual Horizons Maine
Ongoing Psychotherapy Groups, Yarmouth, ME
Meets every other Tuesday at 7:00pm, 75 State Street, Portland. Alternate weeks group on “A Course of Miracles.” Contact: Tom Peterson (207) 310-0030 or John Moulton (207) 874-7602, www.spiritualhorizonsmaine.org.
Openings available in weekly men's & mixed psychotherapy groups. Intentionally build your relationship skills, communication, personal and spiritual growth. David Ward, LCSW, LADC, (207) 846-3422, www.davidwardlcsw.com/group.html.
Sharon Elaina would like you to know…
Healing Touch sessions with Gail Meyer
that women's groups have begun in her new space at 925 Sawyer St., So. Portland. Tuesdays 6:00pm and Thursdays 12:00pm. Groups are limited to 8. Please call (207) 247-2650 for more information.
Certified Healing Touch Practitioner Thursdays from 11:00am2:00pm at Touchstone Bookstore, 1832 Forest Ave. Portland. Call (207) 878-3866 to schedule your appointment.
Tarot Readings - Third Thursday each Month
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.
Gallery-style Tarot readings for all those in attendance. South Portland location 6:30pm-9:30pm. $25. Group size limited; register early! FMI/Register Jeanne Fiorini (207) 799-8648.
Raja Yoga Ottercreek Hall, Bar Harbor, ME, Wednesdays 10:00am. All Ages, (207) 288-0974, ask for Liz.
Portland T'ai Chi School Traditional Yang Style T'ai Chi classes at the Portland New Church. Wednesdays 6:00pm-7:00pm. White Crane QiGong is taught to develop internal energy. The focus is on developing a healthy body and emotional being. (207) 272-8286, www.portlandtaichi.org.
Mondays – Sound Therapy and performances by Kalee Coombs. With Crystal Singing Bowls & Voice at Leapin’ Lizards, Portland & Freeport FMI: www.kaleecoombs.com, www.leapinlizards.biz.
Energize! A holistic approach to performance Energy balancing sessions for artists, actors, and performers, recover your highest creative self. Post-performance rebalancing. $70 ($55 students) Holistic Pathways, Gorham, (207) 839-9819 www.starlightacting.org.
The Womanly Art of Self Defense and Empowerment Ongoing course for women, awareness & prevention skills, verbal self-defense & empowerment, basic self-defense techniques. (207) 266-4902, Trenton Family Karate, Trenton/Ellsworth area.
Beautiful Mountain views in glass studio. Classes ongoing, Monday-Thursday, mornings/evenings, many styles taught. Iyengar, vinyasa, restorative, seniors (chair), yogilates, nidra and meditation. Yoga Alliance Certified FMI: Leslee (207) 625-4756.
Massage, Yoga, Reiki, Labyrinth Walks Inner Harmony in Portland’s West End serves body, mind and spirit to assist you on your path of wellness. www.FindInnerHarmony.com (207) 772-1509.
Last Sunday of every month 1:00pm at Hartland Library. SOS is under the leadership of Sant Rajinder Singh Jyoti meditation. Free www.sos.org, www.newengsos.org (207) 938-3928.
"Yokids" Yoga Ed Tools for Teachers Workshops
Thank God It's Grace: Women in God, Women in Good 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 new freestanding birth center hosts monthly tours on the first Thursday, 6:30pm-7:00pm. Stay for free informational sessions. December topic: infant massage. www.birthhouseme.com or (207) 647-5919.
Reiki: Healing Hands Offers classes, Reiki Therapy sessions, and Monthly Clinic every 2nd Sunday of the month at United Methodist Church, West Kennebunk. FMI call Pauline Wilson, BA, CRM (207) 985-3575.
Breathwork/Intuitive Healing In Maine Dynamic Facilitated Group Sessions $20, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Falmouth, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays – The Vywamus Foundation, Oxford, 2nd Thursday - formerly Dancing Trees Lodge, Auburn, 2nd Friday – Yoga Center of Maine, Harrison, 4th Friday – The BALLROOM. Pre-registration required. Breathe In & Beyond (207) 583-6603.
