Inner Tapestry "The Art Of Simplicity" June July 2008

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A Holistic Journal Celebrating & Supporting LIFE! June/July 2008

u THE ART OF u SIMPLICITY

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E

E

Volume 7, No . 1

Inner

Tapestry Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

u Herbology Today

u Modern Shamanic Living ~ Frodo Lives!

u So Why Punish The Kids?

u Destination Healing SNE ~ A Simply Abundant Life

u Becoming More Fully Human

u Feng Shui ~ 7 Core Principles for Health & Wellness Part 2

u Autism: A Spiritual Perspective

u Destination Healing NNE ~ Simplicity Through Movement

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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

THE TRAGER® APPROACH Introductory Workshops

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FMI: please contact Marlena O'Hagan-Buzzell at 207-647-3521 or Email: kmbuzzell@roadrunner.com

Training Locations: Portsmouth, NH Marlborough, MA and Wakefield, RI 2 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

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Inner T APESTRY Contents

This Issue's Theme THE ART OF SIMPLICITY Au g us t/S ep tem b er 2008: L i ght ' n U p O c tober/Novem b er 2008: B ei n g Yo u r se l f December/Januar y 2008: Prayers of Peace Februar y/March 2008: Animalwize

A Holistic Journal Celebrating & Supporting LIFE!

June/July 2008

Features

Sound As Healer

Page 6

by Joyce White

Herbology Today

Page 7

by Christopher J. Bashaw, RN

Letting the Wind Be Your Ally

Page 10

by Lael Couper Jepson

Beyond Knowing ~

by Janis Amatuzio, MD

Page 11

Mysteries & Messages of Death & Life from a Forensic Pathologist

Becoming More Fully Human

Page 13

by Bella Johnson

Autism: A Spiritual Perspective

Page 20

by Rev. Oreste J. D'Aversa, All Faith Minister, Spiritual Visionary

So Why Punish the Kids

Page 21

by Dr.Kevin Ross Emery

A Breath of Healing ~ Living Simply In Complex Times

Page 8

Awareness and the Art of Seeing ~ A Lesson in Simple Living

Page 9

Enlighten Up

Page 12

by Donna Amrita Davidge

Can It Make Us Happy?

From A Panhandler

by Jen Deraspe

by Aaron Hoopes and Rita Lang

Loving Earth ~

by Pat Foley

Simplicity/Living (more) Simply So Others Can Simply Live

Modern Shamanic Living ~

Page 15 Page 16

Frodo Lives!

by Evelyn C. Rysdyk

Feng Shui & Geopathology ~ 7 Core Principles

Page 17

Destination Healing NNE ~

Simplicity Through Movement

Page 18

Destination Healing SNE ~

A Simply Abundant Live

Page 19

by Werner Brandmaier

for Health & Wellness

by Kevin Pennell

by Karen Rider

Welcome Home ~

Page 26

Ask Asrianna

by Asrianna Dameron

The Way of Life-Itself ~ The Discovery of Value Intelligence:

Page 28

The 21st Century Bohemian ~ Aligning & Applying

Page 29

Exploring The World Religions ~ Vegetarian Diet,

Page 30

by Norm and Skye Hirst

by Teresa Piccari

by James Bean

Unique to life, a full body/mind process Wisdom & Creativity

Going Green & The World Religions

Mixed Media ~ Book, Website & Music Reviews

Directories

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

Pages 44 & 45

Page 31 Pages 32-39 Pages 40-43

June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 3

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Departments

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We hope you enjoy this issue of Inner Tpaestry!

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ON THE COVER

Child of Vision Welcome to the beginning of Summer with the warmth and expansion present for all. Looking for the cover Art for this issue, The Art of Simplicity, I was drawn to an artist that I have admired for many years, Johannus Boots.

As a child and adult I have always been drawn to the art of the hidden, I have now met one of the masters. Johannus brings a deeper meaning to his art which is only found as one gazes into his work. As I sat at my computer, engrossed in his talent and pieces, I was drawn to choose Child of Vision for this issue. Once again I had found in art an expression of my feelings, in relationship to our theme.

If we embody a life of simplicity would all of our barriers and walls which define us gently dissolved to be re-gathered as new life matter to be creatively reformed within us?

Child of Vision was created shortly after the outbreak of the Gulf War. Our Outer world has been, and still is, a reflection of our collective Inner world. Our history has recorded wars fought over many boundaries and territories.

We can see that when we step further back, Earth from space has no borders. Will we use this simplistic expression of a child innocently focused on herself and the task of winding yarn to show us that we may need to focus on self, not on the boundaries or territories we have created? In Johannus words, "With all the complexity of this World it would take the simplistic view of a child to show us how simple it can be to live together in Peace."

Can we bring that to ourselves as inner peace so that we may share that with others as world peace? I feel that 4 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

Johannus makes this apparent with this introduction to his work.

"As a professional visual artist of 26 years, I have found that my personal style is consistently evolving. However, one message remains constant in my work. That is, my love and respect for the abundant beauty of nature, in all its perfection and intricacy. It continuously manifests its mysteries for all to find. My use of hidden images is a portrayal of nature's gifts exemplifying my conviction that we are all one, in both our connection to each other and to the magnificent Earth we live on.

"A portion of my more recent work may also depict some of the tenuous morality and contradictions of society.

However, my belief that the overwhelming vitality and resilience of nature, the beauty and fervour of the human spirit infinitely override the contrast of human conflict.

"It is my artistic goal that I elicit a renewed understanding of the vast wonders continuously available to us all. It is my hope that the viewer is inspired towards introspection, interpreting and reacting to my work in a personal and unique manner taking from it what he or she needs."

You can find Johannus' art at www.johannusboots.com where you can contact him, purchase or just gaze at these wonderful creations.

Johannus... Our thanks for the sharing of your self and family through this work and for your support of the journal and our world.

5 INNER WORKINGS New this Issue:

WOW! Spring finally came and by the time everyone is reading

this HAPPY SUMMER! Welcome to the June/July issue of Inner Tapestry, "The Art of Simplicity." This is the first issue of our seventh year of publication

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY EVERYONE! We would like to thank all of you for your continued support and partnership of creating the community that we all desire to experience in the world. We lovingly appreciate all of you as our partners in this journey.

We are consistently being exposed to new and different ways of bringing more of our self expression into healing work as a community. We are grateful for the opportunity to share this growth of everyone as we change and evolve in our lives to be a vehicle in sharing this with others.

We have some very talented people once again coming together for this issue.

We have a spotlight on children and adults with Autism and ADD. In our articles there are some very interesting perspectives on what we have labelled as a "condition" and our relationship to ourselves, being in relationship to these ways of being. I also had been asked to publish a special letter on page 39 and we welcome your perspectives.

We have also added new practitioners to our Directory of Resources and great upcoming events for the summer months. We hope that you will take the opportunity to attend things like the summer SolarFest at Forget-Me-Not Farm in Timouth, VT. This seems like Vermont's sister event to the Common Ground Fair in Maine. Both definitely worth attending in my book.

The New England Holistic Practitioners and Energy Workers Convention will be in Nashua this July at the Holiday Inn bringing practitioners together to share and connect with classes and exhibits extending to a fair/expo open to the community on Sunday.

This issue brings forth an exceptionally creative array of offerings from Crystal Skull Training to various Women's retreats in many locations. You can find more information in the display ads and in the calendar of events. I heard from the wind and water that there maybe a trip to swim with the dolphins in February...

Stay tuned.

We are excited for two of our community "family" members with expanding growth in their lives. Meg Wolff has ask that her column be handed off due to growing family needs and new business prospects. Helen Warren has expanded her practice. We are also grateful for her continued support during this transition and that this aspect of her life is expanding and growing, Yeah!

So if anyone knows of anyone looking to express themselves in a healthy living column, not necessarily just cooking, and or helping with advertising for the journal please let us know.

We all have been feeling the need to be more present in our lives. There is much continuing to shift in the world and I feel that we can embrace those shifts in a gentle and loving way. The people who come together to bring you this journal can help in just that way. They can support the process of a life in transition, to allow us to access more of who we are and bring that out into the world.

We do create our reality... What is the reality that we wish to experience? Will we find within ourselves the desire to move into a more expansive open way of being, when we feel the world closing in on itself with worry and concern? The answer is YES! If we are willing to be responsible to ourselves.

But the key is that an expansive, open way of being has one crucial component, sharing, and that consists of being in relationship to another. Let's face it, there are just too many of us here at the same time for it to be coincidence or for us to live alone. Thank you all for the opportunity to share, laugh, love, cry and be in community with all of you.

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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.

It can be found in businesses and services that promote complementary healing, and who support cultural, environmental and educational needs, where ideas of conscious living and integrative wholeness are welcomed and nourished.

In our seventh 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 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.

Subscriptions

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 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 website is the sixth way to advertise, with a side banner Display Ad or an online Directory of Resource Ad. For ad size and pricing information visit www.innertapestry.org or call 207-799-7995.

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.

$20.00/year, 6 issues A H olistic Journal Celebrating & Supporting LIFE!

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Publishers All inquiries call:

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Inner Tapestry can be picked up for free in over 500 locations, but to insure you don’t miss a copy, subscriptions are available.

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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.

June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 5

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Sound As Healer

by Joyce White

ow that the windows are open, I guess I need to explain to my neighbors—thankfully they are not close but might be out walking—that the unusual sounds emanating from my house are not a reason to call 911 or mental health professionals. No, they are the sounds of healing—chanting and toning long guttural ooos, deep, prolonged ahhs, higher pitched eees and the ethereal (or eerie) tones of quartz crystal and Tibetan singing bowls.

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I don’t know why it has taken me so long to come to the realization of sound as a major piece of the whole picture of energy in healing and spirituality. It has been 40 years since my first introduction to the relationship between life force energy and health.

In 1967 an iconoclastic professor of psychology introduced us to the work of Wilhelm Reich, an Austrian psychiatrist and innovative scientist who settled in Rangeley, Maine in the early 1940s. He had discovered an energy, not acknowledged by conventional science that animates all living beings, which he called the “orgone.” In human bodies, the healthy movement of this orgone, the life force energy, is often blocked, Reich determined, in the areas of the eyes, throat, solar plexus and pelvis resulting in disease processes. The recognition of some of those blocks within myself and the realization of the possibility of restoring health by freeing the blocked energy initiated 40 years of exploration of many aspects of energy and spiritual healing.

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Then, just last year at the age of 74, I experienced sound as a powerful healing modality that I had overlooked. Music and the sounds of Nature have always been important to my sense of well being but sound healing has opened another dimension.

After Anne Stuer welcomed me into her Bethel office for my first sound healing experience, she explained that she uses a variety of sound tools to help bring a client back into balance.

Against background sounds of relaxing music and a burbling fountain, I lay fully clothed on her massage table and took several deep relaxing breaths while Anne worked out the individualized treatment strategy from the information I had given her. “Each individual has different, specific energetic needs,” she explained, and I learned that they could vary with each visit.

Each of my treatments has been a bit different, but I’m always enveloped in sound, perhaps from drums, singing bowls and a variety of rattles. Also Anne always uses tuning forks on the acupressure points and chakras that need help in freeing the energy. It has been as effective as acupuncture for me and is extremely pleasant.

With a background in science—she has a BS in biochemistry—and an abiding interest in spirituality, Anne said she was looking for “something more” when she took a weeklong workshop at Omega five years ago. Doug Von Koss led the program entitled “Outrageous Joy” in a whole week of singing, toning and chanting in a variety of languages from many cultures. “It was amazing, a most incredible week. It’s the first time I’d felt that kind of energy, of being high the whole time—outrageous joy.”

That experience, plus her first sound healing treatment, inspired Anne to expand her existing practice in Reiki and foot massage to include sound healing. She found Mitchell Gaynor, MD’s book, The Healing Power of Sound, at Omega and that was an important inspiration for her interest in using sound as a healing modality. In addition to several books about healing with sound, other books that Anne has found to be useful in her study and practice of sound healing are: Finding Effective Acupressure Points by Stephen Brown, Acupressure’s Potent Points by Michael Reed Gach, Acupressure for Emotional Healing by Michael Reed Gach, PhD Gaynor, also an inspiration to me, says in his book, “I believe that sound, the most under-utilized and least appreciated mind-body tool, should become a part of every healer’s medical bag…." Gaynor acknowledges the influence of Sufis, a mystical Islamic sect who have a long history of being deeply immersed in understanding the effects of sound and music on body and mind. To Sufis, who “perceive the cosmos as a vast vibrating medium, sound is nothing less than food for the soul.”

Gaynor believes illness is a form of disharmony at a physiologic, molecular or genetic level and that the goal of healing is to reestablish harmony. The new medical worldview, he says, accepts that every biological action is accompanied by 6 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

cellular activity governed by genes, proteins and cell surface receptors. In other words, every bodily action occurs simultaneously with thoughts, feelings, hormonal changes, immune system modifications, the release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides and countless other transformations, all remarkably coordinated.

This perspective goes by many names, he says, but neuroimmunology seems to best describe the continuous interaction of all systems.

Sound waves, he says are “yet another form of energy that can conceivably influence neuropeptides and their cellular receptors. And if we recognize that our own biological healing systems are influenced by energy fields, we can begin to understand why sound and vibration are important tools for healing.”

In Yoga philosophy, prana is the name given the universal life force energy that flows through and nourishes every cell in our bodies. It was an exciting aha moment for me when I noted the similarity between prana and chi and Reich’s orgone.

The 3000-year-old discipline of Yoga, whose goal is to create a sense of harmony, gives particular importance to the breath as the outward manifestation of prana, creating a bridge between mind and body.

Gaynor quotes Laurel Elizabeth Keyes, founder of a lay religious order in 1963 dedicated to healing through prayer and toning: “Anyone can use toning, just as we use electricity. There are natural channels in the energy of our body, and if we recognize and learn to flow with them, they will keep us healthy.”

Gaynor incorporates the use of quartz crystal bowls into his medical practice because his experience and that of his patients has led him to believe that the overtones they produce have unusual resonant and healing properties. The bowls resonate with the human voice and the sounds permeate the human system. This resonance tends to transform inner chaos and dissonance into harmony.

Another proponent of sound healing, Don Campbell, says in his book, The Roar of Silence, and in the CD, Healing Yourself with Your Own Voice, that the toning and chanting of vowel sounds is a “way to massage, oxygenate and vibrate ourselves internally, from the inside out.” He emphasizes that the making of sound is not to be done for anyone’s approval but for its vibratory effect on body, mind and spirit.

Campbell leads listeners in making their own sounds and this led me into the next phase of my experience of sound healing: integrating the use of my own voice with a quartz crystal and a Tibetan singing bowl on a daily basis has greatly increased the impact of sound healing. It’s still very rewarding to experience Anne’s treatments once a month, but I feel as though making the sounds myself has given me an added dimension of control over my own well being.

Born on a small farm in Maine in 1932, Joyce has always found deep satisfaction in deciphering bits of the mystery of the natural world. The search to understand how it all works still informs all aspects of her life.

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HerbologyToday

by Christopher J. Bashaw, RN

Herbology is the study of botanicals and their use in healing.

and Cure of Disease”, volume 1, 1922 edition edited by B. Frank Scholl, Ph.G., MD, Historical Publishing Co., Philadelphia, PA which has within its 1774 pages chapters on preventative medicine, curative medicine, and countless pages dedicated to medicinal plants and organic (vegetable) materials treating tonsillitis to cancer. Under its eleven chapters of “Medical Schools” it discusses in quite some depth homeopathy, osteopathy, massage, chiropractic, hydrotherapy, Japanese culture based treatments, German culture based treatments and more of which all include botanical approaches to treatment. These treatments were not only common treatments of the day, but were supported by physicians of the day by evidence of sanction by the editing of the book

by B. Frank Scholl, Ph.G., MD. Many of these common treatments are as effective today as they were in 1916. And all of them can be learned and used in nearly every household in modern America.

So what has changed from 1916 to today? The medical community tends to lean toward "scientifically" based remedies instead. Now, there is nothing wrong with allopathic medicine, but today we truly need to integrate both styles of medicine. We need to understand both styles of medicine, for each has strengths and weaknesses.

As a society, each one of us must become our own advocate. We must study and research treatments on both sides of the fence and decide what treatment works best for us. We must discard the old notion that the physician is in total control of our health, and we must become empowered to ask questions, research and both say no and demand the treatment of our choice. In turn we must utilize the provider as a tool, a member in our team of healthcare practitioners.

It all begins with research. As for Herbology there are great books on the market, there are training courses in Herbology, and yes there is the Internet (but take the information from many sources and do not take any information at face value). And of course there are certified herbalists, flower essence practitioners, acupuncturists, and naturopaths whose skill and knowledge can help you. In the next few issues I hope to share with you more about herbology so that you can you can begin educating yourself on this art, which is coming back into popularity here in the United States.

Christopher Bashaw is a registered nurse with 24 years experience specializing in integrative medicine. Christopher currently is seeing patients at the Mizu Tama Dojo and White Lotus Healing Arts Clinic in Rochester, NH as well as Pinewood Medical Center at the Pinewood Healing Arts Center in Somersworth, NH. http://www.freewebs.com/mizu_tama_dojo.

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June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 7

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Herbal medicine employs many different types of plants ranging in strength from herbs, which can be taken with relative safety, to plants that may have toxicity and should be used only by trained professionals. In the United States herbal medicine usually refers to the use of plants that are indigenous to Europe and Northern America. There are, on the other hand, many different disciplines of herbal medicine including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which uses plants native to China and Asia and Ayurvedic herbal medicine which uses plants native to India. Herbal Medicine is the oldest known form of medicine and has been around since the earliest writings of our ancestors in the treatment of the common maladies that our early relations regularly encountered. Every culture utilized some form of herbal medicine. In fact, medical doctors in the United States were trained in herbal medicine up until the early 1900’s.Herbology is the foundation that all our modern day pharmaceuticals are based upon. The difference being that through technology and refinement the medicinal compounds originally found in herbs have been carefully extracted and broken down, often synthesized to create advanced substances to treat illness in today’s modern world. In short the use of the term herbology is seen more as healing, balancing and harmonizing the body, where as modern medicine approaches its perspective as a cure using pharmacology as one of its main weapons.

Long ago when one of our first ancestors were ill or hurt they went to the tribal shaman, or witch doctor, or weed woman. Upon diagnosis they were then given a local herb, often something we now consider a weed, which effectively treated their woe and allowed them to return to a state of balance and homeostasis. These witch doctors or weed women trained through long apprenticeships to learn and understand the herbs of their region as well as the illnesses of their time. They then treated the person as a whole in body, mind and spirit, aiding the body to repair itself, supporting that healing process. They knew when to pick what herb, where to find it, how to prepare it and how to use it with combinations of other herbs to return the body to harmony. These were learned and respected individuals within their communities.

Many physicians in the United States either do not value the herbal approach to healthcare, or simply do not understand herbology in its role of prevention and use in chronic health ailments, and so, in turn, do not validate its effectiveness. In fact, many physicians of our day shun the very fact that not too long ago their forefathers of medicine were well versed in the art of herbology. In my collection of herbal texts I have a book copyright 1916, “Library of health: Complete Guide to Prevention

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a breat h o f he ali n g

Living Simply In Complex Times Can it make us happy?

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by Donna Amrita Davidge

yoga life is meant to be to a simple life, free from attachments and with a mind that can transcend the 5 senses to experience living from the 6th sense of intuition. But yoga in our life, in the mainstream, can be quite complicated. Which type of yoga should I do? Can I afford it? How do I learn it?

Who do I learn from? If it is a spiritual practice why do I have to pay for it? Today I got an e-newsletter that have the 10 top yoga clothing designers to choose from.

Yikes! Now we have to afford yoga clothes and a “yoga look” as well?

Pahtanjali’s Yoga Sutras give us many insights into what yoga is ii:42 states "Owing to contentment, there is an unexcelled attainment of happiness” and Yogi Bhajan told us that happiness is our birthright.

The truth is that our lives feel more and more complicated. Maybe this is why so many turn toward yoga. Stress levels are up, people are taking anti-depressants, anti-anxiety pills and sleeping medications to cope with their everyday lives. The pressures of these times are reflected in our economy, our healthcare system, our health problems and our lives.

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The world is no longer a simple place. The economy is global. We are all made aware of the need to return to a simpler way of living to save our planet, our air, water, food supplies and all the living species. Many yogis are jumping on the bandwagon of the trend but are we really heeding the message in our own lives? Many are, in little ways, and in big efforts. Linda Rowe, the yoga teacher in Houlton, Maine built a home with her husband David that was totally green, using solar and composting toilets. The home is beautiful and built with the help of friends and proof that you don’t need a big budget to be green.

Being on a budget is actually a great way to live more simply. We often create less waste and excess this way. If you do not have the budget for ongoing yoga classes, take a few to get started, see if you can volunteer or barter for some classes. Ask the teacher for a home routine. Purchase a DVD for home practice or take a book or video/DVD out of the library. The best and most basic practice in yoga are sun salutations. (See end of article for description.) While it is great fun to challenge yourself to more than this, with a few sun salutations a day you can develop a practice that will give you more flexibility and strength. Adding some pranayam to your practice makes you realize the full potential of the breath to deliver life giving prana to our cells, internal organs and systems. As we breathe deeply we momentatily can free our mind from the attachments to things we think we are missing in our lives, unfulfilled dreams and desires, and just be free in the moment. A yoga practice can be very simple to have profound effects. Slowing the breath, suspending and retaining the breath, can all change patterns in our way of thinking, feeling and being. We may not be able to control certain externals in our lives but with yoga we can learn to control our mind, body, breath and our reactions to things. It all seems a bit simpler in those moments.

In a yogi life we also practice non-harming and being truthful. This truly makes life simpler, living authentically, not having to watch your back or remember some lie you told someone! We can carry that from not injuring ourselves in our physical practice (who said we have to push ourselves into impossible postures?) to the words we say to others and ourselves. Are we really making our lives more complicated than we need to just by what we say and think? We might sit in silence for a few minutes following the flow of our breath and ask ourselves what we might be able to change to not make life so complicated!

The fact is that human beings are complicated, each and every one of us, but it is how we handle all our components emotional, physical, mental, psychological, spiritual that helps us create the physical and mental balance yoga reaches for.

We can create rituals to make our practice support a balanced life but also need to allow ourselves to be flexible too. If you feel guilty and angry at yourself for not exercising more or meditating more, or at the exact same time everyday, this will only cause more stress and imbalance.

No matter who we are and how much we practice, we live in this world. We have real problems. With yoga we have asana to purify the body. We have tools to help our mind see things more clearly so we can live simply. Yoga is an art and a science. Ultimately yoga is to help us to strive to be more happy. Yoga has become so popular that some teachers are reaching the masses and are real money making machines. Perhaps the teachers who are not reaching the masses, catering to the star system our culture so thrives on, are the ones living more simply like the yogis of old. That is for our hearts to decide, and theirs. Whatever form it takes and whatever speaks to you, yoga is a practice that can lighten your load and make life seem a little easier.

8 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

Here is a meditation for inner tension and stress:

The fingers relate to the brain so see if you can do this hand position as specified and keep it throughout the meditation.

Place your hands like a lotus flower in front of the middle of your chest.

Let the pinkies and thumbs (tips) meet each other on each hand.

Let the three middle fingers on each hand come together and be straight up.

They DO NOT touch the pinkies or thumbs.

Close your eyes down to one tenth open, looking at the tip of your nose (this fixes your mind).

Inhale through the nose.

Exhale through the mouth.

Inhale through the mouth.

Exhale through the nose.

Keep concentrating on creating this pattern of breathing for 11 minutes as you keep the hands in the position and the eyes fixed at the tip of the nose the whole time (it is best to use a timer).

At the end inhale through the nose, close the eyes, hold the breath in and then let it out when you need to. Repeat this two more times.

Relax the hands down and take a few moments to sit or lie down and observe the way you feel.

Sun Salutations: There are many variations on these but this is a basic one.

All breathing is through the nose.

