01 - MARCI Winter 06

The Holistic Mentorship Network

M.A.R.C.I. Winter 2006-2007

Mindfulness Awareness Responsibility Compassion Intuition

www.mentorshipnetwork.com

Wholeness through Spiritual Integration Our Mission:

To create a unified community of compassionate holistic practitioners that will contribute to enhancing our profession and ourselves by providing a supportive space to share, learn, teach, grow and lead.

My Vision:

“To strengthen and support the community of holistic professionals.”

--Linda Mitchell-Dominguez HMN Founder

Newsletter Editor GREGG TAYLOR

I'd like to tell you a story, the source of which is unknown. A wise old woman is teaching her grandson about life:

"A fight is going on

ity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too," she said.

The grandson thought for a minute and then asked his grandmother, "which wolf will win?"

The wise old woman simply replied, "The one you feed."

inside me," she said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, seren-

TAI CHI: In Search of True Self The Ultimate Fist

by Ameurfina H. Nazario

The Study of Tai Chi The student starts by train-

Tai Chi may seem to be a Tai Chi means “Ultimate mere physical exercise at Fist”. An internal martial first. Soon enough, the art whose concepts were realization will come that it shaped by Taoist philois more than a physical sophy and Eastern medicine, Tai Chi is the funda- exercise. Practicing Tai mental expression of Tao. Chi will quickly bring into From a quiet and centered the self the awareness of self, a Tai Chi disciple will the emotional body, the mental body, and the set into a graceful and meditative motion a series spiritual body in addition to the physical body. of choreographed postTo a novice, foremost to ures, moving chi or vital life force to cultivate phys- study of Tai Chi is the learning of the external iccal well-being, spiritual fulfillment, and happiness. postures or forms.

The student starts by The

ing how to perform the forms, exploring such principles of substantial and insubstantial; moving as a unit; yielding and following external forces; using no extra effort; being in the present moment; controlling internal energy at will; and avoiding double-weightiness.

As the learning progresses, the student becomes more sensitive to the flow of chi and thus starts to understand how to direct the chi throughout the body. The . conditioning of the aspect Continued of art. Finally, on next the page Tai

Chi practitioner is able to unify and integrate the internal and external moves for

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

TAI CHI: In Search of True Self

by Ameurfina H. Nazario

The conditioning of the spirit also takes place through the contemplative aspect of the art. Finally, the Tai Chi practitioner is able to unify and integrate the internal and external moves for achieving total harmony.

The spirit is enlivened as the God and humbly see thempractitioner exudes the virselves as the essence of tues of patience, compasshumankind. sion, love, kindness, gratitude, generosity, empathy, and helpfulness.

The Benefits of Tai Chi

In the Philippines, when seeking entrance to someone’s home, the outsider knocks on the door and identifies himself as human (Tao) and addresses the 1 person inside as God (Po ).

The knocking is followed by the utterance of “Tao Po,” which simply means (I am) human, (let me in) God. The Philippine culture has imbued into the Filipino psyche the intrinsic wisdom and decree to respect and honor all human beings as

The consistent practice of Tai Chi makes the chi grow and flow within the body that provides a homeostatic effect bringing physiological and psychological processes into balance. Tai Chi improves the functions of the nervous system and internal organs. It helps tone the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues. There is greater elasticity of the lungs and improved circulation. It relieves stress and reduces blood pressure.

Exploring Tao and Poon in Tai Chi In Chinese, Tao means “The Way.” It takes the form of two opposites, Yin and Yang, through which one’s true nature is revealed. Tao is the guiding principle of the ancient philosophy of Taoism. It leads to the path where everything is possible through inner transformation. To follow Tao (The Way), the devotee engages in the daily practice of Tai Chi. The practice opens the door to the inner sanctum, the divine consciousness, for the devotee who is Tao (Human).

1 Shortened for Poon. Poon is one Upon entering, the Tao finds of the Pilipino names for God. unity within, and acknowledOther names are Bathala, Diyos, ges the Po (God) in oneself.

May Kapal and Panginoon.

Thus, God is the true self.