Thirteen Moons, Millinocket, FREE Wednesdays, 6:00pm: Live & Learn introductory discussions, topics change weekly. Thursdays, 6:00pm, Coffeehouse: local talent, Penobscot Avenue, (207) 723-5313, thirteen.moons@beeline-online.net, www.thirteenmoons.net.
Wavelengths Hypnotherapy ongoing classes: Self-Hypnosis, Weight Management, Smoking Cessation, Relaxation Guided Imagery Classes, Bonnie Lee Gibson, CH and
Real-ize Your Integral Potentials Real-ize your multidimensional self! Integral Energy Healing ~ Explorations in Consciousness ~ Leadership in Consciousness ~ Life Transformations. We offer sessions, classes, circles and workshops. Elizabeth@IntegralPotentials.com (207) 873-3514.
Kittery, ME: Rawfood Potlucks Third Saturday of each month, with guest speakers from the rawfood community. Support, learn, share, and build a local rawfood community. Call Aimee, (207) 409-0899.
Inner Light Spiritualist Church, Rev. Gloria Nye Location: Governor King Lodge 649, U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME, Sunday Services: 10:00am Healing Chairs, 10:30am Service, Healing Meditation, Inspirational Talk, Messages from Spirit, 12:00pm Fellowship Hour – Refreshments.
Ayurvedic Massage Experience Abhyanga, Garshana and Shirodhara, the ancient healing bodywork techniques of India. Ruthanne Harrison, LMT. Located in Richmond, ME (207) 737-8593.
Reiki Works offers all levels of Reiki Classes, sessions and free clinics. For schedule please contact Andrea Smith, B.S. Rehabilitation at reikiworks@midmaine.com (207) 474-9962.
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 Ancestral Healing, which examines various methods of healing employed by our ancestors. For further information call (207) 824-2204 or visit website www.spiritwingsbethel.com.
Doula tea, meet with doulas in person Learn how doulas help families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We meet Sundays at the Ballard House, 131 Spring St., Portland from 10:30am-11:30am. There is no fee, pre-registration is required. Call Rebecca Goodwin at (207) 318-8272.
Aikido of Maine Portland Aikido for Women classes, Wednesday and Friday a.m. classes. Daily beginner’s classes and youth programs. www.aikidoofmaine.com (207) 879-9207.
WholeHeart Yoga Center, Portland Full schedule of weekly classes for all levels with experienced, Kripalu-certified instructors. Private classes, workshops and regular Kirtans (chanting). Call Pam Jackson (207) 871-8274 or visit www.wholeheartyoga.com.
Ongoing Yoga Classes, Vacations & Retreats Kennebunk Monday evenings, Saco Tuesday and Thursday evenings Waterboro Tuesday mornings, Dayton Wednesday mornings. Yoga Vacation in Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda, February 16th-23rd, 2008. FMI: call Jeanette Schmid Lakari (207) 282-5528.
USM Center for Continuing Education. Ongoing classes in Complementary Therapies, (Traditional Chinese Medicine, Aromatherapy, Reiki, etc.) Visit www.usm.maine.edu/cce for course & registration information or call (207) 780-5900 for catalog.
Planetary Activation Organization in Maine Is actively looking for people to join this group, for info: Visit www.paoweb.com. If interested, call (207) 743-2613, E-mail bobham@adelphia.net, or write Maria Ham, 51 BumpTown Rd, South Paris, ME 04281.
Women’s Workshops Designed exclusively for you to address your unique problems online & in-person. Henderson, NV. $75 per workshop Fridays 6:00pm-10:00pm, FMI: (702) 408-1783. email: workshops_for_women@yahoo.co.uk.
Children’s Aikido Kokikai Class Josiah Bartlett Elementary School in Bartlett NH, The Ballroom in Harrison Maine, Water and Stone Yoga Studio in Conway, NH, Contact Jane Biggio for more information at (603) 374-6326 or email at bamboomountain@ncia.net.
Holistic Pathways Yoga & Healing Center, Gorham. Energy Vibrational Healing Therapies including Polarity and Energy Interference Patterning of DNA. Ongoing Reiki & Therapeutic Touch classes. FMI: (207)-839-7192, www.holisticpathways.com.