• • • •

• • • • •

• •

• • • • • • •

1. Stand with feet close and parallel, hands by your side, feel the flow of your breath.

2. Bring hands together at the middle of the chest.

3. Inhale, bring arms straight up and let palms meet (or not) and drop head back if it is comfortable for your neck.

4. Exhale and fold the body in half, letting the head drop and bringing the hands to the floor (if you can, hands are right beside and outside of your feet).

5. Inhale and step the right foot back, letting the knee be down or up.

6. Left foot is between the hands until you inhale it back to meet the right.

Keep breathing and hold plank (front push up position) for a few moments.

7. Drop the knees to the floor and carefully bring your body to the mat (belly down) on an exhale.

8. Bring hands under shoulders and inhale lift the chest, being careful to keep the shoulders down and back, and lift head slightly if that is ok for your neck (this is cobra).

9. Hold pose for a breath or two and then inhale onto your hands and knees.

10. On the next inhale raise the tail-bone toward the ceiling into down dog, spread fingers wide and press heals of the feet and hands (as well as the fingers) into the floor (body looks like an inverted V).

Stay here up to 5 long deep breaths through the nose.

11. Inhale, bring the right foot forward, exhale, (step or walk the foot forward between the hands).

12. Inhale, bring the left foot forward, exhale knees are bent.

13. Inhale, lift head, push lower back down and head up, straighten the legs now.

14. Exhale, drop head to knees and lengthen spine as much as you can, keep legs straight if you can, bend if you need to (for those less flexible).

15. Inhale, lift body and arms up, palms meet overhead (or not).

16. Exhale, lower arms by your side.

That is one complete sun salute. Do 2-3 minimum and up to 5 to begin. Now you have a simple yoga routine and a meditation! Do the sun salutations as a physical warm-up and then the meditation or simple breathing exercises sitting cross legged or in a chair with spine straight. (Our wonder demonstration figures were courtesy of John at www.yogasite.com in Orleans, MA. Thank you John.) ~ Good luck!

Donna (Amrita) Davidge has been teaching yoga since 1985 in NY City. In 1997 she opened Sewall House Yoga Retreat in Island Falls, Maine which offers guests an opportunity to learn and practice yoga in small noncompetitive classes, with personalized attention and in her great grandfather’s historic home, which offers an atmosphere of a simpler time with the beautiful antiques and energy of her ancestors. Her husband Kent Bonham is the chef, musician and oversees the work study program at the retreat. www.sewallhouse.com/ info@sewallhouse.com with yoga questions, retreat questions. 888-235-2395.

9

AwarenessandtheArtofSeeing:

Contemplations on the environment and interconnection

by Jen Deraspe

A Lesson in Simple Living The Thirteenth Moon

Susan Bakaley Marshall ATR-BC, LCPC

board certified art therapist, licensed clinical counselor, Shamanic practitioner

from a Panhandler

ART from the heART

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

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Sewall House Retreat offers yoga v meditation v massage and more. . .

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Where Theodore Roosevelt learned the healing attributes of nature.

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www.sewallhouse.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.

Pleasant Mountain, Denmark, ME June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 9

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COME AND VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE !

At the Farmer’s Market in Santa Monica, a panhandler stood tall wearing a big smile, pink baseball cap and a sign asking for money. I passed her by. There were so many homeless on the street that day; I was beginning to feel overwhelmed. I paused at the vegetable stand nearby and watched her from the corner of my eye, fascinated by her steady and expansive smile. I struggled with guilt as I tried to locate an honest yes or no for this one asking.

Two days later, I noticed a familiar face checking into the hostel I was staying at.

I approached her and asked what she was up to on this sunny day. I didn’t realize it was the same woman I saw at the market. She said, “I’m taking the day off from panhandling. I got a good tip yesterday and am going down to the pier. My friend plays great music there. Do you want to come?” I didn’t see why not.

We went our separate ways and later that morning I was walking over the bridge to the pier and we saw each other at the same time. She waved me down.

I felt some sense of excitement and appreciation for the encounter that was about to happen.

My newfound friend, the homeless woman weathered by years in the sun, the one I passed by earlier, offered to buy me lunch. How can words express the level of generosity and kindness I was experiencing from this “stranger?”

A woman had given her $40 the day before for being such a good listener and simply wanted to help her out. Now, the one with apparently so little is willing to share her good fortune with another.

I wanted to sit in the receiving, to see how it would feel to open my heart to this gift rather than push it away and insist otherwise so I accepted the offer.

I asked if I could ask her questions about her life. She was open and seemed to have nothing to hide. She shared how she landed on the streets and how she kept herself safe. I asked her if she felt her needs had been met and if she felt the universe was kind. Without hesitation, she said she always felt supported and that God was good.

I could only imagine the level of trust one needs to still remain joyful, gracious and kind in the face of living hand to mouth. It seems she is living beautifully through the day to day fears of impending lack, poverty, safety and security that so many of us hold with such clenched fists even while we have so, so much.

In the midst of our conversation, she offered some advice. “Cherish your home and all that you have. Life is not about money; it’s all about love and helping people.”

My new friend shared that many people enjoy her company because she is a good listener and has “sane things to share”. I would agree.

We said a sweet goodbye (it was for me anyway!) and I was very touched. Later that day I realized I would love to make her dinner. I searched for her and found her at the farmer’s market again in the same place, back to work. She said she already had plans. It felt right to return her generous gesture. She received my donation graciously.

The stranger on the street modeled the beauty available in simple living; trusting this kind universe, asking for what you need, and receiving and giving kindness. Perhaps living the simple life is truly internal and has nothing to do with circumstance.

10

Letting the Wind Be Your Ally

by Lael Couper Jepson

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ears ago, I was introduced to the phrase “blowing the stink off” and it stuck with me. At the time, it was in reference to the engine of a car – getting it out on the highway and opening it up so that the gunk and grime that had accumulated from its around-town usage could be cleaned out of the system. The idea was to do this periodically so that the engine would perform better, last longer and generally “run cleaner”. From experience, I will say the effect benefited both the car and the driver. Over time, the practice of “blowing the stink off” has become a regular ritual and has demonstrated its practical applications way beyond the scope of my car.

At its core, this practice is an invitation to cut loose, shake out your feathers, and let wind and gravity cast off anything that is dragging you down, holding you back or otherwise clogging your system. We all have them – the barnacles that somehow attach themselves to our hulls or the bugs that get pasted to our windshields, whether they are persistent “shoulds”, annoying replays of scenarios or interactions or perhaps lingering regrets that are really minor in the grand scheme of your life. The bottom line is that it doesn’t really matter where they came from or how or when they attached themselves to us – it’s that they are here now and they’re ugly, unnecessary and tend to hold us back because of their excess weight and “drag”. They are just parasites along for the ride – Your ride.

Just imagine how free and easy your ride might be without them. If you were to blow the stink off every now and then, how might your journey be different?

Consider this: if you have come this far with the barnacles attached to you, imagine what you will be capable of or how far you would go if you were to clean the junk out of the trunk – to get rid of the back-seat-driver sort of stuff that slows you down, distracts you from the scenery and causes you to burn more gas.

Sounds wonderful right? You might be thinking, “it’s not that easy… you’re making it sound so simple.” Maybe. But what if it were that easy? What if we could cast off our barnacles or blow off the bugs by going out on the open road and just revving our engine up a bit – and letting the wind and gravity be our allies?

Ever make your way onto the highway and watch what happens to the bugs that are desperately clinging to your windshield? What happens to them as you pick up your speed? Gone! At least most of them are. Sure, you might still have one or two that hold out – just as you have one of two issues or habits that will take a bit more elbow grease to remove; I’m not denying that. My point is this: for the majority of bugs, you don’t even need to turn on your windshield wipers to cast them off. In this way, perhaps you can increase your visibility and clarity without much effort on your part.

Personally speaking, I have a number of ways I like to blow the stink off - my own stash of methods that are tried and true and have endured the test of time.

Sometimes I run - the leave-your-lung-in-the-parking-lot sort of runs that are so foreign to my 39-year-old body. Probably one of my most relied upon methods

involves popping in some rockin’ music, cranking up my car stereo as loud as it goes and singing my heart out. The boom-boom of the bass and drums as my voice merges with Aretha, Annie Lennox, and Eva Cassidy has easily and effortlessly dislodged even the most tenacious of my barnacles. There are also occasions that involve other people - like crazy dancing to disco with my five year old (we call it “getting our ou-oos out”) or going on a roadtrip with some of my best girlfriends and howling with laughter as we share our thoughts about life and tell our womentales. Regardless of which one I choose, they all rely on two factors: loudness and laughter. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

We are a society that thrives on struggle, toil and sweat. We work hard. We even play hard. So I recognize that this simple (dare I say “fun”?) way of blowing off our stink can be a radical move for people. But what if it was just that easy to lighten the majority of our load, but we resisted the notion because we were taking ourselves (or the barnacles and bugs) too seriously? For some, blowing off the stink can be a terrifying proposition because it means letting go or saying goodbye to those things you have come to know so well. It means stripping down and being seen by yourself and others for who you really are. It might make you feel vulnerable and naked. Ultimately, it signals that you are taking responsibility – when it is just us, there is no one to blame or distract us. No excuses.

Of course you are absolutely entitled to cling to those particular barnacles with which you identify and are not ready to part ways with – those tough items stuck firmly into our front grills or perhaps worn as a hood ornament – I’m not suggesting you go cold turkey. What I am inviting is some curiosity and experimentation: how many bugs might fly away on the open road if given the chance?

Whatever your particular vehicle you are in at this phase of your life – an ocean liner, a mini-van, or an ice cream truck – ask yourself if it’s time to blow the stink off. Gather some friends or maybe go it alone, but find a stretch of open road that calls to you and open it up – let your particular engine do what it loves and watch as the bugs, barnacles and excess luggage get carried off by the wind. Smile to yourself as you look in the rear view mirror and see what you’ve left in your wake.

Above all, have fun with it and notice how free and easy it is to travel without it.

There will be plenty of opportunities to struggle and sweat later. Dare to let this one be easy. See what happens.

Lael Couper Jepson, MSOD, CPCC of SheChanges, is a certified professional coach, organization development consultant and retreat leader for women and women’s businesses and organizations. Through private and executive coaching and consulting services, retreats and workshops, Lael creates catalytic moments for women that inspire and propel them to live more fulfilling and powerful lives. She will be holding her annual women’s retreat, Homecoming, this October 3-5 at Kingsley Pines in Raymond, Maine. (see ad page 22) www.SheChanges.com.

Massage Therapy Available

10 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

11

Beyond Knowing

Mysteries & Messages of Death & Life from a Forensic Pathologist

by Janis Amatuzio, MD

D

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 3 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 were different this past year, but then again, so am I. Based on the book Beyond Knowing: Mysteries and Messages of Death and Life from a Forensic Pathologist by Dr. Janis Amatuzio. Printed with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA. www.newworldlibrary.com <http://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.

"If something comes to life in others because of you then you have made an approach to immortality."

Norman Cousins June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 11

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ad died in August last 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 2 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.

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.

“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.”

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.

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 10 days till 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

12

e nligh te n u p

Shishi by Aaron Hoopes & Rita Lang

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Too often we get caught up in the dramas and stresses of life and sometimes it is helpful to take things a little less seriously. Enlighten Up is a regular column that takes a look at spirituality in a thoughtful yet easy-going manner. It is the creation of Aaron Hoopes and Rita Lang from Orange, CT. This is going to be a little ironic in that the first column of Enlighten Up is going to cover something a little heavy. As some of you may know, our little Abyssinian cat, Shishi passed away recently. We knew it was coming but still it was quite traumatic. Shishi had been ill for some time. She was 12 years old, which is the average lifespan for Abyssinians. As of late she had been losing weight despite a ravenous appetite. The vet wanted to run all sorts of tests, insisting we shouldn’t stop until we found out what was wrong with her. We knew she was dying, that was enough. All the tests were going to do was put a label on it. So after some blood work to rule out curable issues, we stopped them and brought her home.

Shishi was in great spirits. She was as loving as ever and seemed genuinely happy and content as if she knew what was happening and had accepted it. The last few weeks, as she got smaller and smaller, were very special and intense. She was in no pain at all, as far as we could tell, just a tiny, loving fur ball getting weaker and weaker by the day.

I think she knew what was coming and chose the best method to move on.

She waited until Rita and I were at the Whole Health Expo in Portsmouth and she was home alone with Rita’s 15 year old daughter, Emily. It wasn’t violent or ugly she simply curled up in Emily’s lap and went to sleep one last time, on her own terms.

How heart-wrenchingly painful it is to come home to find your cat stiff and lifeless on the couch. It is very easy to go to a place of second guessing if you did things differently she might have lived longer. It is very easy to get caught up in the despair of not being with her in the last moments. Lots of tears…

Your perceptions change when these types of events take place. How important is taking out the garbage… my cat is dead!

And yet we move on. There are bills to pay and classes to teach. The ache slowly dims and we remember her fondly along with all the other pets we have lost. Other people offer sympathy, but don’t really feel our pain, just as we offer sympathy when someone else tells us their pet died.

Death brings such finality with it. No more opportunities to say something else or show your feelings.

Once someone dies our relationship with them is carved into stone. It doesn’t matter if it is a pet or a person. While they are alive we have a chance to create whatever relationship we can with them. While they are alive we can be loving, caring or forgiving. Once they are gone we cannot change that. It is only during life that we have the opportunity to adjust the way we relate to others. Take a moment and think about the relationships in your life, be it with your pet, your partner, or your children. Make the relationship you have with them now the one you want carved into stone when you are gone.

Aaron Hoopes is an author, instructor and the founder of Zen Yoga. His newest book Breathe Smart 2nd Edition is available now. Rita Lang is a licensed massage therapist and the Program Director of Zen Yoga. More information is available at www.artofzenyoga.com.

"Until One has loved an animal, " a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

Anatole France 12 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

13

Becoming More Fully Human

by Bella Johnson

Bela Johnson has spent almost 20 years of her life as a Medical Intuitive. Two years ago, she and her husband Chris moved from Maine to the Big Island of Hawaii, where their plans include vacation rentals as well as future retreats. http://www.belajohnson.com and http://www.mauiviewskohala.com

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There are many words of wisdom encouraging us to be better people: love one another, treat others as we would like to be treated, imagine walking a mile in another’s shoes. Surely our being mindful of these ideas can lead us away from more destructive behavior. Yet I’ve often asked myself how we can fully grasp such concepts when we don’t innately know who we are and what we stand for. In his book, The Search for Authenticity, J.F.T. Bugental states that “the world of daily happenings is set in a larger world of human experience.”

We continue to adjust to a culture that has lost many of its more humane qualities due to technological expansion. In the May 2007 issue of Vanity Fair, E.O. Wilson offers, “Somehow, by a process still not well understood, we mastered fire, invented weaponry, and learned to talk to one another in arbitrarily devised symbolic languages. But in rising to power, beginning with the invention of agriculture a scant 10 millennia ago, we carried along with us the heavy baggage of ancient primate instincts. Today, as a result, we live in Star Wars civilizations ruled by Stone Age emotions, medieval institutions, and god-like technology.” And again from Bugental, “Adjustment has come to mean acceptance of the values of competitive striving, accumulation of material goods, secrecy and separateness.”

We can get so wrapped up in the whirlwind of this fast-moving life that we dread the silence offered by solitude. Instead we may shut down even as we throw ourselves into the fray. Yet if we can make the time, quiet spaces offer us the opportunity to reflect, to sift through life’s many distractions and get down to what is real for us, what is crucial to our sanity – what, in effect, it takes to keep us in touch with our own humanity.

Taking this reflective time need not overwhelm us with remorse for words spoken out of turn or regrettable actions. As power is ever in the present, we can discern between the roles we have adopted and what feels true for us in our hearts. We can reflect upon our own perceived needs and those of others. What is essential to nurture and grow our relationships as human beings? How can we maintain our integrity when surrounded with stereotypically conditioned behaviors, whether acted out by others upon us, or by us upon ourselves? We can sit with our own thoughts and guidance in these quiet contemplative times, or we can create more distractions to place ourselves at the center of the chaos that has become our familiar.

I’m not saying chaos in itself is a bad thing. Rather it is how we relate to it that determines its usefulness or destructive capacity in our lives. In the very act of creating something, for example, we must surrender to the chaotic in order to birth new possibilities. Many of us know the experience of frantically searching for the answer to a question and having that answer pop into our heads the minute we stop thinking so hard about it. This is part of the surrender to the chaos of creation, where we may find ourselves in the eye of the storm, so to speak. We let chaos whirl about, as it will, while maintaining our center, holding a space for an answer to emerge. Yet how many of us consciously honor this process? Many of us have been conditioned to the idea that, if

we only work hard enough, what we wish for will be fashioned by the sweat of our brow Allowing space to reflect might be thought of as laziness and complacency.

Creativity and the arts sit on the back burner of our techno-obsessed culture, cast aside with those who simply cannot move fully into its frantic paradigm. Somehow it seems many of us have come through life with our sensitivities intact and we live with a deep conviction that there is something unique we must express. And many live with the unquiet feeling that there is a schizoid split between who they are and the roles they must assume in order to make a living and fit within society. Yet each and every one of us comes into the world with seeds of uniqueness, our own gifts to the world. And if we fail to germinate these seeds, if we fail to utilize them in every walk of life, there can be an unsettling sense of something left undone. If we do not explore this sense of loss, this lack of authentic expression through the act—or shall we say art—of reflection, our gifts may lie dormant within, their expression lost to us forever. The unacknowledged despair generated from this dormancy is considered by some as the source of depression, itself almost epidemic in today’s fast-paced world.

There are two essential factors of our existence: life and death. The dynamic of creation and self exploration supports life and in their absence we experience death on many levels. Most of us know the occasional experience of moving through certain days of our lives as though we are “dead on our feet.” Both life and death are givens in our existence, yet in order to die well, we might consider the importance of living more fully, expressing more of who we are by exploring the authentic depths of our own souls.

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For mo re i n fo r m at io n em a il: in fo @ in n er t ape s tr y. o rg June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 13

14

Plug Into the Sun at SolarFest 2008

by Scott Cronenweth

Through a friend we connected with a wonderful event that I feel is headed towards its own version of the Maine Common Ground Fair. I asked Scott to write a piece about SolarFest to give our readers the opportunity to find a new and exciting place to play this summer with some really great people! Thanks Scott.

Much of the innovation and progress taking place today around sustainable energy, both in the US and elsewhere, is happening through small-scale, community involvement. Many visionaries believe that aggressive conservation — ultimately an individual effort — combined with small, sustainable power generation systems interconnected to our existing power grids, will play a critical role in downsizing humanity’s global carbon footprint.

Nurtured in places both urban and rural where communities stand strong and individuals remember how much their choices matter, people like you and me are figuring out how to embrace sustainable technologies like solar power, wind power and biofuels in combination with thoughtful, conservation-minded choices about everything from food and water to toys and cosmetics.

If you’re ready to explore exactly how you can begin utilizing the latest technology and information for energy conservation and “personal power generation” in your own life, you need look no further than the rolling green hills of Vermont. That’s where you’ll find SolarFest 2008 (www.solarfest.org), the New England Renewable Energy Festival.

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More than a Product Expo

SolarFest 2008 takes place on July 11th through 13th at beautiful Forget-MeNot Farm, just southwest of Rutland near the intersection of Routes 133 and 140 in Tinmouth, Vermont. For fourteen years now, SolarFest has been celebrating the combined power of renewable energy, community action and the Arts to change the world. It’s through committed efforts like these, rippling out across the planet, that people everywhere are accessing new ways of living.

This is a festival that totally walks the talk. For example: through their photovoltaic solar grid SolarFest 2008 will generate more power than it needs and will actually help offset the power demands of the working farm on which the festival takes place! By using energy-efficient lighting such as LEDs, the stage lights at SolarFest consume about one-third the power of a conventional setup. Bottled water is not sold here, but clean, potable local water will be freely available. And the whole effort is “volunteer-powered.” It’s truly a labor of love… for the Earth and all beings.

Most importantly, SolarFest is not just about vendors and products. It’s about learning and doing — making renewable, sustainable living happen in your world.

Over sixty workshops will teach us about renewable energy, sustainable living, green building, the art of community, agrarian skills, consumer conservation ethics, and much more.

You can come for a day and explore, but many participants plan to stay for the full three days and immerse themselves in a workshop “track.” There’s even a prefestival, in-depth workshop on July 5-9, 2008 called “Introduction to Photovoltaic Technology” where participants will get hands-on experience creating the festival’s solar energy setup.

But it’s far from all work and no play at SolarFest 2008. Two solar-powered stages will feature hours of great music, keynote speakers, storytelling and theatrical entertainment, as well as numerous activities for families, kids and young adults.

It’s not just a celebration of renewable energy possibilities but of art and community as well. And that includes food, crafts, cool product booths, and the kind of impromptu fun that you’re bound to have at such a happy, well-planned gathering.

You can camp on-site with tent or car/RV, or stay in a local motel or B&B.

Growing Sustainably

SolarFest began in 1995 with a small group of friends — and ultimately a large group of volunteers — who shared a love of the performing arts and a commitment to living more sustainably and consciously. Even that first SolarFest ran entirely on renewable energy, thanks to its off-the-grid hosts. Since then the festival has grown steadily, with more performing artists, more solar power, more workshops, more volunteers and more attendees. SolarFest has been a 501(c)(3) non-profit since 1999.

Today SolarFest is widely regarded as New England’s most entertaining energy and music festival. Their website eloquently explains why: "We combine superb family entertainment with presentations by some of the region’s most knowledgeable renewable energy experts. We thicken the mix with how-to and hands-on workshops on sustainable living, a special children’s activity 14 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

tent, and a wide variety of food, craft, and renewable energy vendors. Our featured performers represent a far-ranging spectrum of styles and traditions from around the world. We provide plenty of space throughout the weekend for serendipitous encounters, conversation, dancing, hiking, camping, relaxation, and an overall celebration of our planet’s beauty."

And SolarFest’s current location at Forget-Me-Not Farm (since 2005) is its most expansive and welcoming venue yet. But these folks have energy to spare. They take the “Solar Works!” message on the road with their Solar Roller and Lightning Bug mobile solar power systems. These custom trailers with solar arrays, batteries and inverters bring power to other festivals, such as Earth Day events, throughout New England.

Diverse Workshops and Performers

Check out the list of workshops on the SolarFest website and you’ll be inspired, if not amazed, by all the choices. Workshop “tracks” include Renewable Energy Technologies, Green Building, Sustainable Agriculture, Thriving Locally and The Solar Generation (for young adults). Some of the workshops that caught this writer’s eye include: • •

•

• • • •

“Plug Your Home into the Sun!” An introduction to photovoltaic (PV) technology and its use as a source of electric power for the home.

“Veggie Oil Cars: How You Can Get Started!” An in-depth explication of the different systems that allow you to operate a diesel vehicle on filtered waste vegetable oil, so you can decide whether to do-it-yourself or hire a pro, as well as tips on securing and filtering a veggie oil supply.

“Homegrown Feed, Food and Fuel: Local Production, Local Use.” Is local production of biodiesel for local use sustainable? How can we prepare for an energy-constrained future?

“So, You Want to Be a Solar Entrepreneur!” A discussion of opportunities and challenges for start-up solar enterprises.

“Holistic Home Design and Creation.”

“Creating Community Leadership on Climate and Energy.”

“Solar Car Racing” Kids ages 10-14 get to design, test and race solarpowered vehicles!

And then there’s the lengthy list of performers and keynote speakers: more activists, artists, songwriters and storytellers than you might imagine could possibly entertain you over only three days. You owe it to yourself to visit http://www.solarfest.org/performers.htm and just... start scrolling. Among the highlights: Frances Moore Lappé (best-selling author of Diet for a Small Planet), singer/songwriters Dar Williams and Anaïs Mitchell, veteran touring band Bonepony, performance troupe The Born Again Floozies, storytellers Jennings and Ponder (with SolarFest for all fourteen years!) and the All Species Puppet Troupe. And let’s not forget the singer/songwriter competition.