-----AHN

Let’s Go for a Run

continued

Editor’s Note: The author is a Tai Chi practitioner and founder of Moment’um, a holistic health organization whose mission is to help bring into harmony one’s body, mind, emotions, and spirit. She integrates Asian healing traditions in her practice, which she named Diwa, a Philippine word for consciousness. Affiliated with Atlantic Health, she teaches Qi Gong and Tai Chi at the MindBody Center. She is also the Tai Chi/Qi Gong Movement Clinician at the Cardiac Unit and Carol Simon Cancer Center of the Morristown Memorial Hospital. For more information on group classes and individual sessions, please email momentaum@yahoo.com or call 973-539-5828.

by Linda Mitchell-Dominguez, Founder

In 2004 I ran a marathon.

Having never been a runner this was quite an undertaking, but was initiated with the desire to do something in memory of my sister, Mary Lou, who died of Leukemia when she was six-years-old (I was almost five). I had received a letter in the mail about a fundraiser that was being held in various locations for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

I had checked the date of that first meeting and

found that I was free. I was so enthralled by the energy, various speakers and the honorees in that room. There was a variety of ways I could participate that could have been much gentler on my body, but I didn’t see, or realize what I was about to commit to. I know there were many friends and family who doubted my ability to run 26.2 miles (that’s how many miles in a full marathon). I, too, am sure if I had known then what I do

now, I would have put odds on my insanity.

As with anything, we confront obstacles, challenges, and our greatest fear of failure. But, at that moment, for my sister, I only had one desire and that was to do for her what I couldn’t do before for myself ---I only now begin to realize how profound life can be, those that are our greatest teachers and how our lives can change at any moment…The desire to follow our dreams, visions

and honoring our heart’s desire can seem so foreign by ego’s ability to throw any of us off track and lose our way.

Continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

Let’s Go for a Run In those five hours, fifty-seven minutes, and thirty-four seconds, I experienced every challenge that you could possibly imagine that takes sometimes a lifetime plus to go through.

The obstacles were many---first, having colitis, and the fear of having an attack while training and during the marathon…my gypsy life and work schedule impacted the availability I had to train with the TNT (Team-In-Training). And, like the old adage, it was winter, and I hated to be cold.

by Linda Mitchell-Dominguez, Founder So, when I hit that first 910-mile mark, it was no wonder my hips were crying. The most I had trained for was ten miles.

They call that “hitting the wall,” usually that comes th at the 20 mile or so. The dread of failure---who did I think I was?

Such self pity I indulged myself in, and then the real kicker: all those who supported me in prayer and donations that I would let down--Sound familiar?

The next six miles would be critical in order to stay in the race----I needed to

meet that 16-mile mark within four hours in order to stay in the marathon. I don’t know if the stabbing pain that shifted from my hips to my right knee was as bad as the pain I was feeling in my heart, but having met other runners and walkers, I noticed a fellow, who was struggling to keep pace and not give up. Amazing how reaching out to another person can help you meet your own goals. And so, I hit that 16-mile mark with bare-

continued ly enough time left to spare.

It’s amazing how powerful our thoughts can be, I remember thinking to myself while I was treading ground to get to the sixteenth mile, please let my niece, who was planning on th being there, be at the 16-18 mile.

“…It’s amazing how powerful our thoughts can be…”

Lo

and behold, not knowing where I would be, she too was praying to her Angels to guide her to where she would find me.

As she reared her car around the next bend, she found herself in front of Saint Michael’s Church.

Talk about miracles….

She was my Angel.

Not only was she there for me, (where I needed her to be), but then she decided to run with me. She supported and motivated me through every agonizing step to my next challenge when she left me to face… myself.

It was in that moment that I truly felt alone, with only myself to motivate and move forward. By this point, I had no idea how much further I had to go----maybe five or six miles---maybe less. The only thing I knew I needed to do, was to finish within six-and-a-half hours and I had one-and-a-half hours left. With the pressure still remaining, I noticed the woman behind me holding the six-hour flag (there were several flag holders throughout the marathon, holding flags that indicated the time you would finish at, if you kept the flag holders pace).

herself, but time was narrowing, with a half-hour remaining and, as I was into the twenty-fifth mile, it dawned on me that I might still have another mile to go once I hit the 26-mile marker (I am sure I was delirious by this point).