Continued on Page 38 Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 37
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Work privately with writing coach and workshop leader Joan Lee Hunter. Your own room with bath at Fifth House Lodge in Bridgton, ME. FMI www.fifthhouselodge.net or call Joan at (207) 647-3506.
Ernie VanDenBossche, BCH, CI; www.hypnowave.com (207) 4536133, (207) 649-9655, Waterville, ME.
38 Artists Support Group, Inner Balance, Belfast, ME
Wise Women Daughters of the Moon
SACRED RENTAL SPACE
On 156 High Street. Third Tuesday of the month from 7:00pm-8:30pm. Call Elliot Benjamin at (207) 338-4576.
Ceremonial Wisdom Circle honoring our Inner & Outer Seasons & Cycles. Sliding Scale. FMI: www.spiritualrenaissance.com, www.templeoftheheart.com or call Deborah, spiritual guide, healer & ordained priestess: (207) 883-1081.
Fifth House Lodge
Crescent Moon Herbals Ongoing classes and events, psychic readings and energy workers. 76 Center Road, Lebanon, Maine. (207) 457-1114, email: crescentmoonherbals@excite.com, Website: www.crescentmoonherbals.com.
Mindful Meditation™ Mondays 5:30pm-7:00pm
Belfast Yoga Studio. Iyengar style Hatha Yoga 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.
All are welcome, no experience necessary. $15 or 4 classes for $50. Mind/Body Therapy at Meadow Wind, 100 Gray Road, West Falmouth, Maine, (207) 650-3964, FMI www.mbtherapy.org.
Aaminah School Of Middle Eastern Dance
The Awakening Process
NDE Support & Interest Group
Learn about a simple path that will eliminate depression and anxiety, leading eventually to peace and enlightenment. First and third Tuesday 7:00pm-9:00pm. Call (207) 286-8060 for directions.
Light on the Water NDE Support & Interest Group holds monthly meetings in New England via teleconference. FMI, visit www.TowardTheLight.org or contact Rev. Juliet Nightingale at (615) 292-2217 (mobile).
Oriental Brush Painting Classes and Workshops
“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.
Frederica Marshall, an artist who lived 28 years in Japan, teaches sumi-e in her Deer Isle Studio. Basic to advanced levels. (207) 348-2782. www.fredericamarshall.com.
The Rose Cottage Teaching Reiki Master, Transformational Breath, Crystal Healing, Hypnotherapy, and Hypnobirthing. Private sessions by appointment. Gift certificates. Ongoing classes. Contact Vicki Kupferman 14 Weed Rd., Knox, Maine. (207) 568-3782.
Kripalu “DansKinetics” The body, mind, spirit workout blending yoga and dance. No experience necessary. Free trial class. Days Meadow Farm, 889 Alewive Rd. Kennebunk. (207) 985-6896 or: daysmeadowfarm@prexar.com.
Sacred Circle Dance
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
Dances from a multi-cultural folk dance tradition. Steps taught at all sessions. No experience/partner needed. Fourth Friday of every month, 7:00pm-8:30pm, Portsmouth, NH. FMI: amyla44@juno.com, (603) 750-7506.
Ongoing Usui Reiki Classes in all levels Private sessions and free clinics, Gift certificates available. Please contact Judy Fisher, Reiki Master Teacher in Camden, Maine at (207) 236-0359.
Dancing Xigong: Twelve movements to music Every Thursday morning, 8:30am-9:00am Summer at Merryspring Park, Winter at Quarry Hill, in Camden. FMI call (207) 236-8732.
Experience the healing of Love without conditions Ongoing classes. Learn the freedom of healing without limitations. Shamballa 1-4 and 13D Certification. Contact Elizabeth, Center of Momentum, (207) 873-3514, or centerofmomentum@hotmail.com.
Short-term Solution-oriented Couples & Family Work Guiding Couples & Families from conflict to communication, from disengaged to connected, from hurting to resolution. Group and private sessions. Call Maureen McCarthy-Darling at (207) 691-0023.