And powering it all is: the sun, the wind, and considerable human ingenuity. If you’re inspired to connect with New England’s renewable energy community and the possibilities for positive change that it offers, come up and experience the energy of SolarFest 2008 for yourself. After all, one of our most valuable renewable resources is each other.

Scott Cronenweth is a freelance Shamanic Budhist Naturalist Bird Guide Personal Dog Servant writer in idyllic South Portland, Maine. Connect with Scott at www.naturalpathwalks.com.

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Simplicity Living (more) simply so others can simply live

by Pat Foley

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ow that global warming is a common household term, let’s leap forward! Let’s give ourselves permission to move along from a place of defining the issue to figuring out what we each might do about solving the problem. Let’s examine our individual habits and see how we might live in a more planet friendly, life enhancing way.

In a previous column, we mentioned determining our ecological footprint, the land area that would be required to provide the resources (grain, feed, wood, fish, and urban land, etc.) and absorb the emissions (carbon dioxide, etc.) of our ways of life.

A typical household in the United States generates 55,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. By contrast, a typical German household contributes 27,000 pounds to the atmosphere each year and an average Swedish household only 15,000. We in the US definitely have some room for improvement. If the bad news is that our individual North American households are a considerable part of the problem, the good news is that we also can be a major part of the solution by making specific changes.

We can figure a portion of our CO2 output fairly accurately by considering our monthly utility bills and our driving and travel patterns. The following information, provided by the Rocky Mountain Institute and the US Department of Energy, Transportation Statistics and the EPA, provides a base for our calculations: CO2 OUTPUT IN POUNDS: • GALLON OF GAS= 19.36 LBS • GALLON OF FUEL OIL OR DIESEL=22.38 LBS • KILOWATT HOUR OF ELECTRICITY=1.43 (national average) • GALLON OF PROPANE= 12.67 PER PASSENGER: • AIRPLANE MILE= 1.28 LBS • TRAIN MILE= .42 • ELECTRIC BIKE MILE= .02 Nonetheless, the CO2 produced during the manufacturing process of the things we buy is not included above; nor is that emitted by the production, processing and transportation of our food.

The first is sometimes figured by using national averages or, in part, by calculating the amount of our weekly trash.

This process is a bit vague, particularly if we aren’t “average”, and is somewhat subject to error. But it does provide hints for us. In essence, a good rule of thumb is “the less we buy, the lower our CO2 output will be”. Looking directly at our trash, statistics show us the average household in the US generates about 4.5 pounds of solid waste each day. One third of this is packaging.

Producing this “stuff” (including the packaging) requires energy for extraction of the raw materials the “stuff” is made of, the manufacturing processes used to make the various finished goods and the transportation used throughout the whole performance. In addition,

Food is a complex issue. In a nutshell, local, organic, vegetarian food is the best choice whenever possible.

Locally produced food has not been transported far and thus lacks the CO2 produced during shipping. Organic food has been raised without petro-chemical fertilizers or pesticides and thus lacks the carbon dioxide loads carried by those substances. Vegetarian food requires far less energy to produce than does the raising and processing of meat.

Buy Certified Organic Produce raised locally if possible The following websites offer online CO2 calculators: www.safeclimate.net/calculotor; www.carbonfund.org; www.carboncounter.org and www.b-e-f.org. We checked out our own stats and got a range of results due to slight variations in the calculating processes used, but the figures were similar enough to give us a good idea of our output. Give it a try and see what you get for your own household.

11. Choose an electricity supplier offering renewable energy (which is also ecologically sustainable).

If we were to actually do these eleven things, we could make a big difference.

Not all of us are in the market for new houses and cars just now, but there are things each one of us can do. David Gershon’s book Low Carbon Diet, A 30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds is an excellent place to begin. Clear and straightforward, it outlines easy steps we all can take to reduce our CO2 emissions. Gershon’s approach focuses on: • Personal Habits • Household Systems; heating, cooling, electrical and automotive • Empowering Others; at work, in schools, in the community The book also offers a CO2 reduction action plan and various support materials. The fun part is seeing how much CO2 we can eliminate by taking certain pretty simple actions.

Looking just at our personal habits, we can recycle more, reduce trash, use less hot water, turn down our thermostats in winter and turn up our air conditioner (if we have them) settings a bit in summer. We can travel less, drive less, car pool and do all that good stuff. We can better insulate our houses, change our light bulbs to compact fluorescents. We can eat less meat and more local food, particularly organic food.

We can cut back on the amount of “stuff” we purchase.

We can live more simply so others can simply live.

Let’s just do it! Our planet is counting on us.

Copyright Pat Foley, 2008 / Photos from freephoto.com.

Pat Foley attempts to live a green/sustainable life just outside of Cornish, Maine. She is the owner of Earthrest, a place of retreat for groups and individuals. The underlying focus of Earthrest is following Gandhi’s advice to be the change we wish to see in the world. You may contact Pat at earthrest@psouth.net or (207) 625-4179.

Output figured our next step is to take action to lower our numbers. The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, Practical Advice from The Union of Concerned Scientists by Michael Brower, Ph.D. and Warren Leon, Ph.D. suggests three major categories we can consider; transportation, food and household operations. Eleven actions are recommended: TRANSPORTATION 1. Choose a place to live that reduces the need to drive.

2. Think twice before buying another car.

3. Choose a fuel-efficient, low polluting car.

4. Set concrete goals for reducing travel.

5. Whenever practical, walk, bicycle or use public transportation FOOD 6. Eat less meat.

7. Buy certified organic produce (raised locally if possible).

HOUSEHOLD OPERATIONS 8. Choose homes carefully.

9. Reduce the environmental costs of heating and hot water.

10. Install efficient lighting and appliances.

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Let’s now focus on the carbon dioxide our activities generate. CO2 is a major contributor to global warming.

It is emitted into our atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels – gasoline, coal, oil and natural gas. We use these fuels to power our cars and homes, to mine and harvest resources, manufacture the goods we consume and to grow, process and transport the food we eat.

every pound of solid waste that enters a landfill generates 2 pounds of greenhouse gases. These come from the transportation involved with collecting and dumping the waste material, maintaining the landfill area and from the natural anaerobic decomposition of the “stuff” we have thrown away.

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m od er n sham an i c l i v i n g

Frodo Lives!

by Evelyn C. Rysdyk

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his past weekend, I indulged myself in an other screening of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. On face value, an epic story such as this has little to contribute in an issue of Inner Tapestry that is focused on The Art of Simplicity. That is, unless you dissect this sweepingly complex tale and tickle out the story of Frodo.

Frodo Baggins is a simple young hobbit with his origins in the rural life of the Shire. He lives his life much like his peers and theirs is a relatively predictable existence.

The people of the Shire are a hard working and fun loving lot. Their lives revolve around work and family.

Even their conflicts seem to be largely benign – being limited to the bickering of neighbors and concerns about the harvest. Hobbits lead a quiet country life connected to the soil and the seasons.

Is there something in Frodo’s rural lifestyle, which contributes to his ability to become the hero of Middle Earth? Is living in harmony with the environment enough of a foundation to give him the single-minded determination to destroy the ring? No, I think this Tolkien character models something else for us. Frodo’s gift is following through with the actions that his heart demands. When Frodo hears that the world is in jeopardy he understands that the plague of evil that threatens the land must be halted. He doesn’t know how and certainly can’t understand how difficult it will be.

Throughout the long, and perilous quest, he stays the course. Supported by just one other who shares his commitment, more than his vision, he makes it through unbelievable horrors and over impossible odds.

While this is a fictional tale, it is also true that in the real world impossible deeds become possible only when those committed to them follow through.

Doing the right thing, can mean hardship. This is especially true when the right thing at the moment is unpopular. At those times, following through can feel dangerous and impossible. So how can we become more like Frodo and keep going forward when the odds seem overbearingly stacked against us? How do we keep from abandoning our own quest?

It helps to begin with listening to our own desires and motivations. We need to ask ourselves whether our “quest” comes from the mind or the much deeper place of the heart. In my experience, “missions” that come to me from my heart center are difficult to ignore. It is for this reason that the mind may try to stave them off by staying busy. It wants to fill the “airspace” with it’s own ideas and demands to muffle the heart’s messages. Yet even unbidden or unwelcomed, the urges of my heart gnaw at my mind’s gate and seep into consciousness.

The heart’s voice speaks up in those moments when the mind is naturally quieter. For me, the time periods that bracket sleep—just before and just after—seem to be the most clear. It's those times when my conscious mind begins to drift “offline” that my heart speaks its messages to me in visions and feelings. It informs me about what needs to happen and what must be orchestrated or changed to produce harmony. It provides insistent intention.

Once I have the intent as was shown to me by my heart, I need to follow through. For this I use the mind.

Instead of allowing it to arrive at a purpose, I call upon 16 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

it for strategies and methods. This is the best use of the mind’s abilities. It is brilliant at “creating the way” and both hemispheres work together to make their contributions.

The brain is structured into two halves or hemispheres and their functions vary. For instance, the right hemisphere of the brain is the part of our mind that knows an object’s function, the left knows it’s name.

The right presents possibilities while the left forms strategies. The right is an imaginative and creative risk taker, whereas the left hemisphere is all about logic, predictability and details.

In following the plan that the heart provides, my right brain hemisphere gift is seeing the big picture, feeling the “rightness” of my actions and coming up with new and creative possibilities. The left hemisphere is the trooper that puts the information into a pattern and process that can be accomplished.

Right now your heart is ready to give you a mission.

Listen and never give up on it.

Neither can follow through alone and each needs support to complete its task. If judgment—a left-brain voice—arises, it means that more of the right brain’s creativity is needed.

It means the left brain is overwhelmed with it’s task and when the it gets overwhelmed in this way, it usually needs more input from the right hemisphere. For me that means stopping what I’m doing or thinking, taking time to breathe and beginning to look at the problem from a new perspective. At these times I try to turn the problem on it’s head or inside out. Take it to its ridiculous conclusion or unravel it down to its bones.

This lets the right brain go kick into gear providing a fresh, new idea.

When the right hemisphere gets overwhelmed it needs more input from the heart. It needs more inspiration, more of the big dream to trigger its imagination to flow again. For that to happen, I need to tune in and allow my heart to sing the song of its dream and paint a picture with feelings. That is the “language” that my right brain understands. I make space for this interaction to happen in meditation, prayer and through shamanic journeying.

In fact there is scientific basis for this train of thought. Recent scientific information suggests that consciousness actually emerges from the brain and body acting together. Growing evidence suggests that the heart plays a particularly significant role in this process.

The latest research actually views the heart as having its own functional “brain.” So in truth we are left, right and heart brained!

While this sounds awfully complicated, it actually gets easier and easier. It boils down to listening first and foremost. Once the voice of the heart is heard and the quest revealed, we unleash the brains and allow them to go to work. We then listen with an observer’s presence to when either of the two hemispheres needs either more support or input. In essence, the entire process can be looked upon as an exercise in expanding our awareness of ourselves. What is extraordinary about it is that it also means tapping into the wider world.

The heart is hard wired into what modern physicists refer to as the “quantum plenum.” That is, the “stuff ” which pervades all of creation. It is the divine fabric of Light of which we and literally everything else is a part.

Through this connection, the heart is able to perceive that which the brain-mind cannot. The heart-mind can access information that is beyond our brain-mind’s reach. Furthermore, because of its connection to the “All” it can connect us to other hearts who can assist us in completing our quest. In other words, our heart that can attract valiant friends—like Frodo’s companion Samwise—to lift us up when we lose faith or hope in our mission.

This is accomplished by first allowing the heart to really fill with its desired quest. Let yourself see and feel it already accomplished. This action produces the vibrations of the final outcome, which then radiates out into the environment. This will attract beings who resonate with this vibration. Through the brain of your heart, you will begin to notice these other beings.

The next step requires a bit of courage. You have to be brave enough to share your vision. More often than not,

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f eng shu i & ge o pa t h o l og y

7 Core Principles for Health & Wellness Part II

by Werner Brandmaier

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eaders of last month’s column might realize that there is a small change in this issue’s headline: While writing this second part I decided to identify another principle instead of merging it into the existing structure.

Here are all 7 core principles again: • • • • • • •

The recognition that everything is energy, The harmony of Yin and Yang, The understanding of the seven layers of the universe, The laws of resonance and dissonance, The balance of acidity and alkalinity, The protection from energetic drains and The enhancement of chi within and around us.

4. Resonance and Dissonance: If we agree on the earlier statement that all matter consists of vibrations and energy, the question we are confronted with in Feng Shui is what finally that makes a house attractive. The answer simply is: resonance between the vibrational frequency of the house and the person who wants to live in it.

Our energy fields expand far beyond our physical form. Several layers of subtle aura fields surround us, the inner ones just inches beyond our outer layer of skin, others a few feet, some much further. Similar energetic bubbles encircle objects too, but usually in less layers. If everything is vibration, there is a constant merging of energies happening. Wherever we go, our personal fields meet those of other people, of other buildings and places. When beauty, art, peace and harmony are present we feel comfortable and are attracted towards them. When traumatic incidents happened in those places, our subtle system immediately detects that and we don’t feel well.

This is one of the reasons the practice of clearing space is so important. Energetic fallout builds up similar to trash in a house if not taken out on a regular basis.

Although invisible it is stored in walls and structures. Painting a room, for example, freezes existing energy patterns and anchors them, paint being a medium which changes its consistancy from liquid to solid within minutes.

Here is a Feng Shui tip: Always perform a clearing of your space before painting a room or a house.

Back to our real estate example: As soon as we enter the field of a house our energetic antennas unconsciously check out possible resonances and dissonances.

The feedback comes in form of emotions. We feel well when our frequncy patterns match, and somehow restless, aggravated and stressed out if they don’t.

“Resonance” in physics is described as a tendency of a system to oscillate at a certain frequency with a high amplitude. When two frequencies are tuned together in resonance they pull towards each other, producing a maximum common signal much higher than their individual waves. If we could only manage to attune ourselves with the strongest positive energies in the universe, love, joy and compassion, the resonance effect would carry us with it beyond our wildest dreams.

Unfortunately this is not always easy.

Dissonance, on the other hand, creates uneasiness, tension and stress, which is, as we will see further down, the real cause behind illness. I’m not just describing mental stress here, but all forms of stress, from physical stress on our body, to geopathic stress, to financial stress when our monetary requirements are inconsistent with our current income.

Emotional stress at work, in our relationships, worries about the future etc., are highly destructive, although they are often only happening in our mind.

Nevertheless they trigger our body to respond as if there is an actual emergency.

Geopathic stress, a form of stress caused by dissonant earth patterns is so dangerous because it becomes increasingly troubling although less obvious over time. EMF’s (electro-magnetic frequencies) on the other hand are a man made version of extremely disruptive high frequencies causing the same damage by disturbing cellular balance and harmonious functioning. EMF stress is also difficult to recognize as there is very little information being presented to the public to alert us to the signs or dangers of radiation.

The acid-alkaline balance is essential in supporting basic health. Robert O. Young, a microbiologist and nutritionist, is one of the foremost researchers here in the USA who has been promoting “alkalizing” for many years. Using today’s video technology in combination with darkfield microscopy he can document what French scientists described in their research 150 years ago: a healthy blood cell can change its form to a harmful bacterium, depending on the pH of the cell environment.

More than a century ago Antoine Bechamp called this pleomorphism (pleo = many, morphism = forms). Opposing Louis Pasteur and his currently accepted monomorphism/germ theory (‘’there is only one form possible, therefore if germs appear in our body they have to have entered from outside’’) he found through observation that bacteria can appear in the blood as the result of a change in blood pH. In order to survive in an incondusive environment a red blood cell will change into a bacterial rod. Bacteria can then be understood not so much as the cause of disease, but as a result of an imbalanced and overly acidic milieu. A simple example is a packaged loaf of bread beyond its expiration date that is growing mold. It is not an outside invader that has ruined the bread, but an incondusive environment for a healthy organism to endure.

Dr. Young summarizes, that “there is one common problem behind all diseases: the over-acidification of the body.”

The pH scale describes the amount of Hydrogen ions in a solution. The higher the concentration the more alkaline the substance. It takes about 20 parts of alkalinity to balance one part of acids. This shows how much effort the body needs to counterbalance an overly acidic lifestyle. While most foods are far too acidic in general (coffee around 4, sodas 3, alcohol 4 to 5, meat, sugar, dairy, etc.) our blood needs to maintain a pH balance within a very narrow range between 7.3 and 7.4. A 0.2 drop in blood pH constitutes a life or death situation.

However, it is not only food which makes us acidic: All forms of stress, worries, depression and anger make us sour (= acidic), as well as environmental stressors, such as geopathic earth patterns and EMF’s (electro magnetic fields) from electronics. It’s a wonder our bodies are able to balance the multiplicity of stressors as well as they do. Acid-alkaline balance is a valuable theory and the reason why in other parts of the world cellphones are considered a health risk the same way smoking is already today, and sodas will be in the future.

In the next article, we will cover possible solutions.

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 office@InstituteOfFengShui.com. Please check the Calendar of Events for upcoming June lecture and workshops.

Come and see our new Summer Line of

Organic Clothing!

June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 17

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Very typically, the first impression when looking at real estate is less determined by rational thinking than by emotions. We walk into a new place and immediately know if we like it or not. Why is that and how do we know?

5. Acidity and Alkalinity:

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Simplicity through Movement by Kevin Pennell Bethel, Maine

implicity can mean a characteristic or state of being which is easy to do or understand. To arrive at that state of understanding can require changes to our current way of life or movement. Once we apply some of the methods that seem to “fit” us, we discover that they truly are simpler fit us better than our old ways.

New activities replace old habits. The new activities eventually develop a new way of life. We feel better about ourselves, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically A simpler way of living causes changes in our behavior, focus, and approach to life itself.

The changes take place over time by implementing methods that “fit” us best to achieve a new way of life.

We begin by changing the way we think or trying new activities that challenge our intellect, will, or movement.

One method to achieve this goal is Aikido.

Aikido of Maine is a Destination for Healing the body, mind, and spirit. According to their website, www.aikidoofmaine.com, “Aikido offers a way to empower the human spirit by attuning us to the natural rhythms of the universe. Its movement is the movement of the universal energy forces. The motions of Aikido reflect the ebbs, flows, curves, waves, and spirals found in nature.”

The founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) coined the term Aikido in 1942. It is a form of budo a way of life that seeks to improve oneself through the integration of rigorous physical training and spiritual discipline. In a literal sense budo is “The Martial Way of Life”.

If you wish to learn the way of Aikido, a visit to Aikido of Maine at 226 Anderson Street in Portland will fulfill that desire.

Gary and Ania Small established and seek to honor Master Ueshiba and his ways, the way of Aikido through their dojo.

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Though Aikido may be viewed as a martial art, Gary and Ania also view Aikido as a “way” to health and healing.

According to Gary Small, “There are many ways Aikido can be a way to health. It is a practice that develops a centered feeling both in and out of the dojo (or training hall). There are great benefits like stress reduction and creating a calm spirit.”

“Reducing stress helps our body stay healthy in so many ways; heart and circulatory system health, living in our bodies, and developing joint and muscle health lead to greater energy and vitality. There is also a host of psychological benefits of practice. It is a partner practice, helping us learn new ways of interacting, yielding, and blending with others, and causing us to know ourselves better. We gain a very clear picture of what our fears are and how we deal with challenges.”

Aikido promotes a sense of community, so it’s not just a form of exercise. “Aikido offers a vital and open local and world community. Dojo life opens up a 18 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

great community both in our own dojo to the entire international aikido world. You can travel and find a dojo anywhere. Stop in, train, and meet new friends.” Ania and Gary have friends all over the country and world that they’ve met in their travels.

The sense of community became tangible for Ania when she came to the United States as in immigrant.

She began her Aikido training in Poland and moved to Boston area years later. After her move, she wished to continue training and found an Aikido dojo in the Boston area. She found a sense of belonging through her common bond with the other Aikido members. In fact, Ania and Gary met, as Gary put it, “on the mat in Boston”. So Aikido brought them together. Gary continued, “There are many couples who start and come together through the practice. We have many friends around the country who met their life partners through the practice.”

According to Gary, Aikido is for the whole family. “We have a vital and thriving youth program, I do not mix children and adult training, but we do have some parents of these children as members.”

Aikido promotes a sense of community, so it's not just a form of exercise.

In keeping with the theme of simplicity, Gary says, “We work to make it easy for people to get started by offering free monthly workshops, so others can get a sense of the dojo and the training. It is a very different way and atmosphere from what most expect and we find these workshops a great way for people to experience this. We accept members always. We do all we can to make the entry into this practice a good experience. We are very fortunate with the membership that is drawn to Aikido and our dojo. I think people are looking for ways to connect.”

Aikido works very well with mixed level training.

Experienced students help newer people feel the movement. “It is a true partnership,” according to Gary.

When the student trains, they engage and test the mental, physical, and spiritual parts of life. Ania believes “with martial arts there’s some extra element or maybe it’s like a focused energy or that connection with another person that you don’t have with a stationary bicycle.”

Aikido can be many things to many people. According to a classic book on this form, Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere, “Aikido has often been referenced as the gentlemen’s fighting art.” The book also sees Aikido as “a method of self-defense which can be used against any form of attack and—at its highest levels—a Discipline of Coordination, a way of harmonizing all of man’s vital powers. There is no attack in Aikido.”

Some may use its various forms, movements, and training as means to gaining or maintaining physical health. Some may wish to learn the martial art form

itself. There are those that seek out the essence of Master Ueshiba’s message, creating harmony out of conflict. Then others wish to learn more about themselves and Aikido becomes the “way” of learning.

Gary Small says all these reasons are valid to study this form. One quality of the art might have drawn the student, but as they progress that reason “morphs and changes and it doesn’t mean your original reason has to fade away. Your practice can just keep enriching itself. You came to get in shape, but, all of a sudden, you realize there’s a bigger reason that draws and keeps you there.”

Gary says getting to know yourself and the exercise of self-reflection are important in the practice. “The potential for self-reflection and self-development are what we value most in the training. If you can stay healthy, keep calm, get your stress levels down… these are the best forms of self-defense anyone can do. Learn how to interact with your community in a better way.”

Ania had some further reflections on Aikido. “It’s not a competitive art, so there are no bad feelings. One of the principles is musubi, which means connection in movement.” Musubi shares the basic ultimate goal of Aikido, “to stay centered as a person while maintaining connection with your partner. I think that’s how you can develop strong connections with people. You repeat that same experience over and over when you train.”

Aikido helps to bring the mental, physical, and spiritual characteristics of the person into harmony.

Ania feels that “in Aikido, because you’re moving, you’re in a relationship with another person. You’re dealing with whatever reactions you might be having, whether it’s fear or anger or whatever it is and… you’re breathing.

You’re really transforming yourself.” Because you engage every facet of your being, you often feel better after training that when you started.

Aikido is even a form of moving meditation according to Ania. “It’s actually called a moving Zen. When you meditate, you focus on your breathing and pay attention to your environment. In Aikido, there’s much more to it because you’re moving, and there’s another person or people involved. You have to be aware of self and the space around you. When you’re working and focusing on your movement, you cannot exclude the energy around you. With the progression of your practice, you include more and more in your sphere.”

As a psychologist, Ania can see how people get stuck in circumstances that life offers. Paralyzed, they cannot see a way out or a way to resolve the situation. They view themselves as powerless. Ania recognizes a person can benefit from “a practice, which allows you to resolve it in a creative way and a way to practice that creative solution. We teach people how to get unstuck.”

Aikido helps one face the everyday situations of life itself.

It not only teaches effective techniques for self defense because the same teachings and philosophy can apply to everyday life, helping us learn how to move through and resolve life’s situations, “to get unstuck”.

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d estinat io n he alin g ~ s ou t h e r n n ew e n g l a n d

A S i m p l y A b u n d a n t L i fe

by Karen M. Rider Griswold, Connecticut

H

ow often do you feel overwhelmed by the complexity of life… by the conflicting commitments that evolve out of the reality of the world in which you live? Is it possible to reconcile your deepest desires for an authentic, simple and abundant life with the chaos of the “universal to do list” that demands your energy: working, managing a household, raising children, taking care of your health, running errands, nurturing friendships and family relationships, community service, and time for rest and recreation?