As I continued to keep my focus and pace, a woman from the TNT, who was one of the mentor/coaches from the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, was walking the opposite way.

When she saw me, she turned around to join me and said, "I'll walk with you to the finish." Being fearful to ask the question of how Trying to keep my pace much farther, I found the ahead of her, I began feelstrength to ask anyway. ing as if the Grim Reaper When she turned to me was following me. Then, as I and said, "Honey you've reached the twenty-five-mile only got two blocks left," I marker, the woman with the wanted to cry, because I six-hour flag started to get knew, in that moment, that ahead of me. I knew she I was going to make it, and was a few minutes ahead of had accomplished some-

thing that would transform my life forever. In my breath, I said "Thank you God," and, as I rounded the last corner, added---- "I'm running the rest of the way in".

I have found myself, at many times, faced with many obstacles in building a holistic practice. I am certainly not alone in feeling that I can make this work, and making a living at it--- while following my true calling when often, I am called to serve without monetary return.

Most of us coming into this holistic field are not entrepreneurs or are ‘business savvy.’ We are often alone, trying to figure out the deal and not aware of what is really going on in our Industry, or what other modalities are available to us or our clients.

The Holistic Mentorship Network was founded in April of 2005 when a small Continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

Let’s Go for a Run continued group of holistic practitioners sat together, sharing ideas, thoughts and challenges. Since the beginning, I have personally grown in many ways and have kept my focus on the vision and mission of the mentorship group.

Like the marathon, the Holistic Mentorship Network has been quite an undertaking. I did not decide to simply gather a group of massage therapists to support our individual practices, but decided to take on the whole industry. I believe that, as an industry of holistic providers, whom many of us are looking to mainstream into the medical arena, it is

by Linda Mitchell-Dominguez, Founder important that we also integrate within our own industry, if our intent of healing is as a whole unit.

As founder, I have been guided by everyone who has given me support, guidance, input and insight. I have been blessed abundantly by old friends (and new ones I have made since coming into this field), and by those I have met since the initiation of the “Holistic Mentorship Network”.

Through the support, team effort, belief, faith, and hope, we have come to another plateau in providing membership to the providers in our industry, and with that, our first newsletter,

named “MARCI,” ----which is an acronym for mindfulness, awareness, responsibility, compassion and intuition, and is a workshop that I had been working on, and is now ready to come to life. We are very excited about all those who have agreed to write articles for this newsletter...like Ameurfina H. Nazario, who teaches Tai Chi and Qi Gong, and is highly gifted in her art.

I have had the experience to sit in and participate in her classes. She lives and breathes MARCI. The theme for our first newsletter, “Wholeness through Spiritual Integration,” has been a wonderful opportunity to look at how we can complete, and make whole, a team effort in providing services through a vast range of medical and alternative

choices to ourselves and our clients.

In this newsletter, we have given attention to an area that all of us at one time or another have encountered ----Eating Disorders.

Personally, I have been touched by the strength of Ashley, who has been willing to share her personal experiences with anorexia.

I want to thank Andrey Byers, Psychotherapist on Ashley’s support team, for sharing her experience of “Wholistic Healing”….

Dr. Wendy Frieling, Pediatric MD, who has also been a part of this team, shares her frustration, with a

“…it is important that we also integrate within our own industry…” ness when we remember our Source.

response from Ashley’s mom, Susan, in regards to “seeing things rightly” and without spiritual connection, we float aimlessly, trying to find our way, so we are fortunate

to have Girolamo “Jerry” Pagano, who was introduced to A Course In Miracles (ACIM) in 1981, give us his experience with the teachings of separation and recognition of our one-

In addition, I would like to thank Janice Billera, Religious Science Minister and Spiritual Counselor; Susan Cloutier, Administrative Assistant, George Dominguez, COO at Sunrise House and HMN Board Member, and Suhail Jarroush, Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master and Teacher, as well as Massage Therapist and HMN Board Member ------all of whom have added to our theme and insight by sharing the experiences that have brought them to where they stand today.