Spacious studio to share in Portland. Natural light, high ceilings. Free off-street parking, handicap accessible. Ideal for movement & meditative arts & therapies. FMI call Larry Landau (207) 761-2142
Ready for Growth in "2008"? Attention Healing Arts Practitioners, Yoga Instructors and All Those in Related Fields of Well-Being Interested In Locating Their Private Practice Within The New Healing Bridge Therapeutic Arts Co-op! Located just off Maine Street in beautifully blooming Bridgton, Maine at 41 Deport St., The Potter Place Building! Experience preferred, limited spaces. Inquiries made only to Bonny Clark, LMT, Co-op Director (207) 647-3553, bonny@healingbridge.net.
Space Available for Gatherings, Ceremonies, Presentations. At Earthrest, Cornish, ME. Call (207) 625-4179.
Ongoing~NewHampshire 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.
Classifieds
Meadow Wind Center for Holistic Arts Shared practitioner space for rent as well as rooms for yoga classes, workshops and office space. Great location, 100 Gray Rd., Falmouth. Easy access to Routes 95 and 295. For more information contact Andrea at Meadow Wind (207) 878-3899 or (207) 939-1124, or visit www.meadowwind.org.
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.
HELP WANTED
SACRED SPACE FOR SALE
Retreat Cook Wanted~Nurture Through Nature
WWW.BESTMAINEWATERFRONT.COM
Experienced whole-foods cook for group(s) up to 14. Partial trade for opportunity to participate in holistic nature retreats. Send indoor/outdoor experience to ntnretreat@yahoo.com, www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929.
Two unique sunset lakefront offerings. Privacy with accessibility to both Bangor and Bar Harbor. FMI see website or call Alison Cote (207) 632-3662.
Inner Tapestry's
HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS
Calendar Listings
The Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce is looking for holistic practitioners and businesses to participate in the 2008 Wellness Fair on April 12th at Yarmouth High School. If your practice or business falls within the boundaries of Portland, Lewiston/Auburn and Brunswick and you would like more information please contact Doug Reighley at (207) 749-1961 or email Doug at dareighley@sscom-maine.net.
The first 30 words submitted per issue (not listing) are free! 75 cents a word thereafter.
Classifieds $20 for 30 words / $1 a word thereafter.
HYPNOTHERAPY CERTIFICATION TRAINING
Phenomenal, weekend trainings.
Submission Deadline is
March 5th for the April/May issue
Learn from award-winning, hypnotherapy instructor, Julie Griffin, BCH, 16 years' clinical experience. Call (800) 497-1807. Free brochure and hypnosis CD. Or visit www.hypnosistoday.com for instant hypnosis downloads. Free retakes and telephone support!
confronted by a dangerous enemy? Remember, the whole world is our jazz band. The dangerous enemy is a construct of our minds. There is a vast variety in life and life requires such variety. However, given primitive thought, what is perceived with such minds, (concepts and theories) we would feel differences as threatening. Those differences are different ways of acting and they cannot be understood. “They don’t act like us. They must be hostile.” It becomes a mutually agreed upon truth as each side plays its part. But life creates differences for a purpose. It can all be transformed into more advanced jazz, if we tune in with our souls. Or, as religious leaders have been saying for centuries, try love. Norm began this work at MIT as a physicist, mathematician and process philosopher seeking meaning and functioning of the role of values in today's science. Co-founder of The Autognomics Institute (TAI) in 1992, Hirst's research reveals the essential need for a fundamental paradigm shift in science and provides new understanding of what life is, its functions, and its processes. TAI is initiating a new science of organisms and life-itself. To subscribe to Norm's Newsletter contact him at hirst@autognomics.org or call 207-236-6331 or visit TAI blog at www.autognomics.blogspot.com.
"How old would you be, if you didn't know how old you are?" ...Satchel Paige 38 Inner Tapestry Feb/Mar 2008
DRAGONFLY TAIJIQUAN
All levels of belly dance classes taught by experienced and caring instructors. Bangor and Waterville classes. Visit our website: www.aaminahdance.com or jeason@pivot.net.
Continued from page 24 the way of life-itself... Something's Missing Why Force?