As the time draws near for the birth of my second child, I find myself asking such questions and yearning for simplicity in all dimensions of my life. Like many of you, I also desire to live an authentic and abundant life. The question that immediately arises is: How? How can each of us pare down, clear out and commit ourselves to living a simply abundant life?

In seeking answers, I encountered two phenomenal certified life and wellness coaches: Patricia “P.J.” Harder offers Life Balance Coaching at Rè Life Spa for Women located in Farmington, CT. Michele Gentile, of Long Island, is the creator of CEO of Me, Inc.!

*Discovering Meaning* When life is simple, it retains a clarity of form and thought that is not complicated and is without embellishment. Life feels easeful, joyful and fulfilling; it is free from complexity. When you simplify your life, it does not require that you live without certain things that bring you joy or pleasure. In our society, people tend toward extremes in thought and action.

The extreme of simplifying is eradicating everything in your path, without discernment. You go about ending relationships, discontinuing activities, and discarding possessions from your life without conscious consideration. Only to find, one week or six months down the road, that you really liked a certain person, treasured a particular possession, or enjoyed the activity you cast off from your life.

Simplifying is a conscious and gentle process through which you focus on what is essential, necessary and real in your life. When you simplify your life, you open space for that which is truly meaningful to you—the aspirations, activities, emotions, thoughts, people, places and material treasures that resonate with who you are, who you desire to become, and how you want to experience life. Here, in this open space, you may experience abundance.

Abundance is not about acquisitions; it is devoid of the “shoulds” that society imposes on us in terms of material wealth and possessions. An abundant life has an overflowing fullness of all that is authentically you. When you are living a life of abundance, you are engaged in a values-driven process to align yourself with your inner wisdom, power and passions. A simply

*Life Balance Coaching* On a blistery March morning, while we sat cozily wrapped in the warm ambiance of the Relaxation Room at Rè Life Spa, P.J. Harder shared her coaching philosophy and described the value inherent to working with a personal life coach, “Coaching is about witnessing and guiding a client as they create a space in which it is safe to discover and reconnect with who they really are and what they really want in their life. In fact, the power inherent in working with a coach is that she can help clients remain consciously connected to their authenticity, which allows them to focus on how they want to experience life even when, and perhaps especially when, life becomes chaotic.”

InspirationforYourJourney If you knew, without a doubt that, oneyearfromtodayyouwillbeliving themostabundant,authentic,creative, easeful, energizing, joyful, andpassionatelifeyoucouldenvision, howwouldyoubeginthejourney?

The Life Balance Coaching Process is a unique blend of experiential coaching and stress management practices. It is a transformational process for discovering a new way of being in life. It is dynamic and non-linear to honor the uniqueness and individuality of each person. The process consists of five actions that move you towards experiencing a life with greater harmony, balance and abundance— Reconnecting, Refocusing, Taking Responsibility, Rebalancing and Keep Going.

P.J. understands how easily the "universal to do list" can consume us, resulting in a feeling of disconnectedness and overwhelm. For that reason, Life Balance Coaching begins with teaching clients how to reconnect to the authentic self—the Self that exists within and beyond one’s social, familial and cultural roles and responsibilities.

According to P.J., “Taking responsibility for one’s aspirations is only successful when the client is fully engaged and committed to a process that feels right for them. When you focus on making choices from the heart, that are based on what is truly essential and important to you, you are less likely to let life’s pressures get in the way.”

Another unique aspect of Life Balance Coaching is learning the art of Rebalancing, which teaches clients how to return their mind and body to a natural rhythm that is comfortable for them. They also learn simple practices for remaining calm under pressure.

Rebalancing skills help a client continue to make choices that are in alignment with what is most important and true for them. Consequently, a person is able to keep going forward with their journey.

*CEO of Me, Inc.!* “Life becomes more simplified and meaningful when you live it according to your values, create a vision for abundance, prioritize, and follow-up with daily habits that create what you truly desire in life,” explained Michele Gentile, O.T.R., creator of CEO of Me, Inc.! Michele’s coaching services include individual and group tele-coaching from the comfort of your home. I joined Michele for a group coaching call and interview in which she shared her coaching philosophy and practices.

“My clients are looking for greater balance, ease and flow in their lives. ‘CEO of Me’ is really about becoming the creative director of your life. This program is for anyone who has the desire to foster teamwork, improve communication, enhance relationships and raise their energy as they create an authentic, fulfilling home and work life.”

The CEO of Me, Inc! techniques help a person create a system of personal leadership that utilizes all their strengths, skills, intelligence, heart and wisdom.

Clients learn how to create abundance, balance, joy and ease in their lives by applying “CEO skills” such

Continued on page 46

“Raising awareness of what matters most allows a person to witness where his or her energy is being directed. Together, coach and client explore questions such as: Where are my thoughts and emotions taking me? Am I consciously connected to the present moment? Or, am I caught up in the past or moving too fast into the future?”

Once a person engages listening deeply to what is going on within the mind, body and spirit, they can identify what is most important to them by refocusing on what feels right—what is in alignment with their authenticity.

P.J. explained, “Refocusing aligns the heart—wherein lies a person’s true desires—and the mind—wherein lies the power to set a course of action to manifest those desires.”

Coaching moves forward at the client’s pace.

June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 19

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The journey begins with the asking, with living the questions, followed by listening intently to the Voice within. In this month’s Destination Healing, we explore the meaning of a simply abundant life. Then, as you envision its meaning for yourself, we will venture the big question: “How?” How do you begin to live a simply abundant life, true to what is most essential and authentic within yourself, while living in a world that is often complicated and chaotic?

abundant life is a living, breathing journey and it is the destination. How will you navigate and arrive at yours?

20

Autism: A Spiritual Perspective

Options for Understanding and Clarification of the Disorder

by Rev. Oreste J. D’Aversa All-Faiths Minister, Spiritual Visionary Introduction In your reading of this article, kindly keep an open mind and be “open to the possibility” that some of the ideas mentioned may be useful to those helping and working with children who have Autism, their parents and caregivers. The information provided here is “in addition to and not instead of” current established medical protocols and practices for Autism.

It is the desire of the author to give the reader a “different perspective” on the challenges of Autism and offer some support tools to help all those involved as they embark on the journey with those that have Autism.

I find it very intriguing that there has been a tremendous increase of children being diagnosed with Autism in the past decade alone. Is it possible that there is indeed no coincidence and these cases are part of some divine plan to help humankind in our spiritual evolution? Are we all to become more caring and loving individuals and those with Autism are our teachers in this area? Is there a reason greater than our understanding that Autism is part of some master plan of a Higher Power to help the world be a better place?

What is Autism?

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“Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and in varying degrees - this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.”

“Autism is one of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”

The five disorders under PDD are: • • • • •

Autistic Disorder Asperger's Disorder Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) Rett's Disorder PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

“Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria which has been outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).” (From The Autism Society of America – www.Autism-Society.org Characteristics of Autism).

“Children with autism demonstrate behaviors from three characteristic domains. The First Domain is Impairments in Social Interaction. A child with autism may show poor eye gaze, may not want to be touched or hugged, may not understand that other people are not thinking about the same things they are thinking about, and may not understand facial expressions.

"The Second Domain is Impairments in Communication.

Children with autism may have limited verbal speech, or use words without an attached meaning. They may repeat words back to you (echolalia) and their language may not be used to convey meaning in a typical context.

"The Third Domain is Stereotyped Behaviors. A child 20 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

with autism may engage in rocking, spinning, toe walking or hand flapping, may demonstrate hyper/hypo-sensitivity to sensory stimuli, and may adhere to strict routines.

"However, children with autism do not all show the same behaviors in each of those domains. This is how children with Autism are different from each other.

Autism presents as a spectrum of behaviors from mild to severe.” From the Educator’s Guide Experiencing Autism – Video www.AutismOntario.com Being Human We human beings are made up of four components.

1. The Physical (of the Body), 2. The Mental (of the Mind), 3. The Emotional (of the Heart) 4. The Spiritual (of the Spirit).

Each of the components has a function of its own and work interdependently of one another and together comprising a human being or the attributes of being human. If any of these four components are out of balance, we experience “dis-ease”. When we experience “dis-ease” in the body, it becomes sickness; when in the mind, it becomes mental illness of sorts; in the heart, it becomes “heart ache” or emotional disorders and in the spiritual, it is viewed as being “spiritually disconnected”.

What if this spirit is an advanced soul or this human being has hyper-sensitive senses?

What if?

What if the part of us that is true spirit, the part that is unseen (though we all know exists), the part that makes the you in you, decided that once it became human it didn’t really like it here? Simply based on all the trials and tribulations of modern day earth and all the miseries inflicted by humans upon other humans, this spirit, this being came to the conclusion that life on earth is just too difficult to deal with.

But what to do? Once this spirit, this being has incarnated into human form it cannot go back to where it came from so perhaps it locks itself up in its own world, the world of Autism, where no one, or no thing can hurt this precious being. A world where this precious being does not need to interact with others so there is no risk of harm.

What if this spirit is an advanced soul or this human being has hyper-sensitive (overly sensitive) senses? There is the case of Dr. Temple Grandin, who is Autistic, she is a professor at Colorado State University and a professional designer of "humane" slaughterhouses. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Temple_Grandin and www.YouTube.com/ watch?v=46ycu3JFRrA). She has extraordinary abilities with animals. Is she not a spiritual teacher, instructing mankind on the humane treatment of animals? Her hyper-sensitivity lets her observe things that though are present, are not viewed as important to the rest of us, and yet she has revolutionized the cattle industry.

Her pioneering research in the field of animal behavior

makes her a sought after expert in her field and makes her quite in demand for her paid professional services.

Is she eccentric or does she possess spiritual gifts that need to be better understood like other people with Autism?

Love It is my personal belief that there is no love as strong as a mother and father’s love for their child. This love transcends all space and time. Has this being chosen this parent(s), this family to incarnate into to learn some life lessons to evolve their soul and to teach their parent(s) as well? Perhaps the reason these children are here, in this vast quantity is to teach their parents (and all of us for that matter) about love. Not the kind of “selfish” love where one is wrapped up in their own world and being narcissistic, but a “self less” love where we love ourselves in a healthy way and reach out to others to help them. By helping those with Autism are we not in turn helping ourselves and learning more about love?

It is my belief the children of Autism are here to teach us about love and to be better people. Teaching does not always need to be verbal with books in a classroom and a white board; it can also be non-verbal and one-on-one. Are the children of Autism our spiritual teachers? Are they here to educate us about love? Are they here to instruct us how to come out of ourselves in order to help them come out of themselves?

Some Practical Exercises The following are some suggested guided meditations and visualizations to help caretakers that have loved ones with Autism. The exercises here are meant to be used “in addition to and not instead of” any current professionals and healing modalities you are working with. These are some additional tools in your Autism “tool box” to aid you in your journey.

These guided meditations and visualizations are meant to be experienced; however you can get enough of an understanding to do them yourself or to work with someone else to help you create the exercises.

Meditation – Spirit to Spirit Meditation simply described is aligning Mind, Body, Emotions and Spirit, so that these components function as one. Meditating is the practice of quieting the mind of all its chatter to enable you to be open to the thoughts of God (the God of your understanding), the thoughts of the Universe, your Higher Self or whatever your belief system is regarding a higher consciousness.

If you have never meditated before, the following exercise will help you achieve a meditative state of mind. It is very simple, enjoyable and is called the “1 – 2 – 3 – 4” Method of Meditation. Find a nice, quiet place where you will not be disturbed. You may want to create some sacred space for these exercises. A place away from all distractions, noise and that is peaceful.

1. Take a slow deep breath in for a count up to four – one, two, three, four.

2.

3.

4.

Then slowly exhale out for a count up to four – one, two, three, four.

Take a total of 3 or 4 slow deep breaths.

Then just say to yourself, in your mind, “1 – 2 – 3 – 4” over and over again.

5.

The purpose of this is to focus your mind on the counting and away from the chatter that is with us in our mind.

6.

There is no right way or wrong way to perform this meditation. Do what you feel is

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21

So Why Punish The Kids?

by Dr. Kevin Ross Emery

T

he New York Times recently reported that between 1994-2003, the number of children diagnosed as having bipolar disorder has jumped 40 fold, from 20,000 to 800,000 per year. These kids are being treated with drugs that include anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, and stimulants. I know from my work with the ADD/ADHD population that during the same nine year period, there was over a 400% increase in kids age 2 to 4 years old being medicated, even though the Physicians Desk Reference does not recommend common ADD drugs like Ritalin for children under the age of eight. What’s going on?

Because of the ADD/ADHD focus my work took in the mid-to-late nineties, I’ve often spoke about how these kids were viewed as a computer virus by the mainframe computer we call public education. These bright, inquisitive, and challenging children exposed the deficiencies of the public education system. And like anything that is fighting for its life, the system fought back.

Why? Our children frighten us; they represent a level of change and new selfawareness that frightens many of the educational system bureaucrats that we have allowed to rise into positions of power. They question and see things that we don’t always want to see or acknowledge. Many of these questions make the powers that be feel uncomfortable or bring up questions they don’t want to answer.

In addition, the physical, emotional and intellectual worlds so many of our children are now being exposed to rob them of their childhood at younger and younger ages. They are now being sexualized from the time that they can walk and talk, and children are being sexually victimized in increasingly large numbers.

There is a growing level of anger at the loss of those things that children were once able to take for granted. Through movies and TV, today’s children get to see and hear about a time in this country when children were allowed to be children.

They have glimpses of a time when neighborhoods provided a real sense of community and neighbors were like extended family members. They feel the loss of present parenting, safe neighborhoods to play in, and the freedom to be a child during childhood.

So where do we go from here? Taking actions such as: better diets, more communication (the non-judgmental kind), joint family activities, and bringing in mediators when necessary. In seventeen years of spiritually based coaching and counseling, I’ve never found that any of the commonly used questions or comments helped to facilitate positive change: • How have I failed you?

• I am so disappointed in you.

• How could you do this to me (or your family)?

• I brought you up better than that…

• You could never do that…

• You have no responsibility in that….

• Just because I do that doesn’t mean it’s okay for you.

Instead, we need to recognize our children’s individuality and know they have their own paths. We need to role model to them what we want to see from them, set good boundaries, be consistent, and teach them about actions and consequences.

Dr. Kevin is the author of several books, DVDs and CDs including Managing The Gift: Alternative Approaches For Attention Deficit Disorder. He works with clients throughout New England, as well as people from around the world, and helps them learn to live more joyful and empowered lives. He has recently launched a radio show, “Outside The Box with Dr Kevin,” (www.weboflight.com) and has recorded a “Daily Practices” CD as an accompaniment to the Managing The Gift book. You can contact him @ Drkevin1@yahoo.com or 603-433-5784. His website is www.kevinrossemery.com.

The isolation children experience when they communicate mainly through computers/the Internet and cell phone texting is causing a decrease in real world social skills. At the same time, children are expected to “be normal” and are pressured to get what they need to perform well on tests while coping with the problems of being squeezed into overcrowded classrooms caused by shrinking educational budgets.

These things and more are giving our kids anxiety disorders. But instead of working towards making positive changes with them and their environment, we as a society are just getting more free with drugs—prescription drugs, but still drugs. We make these choices for our children, then are horrified when our teenage child starts changing out the prescription drugs and replacing them with recreational drugs, and we scream foul. But who taught them that drugs were the answer? We did.

Am I just singing “Auld Lang Syne” about lost childhoods? No. Time moves on, but there is always the adult/parenting responsibility to minimize the damage caused by changing times, as well as to maximize the good things that come from time marching forward. Staying present and fully aware of what it is like to be five, eight, twelve, or even eighteen in today’s world is a major requirement of parenting. This happens through good, consistent communications. It must be clear to the child that the desire of their parent and adult authority figures is to know and understand the child’s world, and to take an active role in assisting them maneuvering through it; not to judge it or correct it, but to lovingly participate in it.

Parents must also be the primary ears, eyes, and understanding for our children, and play this role with the knowledge that what is best for the educational system is not always best for our children. Parents and guardians must also be willing to fight the system when needed and always endeavor to understand the child’s version of what is going on. Sometimes that involves helping them find the words to express their perspective on the world.

Don’t assume that because a child might struggle in trying to communicate what

"Love is a magician.

Everythingittouchesturnsintoitself." ...Pamela WIlson

June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 21

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A “drugging’em up and dumb’em down” attitude serves the system well. In my book Managing The Gift: Alternative Approaches For Attention Deficit Disorder, I wrote about how ADD is part of the evolutionary process of the human species, and why it is truly a gift. As my work continued, I watched as diagnoses of all kinds of children’s mental “disorders” increased. And I saw how the medical cocktails that doctors and the school system used to “solve the problem” were performing the chemical equivalent of a lobotomy.

is going on in the world that it automatically means they are wrong or guilty. It is far better to take the approach that you need to dig deeper and help them find a better way to communicate their needs and what is going on from their eyes. Lastly, when going into the place of being your child’s intermediary in the world, do your best to check your own baggage around authority figures or what people may think at the door. If you don’t think you can do that, then find your child an advocate who can.

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23 Continued from page 20 Autism A Spiritual Perspective comfortable and natural for you. There is no need for stress or strain.

7.

In time you will have no need for “1 – 2 – 3 – 4” you will be able to close your eyes and go into a calm, relaxing and peaceful meditative state.

Start off with a one or two-minutes. Work your way to 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening. Even a few minutes during your day if you wish.

Once in this conscious state of meditation, and without stress or strain, in your mind, just say the loved one’s name that is experiencing Autism. Ever so gently, without force and with love, call out to the loved one and just ask him/her how you can help them or ask anything you like, then just wait and see what comes up.

Here, in essence you are communicating with your loved one that is experiencing Autism, “Mind–to–Mind” (or “Soul–to–Soul") telepathically. You are sending out a message in your mind to that person. In return you may receive a message back in the form of a “picture” (clairvoyance (seeing)) in your mind that may flash for an instant, or you may “feel” something (clairsentience (feeling/touching)), or you may “hear” something (clairaudience (hearing/listening)), you may come to “know” something (claircognizance (knowing)), you may “smell” something (clairalience (smelling)), or have a “taste” of something (clairgustance (tasting)), just be open and let go and see what comes up.

When you receive a message or multiple messages have an audio recorder by your side or write them down as soon as you get out of or while in the meditative state. Keep a journal handy and write down the date and time and what message you received regardless of whether or not it makes sense at the time. Then every few weeks look back at your journal and observe if there is some type of insight, message or pattern that may lead you to a better understanding about the person with Autism.

Guided Mediation Experiencing Autism

In this guided mediation, first you achieve a meditative state, and then you will be taking a journey to experience the life of someone that has Autism.

Start by relaxing your body, beginning with the top of your head. Pay special attention to your respirations and breathing. Mentally breathe and release all the tension and strain in your face, the back of your head, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hand and fingers. Then do the same to your upper back, your mid-back, lower back, your chest, stomach, into your pelvis, down your legs, your thighs, knees, calves, ankles, feet and out your toes. With every breathe that you take, with every beat of your heart you become more calm and more relaxed.

Activate your imagination and picture a well lit flight of stairs, seven steps in all, a well lit flight of stairs leading up to a large double door. This is the entrance to the most beautiful place one could ever imagine. Now mentally see yourself walking up the well lit flight of stairs until you reach the top step, then the doors open into the most beautiful place in the world, the most beautiful place you could ever envision.

Now in this, the most beautiful place in the world, notice a building to your right and door with a sign on it that states “Autism Experience”. Go into that room and notice in corner of the room a space suit. This space suit has the ability, once you get into to it to help you experience some of the characteristics of someone that has Autism. When in public, others will just see you as a normal person without the space suit.

Now get into the space suit. You will notice there are speakers in the headpiece.

These speakers will tell you how to act when with other people and/or when in

As you are walking onto the playground you see a group of children and you go to them. They are playing with one another, holding, hugging and touching each other as children often do. The children ask you to play with them and you do not feel right about that, as you are there just to enjoy the day and the playground.

You won’t look the children in the eyes for any period of time or not at all as you do not know these children. And they are making certain facial expressions that you just don’t understand. Shouldn’t children be happy on a playground? Yet some are happy, some are not, some are sad, some are angry and some faces look mean!

That does not make any sense at all! This is starting to get you a little frustrated!

You do not understand what they are thinking about as they are playing and yet they are talking about other things. Are they thinking about playing or thinking about other things? You are not sure. Why would you not think and talk about playing if you are playing? You also feel uncomfortable when they want to play with you and hug or hold you. You are not sure about this touching thing. Usually just the people close to you touch you and these are a bunch of strangers. This is getting more frustrating and you really don’t understand their behaviors!

You’re speaking in your head but the words are not coming out of your mouth so well or not at all. These words are difficult for you to use. You’re talking to people in your mind, why can’t they understand you? This talking thing is a lot of work!

People should be able to understand you without having to talk. You’re getting even more frustrated!

You’re really getting overloaded with all this stuff, the sounds, bright lights, smells, people and lots, lots more. It’s all too much for you to handle. You think you’re going to stay to yourself and just play by yourself. You’re going to spin things around, spin yourself around and carry around your “thing”. Your thing never gives you any trouble. It’s doesn’t talk back to you or want anything. It’s just there and you like that. There is a lot going on in this big world and some of it’s not so good.

There are lots of bad things happening, bad people doing bad things to nice people.

It just doesn’t make any sense at all. In your inner world everything is just fine and no one is hurting anyone else or doing bad things.

Well it’s time for you to leave the playground and go back to the building and take off your space suit.

Continued on page 43

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Guided mediation and creative visualization are techniques whereby another person using their voice instructs you to take a journey, in your mind, to help you have a certain experience. It can be experiencing a trip to the beach, the mountains, instructing you to profoundly relax in a way you have never relaxed before or it can be to help you to experience something you have never experienced before.

public. Follow the instructions as they are spoken to you without judging them.

After you place the space suit on, you will see a door marked “Playground” now walk through the door and you will be in a playground with other children.

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26

welcom e ho m e

ask asrianna Questions and Answers on Relationships, Spirituality and Conscious Living

Dear Asrianna: My beautiful 32-year-old sister is hooked on prescription drugs and I don’t know what to do about it. We think her husband furnishes her with the drugs but since she won’t admit she has a problem there’s no way to find out.

Alcoholism runs in my family so I’m used to dealing with drunks, but drug addiction doesn’t and I don’t know what to do.

I’ve tried to convince her to go into rehab but there’s no money, they don’t have insurance and, frankly, she refuses to go. Is there anything more I can do to help her?

Signed, Sick with Worry

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Dear Worry, One of the hardest aspects of addiction is the helplessness loved ones feel in response to it. The truth, awful as it appears, is that you can’t force your sister to admit she’s a drug addict. Further complicating matters is that she has an active enabler in her life which makes it immeasurably harder to get her to see and recognize her addiction and to seek help.

Have you tried a family intervention facilitated by a trained therapist? Sometimes having your family and friends lovingly confront you with your behavior can work as a wake up call. I’m not saying this will be easy by any means. And if family members are alcoholics, they may refuse to participate in a process that highlights their own addictions.

There are also several programs you can research that can give you necessary information as you strive to help your sister. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources along with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a website at http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/ that is a wealth of information. Or you can go directly to SAMHSA’s site at http://www.samhsa.gov/. Also, look for organizations in her local community—or yours—that can guide you in your search for help.

Narcotics Anonymous is a 12 Step program for drug abusers but, again, would depend upon your sister’s ability to see her own addiction. In addition, Al-Anon— while specifically referring to the family members of alcoholics—can help you to see your pattern or the pattern of others in your family when dealing with your sister’s drug problem.