When the time comes, I hope that you will join us in our marathon… our quest “To strengthen and support the community of holistic professionals.”

-------JMD

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

The Unique Offer of the Holistic Mentorship Network

by George M. Dominguez, JD

As one of its original Board Members, I have been asked to write a short article concerning the Holistic Mentorship Network and what I see as the organization’s future. If I had been asked to discuss this topic a year ago, it would have been a very short discussion. You might say, I have been given a crash course in the various modalities known as “Holistic and or Alternative” therapies and health wellness care.

Let me explain----My background includes many years in the catering, food, and

hospitality industry, some years as a practicing attorney and magistrate, and the last 20 years in Healthcare Administration in the Alcohol and Drug Treatment field. I am presently the chief operating officer and a Board member of Sunrise House Foundation, an organization that has been providing drug and alcohol treatment in New Jersey for the past twenty-three years.

Prior to 2006, my only exposure to Holistic Alternative healthcare, was personal exposure to the therapies and care of several chiropractors as I struggled for years with

common lower back pain.

Approximately ten months ago, I ran into an old friend I hadn’t seen in a few years, Linda Mitchell. When I last knew her, she was a working licensed practical nurse.

When I met her again, I quickly learned that, while she was still an LPN, she was then working as a nationally certified Massage Therapist and just beginning to form a support network of like holistic practitioners.

In the first few hours of our reacquainting, my education as to the various modalities comprising the “holistic” field started.

What impressed me most about Linda at this initial meeting, was her passion for helping others, her self confidence, and a lust for life I had not seen before.

That meeting turned into dinners, dating, a short engagement and now you could say I am married to the field, since Linda and I were married this past September. As we talked through the last nine months, I became more and more interested in what she had seen and experienced. Besides her “lessons” about----first, massage, then cranialsacral and energy work, I started to read everything

“What impressed me most about Linda…was her passion for helping others…”

I could about the various modalities that make up the holistic disciplines. Through her efforts and my continued self-education, I am now aware of the basics of the main holistic therapies ----from acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, homeopathy, massage therapy, nutrition therapy ----to Tragger therapy, Yoga, and many more. In addition, I have learned that these therapies constitute the fastest expanding group of services in wellness and healthcare today.

In this quick education, I have come to see parallels between the growth of addiction treatment (from its roots in Alcoholics Anonymous) and the medical models now prevalent throughout this country. In addiction treatment, besides medical attention and monitoring during withdrawal, there are few successful programs that do not deal with spirituality, the connection between mind-andbody, nutrition, recreation and relaxation; all of these being concerns of the holistic practitioner. I have seen the growth and proliferation of these programs, and the resultant state regulation and monitoring. Since most of these programs are organized as non-profit corporations, taxation has not been a problem as it has

become with Massage Therapy and other body work therapies. A traditional diagram of a classic methodology of addiction treatment depicts the patient in the center of a wheel, with spokes running out to the various medical and nonmedical methods of intervention. After assessment, it may be determined that the patient (or addict) needs spiritual counseling of their choice, intervention by a Dietician concerning proper nutrition or control of Diabetes, etc----- there are usually legal problems requiring sessions with legal representatives, the courts, probation, or the like.

group therapy, and peer support is almost always an integral component of treatment; parenting skills, anger management, etc. are some of the many other intervenetions. Other than Yoga and nutrition therapy, few of the Recreation, exercise or other Holistic modalities are yoga might be suggested as utilized in the treatment of relaxation stress reduction addictions. These efforts methodologies; facilitated are new and slowly being Continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network The Unique Offer of the Holistic Mentorship Network encompassed by the traditional-type programs.

One of the key initiatives of the Holistic Mentorship Net-work, is to raise the level of awareness of the individual holistic practitioners that they offer a unique, but specific approach to the individual client’s dealing with daily life…that they share many common beliefs and basic tenants of the human condition, and that they can all benefit by sharing, or, to borrow a phrase from Alcoholics Anonymous, “their experience, strength, and hope” to

Spiritual Growth with Healing

by Susan Cloutier Office Administrator

About seven or eight years ago, Linda and I crossed paths at our Unity Church.