Skye & Norm
Light-filled retreat space in exquisite natural setting one hour west of Portland, Maine. Rent for lectures, workshops, ceremonies. Overnight accommodations available. FMI www. fifthhouselodge.net or joan@fifthhouselodge.net or call (207) 647-3506.
For More Information: Visit www.innertapestry.org
Continued from page 25 21st century bohemian... Mayhem, Money & Mirth tower” he said, explaining that work can wind up “in the hands of people who don’t even care about words.”
Literary Festival 2008 Asked what having the festival in Camden means, as both a nearby resident and bestselling writer, Tess Gerritsen said, “You know what it means to me is this is a really lively arts community. And if you don’t have this stuff, I think a town is dead. There’s always an interesting mix of the population that wants to bring art to town instead of us having to go chase after it. We live in a really lively and alive town.” Plans for Maine’s 2008 Literary Festival, which will again be spearheaded by Maryanne Shanahan as chair of both the festival and planning committee, are well underway. Slated for early November at Camden’s Opera House, the theme will be “Writing Green in Prose & Poetry." Keep track of program developments at www.MaineLiteraryFestival.org or email info@MaineLiteraryFestival.org. © 2007 Teresa Piccari Teresa Piccari is a writer and teacher living in coastal Maine. She is the proprietor of The Village Scribe, a professional writing service meeting personal and business needs. She teaches writing workshops including creative writing, memoir and journaling. She also performs house blessings and is an Usui Reiki Master/Teacher and practitioner. Her business and practice are located at The Wellness Center, 71 Elm St., in Camden. Contact Teresa at TheVillageScribe@hotmail.com or (207) 344-7070.
39
Yoga, T'ai Chi, Aikido & Meditation Practitioners Directory
GLASTONBURY, CT 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.
BELFAST, ME Belfast Yoga Studio Iyengar Yoga, Relax&Renew® (restorative) Yoga, Yamuna Body Rolling®, Yamuna Body Logic®; classes, workshops, individual sessions. Marianna Moll (Iyengar, Relax&Renew®, Yamuna® certified) and Belinda Pendleton (Iyengar style, Gentle Yoga, Yoga for Cardiac Wellness). (207) 338-3930. www.belfastyoga.com info@belfastyoga.com.
BOOTHBAY HARBOR, ME
BRUNSWICK, ME Wild Lotus Yoga Offers Anusara-inspired yoga for all levels. Classes are inspiring, transformative and fun! Also offering Yoga, Nidra, both in classes and private sessions. Anne Dellenbaugh, RYT, instructor. (207) 721-9229, www.wildlotusyoga.us.
CAMDEN, ME Open Door Yoga Center Offering a wide variety of Yoga classes, 5 Rhythm Ecstatic Dance, Feldenkrais Movement, Mindfulness Meditation, Shamanic Drumming, T'ai Chi and Tantra Workshops. Morning, evening and weekend classes for all ages and levels. Conveniently located less than 3 miles from the center of Camden. Call for brochure or info: (207) 236-8971.
DAMARISCOTTA, ME Heartfeather Yoga Center Hatha Yoga Classes, all levels. Ongoing classes, retreats, women's yoga insight group, children's classes. Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy-Individual sessions. Sanctuary in Yarmouth and Damariscotta. Mary Snow M.Ed.,RYT,PRYT. (207) 319-8024. www.heartfeatheryoga.com.
FALMOUTH, ME Meadow Wind Center for Holistic Arts Offering several styles and levels of yoga from beginner to power yoga. Call (207) 878-3899 for class schedule or go to www.meadowwind.org for more information. 100 Gray Road, Falmouth, ME.
Holistic Pathways Yoga & Healing Center All abilities/ages. Beginner, Continuing, Intermediate, Toning & Sculpting, Pregnancy Yoga, Couples Pregnancy Yoga, Mommy & Me (infants), Yoga for Tots. Private sessions available. Postures, breathwork, meditation, relaxation. (207) 839-7192. www.holisticpathways.com.
NORTH YARMOUTH, ME Turning Light Yoga & Meditation Center Classes in Hatha Yoga, Meditation and Psychological & Spiritual Development. Free Monthly Satsang. Personal, group and corporate programs available. Director Darcy Cunningham certified by Institute of the Himalayan Tradition and Yoga Alliance. (207) 829-2700, www.TurningLight.org.