While others might consider this aiding and abetting an addict, I also believe that being there to love your sister even in the midst of her addiction is crucial. She may not be ready, at this moment, to see her pattern of drug abuse, but hopefully in time she’ll come to see how it negatively impacts her life and the lives of those she loves. When that occurs, you want to be in a position to help her as much as possible. This doesn’t mean you give into her addictive patterns or allow her to manipulate you, it just means that you support her in her efforts to support herself.

Best of wishes in your search.

Signed, Asrianna

26 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

Dear Asrianna, My beautiful dog is sick and I don’t know what to do about it. She’s older and is emaciated even though I give her the best dog food available and try to tempt her with her favorite treats.

The veterinarian says she’s just very old and that I should think about putting her down. The thought is just too horrible for me to imagine. Is there some way I can figure out what to do?

Signed, Too Confused Dear Confused, For many of us, our dear pets are beloved members of our family, just as much a part of our lives and hearts as any person. When we’re faced with the death of a pet, we can go through the same emotions as when faced with the death of a dearly loved human. We can’t imagine living without our pets and so we can find ourselves avoiding the truth and bargaining with the future. Euthanizing a pet is never an easy step to take and only you can decide what to do to help your dog in her declining state, but thinking about it honestly is the first stage.

Ask yourself what the quality of life is for your dog right now and whether there’s truly a chance for recovery. Is she able to get up and go outside? Is she having problems walking or going out to relieve herself ?

What does the veterinarian say about your pet’s level of pain and discomfort and about her prognosis? When someone is diagnosed with the illness of ‘old age’—and this includes our pets—there are usually various ailments that fall under that umbrella. Some are more bearable than others.

Watch her move, does she seem reluctant to get up, show by her facial features or behavior that she’s in pain?

You know your dog more than anyone else and only you can truly decide when she’s suffering. By taking into consideration your vet's well-learned advice and using your knowledge of your dog, you’re in a better position to make the decision whether to let her continue or whether it’s time to alleviate her suffering.

I’ve met pet owners who have been able to keep their pets with them until the pet naturally dies, the pet’s discomfort minimal. It completely depends upon your pet’s diagnosis and her condition. If you come to the conclusion that her suffering is too great—and to be honest this is about her level of physical and emotional peace and comfort, isn’t it?—then you’ll need to decide how to progress.

When it was time for my precious dog, Andy, to pass away, I was in the position of having our family vet come to our home. While lying on my bed, Andy was draped in his favorite blanket and surrounded by his adoring family, and when the vet administered the drugs that allowed my sweet Andy to peacefully slip away, my dog was held in the midst of love and familiarity. I grieved horribly but I also understood that his last days were terribly uncomfortable and painful, and that letting him go was the most caring decision I could make in the situation.

My heart goes out to you as you make your decision and my prayers are with you and your precious pet.

Signed, Asrianna

Dear Asrianna, My daughter refuses to wear summer clothes like shorts and swimsuits even though she looks perfectly wonderful in them.

I’ve tried to take her shopping for clothes she likes and we always tell her how beautiful she is, but nothing works. Is this normal for a thirteen-year-old?

Signed, At Wit’s End Dear Wit’s, Is it normal for a teenage girl to feel self-conscious?

Sadly, yes, but refusing to wear seasonally appropriate clothing at all is an extreme reaction. It sounds as though your daughter is exceptionally self-conscious and to get to the root of her feelings requires diligence and sensitivity on your part. Our culture makes it difficult for young girls to feel good about themselves and it’s our place as parents to help them see themselves as worthy and beautiful inside and out.

I’m assuming you’ve done this, but please make sure to ask her why she won’t wear shorts or a bathing suit. Quite often we see the problem but neglect to go directly to the source and gather information. Pay attention to what she’s communicating, show her you respect her opinion and emotions by truly listening to her words, and then try to help her see that everyone feels self-conscious at some point in their lives. Feeling too self-aware is an occasional and normal part of our lives, letting it rule your life is limiting.

Perhaps it’s as simple as buying her outfits that she feels less conspicuous in. It may be that someone at school or that she knows elsewhere has said something hurtful. She may be an extremely sensitive young woman who needs to feel a level of safety in how she physically presents herself. If she likes jeans and summery shirts and feels comfortable wearing them, then let her wear them, perhaps she’ll grow out of her aversion to revealing outfits in time.

If this truly seems to resist all efforts at helping her to feel a healthy sense of self-esteem, then it might be that having her talk to a caring counselor is the best avenue.

Poor body image isn’t unusual, but letting it keep you from feeling free enough to dress as you like isn’t the way we want our children to live their lives.

Signed, 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 websites at www.shamansheart.com or www. nhshamanandpsychicmedium.com, or by calling 603-892-1268.

Inner Tapestry 6 Kristin Lane, Raymond, ME 04071

207-799-7995 info@innertapestry.org www.innertapestry.org

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June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 27

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t he w ay o f lif e - its e l f

The Discovery of Value Intelligence: Unique to life, a full body/mind process

by Norm and Skye Hirst, Ph.D.

I

n looking at life with a new lens, we continue our series of life as organism, life as energy, life as processes of intelligence.

It is assumptions about reality that form experience, manifest structures of relationships, our inner and outer ways of being. Well, all that has little meaning without a shared understanding of processes, living processes. We are endeavoring to help usher in some of those understanding foundations.

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The art of simplicity would seem to be the opposite of what we just said. However, it is the act of simplifying we choose to focus on in this column.

Within the nature of living organism we are given an inherent knowing for finding our way. It’s how we cut through the noise of daily living, the endless possibilities of action and choices; from the many kinds of bread and cookies in the grocery store to the choice of DVD at the video store, not to mention who we watch it with, when and how many times. Every act is a continuum of acts leading towards harmonization, the art of simplifying, unifying and feeling our way, choosing what adds up in us as “good,” “bad,” “right” or “wrong” and yes just plain “ooooh, that’s it, it’s priceless.” There are organizing living principles operative here, but few know of their existence.

In the 1940s, philosopher and axiologist, Dr. Robert Hartman (check him out, Hartman Institute www.hartmaninstitute.org) the founder of formal axiological science, the study of values, discovered the existence of a value intelligence. We are born with this value intelligence. Dr. Hartman said such intelligence is operative through all living contexts. It’s present in all cultures, races, ages, genders, and perhaps even species. From this inner intelligence we develop our inner assumptions about reality. We act from these assumptions and get results as to whether those acts were effective. An effective act produces the results intended by the actor. As living beings seek effective action, a continuum of acts (actions, inner and outer) produces results, effective or not. And this is ongoing and constant from birth to death (maybe beyond). It is our value intelligence we use to guide and choose the next act and the next and so on. We are born with this intelligence capacity. But until Dr. Robert Hartman made this discovery, we had no conscious knowledge that such intelligence existed.

Norm worked with Robert Hartman at MIT where Dr. Hartman was a visiting professor of philosophy. After Dr. Hartman left MIT he worked with the psychologist, Eric Fromm in Mexico where Fromm’s students said, if there is such an intelligence, then it should be possible to develop a test that would give evidence of its existence. He developed such a test at that time.

This test has been validated throughout the world’s cultures. Scientific materialism could make no sense of this discovery in the 1950s. Hartman was clearly ahead of his time.

The Hartman Value Profile; a “tool for self-knowing” This test is called the Hartman Value Profile. It is a test that identifies how we use this value intelligence.

Today it has been applied in many contexts including business, sports, personal development, career training, executive and personal coaching and now psychologist, Dr. Leon Pomeroy, is forming Axiological 28 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

Psychology based on this test. Now it is possible for the science of axiology to come into use more fully as the discoveries of organismic organizing processes are being discovered.

Dr. Hartman discovered that this value intelligence includes three dimensions: intrinsic, extrinsic and systemic. Each of these dimensions accesses different aspects of valuing perception, each has different logical and axiological characteristics. Each dimension uses different aspects of the body/mind wisdom. The test identifies how well a person is able to perceive and use each of the dimensions of this value intelligence.

Dr. Hartman also found that these 3 dimensions are hierarchical in importance with Intrinsic being the highest > then Extrinsic > then the Systemic.

Intrinsic gives you an awareness of the overall tone of reality in which you are connected with basically everything living, and very little is not living. And if life is organism, then intrinsic connects us to all life.

The other two, Extrinsic and Systemic dimensions, are used by you to develop you in your unique way.

Dr. Hartman discovered that this value intelligence includes three dimensions: intrinsic, extrinsic and systemic.

We’ve talked about these dimensions before, but hopefully with increasing clarity here.

1)

2)

3)

Intrinsic intelligence is our ability to love and be intuitive. We access this kind of value intelligence through “listening to our hearts.”

When we are connected to this dimension of value intelligence, we feel a direct connection, no boundaries, nor separation of our knowing into parts. We experience this intelligence directly; no objective analysis is required. It cannot even be described using words. Intrinsic values permit us to recognize the individual or situation as a whole, unique, one of a kind. It is the dimension of unconditional loving.

Extrinsic intelligence is the ability to perceive goodness as any person, place or thing fulfills your concept of goodness. We access this kind of value intelligence through doing, action, and experience. Through experience we come to define what is good. Extrinsic value intelligence gives us ability to recognize concepts and parts within a whole, i.e., we value a person for his/her hair color, role or function, some part of the person.

Systemic intelligence is the ability to perceive structures, systems of order, rules of engagement. We access this kind of value intelligence through analysis or judgment of relationships. After much action and experience, ideally we come to what is most effective and it becomes a rule. However, this value intelligence has been over emphasized in the many cultures

where “getting it right” has highest value. The inversion of the hierarchy of value dimensions can cause much chaos and suffering.

These value dimensions provide organization of life so we can all live together, find ways to harmonize within ourselves all the variety, yet they don’t control, they liberate and free living entities to find most effective acts in whatever context they must navigate. We are born with this adaptable intelligence or we couldn’t live. When we are born, it is not predetermined what contexts we will have to function within. Yet, we are given this inner intelligence to adapt, to learn, to use the organizing principles of organism to find our way. Otherwise we couldn’t live unless we stayed within very narrow confines of existence. This confinement is against life. When living beings are not free or able to act from this inner natural intelligence, chaos will often follow, just as it does with children as we’ve seen on the TV program Super Nanny. When children, or adults for that matter, cannot make sense of their circumstances and form a harmonization or coherence within, they rebel. They fight for their freedom to be themselves, to find their way. It is messy when parents don’t know either.

The amazing gift Dr Robert Hartman gave the world was this very simple test that can tell us how well we can perceive and use each of these dimensions of value intelligence. It only takes about 15 minutes to complete. One can hardly believe all the information this test can reveal by prioritizing 18 items, in two parts, one that focuses on how you view the world, and one that focuses on how you view yourself.

Norm began his life’s work trying to understand values, what they are and how they function in life. What he has found is that values don’t become visible in our sciences of materialism, and physics because values only show up when there is living process, change, becoming, choosing and harmonizing.

These value processes are essential aspects of living intelligence. The ability to sense the whole, to act and learn concepts from experience and to analyze, then to be able to adapt, to consider and harmonize many levels of variety, complexity and paradox. These are the ways of organism. If it is alive, it is organism. If is organism, it uses value hierarchies to navigate living.

When we hear someone say, he doesn’t have any values, what that implies is that he has no morality, no ethical compass. Hartman would say, everyone is doing valuing of some kind all the time. This is key. Values aren’t something you have or not. Values function like a kind of intelligence that is always active, but we may or may not be able to use all three dimensions equally due to a range of reasons including contextual experiences and identity.

All this may sound very abstract and complex because it is. It’s life and it’s full of variety and choices to make. However, when you understand the living principles organizing it, it becomes simple. The biggest problem is that living organizing principles are just now being discovered as such, organizing principles of organism, of living processes. With materialism,

Continued on page 47

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t he 2 1 st c e ntu ry b oh em i a n

Aligning and Applying Wisdom and Creativity by Teresa Piccari

Embracing a New Science for an Emerging Universe

Imagine working 50 years and knowing now is the time to bring your work into the world because now is when it is needed and people are now ready to hear the message. That is exactly what Norm and Skye Hirst are facing.

The intention of this column is to tell the stories of people who are using their wisdom, skills, talents and creativity in new ways that will serve the evolving, awakening or simply new human on his and her journey. Simply put, people who are working to help us make, or co-create, a better world for ourselves.

Norm and Skye Hirst most definitely mesh with my idea of 21st Century Bohemians.

It Began Simply Enough I recently phoned Norm and Skye being that we are practically neighbors and columnists for the same journal. Within minutes we decided to place a call to our editor saying we wanted to work together on a piece about the Hartman Values Inventory – a tool key to their work that could serve me.

Visiting the Hirsts in their Camden home is like traveling to the land of possibilities. Emily Dickinson would nestle in quite happily here and she’d like the view of the harbor too, especially since she didn’t get out much. In fact, after spending many hours with Norm and Skye over several days, I found myself wondering if they would adopt me!

At their home, I mentioned a recent round of professional doors being closed on me. “Maybe you are going after work that is too small,” Skye says succinctly, exhibiting her quick, razor sharp ability to cut through the fray. What she says resonates deep within me. Soon, I would come to learn that “sense of knowing” was being experienced in the intrinsic dimension.

Which brings us back to The Hartman. A simple test where you rank 18 items each in two categories that show how you view the world and how you view yourself; how you use a set of principles of intrinsic, extrinsic and systemic value dimensions. A process we apply continuously as we make choices and decisions, take action and implement plans. It is how we choose which brand of peanut butter to buy and even, how we select a mate.

A Life’s Work Norm began his work at MIT as a physicist, mathematician and process philosopher seeking the role of values in today’s science, and finding none, he knew we needed a new science. Skye did her Ph.D. work in communications and works as a consultant and coach. Value organizing principles are key in their daily work and research.

“Fifty years ago, I realized we did not understand values. I knew physics was not going to solve the problem. I met Hartman who discovered this natural law and created a new definition of values. Values

While at the University of Texas at Austin in 1966 Norm recalls waking up one morning with the feeling that he wasn’t supposed to go to class and immediately getting into a tussle with his thinking mind that was saying, “You have to go to class.” Ultimately, Norm decided to heed the intrinsic and stay put. Staying home kept him out of the line of fire of a student sniper who would kill 14 people and wound 31 others.

The work that consumes the life of Norm and Skye is what they call a New Science of Life Itself. This science states that everything that is alive, including a human, is organism. “The human is a living organism, liquid crystalline in structure. We carry within us deeply embedded intelligence. Life is creative energy. All life is energy flows in our body; studying our bodies solely as matter cannot explain life,” explains Norm.

"Teresa, I want to tell you something and I hope that you can hear it..."

And here’s the kicker – “Life doesn’t work anything like we thought before,” said Norm.

Meeting with the Minds As we continued to meet, their work began to make sense to me, or so I thought. Even so, I knew could not write about it cohesively. This was a scenario for the good old Q&A format of journalism – a safety net.

In the meantime, there was my Hartman. I sat in Skye’s office as she calculated my test results. Norm joined us. Skye continued marking away with her pencil, calling out to Norm a couple times. “She’s got an 8 extrinsic in how she views the world. She’s a 12 intrinsic, evenly split with 6 and 6,” she called over her shoulder. This got Norm’s attention. Peering at my scores he declared “You’re hired!”

My Hartman Values Profile shows I am well balanced in how I apply values across the three dimensions.

There were no glaring blind spots that the test often uncovers. That was the good news. The bad news?

Because I can see all three dimensions pretty much with the same clarity, to improve my abilities I would need to work on all three dimensions, for a better quality of life.

The test validated what Skye had honed in on when I described the doors that had been closing in my life. I was encountering a plethora of systemic behavior from others that was sending me into a systemic tailspin of my own – which caused me to be very hard on myself.

I was “shoulding” all over myself, scrambling to create rules and roles that would help me to better fit into someone else’s idea of what they thought I should be.

The idea I have that acquiring a master’s degree in fine arts (which has evolved into the chic new degree,

a position once held by the M.B.A.) is necessary for me to teach at the university level and to publish that shelf full of books I envision, is entrenched in the systemic and extrinsic dimensions, the Hirsts explained. A good example of how I limit myself.

“Have to, ought to, got to, should have. I refer to them as the HOGS,” Skye said. “Life gets stressful and causes anxiety when the HOGS come out.”

Living from this place, Norm explains, is inverting natural law of values processing. When we listen or feel connected to the intrinsic, live from there and allow the extrinsic and systemic to fall in line, our lives harmonize in concert to fulfill our potential.

Simple Questions A few days later, the humble journalist and the two geniuses, gathered together to do “the” interview. I dove into my list of 25 questions.

The water got deep real fast. The answers to what I thought were simple questions went on and on.

Their answers would never fit into the space allotted.

Suddenly, I felt like Charlie Brown listening to a teacher who sounded like she was talking while wearing a goldfish bowl on her head. I thought about Carl Sagan’s often heard quote during my formative years about the cosmos’ “billions and billions.” I felt like I was drowning.

We abandoned Plan A and moved onto Plan B. Skye would interview me! She would ask me about my experience taking The Hartman and my understanding of how I could integrate it into my life, along with my impressions of their theory of the new science.

That all sounded fine, until I realized that I would then become the story. Hold everything! I am not one of those television journalists who enjoys doing what scares me most or anything that would make me look ridiculous, in public. My own closest friends have heard me say “My life is not a reality show.” I am a firm believer that too much information, really is.

Despite my reservations, I decided to throw caution to the wind and proceed. I was willing if it would help my readers understand how the enormity and brilliance of Norm and Skye’s work could help improve life for all of us. This was a “feeling sense,” another example of living in the intrinsic.

Skye started in with the questions. All the things I had begun to learn from them morphed into one giant ball of unintelligible ideas. No longer could I pull one out and formulate a sentence. Now I sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher.

We sat there, flummoxed, looking from one to the other. All the big intangibles of their theory circled their wagons in my small little mind and conjured up a big headache.

Through all of this Norm sat, adorable and exhibiting patience as infinite as the possibilities that could be uncovered by The Hartman. The humble genius telling me how he flunked his first physics test at MIT. Distraught, he went to the professor who told him to keep at it and that if he aced the final he’d get an A for the course. And that is exactly what happened. I

Continued on Page 47 June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 29

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Now, imagine you are a columnist trying to understand a science so vast it is 50 years in discovery, so new it does not yet have a common language and it flies in the face of long standing beliefs. That is what this columnist is facing.

exist only in living process and this is what I needed to solve,” explained Norm.

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ex p lori ng the wo r l d r el i g i o n s

Vegetarian Diet, Going Green and the World Religions

by James Bean Climate Change, the Green Revolution, and Vegetarian Diet

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The vegetarian diet is, quite literally, the Green diet. There is now a growing consensus that going vegetarian or vegan is the most effective way to fight global warming. A 2006 United Nations report, said that raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined.

The meat industry is “one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems.” (Henning Steinfeld) Raising animals for food is one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide and the single largest source of both methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Producing one calorie of animal protein requires more than 10 times as much fossil fuel input — releasing more than 10 times as much carbon dioxide — than does a calorie of plant protein.

(See article titled, “It’s Better to Green Your Diet Than Your Car,” 17 Dec. 2005, NewScientist.com).

The Diet of Ahimsa (an Eastern Term for Non-Violence) The following passage, on the reason why many practitioners of various spiritual paths advocate following the vegetarian diet, is from the book, The Harmony of All Religions, published by Maharshi Mehi Ashram, Bihar, India: “The saints have addressed violence with particular attention to the foods which are eaten. Foods, which are produced by killing living beings, as well as foods, which are not pure and fresh, are considered Tamsik.

Consumption of these is prohibited by the teachings of the saints. This includes animal products such as meat, fish, and eggs. These foods inhibit the clarity of the mind and the health of the body.

Further, Kabir Sahab says: “The kind of food and drink which we consume directly influences how our mind will become. Even the quality of water which we drink will influence our speech.” (Maharishi Santsevi Ji Paramahans Maharaj) Many Masters of the East, Hindus, and various schools of yoga, divide foods into three basic categories: Satvik (pure), Rajsik (kingly), and Tamsik (impure). This last category of foods, which includes all flesh foods and eggs, is to be completely avoided.

Satvik, the first category, consists of fresh, simple foods including: grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and dairy (minus eggs fertile or infertile).

Satvik foods promote mental clarity, relaxation, meditation, and spiritual experience including inner visions or Light mysticism. Rajsik includes very spicy, rich food, and Tamsik diet includes meat and liquor.

These stimulate passions, promote mental agitation, and have an adverse effect upon concentration in meditation.

Kirpal Singh, New Delhi, India: “Those who take up the practices concerning the lower centers in the body, do take meat ... but those who are anxious to rise above body consciousness and go into the Beyond have of necessity to eschew all that. This is the Path I have put before you. Liberation or salvation 30 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

is something, which starts only when you rise above body consciousness. For that reason, vegetarianism is the first essential.” (The Night is a Jungle, published by Sant Bani Ashram of New Hampshire) The harshest words that Guru Kabir, a great Master from Northern India (loved by Sufis, Sikhs, Jains, and Hindus alike), ever spoke were directed against the slaughter or consumption of innocent animals. Kabir says, “The man who eats meat is a demon in human form. Keep away from him – his company will ruin your meditation.” (Kabir: the Weaver of God’s Name, Radha Soami Satsang Beas Book Department)

According to many, the bad karma and other negative effect of flesh eating apparently to some degree darkens one's inner vision...

According to many, the bad karma and other negative effects of flesh-eating apparently to some degree darkens one’s inner vision, interfering with the quality of one’s meditation, making it more difficult to reach the required deep levels of tranquility, clarity and concentration at the Third Eye Center (ajna chakra). It’s interesting to notice that the Satvik diet of the Masters, of Hinduism and the Yoga Philosophy of India, is also: the life-extension diet, the anti-cancer diet, the low cholesterol diet, the diet to get the highest levels of antioxidants and most of the other plantbased nutrients, as well as the diet of the Light & Sound mystics, East and West.

East Meets West — That’s Meet Not Meat The notion that vegetarianism is “cultural” and confined mostly to India is the inaccurate assumption of some. There are Christian denominations and organisations that encourage their members to adopt the vegetarian diet, including the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Also see the entry for the Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA) at www.Wikipedia.com.

Many early Christians were vegetarian, also Clement of Alexandria, Origen, John Chrysostom, and Basil the Great. In some early church writings, Matthew, Peter and James (Brother of Jesus and first leader of the Aramaic-speaking Jerusalem Church) were all vegetarian. According to the historian Eusebius, the Apostle “Matthew partook of seeds, nuts and vegetables, without flesh.” Many monasteries in ancient times to the present practiced vegetarianism.

Clement of Alexandria wrote, “It is far better to be happy than to have your bodies act as graveyards for animals.”

Many conventional world religions here in the West condone flesh-eating, but if you do some comparative mysticism you’ll soon discover that the esoteric traditions which have practiced Light mysticism, Sound mysticism, and Ascension

mysticism through higher planes or heavens are quite consistent in their agreement about the need for contemplative mystics to abstain from the flesh.

The list of Western vegetarian paths includes: the Pythagoreans, followers of the Hermetic philosophy of Egypt, the Sethians, Theraputae, Essenes (and other Light-mystics within Judaism), the original Jewish Christians called Ebionites (see The Gospel of Jesus – In Search of His Original Teachings, John Davidson, published by Element Books), the Gnostic religions, Manichaeans, some Catholic monasteries, some monasteries associated with the Orthodox Church – including the great mystery school atop Mount Athos in Greece, and the Sufi mystics of Islam who practice Zikar of the Spirit, Light, and Sound. Most every path that advocates a present-tense spirituality, about reentering Paradise or going Back to Eden during this life, adheres to a vegetarian diet!

The Vegetarian Prayer of Thanksgiving --- One of the “Lost Books” Unearthed at Nag Hammadi.

This is a Hermetic prayer from one of the Gnostic gospels found in Egypt included in the Nag Hammadi Scriptures: www.Gnosis.org.

This the prayer that they spoke: “We give thanks to You! Every soul and heart is lifted up to You, undisturbed name, honored with the name ‘God’ and praised with the name ‘Father’, for to everyone and everything (comes) the fatherly kindness and affection and love, and any teaching there may be that is sweet and plain, giving us mind, speech, (and) knowledge: mind, so that we may understand You, speech, so that we may expound You, knowledge, so that we may know You. We rejoice, having been illuminated by Your knowledge.