We both became involved in one of our passions---children, when we joined

(continued)

As I have grown and assisted in the growth of a substance abuse program such as Sunrise House, I can attest to the benefits of the cross fertilization and sharaid first themselves then ing of knowledge by like adtheir friends and clients with ministrators of other prowhatever is presenting. grams either within New These efforts, at cross fertJersey or at times in regionilization of knowledge and al and national settings. understanding, can only While the meetings I attendassist in furthering the suced were organizational or cessful results of the holistic educational in nature, it was therapies as a whole. The the meetings before and realization that the client/ after with our peers that the patient is the center of the real benefits of these conwheel and that all the varferences were found. These ious modalities are spokes “extra,” informal meetings of the wheel that can offer could properly be identified assistance in the client’s as, and called support groups growth and well being, is a for, that was what actually key to success. This multihappened during them and disciplinary approach to the that was the most valuable; client/ patient is demanded as healthcare administrators by the complexity of the became human beings, and mind-body dichotomy posshared their experience, sessed unknowingly by strength and hope for the most of the public. growing field of addiction the Youth & Family Ministry We were blessed to spend time together, and get to know each other better when we went on Child Ministry Retreats, attended Youth Ministry meetings, or workshops at our church, and as we shared the child-like joy that we recognized in each other. The relationships that we have built with the children of our Spiritual community continue to this day. Some of them attended Linda’s recent wedding, including my two children. Over the years, Linda and I have watched each other grow as people, …as partners, as Spirit-filled sisters. We have shared advice and laughter----we

have spoken…and listened.

We have laughed and cried together, and we have felt unabashed joy as we watch each other grow into all that we are here to be.

treatment. The Holistic Mentorship Network offers the stated purpose and opportunity of individual support, personal growth and the development of the growing field of the Holistic Healthcare Practitioner. It is this unique approach that fuels most of Linda Mitchell-Dominguez’s passion for this effort, and it is this effort that will make it succeed. As this field of alternative holistic healthcare expands and matures in our western culture, the Holistic Mentorship Network is sure to also expand, since it is the only association that offers this much needed opportunity for the personal growth of the individual practitioners.

-----GMD

I have also been blessed to be on Linda’s table on a regular basis. What a great healing... physical, mental and spiritual.

I can say, without a doubt, that Linda indeed practices what she preaches. She lives what she believes. At this point in my life, I am thankful to be in a deeper, more consistent relationship with Linda, as we work side-byside to move the Holistic Mentorship Network forward. I feel honored that she has entrusted her baby to me. I love that she allows me to share my gifts; to use my creativity. I am so grateful for the words I spoke to Linda in June----“If you need an Administrative Assistant, let me know. I’ll be looking for work after December.”

Continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network Spiritual Growth with Healing (continued) When I returned home from vacation on July 5, Linda and I sat down with her husband George and figured out a way to get me on board. -----And here I am!!! I look forward to the challenges and rewards that come with being a part of this network of wholeness, love, and healing as it unfolds into greatness… nourishing all of us, who in turn nourish others. Imagine!

-----SC You may say I’m a dreamer.

But I’m not the only one.

I hope someday you’ll join us.

And the world will live as one!

---John Lennon Blessings of Love, Joy and Healing in abundance

Weighing Life: My Story

by Ashley Cloutier

It seems so glamorous in

can remember, I have always felt like I am too the beginning, you know? much, like I take up too Losing weight, receiving compliments, having people much space or something.

I guess you could say that ask you if you’re aa the desire to shrink myself ballerina; having people tell down, to ultimately disyou how beautiful you are, appear, has been with me how disciplined. But there is since the beginning. But it always that moment, that was only (and I use that sudden shift in time that, word loosely) about two looking back, you’re never years ago that anorexia— quite able to pinpoint: That or, Ana, personally, to moment where the me—really started to concompliments suddenly trol my life. s top—“You’re getting too thin”— and the concerned It began simply enough. I questions suddenly begin— wanted to start exercising “Is everything okay?” ---the more regularly, and start moment where the beauty eating more healthfully. and th e discipline of what So, that’s exactly what I you are doing and achieving did. One day, I started is seen by no one but you. running and eating toI don’t really know exactly wards a healthier way of how it started for me. I do life. Then the shift came know that for as long as I and I started running and

barely eating towards a carefully-constructed death.