PORTLAND, ME Kundalini Community Yoga Full class schedule including beginners and family yoga. Workshops. Groups. Private sessions. Certified Instructors. Class includes Kriya (set of specified exercises), breath, mantra, meditation, relaxation. Try Kundalini Yoga – the yoga of Awareness. 52 Pine St., (207) 615-5405,www.kcyoga.net. Aikido of Maine Aikido: "The Art of Peace" a martial art for selfdefense and spiritual development. Connecting movement, breath and energy through partner practice. Seeking harmony from conflict. Creating an alert mind, calm body and enhanced health and awareness. Daily classes: beginners, adults & children. Flexible schedules, (207) 879-9207, 226 Anderson St., Portland, www.aikidoofmaine.com. Dragonfly Taijiquan ~ Larry Landau Taijiquan, Qigong, Authentic Breathing, Meditation. Cultivating enhanced awareness of physical alignment, relaxation, groundedness, and breath. Creating effortless fluidity in motion & stillness. Offering group & private instruction for over 30 years. Studios in Portland & Kennebunkport, (207) 761-2142. WholeHeart Yoga Center Portland's Kripalu-affiliated studio offers a full schedule of weekly classes for all levels, including Yoga & Meditation. Our instructors are all Kripalucertified and highly trained. We also offer weekend workshops, private classes, and regular Kirtans (chanting events). 150 St. John St., Portland. (207) 871-8274, www.wholeheartyoga.com or email info@wholeheartyoga.com. The Yoga Center Quality instruction for 25 years. 30 weekly classes– all levels, restorative, therapeutic, power, pre-natal. Master teacher workshops and Yoga vacations in Mexico & Maine. Two lovely studios & supply store. Directors Vickie Labbe and Jennifer Cooper, (207) 774-YOGA (774-9642).
PORTLAND, ME cont. Portland T'ai Chi School Traditional Yang Style T'ai Chi classes at the Portland New Church Wednesdays 6:00pm-7:00pm. White Crane QiGong is taught to develop internal energy. The focus is on developing a healthy body and emotional being. (207) 272-8286, www.portlandtaichi.org.
ROCKLAND, ME ShivaShakti School of Yoga Yoga classes from gentle to vigorous. All ages and abilities. A Yoga Alliance registered school offering workshops and 200-hour yoga teacher trainings. Massage and bodywork available. (207) 785-5003, www.ShivaShaktiYogaSchool.com.
SEACOAST REGION ChildLight Yoga® Yoga Programs for Children and the Adults Who Love Them. Sharing the amazing gifts of yoga with babies, toddlers, children, families and classroom teachers in Southern ME, NH, and MA. Also offering the ChildLight Yoga Teacher Training, Summer Camps, Birthday Parties, Y.E.S (Yoga Education in Schools) Residency Programs, Tools for Teachers Workshops, and more. Please visit: www.childlightyoga.com or (603)-781-3323.
YARMOUTH, ME Sanctuary Holistic Health & Yoga Center Spacious & beautiful newly built studio. Professional instruction in KRIPALU & HATHA YOGA and MEDITATION. Now also PILATES and QI GONG! Group & private classes, all levels: youth, teens, adults. See website for schedule. (207) 846-1162, www.sanctuaryhhyc.com.
\
The Inner Tapestry Yoga, T'ai Chi, Aikido & Meditation Directory is an excellent resource for getting the word out for your classes & workshops! If you and your group or school hold classes and workshops and would like to be listed in this Directory, please call: (207) 799-7995 or Email: info@innertapestry.org. Six issues in print costs $160 for 35 words Online placement in the Directory of Resources with a direct link to your website is an additional $75.
Feb/Mar 2008 Inner Tapestry 39
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
The Yoga Firm Studio Join our ongoing movement inspired Beginning and Flow Yoga Classes to restore the supple nature of your body and mind. Also offering Shiatsu/Acupressure bodywork. For schedule and info please contact Romee May, (207) 380-6975, 137 Townsend Ave., www.yogafirmstudio.com.
GORHAM, ME
40
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black