We rejoice because You have shown us Yourself.

We rejoice because while we are in (the) body, You have made us divine through Your knowledge.

“The thanksgiving of the man who attains to You is one thing: that we know You. We have known You, intellectual Light.

Life of life, we have known You. Womb of every creature, we have known You. Womb pregnant with the nature of the Father, we have known You. Eternal permanence of the begetting Father, thus have we worshiped Your goodness.

There is one petition that we ask: we would be preserved in knowledge.

And there is one protection that we desire: that we not stumble in this kind of life.”

When they had said these things in the prayer, they embraced each other and they went to eat their holy food, which has no blood in it.* * A vegetarian meal. This passage is also found in the Epilogue of Asclepius, in “HERMETICA,” translated

by Sir Walter Scott, published by Shambhala: “Having prayed thus, let us betake ourselves to a meal unpolluted by flesh [animalia] of living things.”

The G.R.S. Mead translation of the same passage in,

Continued on page 43

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Yoga, T'ai Chi, Aikido & Meditation Practitioners Directory

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Holistic Pathways Yoga & Healing Center All abilities/ages. Beginner, Continuing, Intermediate, Toning & Sculpting, Pregnancy Yoga, Couples Pregnancy Yoga, Mommy & Me (infants), Yoga for Tweens and Teens, Yoga for Tots. Private sessions available. Postures, breathwork, meditation and 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.

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(207) 829-2700, www.TurningLight.org.

PORTLAND, ME Kundalini Community Yoga Kundalini, Hatha, Yo-gung, Beginners, Intermediate, Family Yoga, Workshops. Groups. Private. Sat Nam Rasayan Healing, Kundalini class includes Kriya, breath, mantra, meditation, relaxation. Creative pricing. 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. Our instructors are all Kripalu-certified and highly trained. We also offer weekend workshops, private instruction, and 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, prenatal.

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 Qi Gong 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.

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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.

June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 31

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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.

GORHAM, ME

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INNER TAPESTRY's Directory of Resources Holistic Practitioners, Products and Resources Each category contains practitioners from various states. co u n s e l i ng & t h e rapy Maine

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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 32 Creative Healing Arts ..................................... pages 32-33 Evolutionary Consciousness ............................... page 33 Holistic Healing Centers .................................. page 34 Hypnotherapy ......................................................... page 34 Integrative Healing ........................................ pages 34-36 Life Mastery ............................................................ page 36 Living Spaces ......................................................... page 36 Meditation ......................................................... pages 36-37 Nurturing Foods ................................................... page 37 Psychic & Spiritual Mediumship .......................... page 37 Reflexology & Healing Massage ......................... page 37 Retreats ................................................................ page 37 Sacred Space ...................................................... page 38 Salons & Spas ...................................................... page 38 Schools & Trainings ................................................ page 38 Shamanic Healing ................................................ page 39

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.

Patricia A. Burke, MSW, LCSW

Holistic Psychotherapy & Spiritual Development Work "When we are fully present to ourselves the light of who we are shines through and like a slow deep breath, fills the world with love." -PB

In over 25 years of experience I have merged a variety of psychological, sensate awareness, spiritual and creative practices into a process of deep awakening that can help you heal trauma, addictions & depression, rediscover meaning and purpose in life, build mutually empowering relationships, enhance creativity and embrace the deep stillness of being from within which all experience arises. I have been deeply engaged in my own inner work for over twenty years and call upon my extensive training in spiritual and transformational practices to guide my work with others. I offer individual, group and couples consultation, personal intensives, workshops, supervision and training. Offices in West Baldwin & Yarmouth, ME, (207) 625-7012, pab@patriciaburke.com, www.patriciaburke.com.

32 Inner Tapestry June/July 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, inservice 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.

33 creative healing arts–cont.

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.

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 or visit www.movementashealer.com. For further information: www.gabrielleroth.com and www.Trager.com.

THE CREATIVE SPIRAL

Journey to the Authentic Self Helen Warren, M.S.Ed., M.F.A., facilitator

Journeys facilitated by Helen offer a safe and sacred space in which to explore the rhythmic interplay of awareness from within our sacred center and awareness that is located in outer experience, the world around us, and our connection with the Earth Mother. These journeys offer the possibility for deepening our consciousness of the creative working in our lives, foundationing: deeper trust and expanded intuition, imagination, and flexibility-reduction of stress, anxiety and depression as we shift from ego to soul-based awareness-emotional and spiritual clarity that empowers us to live according to our soul’s blueprint. With over forty years of experience as visionary artist, educator, facilitator and healer Helen weaves a wonderful mixture of intuitive insight, Native American spirituality, metaphysical wisdom, and compassionate presence into her facilitation. For those who aspire to live and experience life more authentically, creatively, and consciously!

FMI or to schedule an appointment: www.creativespiral.net; (207) 829-6876; helen@creativespiral.net.

Creative Spiral Studio,

4 Watson Way, North Yarmouth, ME 04097.

TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT'S NEW! D i re ctor y of R es ou 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

Ecotherapy Dennis Grannis-Phoenix Turtle Journeys Ecotherapy and the nature based practices offered by Dennis Grannis-Phoenix, MA are designed to support individuals in the challenging yet predictable life transitions experienced by everyone. Walking side by side with individuals or group

participants Dennis helps guide and mentor each person as they transition psychospiritually from one phase of human life to the next. This transitional movement is marked with co-created, earth centered rites of passage which have largely been forgotten by our contemporary culture.

Using nature based ritual and ceremony helps to bring us into closer connection with nature, the more human world, and the true Self contained within each of us. Sessions occur in natural and wilderness settings with office locations available as needed. For more information please call Dennis at (207) 273-1390 or email: dgp189@tds.net.

evolutionary consciousness Maine 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 explore how we can help you during this consciousness shift. www.autognomics.blogspot.com or call (207) 236-6331.

Ann Hastings Conscious Channel to Support the Awakening of Self Do you want to know who you are? Vywamus,

a being of immense wisdom and compassion, channeled by Ann for many years, will help you achieve greater happiness and satisfaction in life through practicing the principles of reverence, fearlessness, integration, self-responsibility and unconditional acceptance. Ann is the author of The Mechanics of Reality: The Teachings of Vywamus and the co-founder of Reshaping The World, LLC where we offer a line of quality T-shirts bearing messages of acceptance, hope and unity that will support you energetically on your journey of self-discovery. Call Ann at (207) 625-8341 or email vywamus@vywamus.com to schedule a phone or in-person channeling session. Groups, classes and workshops are also available. Visit www.reshapingtheworld.com to order our transformational T-shirts.

Online listing (without print copy) with an active link to your website. $100 plus an Initial set-up fee $20 Call 207-799-7995 or email: info@innertapestry.org

June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 33

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Within each of us is the knowing of our oneness with the creative life force in and around us. In the silent, inner-directed process of image-making as meditation, we reconnect with and are guided by our authentic selves, the ever present creative and playful child within which carries the imprint of this eternal oneness. Retreats And Personal

creative healing arts–cont.

34 holistic healing centers

M a i ne Gardens of Atlantis Healing Arts Center Summer is my favorite season here in Dayton.

It's so green and peaceful with dragonflies and hummingbirds all over the place! Sitting on the porch watching the river flow is my mini-vacation every day. Join me when you're here for any of these great teachings or healing sessions! Kalee Combs ~ Crystal Bowl Chakra Balancing and Candlight Concerts under the stars, Georgi Nelson ~ Intuitive & DNA Healing and Qi Gong, Michael Redsky ~ Spirit Readings, Drumming Circles, Jane Fecteau ~ Group Healings, Advanced Hand Scanning and Spinal Alignment Practitioner Training, Pam Loffredo ~ Tarot Readings & Reiki Training, Donna Wiley ~ Polarity Therapy, Annie Stillwater Gray ~ Connect to Your Spirit Guides, Massage and Spa Therapies, Yoga with Jeanette Schmid Lakari ~ Join in anytime! (207) 929-5088 www.gardensofatlantis.org.

hypnotherapy - cont Hypno-Health ~ Hugh Sadlier, M.Ed., C.H. As a practicing certified Hypnotherapist since 1991 in Blue Hill and Portland, I have helped hundreds of people take control of their lives. Together we have resolved

over 150 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. Hypnotherapy is a comfortable, gentle, natural 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 (Portland), sadlier@hypno-health.net, www.hypno-health.net.

HypnoWave Hypnosis Training Center Ernest VanDenBossche, BCH, CI - Director

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

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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 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.

hypnotherapy Maine ELISSAGARDE-JOIA

Harness the power of the mind-body connection.

As a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, I have

the tools 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 Garde-Joia at 207-338-1669, egardejoia1@verizon.net. Home visits available.

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 34 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

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 Connecticut

Belanger Physical Therapy A neck or back doesn't walk into the office, a whole person does and all their history as well.

What we do not choose to express emotionally will show itself in our bodies through tension, pain, illness and/ or dis-ease. Joe invites his clients to welcome and feel, in order to transition, the walls that keep each of us from expressing our authentic selves in the world. Everything you need for what you really desire in your life is right in front of you. All you have to do is surrender to feel what is there. Joe chooses to support people physically, emotionally and energetically through manual therapy (cranial, muscle energy, functional technique, myofascial release), a deep belief in osteopathic philosophy, and heart.

Marlborough, CT (860) 295-0572, or e-mail Joe at joeb.pt@snet.net.

Maine

FERN DYER - Reiki Master/IET Practitioner Reiki with Crystals, Stones, Integrated Energy Therapy, Reading, Write-up. Our intuition guides us to the stones and

crystals necessary for our development. Reiki is introduced to balance the body, mind and spirit so your innate healing ability can be bolstered. If you choose, Integrated Energy Therapy is added.

IET provides a simple and gentle way to open the flow of vital life force within the human body and energy field by integrating suppressed feelings from cellular memory and clearing their associated energy blockages. Your messages are discussed. A writeup (detailing the meanings of the stones, the meanings of the flowers, animals etc. that I saw/heard/felt during the session and any other messages received) is then sent to you. Call (207) 415-8638 or e-mail: fdyer@maine.rr.com for an appointment/more information.Visa/MC accepted. Jewelry, Nature Photos.

35 integrative healing–cont.

Ron and Joan

As WE change so does OUR world. With that stated,

Ron and Joan are continually growing to welcome in opportunities to support those interested in awakening to the Truth as being fully human. The process they bring forth is simple and supports the creation of everyone's uniqueness as harmony with Source – we call this "Quantum Energetic Harmonization." We are excited to offer new trainings we have taken with Sue and Aaron Singleton, founders of The Way to Balance and the EOL process. The EOL trainings blend with and expands their offerings of harmonizing the physical, emotional and energetic aspects of each being beautifully. If you are interested in exploring how we maybe able to support you please visit www.ronandjoan.com, see our ad on page 24 or call us at (207) 799-7998 with questions or for more information.

"There is more hunger for Love and Acceptance in the world today than there is for bread." (Mother Teresa).

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

For more information or for an appointment, please call 207-653-8263.

Yarmouth ME.

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.

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, Ancestral Healing Techniques 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.

Accepted & honored for whom you are, just as you are, today. Encouraged

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 information or an appointment call (207) 846-0728. Conveniently located at 26 School Street in Yarmouth, ME. Now accepting insurance, www.DrPhilpott.com.

& supported to be who you are in your Highest Potential. You are invited to experience a new horizon of well-being with an energetic bodywork session custom tailored to support you on your journey Carney Brewer through life. Drawing on a therapeutic background that includes Reiki Master status, massage & polarity therapies, classical music training, core shamanic practices & Young Living Essential Oils, I create a multi-sensory experience intentionally designed to induce a state of blissful relaxation. In this space of deep relaxation your body will naturally begin to re-align itself with its perfect state. Allow yourself to experience the wonders of feeling even better than you do today. Call (207) 450-8587 to schedule a free initial consultation.

your brain with eegmaine.

Bridgeside Counseling Train A parent’s quote, “When our and Neurofeedback daughter was 16 we discovered

neurofeedback. She had 14 sessions before end of the year exams and she Elizabeth Millett, NCC, LCPC managed to pass her exams, which was a confidence booster for her.” Neurofeedback can be used for many issues, including attention issues, anxiety, depression, autistic spectrum, brain injury, peak performance and much more. Neurofeedback addresses the problems of brain regulation by allowing the brain to function better. It is training in self-regulation. Neurofeedback is the direct training of the brain, increasing its function, creating greater control and stability. By using computers and electrodes, brain waves can be observed moment to moment on a computer screen. Rewards and inhibits are set to optimize brain functioning, the brain is then rewarded for changing its own activity to more appropriate patterns. This is a gradual learning process, which can be applied to any aspect of brain function that can be measured. I have seen excellent results with neurofeedback. Visit my website, www.eegmaine.com, for other services that are available and complimentary to training your brain, such as proshi, HEG and individual counseling. Call or email for a free consultation (207) 767-0117 or emillet2@gmail.com.

June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 35

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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.

integrative healing–cont.

36 integrative healing–cont.

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, 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 > experiencing one or more healing sessions > scheduling a personalized herb report > journeying into your past for healing or discovery > learning 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.

life mastery

life mastery–cont.

Massachusetts

Patti Greco ~ Intuitive Counsel for Lightworkers in Motion

Patti Greco acts as Intuitive Counsel, Soul Coach, and Catalyst to help her clients across the US find their own life invitations. Authentic. Meaningful.

Heart-breaking and magical. That is your Soul Story and Patti Greco is your psychic storyteller. Her spiritual consultations tap multi-layered psychic writing, clairvoyant art, & psychic photography to shed light on your questions of the heart. Greco Writing offers the following visionary services through phone consult or email readings: The Soul Story, The Akashic Records (Past Life Reading), The Multidimensional Card Reading, The Cameo, Intuitive Dream Analysis, The Faerie (devic) reading, Intuitive Life Coaching & more. No matter what chapter you find yourself in, your Soul Story is a tool for understanding your key role in the Universe, and empowering your life’s work and relationships. Patti has worked as a professional clairvoyant for clients in all walks of life since 1985 (see her full Clairvoyant Profile on soul-stories.net). By appointment. MC/VISA accepted. Contact Patti Greco at (978) 448-5018, grecowriting@verizon.net. www.soul-stories.net.

Maine Ocean of Possibilities Life Coaching

living spaces Connecticut

Deborah Bergeron, CPCC, Certified Life Coach, Prosperity Guide

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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.

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.

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,

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.

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 36 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

37 reflexology & healing massage

meditation cont.

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 out about the next FREE introduction class into meditation, or visit www.centeredself.net for more information.

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.

retreats

nurturing foods

Maine

Maine

CarynTreister~NutritionMadeSimple Independent Reliv Distributor, AEA, certified fitness instructor with a nutrition background

Do you want to feel better? Are you confused about

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.

It Takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else.

Erma Bombeck

Enjoy engaging seminars that will flex your intellect. Join a movement class to tone your heart and spirit.

Experience the skillful touch of artists sensitive to the subtle thread of muscle and mind. Freshen your outward glow from head to toe. For more information about ongoing programs, upcoming seminars and suite availability, please call (207) 465-4490 or visit us on the Wellness page at VillageSoup.com. The Wellness Center, 69 & 71 Elm Street, Camden, ME 04843.

Nurture Through Nature

Nurture Through Nature is celebrating its 10th season offering transformative women's holistic retreats through weekend workshops and holistic canoe trips.

We weave mind~body~spirit experiences through guided meditation circles, gentle Let Us Guide You Home... yoga, mindfulness practices and The Work Pleasant Mountain, Denmark of Byron Katie. Our 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 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 getaway, eco-cabin rental or to join a scheduled retreat.

Sewall House Yoga Retreat Enjoy yoga twice daily, meditation, massage, sauna and healthy home-cooked vegetarian cuisine. Near pristine lakes

and Baxter State Park, hike, bike, swim, canoe, kayak or simply porch sit! Five days suggested, weekends, shorter and longer stays arranged. Step back into time in the comfort of this bed and breakfast style retreat listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.

Nature guide William Sewall shared the healing attributes of nature with a young Theodore Roosevelt, who restored his health from life threatening asthma here. The tradition continues since 1997 with William Sewall's great granddaughter, yoga instructor Donna Davidge, with over 25 years experience in the healing arts, and her Swedish husband, musician and chef Kent Bonham. Experience the friendly hospitality Sewall House has always offered.

Sewall House Yoga Retreat Island Falls, Maine www.sewallhouse.com.

(888) 235-2395 July 3 – Columbus Day.

June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 37

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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.

The knowledgeable and experienced practitioners at The Wellness Center offer a full spectrum of holistic, traditional and alternative techniques.

38 sacred space

schools & trainings Maine

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.

Mahoosuc Mountain Lodge and Husky Farm are nestled on 60 acres in the beautiful Bear River Valley of Newry in western Maine.

The lodge is a traditional New England timberframe featuring hand cut mortise and tenon joinery. It is the home base of Mahoosuc Guide Service and their working sled dogs (www.mahoosuc.com). In addition to the Lodge the original 3 bedroom farmhouse built in 1903 has been renovated and is being operated as a Bed and Breakfast. Our views are dominated by the 3500-4000’ peaks of the Mahoosuc Range. We are: 1 mile to Grafton Notch State Park, 4.7 miles to the Appalachian Trail, 14 miles to Umbagog Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 2 miles to the Grafton Loop Trail. Mahoosuc Mountain Lodge is a great facility to host a retreat, meetings, family reunions, dances/concerts, wedding or an outdoor activity. Please call Polly or Kevin at: (207) 824-2073 for more information Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

or visit: www.mahoosucmountainlodge.com.

salons & spas Maine Ravens’ Crossing — Come find some Raven’s Crossing Appleton, Maine

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.

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

Chaplaincy Institute of Maine

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

First Year: The Way of Contemplation • Second Year: The Way of Action The next two-year program begins September 2008

(207) 845-2304 or visit www.ravens-crossing.com.

Stephanie is honored to bring her artistry and 25 years of experience to Meadow Wind.

She has traveled the world motivated by multi-cultural curiosity to explore the many truths, in all their aspects, that make our world HAIR BEAUTY GRACE beautiful. She happily cultivates this curiosity by assisting people to recognize the innate beauty that resides within each-and-every one. By creating beauty, Stephanie encourages people to take care of themselves, the environment in which they live, and of the things they love. Her belief is that beauty is harmony and she gracefully communicates the inseparable unity between exterior and interior beauty. The intention that resides in her heart is soulfully communicated through her hands. Providing a nurturing environment Stephanie assists her clients in the decision making process regarding the expression and enhancement of their own beauty. Call to schedule a consultation or appointment, and you will understand why Stephanie has been embraced by Meadow Wind Center for Holistic Arts. Stephanie’s custom designed jewelry and organic products are some of the many treasures at Roots! Hours By

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

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

Tuition for the two years is $5,400.

Appointment (207) 838-9535, 100 Gray Rd., Falmouth, Me.

Together we can create miracles !

38 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

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

39 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

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. My healing space is safe, quiet and nourishing. I regularly perform soul retrievals, communicate with the spirits of deceased loved ones and facilitate healing the numerous wounds of life in the 21st century. I have completed a ThreeThe Center for Year Program in Advanced Shamanism and Shamanic Earth Light Healing Healing with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies and other intensive trainings, including experiences with indigenous shamans from around the world. I graduated from a Two-Year Teacher Training Program with world-renown shaman, Sandra Ingerman, and this authorizes me to teach beginner and advanced shamanic healing methods. Please see my workshop schedule or make an appointment at www.earthlighthealing.com, email me at dory@dorycote.com, or call (207) 841-1215.

Pacha Works

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."

by Joan Emmons

I have been asked by many if I would publish this letter I had written to a friend. The time seemed perfect as we received wonderful articles on Autism and ADD this issue.

At the time of this letter my personal journey had lead me to a close friend who had asked me what I felt the "secret" to raising children was. At that time, after a divorce and having raised my children in what I would have once called a normal household, I was floundering to "find myself." Voila, into my life came a healer who introduced me to a healing process that helped me see what had been and was currently happening in my life.

Then just this morning I reached for a booklet, my partner Ron picked up called Clarity by the Grail Foundation of America. It has an excerpt from the Fourth Commandment "Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother." An explanation followed, that we have misunderstood this commandment as a personal message and not one that encompasses the whole of honoring fatherhood and motherhood.

"Therefore, it is not in the first place addressed to the children but to the parents themselves, demanding of them that they keep fatherhood and motherhood in honor!

The Commandment imposes absolute duties upon parents, always to be fully conscious of their higher task, and therewith also to bear in mind the responsibility involved in it." After showing the movie The Moses Code a few times, the questions arise... have we misunderstood the meanings to most everything in life? What might that higher responsibility be? This is my letter and what I had begun to see that I had not...

Dear J–The only way to teach our children now is by example. It’s not what we say to them it’s our actions that show them where we are at. Most parents or people in any relationship, can talk a good game. We need to know that our intentions and our actions really do speak louder than words and that our words are in alignment with our feelings.

Aligning those intentions, actions and words to our children and partners, is critical. I think someone called it honesty.

Teach your children from a place of responsibility, not from a place of right and wrong.

Teach them to be responsible for their intentions, actions and words, to see the real impact they have on the world and the people in it, the benefits, opportunities, possibilities in everything they do. Help them to see how we can hurt the world and each other. When they experience that hurt in life, taking responsibility for their part is what is important.

Then the lessons are learned and not recreated. Right and wrong is limiting, being responsible is not. They will learn what is in harmony and what is not.

Teach them to live consciously. Give them choices in every aspect of their lives. Help them see what the outcomes might be and let them take responsibility for those outcomes and their feelings. Help them to be open and feel, to not shut down to the world and others by hiding who they are. Do not subtly manipulate them by packing their lives and yours with all the distractions that we have created in our world, and by ignoring what is really going on with their feelings and those of others.

Teach them to communicate. The world is safe, and they really are safe within themselves.

The reality is that we bring up the hurt within ourselves, it doesn’t come from out there. As with happiness and love, it doesn’t come from out there.

For some, children tend to fill the void we feel in our lives. They start out giving "us" the unconditional love that we all so want in our lives. But then we raise them in judgment, fear, control, right and wrong pretty soon we have recreated the world once more with the same basic baggage, just a different back drop. Most times experiencing our fear for them while we are “thinking” it is our love of them.

Be ready for the everyday routine. The needs of children to eat, sleep and play may not coincide with yours. It usually seemed they wanted activity when I was exhausted and wanted to sleep when I was ready to go. It takes a lot of adjustment from a world of me to a world of we. People experience this even in relationships where two adults seemingly can entertain themselves.

I feel there are wonderful feelings to experience with or without children. Being conscious you’ll see where patterns will develop, distracting you from those feelings, enabling you to change or shift those patterns for your benefit as well as others, especially your children.

Love yourself, unconditionally, so that you may love them. Live consciously in every aspect of your life to the best of your ability so that you’ll act knowing what your responsibilities are and not just react to situations you will constantly be brought into. In doing this (easier said than done) you’ll teach your children to love, accept and trust themselves.

Not every child needs the same things, listen and be present with them, know what each needs. Leave out the powerful tools of control, guilt, anger and fear. Raise them from your heart and not your mind. Your heart knows no fear, anger, jealousy, guilt or how to control. But be humbled and honor those powerful tools as they all will show up showing us time and again that in that moment we need to love ourselves a little more.

The trick is knowing what a child's needs are, which ones they are responsible for meeting, which ones they may need help meeting and getting this all to flow with a give and take which is balanced. Balance is what we all think we need to learn, we’re not taught what that is. We then try to create it without a real clue based on what we have been lead to believe it is, we may never experience it, thinking that we’ve got it. Kind of goes for love too.