I want to stop here, for a moment, and clear up the fact that, yes, everything did begin as a desire for some sort of idealized thinness, but it turned into something less about vanity (which is what most people think anorexia is) and more about an obsession to erase myself completely.

As the pounds dropped away, concerns from friends and family, whispers from total strangers, and rumors from the mouths of people at school piled up. Every waking moment was a living hell, and Ana was the queen of my Underworld.

I would wake each morning with dread, wondering who would say what…wondering

“…I felt like a caged animal dying to break free…” if this would be the day that I gave up completely, wondering if this would be the day that I was finally pushed too far. At home and in therapy, I was being met with demands to stop doing this, to go into a hospital, to let someone help me. At school, I was being met with every-day-stressors, rumors from my peers, and comments made behind my back. I didn’t know how to handle it all. I didn’t want to handle it all. I withdrew even more. I lost more weight. I became more and more obsessed with reaching my goal, the welcome demise. I left the therapist whom I had been seeing for three years, unable to handle her comments or concern any longer. I stopped going out. I stopped talking to everyone, save for one highly trusted and valued friend—my then, Creative Writing teacher. I just shut down.

My first hospitalization came in March of 2005. By that time, it was one-year and fifty-twopounds-lost since I first started running. I was told by the VicePrincipal of my school that I had to leave, and that I wasn’t allowed to re-enter the building until I had been medically cleared. I was pissed ---livid, even. I wanted to kill everyone in the room — and then myself.

Nothing felt real. I was taken in a police car to Newton Memorial Hospital. Upon arrival, I was taken directly to the emergency room. The severity of being admitted to the ER didn’t hit me at the time; I was too angry to think, and too convinced that everyone and their mother was overreacting and full of crap, and that I was perfectly fine.

You do not see the power You do not see the strength it takes…

…To chip away To minimize To shrink down what was always too big Fast forward a month-and-ahalf later, and I have been on the Eating Disorder Unit (EDU) at Somerset Medical Hospital, gained twenty-onepounds, and then been discharged by my frustrated doctor for “not complying with our rules and making things more difficult than they have to be.” I didn’t care that he thought “you’re a lost cause. You’ll never recover from this.” All I wanted to do, was go home.

Three-months-later, I am taken to Newton Memorial Hospital for the second time and, once again, seen in the emergency room. I have lost the weight I gained at Somerset, and then some. I now weigh seventy-eight-

pounds. My mother can’t stop crying.

My second stay at Newton lasted two weeks. I was forced to stay there while the doctors and nurses tried to figure out where to put me: They couldn’t keep me because they didn’t have the resources to treat me. No one else wanted to take me because, between my low weight and erratic heartbeat, I was a liability.

I felt like a caged animal dying to break free.

Fast forward two-monthslater and I have been to Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong, in Rochester, NY, whose sole purpose was to push food on me and get my weight up as quickly as possible, Continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

Weighing Life: My Story with the help of high-carb and high-fat foods. They also weren’t impartial to tube-feeding, which I learned the hard way, if you were resistant to their tactics.

by Ashley Cloutier

ical advice of your doctors, I am far sicker than anyone could have ever imagined, and so consumed with my compulsion to whittle myself into oblivion, that I can barely think of anything else. I Directly from Strong, I was have gained thirty-pounds in taken to the Renfrew Center sixty days, and I am deterof Philadelphia, which is set mined to get rid of each-andup more like a half-way every-one of them. house than a hospital. I Newton Hospital; ICU spent the end of August and Christmas Eve and seventymost of September there, two-pounds watching summer fade into Machine lights blinking fall, as silently and as irrevocably as my desire to try.

Around her 5’ 7” frame When I finally leave RenDoctors whispering frew, after signing a 24-hour Outside her realm of notice, which basically states consciousness that you are terminating your We’ll be lucky If she makes it treatment, despite the medthrough the night

(continued)

I didn’t go anywhere after my third time at Newton Memorial Hospital, except home. I told my mother that I would do anything—anything—if she kept me from having to go into another hospital, to go through another program.

Anything turned out to mean working with a therapist, a nutritionist, and a weight monitor—three amazing people whom I have dubbed -----My Team.

Some days I hate them.

Some days I fight everything they are saying, convinced that I am right, and that the life—life being the operative word—I had with Ana is better than the one I have right now.

Some days I want to tell them all to screw off and leave me the hell alone, because I just want to give up on this process. But other days—most days—I welcome their help, thankful that they care enough to stick by and help me, listen to me, advise me and direct me, and grateful that they are willing to let me do things at my pace and my comfort level—something I didn’t have in the hospital settings. They are giving me tools to build a future with; faith when I have none; strength until I can find my own; light to navigate the darkness. They are my Human Flashlights and I honestly don’t know where I would be without them.

“They are giving me tools to build a future with…”

So strange This thing called health Like putting on make-up for the first time: Unsure hands, shaking Hesitant to produce results Hesitant to add to the blank slate of familiar-nothing Hesitant to ruin what took so long to create

grimacing in disgust and It will give you choice, horror at the thing you are and power, and control— becoming. It will leave you crying into your hands, or real control. screaming into your pillow, because you just can’t take it anymore…But it will also keep you out of the hospital.

“You just have to let it.”

It will keep you away from IV’s, and needles, and doctors who don’t understand. It I’m not going to lie----will keep you away from 5am -----AC Recovery sucks. It’s hard, weigh-ins and food in quanand it’s frustrating, and it’s tities that make you feel sick. emotionally, mentally, and It will give you the freedom physically draining. It will to use the bathroom without leave you aggravated and having to ask someone to annoyed with the people unlock the door. It will give around you who tell you that you the ability to go outside you’re “healthy” or “cured” when you decide you’re simply because you’ve ready. It will give you an gained weight. It will leave identity other than the you staring at your changing diagnosis in your file and body and face in the mirror, the data on your chart.

I am leaving you, Ana Pushing you away before I change my mind Again (Do you hate me for that?)

And I am replanting my roots Growing taller Bit by bit Inch by inch (Who knew the sun could hurt so much?)

Blooming into my own covering you with my emerging shadow (Will you even miss me?)

Taking up the space That is rightfully mine (I’ll miss you too; I’ll miss you)

In Memory of Emelia D: Missing you, loving you, and hoping you've finally found peace

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The Holistic Mentorship Network A Message from Dr. Wendy Frieling…

Dear Susan, Linda et al, The day you left a recent message, I had decided to let you know that I cannot follow through with the article.

When I got your message, I felt really badly that I had already agreed and figured

I should at least try to deliver on my promise. Here is the scoop. I tried to write this piece and have come to the conclusion that I really have nothing to say. Not that you need to know my inner thoughts but, I'm feeling really disillusioned about what we are able to accomplish in the medical world these days.

I think eating disorders are more complicated than anything and I really don't think I do much at all to help other than avert crisis.

Please accept my sincere apologies. I just cannot follow through on my pledge.

Your mission is noble.

I wish you the best,

Wendy

“Often times in our profession, whether medical or alternative, we come up against our own demons and frustrations of helping another… Those are the times we may not realize the significant role we play in someone’s life…

Dr. Frieling has been one of those unique individuals that have played a huge part in Ashley’s life.”

-----Linda Mitchell-Dominguez

…A Response from Susan Cloutier would not have allowed Andrey and Dr. Bump to have their piece (peace) in Ash's beautiful recovery.

Hey, Dr. FrielingThank you for your honesty about doing the article.

Although I understand your frustration with eating disorders and not finding a place within you to write from, I know that without Ashley showing up to see you she would not have been admitted to the hospital when it was crucial, but also, your support and monitoring

Even if you can't write about it because of disillusionment, know that, in my opinion, you have been crucial to the health of the beautiful, young woman you will see in your office this week.

You have most definitely been a major part of the team that saved my daughter's life. I hope that this knowledge can continue to spur you on to find new ways of educating young girls and women as to their importance from the inside out!