It takes a lot of practice, if we are lucky, maybe only one life time to get it all. There are no magic answers only the magic to live each moment where we are, so we can consciously learn from all our teachers. Can I teach it? Only by being it... and that "is" the journey. Love Ya J Some how when raising my children I had other perceptions, even though... it has become a wonderful journey to self knowing for everyone. They are wonderfully human and deeply loved.

This was my perception ten years ago, much remains the same, some has changed, what's yours?

June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 39

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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

HowDoYouRaiseaChild?

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Please Check Our New Calendar and Classified Guidelines & Rates

On Page 43

June~Maine June-July Meditation Classes:

Psychic Fair June 8th, 11:00am-4:00pm

Improving Relationships & Making Them Spiritual taught by Buddhist Monk, Gen Tenzin, Saturdays, 3:00pm-4:30pm, $10/class, Odiyana Meditation Center, 368 Cumberland Ave., Portland, (207) 329-7098 meditationinmaine@yahoo.com.

Salon Kokopelli, 393 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA 02478, (617) 484-9726, info@salon-kokopelli.com. Angel, Tarot, Automatic Writing, and Psychometry Readings. Teeth Whitening, Massage, Hair, Facial Waxing, and Foot Bath Services.

June and September Reflexology Practitioner Certification Course

June~NewHampshire

to be offered at The Central Maine School of Massage Therapy in. Please call (207) 753-1414 to request more information.

H eart V isions June-December 2008 Share the blessings of yoga as a certified yoga teacher!

June 3rd & 17th (1st & 3rd Tuesdays) 6:00pm-8:00pm Healing Intuitive Breathwork Group Session Falmouth $25.00 Pre-register Breathe In & Beyond (207) 583-6603 Christopher & Paula Easton.

June 6th-8th The Whole Writer

Join our 200-hour National Yoga Alliance training in Merrimack, NH. Contact info@yogacaps.org or (603) 670-0302.

Weekend workshop with Joan Lee Hunter. FMI www. fifthhouselodge.com or (207) 647-3506.

June 20th-22nd 2008 Coming Into the Light~Women’s Summer Solstice Retreat

June 7th Koryukai in Windsor

with Nurture Through Nature and Claudia Ragonesi, Demark, ME. www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929.

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July 19th Healing Arts Festival ~ Camp Etna Readings, Healing Practitioners and vendors of all things Spiritual! FMI: www.campetna.com or call (207) 269-2094.

August 24th-27th OM on the Island:

Unique yoga retreat at Hog Island Audubon Center in Muscongus Bay. Designed for all yoga levels; (888) 325-5261 x215 or www.maineaudubon.org for more information.

October 26th-31st 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.

March 8th-15th, 2009 Holistic Yoga and Meditation Eco-Retreat ~ U.S. Virgin Island’s Renowned eco-resort Maho Bay, St. John, includes eco-tent accommodations, daily Hatha Yoga, meditation circles, sailing, snorkeling, two group walks.

Programs in am and pm to allow free time. $1,110 double, $978 triple. FMI: Jen Deraspe, www.ntnretreats.ccom or (207) 452-2929.

June~Connecticut June 14th, 10:00am to 3:30pm Animal Health Expo ~ Connecticut Audubon Society 1361 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT. Have a joyful relationship with your pets and provide a long, happy, healthy life for them.

Demonstrations and information on cats, dogs, birds and, horses. Discounts from many South Glastonbury merchants and restaurants, with food ranging from hot dogs to gourmet.

FMI: visit www.CTaudubon.org/visit/Glastonbury/htm or call (860) 633-8402.

June 14th & July 12th 10:00am-11:00am Move Better, Feel Better Explore ways of moving with less tension using the Alexander Technique. Sara and Eric Miller, M.AmSAT, www.millerAT.com, (860) 656-6177 to register, W.Hartford.

ALL EVENTS ARE LISTED ONLINE AT

www.innertapestry.org 40 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

June ~ Massachusetts

Dr.Tamara E. Blesh will speak about her 6 months in India, including being in the presence of the Dalai Lama. She will discuss compassion, transmissions, interconnectivity, and spirituality, share the activities she was involved with on the Tibetan Plateau in Ladakh, and give a slide presentation.

Everyone can join in the closing Reiki Mwashi. Call Roberta Barnes (207) 445-5671 or www.naturalhealinglearning.com.

June 7th Holistic Mystic Fair at the Buker Community Center, Augusta, Maine 10:00am-4:00pm for more information contact Mary Alderman (207) 446-7868, $5 entrance fee, still accepting vendors.

June 8th, June 29th and August 24th, Sundays Creative Spiral Touch Drawing Circles: Through the profound yet magical process of Touch Drawing, in which our hands and fingers are our only tools, Potluck supper included. 4:00pm-8:00pm, $35 a session includes materials ($30 if you bring your own) or $75 for all three sessions. FMI: www.creativespiral.net/schedule; helen@creativespiral,net; (207) 829-6876.

June 14th & 21st, 9:30am-4:00pm Gendai Reiki-ho Okuden (second level).

A certificate for the first level is required. To register call Roberta R. Barnes (207) 445-5671 or visit www.naturalhealinglearning.com.

June 20th-22nd Solstice Women's Retreat~

June 4th, Wednesday, 7:00pm Feng Shui & Health with Werner Brandmaier Evening Lecture at the Portsmouth Public Library. Please call for details or to register at (207) 772-7888.

June 15th, Sunday, 10:30am-5:30pm Feng Shui Beyond Superstition The impact of earth energies on health & wellness a full-day workshop with Werner Brandmaier at the Ocean Spirit Yoga Center in Portsmouth. Please call for details or to register at (207) 772-7888.

.

July~Connecticut

July 11th The 2008 ECKANKAR Connecticut Regional Seminar: Middlefield. CT, ECKANKAR Temple of Connecticut: Newcomers are free: Workshop "A Journey through Consciousness" 7:30pm-9:30pm for information: (860) 646-3063.

July 12th, Saturday, 9:30am-11:30am Free Workshop: Past Lives, Dreams, And Soul Travel, “How to Find Answers from God,” Crowne Plaza Hotel, Avon Room, Cromwell, CT. For more information: www.ct-eckankar.org Learn how to: Recall and resolve past life lessons to help you today, Interpret your dreams with the help of the Dream Master Soul travel and move closer to the heart of God!

July 12th, Saturday, 1:30pm-9:30pm The ECKANKAR Connecticut Regional Seminar Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cromwell, CT. Newcomers are welcome: for information: www.ct-eckankar.org.

July 13th 2008 ECKANKAR Regional Seminar ECKANKAR Temple of Connecticut: Middlefield, CT Newcomers are free: "Golden Keys to the Mysteries of Life" 9:00am-12:00 noon. For information (860) 646-3063.

July~Maine

Honor a New Season in Your Life, Denmark, Maine, www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929, $350.

July 1st & 15th (1st & 3rd Tuesdays) 6:00pm-8:00pm Healing Intuitive Breathwork group session

June 20th-22th A Shamanic Journey with Armand DeGrenier

Falmouth $25.00 Pre-register Breathe In & Beyond (207) 583-6603 Christopher & Paula Easton.

Weekend retreat at Fifth House Lodge, Bridgton. FMI www.fifthhouselodge.com or (207) 647-3506.

July 6th-8th Join Les Bolland, British PGA pro and

June 21st, Saturday, 9:00am-11:00am Mindful Parenting Workshop

Lisa Love, owner, YogaNOW, for a fun and enlivening workshop at the Brunswick Golf Club. This fantastic program is ideal for newcomers/novices/pros. Visit http://loveyoganow.googlepages. com and www.swingolf.net. $395 per person or $700 per couple.

Limit:12. Call Lisa for more information: (207) 729-2781.

with Nancy Hathaway, M.Ed., at 836 Main St., Westbrook. Skillful Mindfulness practices to take home to family life will be offered to parents who want to cultivate using the present moment as a healthy tool for enjoying family life as well as for coping with stress. (207) 664-6181, Nancy@CenterforStudyingMindfulness.com.

June 22nd, Sunday 2:00pm-3:00pm Crystal Bowl Chakra Balancing Concert with Kalee Coombs at Gardens of Atlantis. RT 35 Dayton, ME (207) 929-5088 www.gardensofatlantis.org.

June 26th-29th Transformation Through the Inca Wheel of Life Four shamanic weekends over 12 months, Newcastle ME. Learn tools that will change your life. FMI vibrantlifewellness.com.

Jeanne Dooley, MSW @ (207) 563.6060.

July 12th & 19th, 10:00am-4:30pm Shoden, first level of Gendai Reiki-ho.

For details and to register call Roberta R. Barnes (207) 445-5671 or visit www.naturalhealinglearning.com.

July 13th-19th Women’s Wilderness Retreat on the Allagash River. Yoga, canoeing, silence and laughter and great company! www.herwildsong.com; journeys@herwildsong.com; (207) 721-9229.

July 17th-20th The Remembered Self Memoir workshop with Joan Lee Hunter. FMI www.fifthhouselodge.com or (207) 647-3506.

41 July 19th, July 30th-Sept 1st Summer Season at Etna Spiritualist Association “Camp Etna” Founded in 1876 and located on 27 beautiful wooded acres. Mediums Day/Healing Arts Festival starts the summer season on July 19th. Readings, Healing practitioners and vendors of all things Spiritual! Workshops throughout the month of August, “Messages from Spirit” Wed. evenings. Visit our website at: www.campetna.com or call for a brochure: (207) 269-2094.

Ju l y ~ Ve r mont July 11th, 12th and 13th.

SolarFest: The New England Renewable Energy Festival Over 60 workshops on the art of sustainable living; over 20 acts on two solar powered stages; a true family event with children's Theater-in-the-Woods, storytelling, puppets, clowns, and dedicated Kid's Corner; over 100 renewable energy and sustainable living exhibitors, food and craft vendors, and much more. For complete schedules, workshop and ticket information please visit www.solarfest.org.

Upcoming~ Vermont August 1st-4th, Healers Gathering Vermont Attend an informal long-weekend with your colleagues this summer. Tents in the woods and meadow or limited indoor sleeping. A minimal per person fee for the gathering, propane and food $25. Families and friends are welcome, group activities and events, or come for the day, free. Bald Mountain Retreat is idyllic… come see. Or arrange your own time to visit as my guest (802) 659-4347. Peace, Dr. Dave

August 6th – August 13th 48th Annual American Society of Dowsers Convention

Upcoming~Maine August 8th-10th New Beginnings

Sharon Elaina would like you to know…

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

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.

Ongo i ng~ M aine Still Waters Run Deep Professional development gathering & workshop for quiet, reserved, shy, or introverts. Please join us as we explore ways to be authentic and effective. 7:15 pm 2nd Tuesday each month (except August) in S. Portland. $10/session, first time FREE, FMI: www.sageinsightscoaching.com or call (207) 797-4595.

Tuesday Buddhist Meditation We practice Dzogchen Meditation; Natural Love and Awareness; and Natural Compassion and Awareness in the lineage of Lama Surya Das. All practices are for beginners and long-time practitioners, 25 Middle Street, Portland. 6:00pm-7:00pm.

Jane Burdick, janeburd@maine.rr.com or (207) 773-6809.

Belfast: Free Adult Reiki Clinics Last Wednesday of month (February – June) from 3:00pm5:00pm WCGH, 118 Northport Avenue, Room 205, Belfast.

FMI call Cindy Swan, M.Ed., LMT at (207) 930-2549.

MOOSE Open Microphone-Spoken Word The Maine Organization Of Storytelling Enthusiasts serving the Storytelling Community of Maine meets monthly on the second Wednesday from 7:00pm-9:00pm at the North Star Cafe in Portland. http://mooseevent.bravehost.com.

Earthrest Discussion Series Earthrest is offering a series of weekly discussion groups using workbooks developed by Northwest Earth Institute: Sustainable Living, Deep Ecology, Global Warming. FMI: (207) 625-4179 or earthrest@psouth.net.

Sundays: Meditations for Peace Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. Start the week off right by learning to increase and maintain a happy, positive mind. Everyone is welcome to join us for an inspirational talk, special prayers, and meditation guiding us to compassion and wisdom. 10:00am–11:15am $10/class or free for members.

FMI: Karen Luse (207) 775-3597, kiluse@verizon.net.

Harrison D. Barrett Spiritualist Church,

Holistic Retreat for Women living with life-altering illness or injury: $395, Nurture Through Nature, www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929.

Ongoing~Connecticut Ongoing Monthly Group Reiki Sessions Individual & Group Reiki Sessions, Reiki Shares & Classes.

Please call Carleen, RMT at (860) 642-7410 for more information.

Holistic Wellness Support Group

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.maggiestyle.com, (207) 899-5939.

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.

ShivaShakti School of Yoga, Rockland

Alternative Cancer Therapies Group

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.

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.

Send all listings to

info@innertapestry.org

Give yourself the gift of Yoga! Ongoing weekly classes morning and evening for all levels. Call (207) 785-5003 or visit www.

ShivaShaktiYogaSchool.com

Kripalu Yoga Class in Windham

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, 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 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.

Spiritual Horizons Maine 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.

Tarot Readings - Third Thursday each Month 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.

Bliss! Performance of Crystal Bowls & Healing Song

Every first Friday 5:00pm-7:00pm, Geo's 27 Forest @ Congress, Portland. Featuring Kalee Coombs of SpaMusic, www.kaleecoombs.com

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.

Developing your Personal Healing Gifts and Training to Become a Medical Intuitive, ongoing classes at Forest Circles, center for community and healing, Topsham, ME. www.forestcircles.com

Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Satsang 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.

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.

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 8:30am. 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.

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.

Ongoing Psychotherapy Groups, Yarmouth, ME 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.

Continued on page 42 June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 41

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

Learn basic dowsing, presentations on water and map dowsing, earth energies, sacred sites, sacred geometry, crystal healing, and much more. Large vendor area. Keynote speaker: David Wilcock, Killington Grand Resort and Conference Center, Vermont www.dowsers.org (802) 684-3417.

ECKANKAR Temple of CT -- a place for all who love God.

42 "Yokids" Yoga Ed Tools for Teachers Workshops

Ongoing Yoga Classes, Vacations & Retreats

Wise Women Daughters of the Moon

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.

Kennebunk Monday evenings, Saco Tuesday and Thursday evenings Waterboro Tuesday mornings, Dayton Wednesday mornings.

Summer Yoga Retreat August 15th-17th, FMI: call Jeanette Schmid Lakari (207) 282-5528.

Ceremonial Wisdom Circle honoring our Inner & Outer Seasons & Cycles. Sliding Scale. FMI: www.spiritualrenaissance.com, www.templeoftheheart.com or call Deborah, spiritual guide, priestess: (207) 883-1081.

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

USM Center for Continuing Education.

Belfast Yoga Studio. Iyengar style Hatha Yoga

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.

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.

Planetary Activation Organization in Maine

Aaminah School Of Middle Eastern Dance

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. June topic: safe sun screen. 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.

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 Ernie VanDenBossche, BCH, CI; www.hypnowave.com (207) 453-6133, (207) 649-9655, Waterville, ME.

Real-ize Your Integral Potentials

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

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, 5:00pm 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@beeline-online. net (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

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.

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.

Women’s Workshops

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).

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.

Artists Support Group, Inner Balance, Belfast, ME On 156 High Street. Third Tuesday of the month from 7:00pm-8:30pm. Call Elliot Benjamin at (207) 338-4576.

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™ Thursdays, 12:00pm-1:00pm All are welcome, no experience necessary. $15 or 4 classes for $50. Mind/Body Therapy at Cancer Community Center 778 Main Street, South Portland, Maine, (207) 650-3964, FMI www.mbtherapy.org.

The Awakening Process

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

Eaton Satsang An informal gathering to discover and welcome the truth of one's inner nature. Eaton, NH is near the Maine/NH border.

Most Wednesday evenings. www.eatonsatsang.com or (603) 447-5401.

Ongoing~RhodeIsland Bridge Between Two Worlds Radio Show Mediumship, Physical Phenomena and more. WARL 1320 AM, Mondays 7:00om-8:00pm EST, Providence, RI or on the Internet at www.bridgebetweentwoworlds.net. Host: Medium Pamela Edmunds, (508) 273-0022.

C l a s s i fi ed s Retreat Cook Wanted~Nurture Through Nature

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.

Experienced whole-foods cook for group(s) up to 14. Trade for opportunity to participate in holistic nature retreats.

Send indoor/outdoor experience to ntnretreat@yahoo.com, www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929.

Kripalu “DansKinetics”

HEALING PLACES

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.

Eco-Retreat in Thoreau's Cabin

Sacred Circle Dance

The Healing Bridge

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.

Therapeutic massage, couples massage, Chi Gong based massage, Bamboo massage and hot stone therapy. Ear Candling, Guided Imagery, New Client Tea Room with foot soaks. Spa parties in cooperation with in house therapists.

Workshop space available. 41 Depot Street, Bridgeton, ME (207) 647-3553, www.healingbridge.net.

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.

Experience the healing of Love without conditions

42 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

NESHHA Educational Presentation

The Rose Cottage

Aikido of Maine 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~NewHampshire

HELP WANTED

Dancing Xigong: Twelve movements to music

WholeHeart Yoga Center, Portland

“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.

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.

Learn how doulas help families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. We meet Sundays at the Birth Roots, 101 State St., Portland from 4:00pm-5:00pm. There is no fee, preregistration is required. Call Rebecca Goodwin at (207) 318-8272.

Aikido for Women classes, Wednesday and Friday a.m. classes. Daily beginner’s classes and youth programs. www.aikidoofmaine.com (207) 879-9207.

NDE Support & Interest Group

Every Thursday morning, 8:00am-8:30am. Summer at Merryspring Park, Winter at Quarry Hill, in Camden. FMI call (207) 236-8732 and to check for updates.

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.

Experience deep quiet and nature's beauty in a Green Certified cabin on Pleasant Mountain in Denmark, Maine, only an hour from Portland/Freeport. www.ntnretreats.com, (207) 452-2929.

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.

HEALING PRACTITIONERS

Feldenkrais, Portland Tired of pain? Reclaim natural ease through subtle, surprising and powerful movement patterns and hands on. The effects are cumulative and saturate breathing, thinking and moving with comfort. Monday-Friday, 10:00am-5:00pm, 75 Gray Street, Jane Burdick, janeburd@maine.rr.com, (207) 773-6809.

Metaphysical Counseling Short term psychotherapy for revealing the root causes of physical and emotional problems or life events. Change your mind and change your life. Brenda Nelson (207) 386-5056.

43 HEALING PRODUCTS

Continued from page 30 exploring the world religions... Vegetarian Diet...

Rune sets made by Liv Write P.O. Box 935, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.

HYPNOTHERAPY CERTIFICATION TRAINING

Phenomenal, weekend trainings.

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!

SACRED RENTAL SPACE

Artist’s studio.

Well lit and spacious studio space with etching press. Peaceful setting surrounded by woods, labyrinth, gardens, twenty minutes from coast. References requested. Week or weekend rates.

(207) 829-6876; helen@creativespiral.net

DRAGONFLY TAIJIQUAN

Hermetica (Samuel Weiser Books, York Beach, Maine) says: “With this desire we now betake us to our pure and fleshless meal.”

“With such hopes we turn to a pure meal that includes no living thing.” (Asclepius, translated in “Hermetica”, Brian Copenhaver, Cambridge University Press) A Western Master of the Music of the Spheres by the name of Pythagoras once said, “Our Earth has abundance of such pure and harmless foods and there is no need for us to partake of meals for which blood has to be shed and innocent life sacrificed.”

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.

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.

Continued from page 23 Autism: A Spiritual Perspective

Space Available for Gatherings, Ceremonies, Presentations.

At Earthrest, Cornish, ME. Call (207) 625-4179.

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.

SACRED SPACE FOR SALE

WWW.BESTMAINEWATERFRONT.COM Two unique sunset lakefront offerings. Privacy with accessibility to both Bangor and Bar Harbor. FMI see website or call Alison Cote (207) 632-3662.

SPACE HEALING

Walk back in your mind to the building and walk through the door marked “Autism Experience”. There you take off your space suit and place it on the rack that you originally got it from. You leave the building and go back to your most beautiful place in the world the most beautiful place you could ever imagine.

You see the door to the flight of stairs and you walk down them ever so gently, ever so slowly. You take 5 deep breathes and with each breathe you slowly come back to the here-and-now feeling refreshed, reenergized and revitalized, having had a pleasant experience, and getting a better understanding of the world for a person with Autism.

This is just a brief insight using guided imagery to help you experience the life of a person with Autism. I would encourage you to read up on the various characteristics of Autism to get a much better understanding of the various behaviors, as some behaviors may be a combination and may vary to their degree and severity.

House or Business Have You Feeling BLUE?

NEW GUIDELINES & RATES Calendar of Events ~ Date Sensitive Listings ~ $12 per issue for 30 words, additional words are 50 cents each.

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

Please do not send listings which are not formatted or press releases.

Calendar of Events ~ Ongoing Event Listings ~ A six month (3 issue) listing is $25 for 30 words, additional words are 50 cents each.

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

There are three categories; Community Gatherings, Discussion/Support Groups and Ongoing Classes.

Please do not send listing which are not formatted or press releases.

Classified Ads

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

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

Creative Visualization experiencing wellness with Autistic person, family members, friends and other people.

In this creative visualization exercise you want to do the same part of the exercise as above with the seven steps, however this time the door will open, you will be in your beautiful place again and you will be experiencing a life of wellness for your loved one with Autism and your entire family with all parties achieving wellness, with wellness being anything you want it to mean. In your visualizations see the person with Autism reaching their full potential, achieving their goals, being happy and doing their purpose on earth. See all the parties being happy, joyous and full of love.

No one knows what the future holds for any of us so why not make it a future full of hope, happiness and good things. It has been written, “what the mind can conceive it can achieve”, so visualize good things and place it in the hands of your Higher Power.

Perform all these exercises for a period of 21 to 30 days to attain the total effectiveness of what these exercises have to offer.

Conclusion Modern medicine has no cure for Autism at this time. This has been a brief look at Autism and the various characteristics of this challenging disorder. We are more than our bodies; we are made of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. These four components makes us homosapiens human. I would ask that you be “open to the possibility” that Autism may require some “out of the box thinking” using some nontraditional ways to work with those that have Autism. Was it not less than 25 years ago that the cellular phone was science fiction as seen on the television show “Star Trek” and now it is science fact as common place as a cup of coffee? Don’t we owe it to those with Autism, their loved ones and caregivers to try things that may help them? Shouldn’t those with Autism have a chance at a full, productive and happy life?

The exercises presented in this articles are “in addition to and not instead” of the modern day medical protocols used for Autism. Eating right, exercise and taking vitamins are things we do in addition to whatever “dis-ease” we may have to provide support to us. These exercises are additional tools in the Autism “tool box” to help caregivers better understand Autism and hoping to achieve some serenity as well.

Modern man does not always possess the answers to everything or in a manner that is readily understood. Sometimes answers come from a place that we may not fully understand but provide us with everything we need. It is my belief that God would not provide us with problems without solutions.

Is it possible that love in conjunction to certain modern day protocols is the answer for those that have Autism? Why not try it for a while? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Love might just be the key to unlock the mystery of Autism.

Rev. Oreste J. D’Aversa, “Reverend Rusty” is an all faiths Minister (www.GodLovesYouAndMe.org), ordained by The New Seminary in New York City. He the author of the book Empowering Your Children in the New Millennium: Practical Tools for Children, Parents and Teachers And The Seven Simple Principles of Prosperity: Practical Exercises to Achieve a Rich, Happy and Joyous Life!, Keynote Speaker, Seminar Leader, Consultant and Life Balance Coach (www.OresteDaversa. com). He is also the founder of The Institute of Practical Spirituality (www.PracticeSpirituality.com). He can be reached at ReverendRusty@att.net, or at (201) 391-1921.

Resources Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), www.TalkAboutCuringAutism.org / Autism Speaks, www.AutismSpeaks.org Autism Collaboration, www.Autism.org / National Autism Association, www.NationalAutismAssociation.org Autism Society of America, www.Autism-Society.org, / Autism Ontario, www.AutismOntario.com www.TogetherForAutism.ca / The Mayo Clinic, www.MayoClinic.com/Health/Autism/DS00348 June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 43

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Geopathic and other Energetic Related stress factors may be impacting your body, energy, and/or spirit. The New England Dowsing Center can help heal this stress: (207) 846-6524 or www.newenglanddowsing.com.

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Book Review

b y Scott C ronenweth

The Mystery of the Crystal Skulls: Unlocking the Secrets of the Past, Present and Future By: Chris Morton, Ceri Louise Thomas ISBN:1-879181-80-0 Publisher: Inner Traditions Bear & Company www.innertraditions.com

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Legends tell of thirteen life-sized human skulls made of quartz crystal, said to have been held by the ancient Maya and to somehow contain prophesies and other information about humankind’s true purpose and destiny.

Many feel that the skulls, when united, hold the power to save the Earth. Dozens of crystal skulls have come to light, most dismissed by experts as fakes made by antiquities traders in the 19th century. Yet Mayan shamans still work with the skulls, and skull hunters continue to search for more of them.

Altogether it’s a remarkable modern mystery — intriguing enough to inspire the latest “Indiana Jones” movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls (which opened at theaters May 22nd).

A quick online search will turn up dozens of website pages offering varying degrees of fantasy and fact about the crystal skulls legends. But perhaps the most complete and compelling account of the legends, related historical events, and the discoveries of skulls that may indeed be authentic, is the recent book The Mystery of the Crystal Skulls: Unlocking the Secrets of the Past, Present, and Future. Its authors, independent filmmakers Chris Morton and Ceri Louise Thomas, are experts on the skulls and also the creators of a documentary on the skulls that aired on A&E. (To purchase a copy of the movie visit http://www.bbcprograms.com/pbs/catalog/mysteryskulls/ mysterymain.htm.)

According to Morton and Thomas, there is one crystal skull for each of the thirteen planets in the cosmos that are inhabited by human beings, among which our souls travel as we evolve. Each skull has a removable jaw and is said to have the power to speak or sing. All thirteen skulls are now on Earth, waiting to be rediscovered and brought together so their collective knowledge can be shared — provided humanity has sufficiently evolved not to misuse their teachings.

Can this fantastic prophesy really be coming true? What are these skulls, where do they come from, and what might they hold for us? These are some of the questions that Morton and Thomas explore in-depth over more than 400 pages. A real “page-turner” that includes a number of color photos and other images, The Mystery of the Crystal Skulls follows the authors on their journey of inquiry, from ancient temple sites in the Yucatán to the Smithsonian and the British Museum to scientific laboratories. They also connected with indigenous teachers, who shared sacred knowledge about fastapproaching changes on Earth and how the skulls figure in our collective destiny.

CD Review

by Joan Emmons

Managing the Gift Alternative Approaches for ADD

By Dr. Kevin Ross Emery www.kevinrossemery.com In our recent travels we have been asked many questions about Attention Deficit Disorder for children and adults alike. So as the Universe would have it, into my life comes Dr. Kevin Ross Emery. Spiritual Catalyst. His latest book and CD companion set

Even if they exist, can the skulls possibly hold information from beyond our time and place? Science is only just beginning to probe from its perspective the capabilities that quartz crystals have to store and transmit data. According to the authors, “We may not yet know the correct way to input and retrieve any information stored within [the skulls], but that does not necessarily mean that the information is not there. The analogy that comes to mind is of a Stone Age man or woman finding a computer and being told that it contains great knowledge and information. Without the necessary understanding of electronics and the appropriate passwords and commands, they would simply not believe it. Could we be in a similar situation with the crystal skulls? It may be that the information they contain is in a form that we simply do not yet comprehend. For it is only when we are able to interact properly with any information storage system that the knowledge stored within it comes into a form of existence that we can understand.”

If you find yourself captivated by the mysteries and possibilities surrounding the crystal skulls, you absolutely must get a copy of this expertly written, engaging and sometimes disturbing book.

You might also be interested in workshops offering teachings on the crystal skulls in our area from a Native American perspective, being offered by Michael Red Sky. (See Michael's ad on page 25.) Michael teaches the Stone People's Medicine and The Medicine of The Crystal Skulls taught to him by his mother and elders. There is The legend of The Crystal Skulls and the Ark of Osiriaconwiya (as told by the Cherokee twisted hair society) that speak of these singing/talking skulls being encoded with information from all of the human planets.

The total configuration of skulls was known as the Ark of Osiriaconwiya. The cosmic elders took the ark and encoded all of the knowledge of the worlds into the skulls which are called the Sacred Grandmothers. They brought them here to teach the children of Planet Earth the foundation from which this world can flourish and develop. It is said that they were scattered around the world to roam until such time that man learns to share, teach, heal one another and live in world peace and harmony with Grandmother Earth.

Whether it be through the stories of Atlantis, Mayan shaman, or Native American heritage there is one thing that is consistent, the story, told by many civilizations in the same manner, each holding their piece to the Ark of Osiriaconwiya or the Mystery of the Crystal Skulls.

Scott Cronenweth is a freelance Shamanic Budhist Naturalist Bird Guide Personal Dog Servant writer in idyllic South Portland, Maine. Connect with Scott at www.naturalpathwalks.com. is a wonderful tool to help people with the ongoing issues of attention, obsessive mind chatter and emotional overload and to recognize the gifts that are present.

His approach, simple meditations and exercises to do on a daily basis. You do not have to have ADD to benefit from this great CD, I can imagine that most would love to quiet the mind chatter that we all experience, to live a life with the tools to convert the built up energy/emotions, without creating the things we do not wish to experience.

Dr Kevin has offices in South Portland, ME, Haverhill, MA and Dover, NH and this set can be purchased from his website at www.kevinrossemery.com. For any questions Dr. Kevin can be reached at (603) 433-5784.

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CD Review

b y J a m e s Be a n

Rumi: The Way of the Heart Artist: TAMIR www.rumi-wayoftheheart.com

In recent years there have been some cassettes of Rumi poems, sometimes accompanied by sitar or other instruments from India. While this was interesting, if not ground-breaking at the time here in the West, it's nice to finally have a spokenword recording with the perfect sound quality of a CD, and which makes use of instruments that are more in harmony with the poetry: sounds from the Sufi world such as the Ney. Often Rumi wrote about the "Song of the Reed" or Ney flute.

Interwoven throughout this recording are the Persian compositions of Amir Vahab, who sings and plays various instruments such as: the Ney, Daf, Tar, Tanbur, Guitar, and Setar.

Rumi says: Listen to the Sound of the reed Listen to its plaintive notes, For, ever since it was cut off from the reed-bed It has been telling the tale of separation...

For everyone who is separated far From his Source Wishes back the time when he were one with It. (Rumi, as quoted at the website: www.rumi-wayoftheheart.com)

Compiled by Dr. Andrew Vidich and narrated by TAMIR, this is the best offering yet in this spoken-word mystic-poetry genre, which has been growing more and more popular in recent years. The creators of this Rumi CD, intimately familiar with the mystical traditions of Sufism and related paths in South Asia, have not only taken the scholarship to a new level, expressing so eloquently the poetry and spiritual depths of Rumi's heart, but have also shared something of the Sufi storytelling tradition. There are some delightful, colorful teaching stories to be found on this new recording called, "The Way of the Heart".

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.

Book Review

by Joan Emmons

The Healing Heart By: Deborah Guzzi Empathic Touch at www.empathic-touch.com Born in Camden Maine, currently residing in Monroe CT this author's story is heard and felt through the compilation of work, reflecting on a life of challenges and love.

Deborah's work allows us to remember the times of growth within our own family structures, how we uniquely experienced them with a possible new perspective on our lives.

In her work Little Nell, the journey to acceptance of self and siblings is brought forth in honesty, love and compassion.

There is a section entitled: Radical Ramblings that is ever so meaningful.

My favorite is Define this......

I have always felt if we would only stop for just a moment, lose our words, and breathe we would be able to "be" the

knowing and understanding that we are all so longing for.

Kudos Deborah.

In Deborah's words; "If these verses inspire the reader, stimulate them to write, compose, create, give them comfort, or simply open their mind to the world then they will have fullfilled my intent, since life is poetry with all its facets and foibles."

Deborah is owner of Empathic Touch, specializing in Reiki, Energetic Healing and Feng Shui as well as, Shiatsu, Lomi,-Lomi, & Thai Massage. She has risen to Master Level in Tao Kwon Do and Usi Reiki and is writing her next book out in December, 2008.

Deborah can be reached at Empathic Touch at Wishing Well Acre, 246 Elm St., Monroe Ct. For class schedules please visit www. empathic-touch.com or call 203-452-0919.

b y Ro n D a m i c o Take Me To Truth, Undoing the Ego By: Nouk Sanches & Tomas Vieira ISBN: 978-1-84694-050-7 O Bokks; www.o-books.net www.takemetotruth.com From the moment I saw this book, Take Me To Truth, Undoing the Ego, I knew I would be well served to read it. I am not often drawn to read much these days, but there was something about what this book offered that I was drawn to. As I began reading I felt as if I was reading my own awareness and thoughts about life and the inherent struggles I experience clearly expressed on paper. I believe this is one of the first books to express the ego as being the obstacle in the awakening to Truth, what some would call enlightenment. Most other material tends to spiritualize and dramatize the journey; this book offers an opportunity of becoming aware of this and provides steps to work with undoing that which interferes with living Truth, the ego. Six steps are offered as a navigational process of undoing the ego. If you choose to embark on this journey be prepared to change. Once you awaken you will not be able to fall asleep again. You will only be able to see the Truth more clearly.

As your reading continues you may become aware of the authors' beliefs that all of life’s struggles, all of them, are directly related to one thing, the ego, it’s that simple. If we accept this as true we begin to see the illusions of life.

I say this because, as it is clearly pointed out, life as most of us live it now is created by and for the survival of the ego. This means that all we believe is brought into question, everything! People would be hard pressed to find much of anything in their lives that is not held in place by the ego’s illusion: work, friendships, family, tradition, government, religion, money, relationships, most everything. All of it is created and maintained as it is by the ego for its own survival. I use the word survival because that is what the focus of the ego is.

It is not focused on living, if it were there would be no lack, struggle, pain, suffering, want or need at any level, without exception.

As you begin to integrate the information that is presented, questions may begin to surface: What am I protecting myself from? Why is my focus on survival? Why do I feel the way I do about my self, body, family, loved ones, possessions, freedom, and country? What is our motivation for anything we do or want in life? What are the reasons we do, say and act the ways we do? Is it ego or something else? As you read this book an opportunity is offered to see all of life in another way. We are, if we choose, able to begin seeing it as our ego which is creating the struggle and pain we experience. With each chapter the reader could begin to experience life differently. Not necessarily the way the authors see truth, but as the world is to you with your Unified Self as the guide. The Unified Self is when all of your being is in alignment with Source and joyfully following that wisdom. The information within Take Me To Truth helps the reader navigate through the ego construct, the same construct that created the struggle and pain, which is brought into each moment. Activities, reading and resources are given to support the process of undoing the ego.

This book is for those truly interested in experiencing themselves differently.

If you have a desire to awaken to Truth, not spirituality, this is a worthwhile journey to embark on. The authors, Nouk Sanchez and Tomas Vieira, beautifully put into words information that will offer guidance into and through the undoing process.

Take Me to Truth is a wonderfully clear guide to a process of becoming aware of what keeps us in a life of struggle. It is up to you to choose what information, if any, resonates with you. As with all information it is as useful as we find it to be. Remember, the journey of life is for each of us to experience. Welcome in all that comes to your awareness, play with it and allow yourself to expand as a result of the experience.

If we allow ourselves to climb the rocky terrain of our inner self.

We just may find the beacon of light that we have been looking for.

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Human beings are like the Ney. What are we without the Spirit of Life blowing through us?

Just a hollow tube. The Breath of Allah is what creates the Sound.

Book Review

46 Continued from page 18 destination healing NNE... Simplicity through Movement Through Aikido, Gary and Ania Small train people to overcome the physical and mental obstacles of life while seeking and manifesting harmony in every part of their life. Master Ueshiba, who sought harmony throughout many levels of life, once said, “The original budo is training in the spirit of harmony. Its purpose is to produce real human beings who will improve the world.

There are no contests in the Art of Peace.

A true warrior is invincible because he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of contention that we harbor within.”

For a destination of healing through movement contact Aikido of Maine at (207) 879-9207 or visit them on the web at www.aikidoofmaine.com.

"Aikido is a way to improve the world.” ...Sensei Gary Small Kevin Pennell, an author from Bethel , Maine, wrote Two Feathers-Spiritual Seed Planter and has written for other periodicals and media. Kevin Pennell is an Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master Teacher, Certified Hypnotherapist, Ancestral Healing Practitioner, and Psychic Empath. He conducts Reiki and other workshops that assist spiritual and personal development. Kevin, with his wife, Vickie Cummings, own and operate Spirit Wings, their Compassionate Healing Center and Therapeutic Store located in Bethel, Maine.

Continued from page 16 modern shamanic living...

Frodo Lives!

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unlike dear old Frodo, the only risks that you will encounter are emotional ones. In fact, your biggest hurdle won’t be the other people, but the brain-mind’s worry about being judged.

Left-brain—where all those negative programs from childhood live—will try to protect you from “making a fool out of yourself ” or “being laughed at.” Check in with your heart and if the resonance with the person feels right, go for it. Take the risk. If the other person doesn’t get it, or understand, keep speaking. If they can’t or don’t want to hear anymore release the judgment you may hold about them or the validity of your heart’s quest and move on. Reengage with your heart and fill yourself again with the feelings of the accomplishment fulfilled. Allow the feelings to radiate out again and then listen for your next set of clues about who might be your next potential “co-quester(s).”

Right now, your heart is ready to give you a mission. Listen and never give up on it. Don’t allow disappointment to steal your quest from you. It may take years and many steps. If you don’t feel ready, know that you will change as you go along in the process. Indeed, you will evolve into just the right person for the job. All you need to do is keep going forward. Make the emotional risks and take the actions that are placed in front of you. Do the right thing and keep doing it.

Tolkien’s view of life was crystalized in the trenches of World War I. In this most terrible of conflicts, the likes of which human memory had never before witnessed, he saw ordinary people acting in heroic ways. He witnessed that which was best and worst about humankind during the war. It also inspired him to create a timeless parable of how even the smallest of persons can change the world.

Like Frodo, we have the capacity to fulfill our heart’s quest. The next huge leap for humankind might be a direct result of your actions. Listen to your heart, follow its intent with action – do the right thing. It’s really quite simple. © 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.

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.

Consider being a part of Global Cooling Let's help save ourselves & Mother Earth!

Let your grass grow longer between cuttings.

...Betty Close

46 Inner Tapestry June/July 2008

Continued from page 19 destination healing SNE... A Simply Abundant Life as authenticity, visioning, emotional intelligence, effective communication, innovation, self-care, leadership, and role modeling. The skills have been transformed in ways that make them more meaningful and effective for a wide variety of people—those who own businesses and those whose business it is to raise children and care for a family.

“Some clients realize that they have these skills, they just haven’t practiced them or applied them to their home life, while others are learning these skills for the first time. The process begins with an introductory call in which people learn about or reacquaint themselves with the skills. Thereafter, people who want to use these techniques for transformation in their lives can join a 4-week focus group that meets once weekly by phone. Each week, clients discuss their progress, celebrate their successes and gain clarity about any challenges they may have encountered during the previous week,” Michele explained.

During and at the conclusion of the session that I was part of, it was clear that clients really felt empowered to apply these skills within their personal, home and business lives. This can easily be attributed Michele’s ability to cultivate an energetic, supportive environment for this highly practical and effective program. The group process, which is so dynamic under Michele’s facilitation, is another key element of this unique coaching program.

Michele elaborated, “The group process allows each participant to gain an objective perspective, to tap into the resident wisdom of the group for ideas and to explore options for how to use a skill in a particular situation.”

Michele uses powerful process questions to elicit an authentic plan that will give each client positive and lasting results. She is humorous, sensitive, compassionate and honest in facilitating the group and each individual’s journey toward a more joyful, meaningful and abundant life.

“To ensure success for each participant, we work together to establish a clear vision, discover core values, and align these two. Additionally, each participant visualizes and verbalizes the vision they created, making it prominent in their thinking and in planning action steps. Together, we determine what is possible, so the client can gently move toward living their vision.”

*Coaching -Right for You* The methods I have learned from P.J. and Michele benefit me at different times depending upon how my family, work and home life are evolving. The essential steps toward the vision I hold for my life may have to shift with the realities of my life. Consequently, I find I require different skills and processes to move me toward an easeful, joyful and simply abundant life. Having listened carefully to the Voice within, I now find that fostering teamwork, enhancing communication, practicing rebalancing methods and staying energized for my growing family are essential to creating the life I desire. You also, may find that different coaching philosophies or practices suit you at different points in your journey.

If you believe coaching could benefit you, be sure to consider the coach’s credentials and skills as well as their personal presence (see “Resources”). P.J. and Michele each have more than 20 years experience in the health, wellness and behavioral sciences plus their coaching certifications and life experience.

Remember, a coach, ideally, should act as a guide to help your uncover the wisdom within you, tap into your strengths, help you ask questions and create solutions that are right for you. Like P.J. and Michele, a coach should provide unconditional support for the vision you have for your life.

Living a simply abundant life is possible. How—is up to you.

How to contact P.J. Harder, Re Life Spa, 270 Farmington Avenue, Suite 172 (rear building) Farmington, CT 06032. P.J. direct (860) 729-143, pjharder@semetree.com,, at the Spa (860) 404-2712, www.reforresults.com.

How to contact Michele Gentile, M.A., OTR/L, Gentilesart@yahoo.com, www.michelegentile.com, (631) 821-4002, Michele is a teacher, facilitator, author, business owner, wife and mother who utilizes all of what she teaches to create a balanced and exciting life, a successful business and most importantly a harmonious home.

For further reading:

These books have been empowering and inspiring along my journey, including the writing of this article. May they bring the same to you: Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach © 1995 Warner Books.

Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh reprint © 1991 Pantheon Books.

Karen M. Rider, M.A. writes articles, stories, reviews, and promotional copy that educates, enlightens and entertains the reader. Karen is guided by three muses—clarity, integrity and creativity—in all endeavors. She holds a degree in health psychology. Karen resides in central Connecticut where she shares life’s adventures with her daughter and husband. She is working on her first novel. Contact: riderkm@cox.net

47 Continued from page 28 the way of life itself... The Discovery of Value Intelligence... the way of knowing is to focus primarily on what are observable facts of what materialistic assumptions allow. To know living process, new forms of observation are necessary with different assumptions about reality.

For instance, it is an inalienable right for living entities to be free to act according to their own knowing from which they can learn. This is a foundational principle of democracy. However, with people not knowing about this inalienable right, some people believe it has to be taken away in order to impose controls by law or punishment to keep order. That very act of laws/ policies that prevent self-organization and interfere with autonomy within living beings produces chaos (as we witness on the Super Nanny). We may see the result of such acts as facts, but what brought the chaos about is not observed or known until now.

So what are values? Google points to lists of words, ideals to be fulfilled.

That would be one kind of value dimension, the systemic. Then there are instructions such as “pick ten” or list them in order. Such words, ideals, abstractions treat values as things to possess, not inner living processes that are guided by an inner intelligence we all have and use whether we know it or not.

Every minute of our lives we make choices based on what we value. I chose Skye to be my wife. We chose to live in Maine. We chose this house, this car, and this cat. We are fortunate since we tend to choose the same. Behind each choice may be an infinity of factors we will never know; and they are probably different in each of us. We are fortunate because, though different, they lead to the same or compatible choices for us.

There can be an unconscious incompetence that occurs when we repeatedly make the same choices over and over and they don’t produce the results we intend. This would be an indication of a value dimensions blind spot.

Something isn’t working, but we don’t know what, or where to look to make a correction. This is when the Hartman Profile can be most useful in bringing conscious those blind spots.

We think of the profile as analogous to an eye exam. It can be an impediment if your eyes don’t focus properly or if there is astigmatism. An eye doctor can detect such conditions and prescribe corrective lenses without ever needing to see what the patient sees. Similarly the Hartman Profile can detect the quality of one’s value vision without revealing the patient’s values or prescribing what they should be.

The test is not a psychological test; it is an axiological test. It is not based on statistical sampling. It is not static; it can change and improve if the tested works with the insights gained.

shouldn’t be upset, he said, “It took me 50 years to understand it all.”

I left their home feeling as if I had failed all of us. On my way home, a sense of relief flooded me and I suddenly knew I could not just drop it all. Once home, Skye called and said, “Teresa I want to tell you something and I hope you can hear it. When we start telling people about what we do, most start shaking their heads, not able to understand. One time I sat down with a journalist, said three sentences and she said her head hurt.

Sleep on It I was dealing with very heady stuff that seemed too big for my brain to wrap around. A thought occurred to me. Perhaps I could wrap my arms around it, instead of my brain, and let it nurture me.

Mentally exhausted, my head still in recovery mode, I decided to turn this dilemma over to that circus troupe of egoless selves that cavort as we slumber.

The next morning an email from my editor Joan Emmons read, “I appreciate your willingness to play with this for yourself, I feel that it will certainly enrich your life in many ways. Keep me in touch and please find the joy in connecting with the limitations and knowing them, rather than being upset. It’s all growth and at the end of the journey that’s what will matter.”

Breaking through the limitations we place on ourselves and allow others to impose on us are challenges we must process to transform and grow. Learning so many new ideas and theories from Norm and Skye had sent me into deep process – a simple example of the challenges we are all facing on a grand scale during the current evolution of human civilization.

I remembered Skye saying how as we each begin facing the emerging realities, it will feel deeply confounding until we let go and feel our way with the rudder of the intrinsic to guide us.

“What you are experiencing is exactly what is happening to most people in the world today. Everybody, everything is coming into question. How we think of reality is coming into question,” said Skye.

Emerging from my processing mode and faced with a deadline, I stared my systemic limitations down and invited my higher intrinsic self to the desk, called upon the practicality of my extrinsic talents and began. And so my dear reader, if all of this makes no sense to you and makes your head hurt, my apologies but that’s to be expected. I hope you will stick with it. Take two aspirin, sleep on it and if all this still doesn’t make sense in the morning, call me. I’ll give you Norm and Skye’s phone number. © 2008 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 professional and everyday needs. She teaches workshops including creative writing, memoir and journaling. She is a traditional Usui Reiki Master who practices and teaches the ancient healing art. 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.

So there are organizing principles that allow for maximum freedom for all life to be co-creative, self-organizing and finding its way to harmonizing actions.

We are born with this value intelligence. We can use it or lose it. Thanks to Hartman, we can now learn how to use it consciously to help improve the quality of our living. There are many sources for where you can take this test.

We are doing research with this instrument and are excited about telling Inner Tapestry readers about its existence.

Norm and Skye Hirst, PhD – co-founders of The Autonomics Institute. Together they are combining their work as consultants, researchers and educators to bring this emerging view of life as organism into focus.

As the shift of consciousness occurs, Skye works as coach and educator to individual progressive leaders world wide, helping business owners, policy makers, community organizers process the difficult challenges facing us at this time. Beginning at MIT studying physics, mathematics and values, Norm chose as his life work the study of where and how values show up in Skye & Norm science. 50 years later he’s bringing out his findings of a whole new reality, philosophy and science for understanding life-itself dynamics. Contact them at hirst@autognomics.org or shirst@autognomics.org.

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June/July 2008 Inner Tapestry 47

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Your choice of values is entirely up to you, but if you cannot perceive some dimension of value, it’s like trying to navigate out of one eye and not both.

Our body/minds will seek ways to make sense of what choices we make and then try to find meaning. For example if the only dimension you can perceive is the systemic, that of rules, and laws, without the other dimensions, it can degenerate life into a black and white, right and wrong reality, chaos can be the result. The living organismic processes will seek to rectify that imbalance by trying to break free of such limitations.

Continued from page 29 21st century bohemian... Aligning and Applying...

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