You get them at a young enough age to make a difference. Perhaps that is the reason Ash has blessed yours, Andrey's and Dr. Bump's lives...to touch that place within that yearns to make a difference!

You will always hold a very special place in my heart and, I know, in Ashley's.

Thank you for your wishes.

With much gratitude for a year that has brought us full circle,

Susan Cloutier

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

One for the Team

by Andrey Byers, LCSW

needs to a collaborating physician and nutritionist. situation for a patient is to Power struggles over have a collaborative proweighing-in issues and fessional team. The effect of food intake can be avoidsuch an effort can be felt on ed and the underlying varying levels by both the psychodynamic issues patient and the professional. can remain the priority. It It really frees each professis also time efficient for sional to focus on what they all these issues to be do best and lifts some of the cared for simultaneously burdens of trying to multi-task. by different people. The If I’m working, for example, mutual professional supwith a patient with an eating port can aid in the creadisorder, I can leave the bulk tive process and be helpof the medical and nutritional

In many cases, the ideal

Spiritual Nourishment

There is a Divine Power in the Universe that is operating in every moment. This power is the Intelligence that holds the planets in their places, and impels each seed to burst forth into a flower. It is the same Intelligence that is the pulse of life that beats each living heart and provides order to the fabric of life itself. When we are aligned with our Spiritual Nature, there is order in our “bodies,” our thoughts, and in our affairs. Actually, if any one of our bodies are out of balance, be it spiritual, mental, emotional or physical, there is disorder in our lives.

I find it interesting as a minister, that many people I counsel come to me as a

I believe the patient ultimately benefits from not only being helped by team members, who can focus on their particular skills, but also by hearing similar messages reinforced. It really gives credibility to the whole process. I have also had patients report that they experienced tremendous healing due to the comfort of knowing they had a “team” behind them.

-----AB

ful in preventing “burnout” in particularly long term, high risk situations.

by Rev. Janice Billera

last resort. They come after they have exhausted medical, psychological and nutritional counseling, and after they have used their brain to search the Internet for factual information ad nauseum. It seems that connecting to the Source of all life, whether we call that source God, Jesus, Buddha, Mohamed, Spirit, Creator or Bob, is often the last place we turn when we are “out of order”. I am not suggesting that any of the other modalities are not valuable, quite the contrary. We are a holistic community after all, and when we address all of our “bodies” with every tool we have available, we experience wholeness. I am simply reminding us, that when we experience wholeness in a holy way, divine order is restored. When we are not connected Spiritually, we forget that there is this Divine Power working in every moment to hold things in divine order, so we think we have to do it ourselves. We think we have to be in control, so we can

always feel safe. The thing that brings us to our knees every time is when we realize that we cannot control the world, or even our little part of the world, so we feel unsafe. We forget that it is this Divine Universal Power and Presence that keeps us safe, so we suffer. One way that we think we can have at least a modicum of control is with the food we eat. Why food? It’s easily available, it’s legal and we have been given so many messages about it all of our lives, it is easy to use the distortions against ourselves. We call the resulting maladies “eating disorders”, when actually, it is a way that one uses control to find order.

MSW from Columbia University.

Practicing Psychotherapist since 1990. Currently in practice at MJC Institute in Ogdensburg, NJ Whether it is binging (out of control) then purging (to control) or controlling what food is taken in, even to the point of abstinence, it is a way of controlling the outside to feel better inside.

Even something as mild as attempting to nurture and comfort oneself with food, is trying to control an inner hunger that can only be filled by Spirit. This behavior may seem out of order, but it is actually a way to maintain control in a world that appears to be unsafe and out of control. It is a manifestation of disorder and disharmony between our physical body, our emotions, our mental thoughts and perceptions and our disconnection to Spirit.

That is why it is important to employ all the magnificent tools that are available in the holistic community to treat eating disorders, especially those that facilitate the intricate and delicate balance between our spiritual nature and our human nature. Then we become aware of the internal guidance that is continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

Spiritual Nourishment

by Rev. Janice Billera

always available as this Divine Intelligence leads us to healthier choices. Yoga, meditation and prayer are perfect spiritual tools to bring us to internal harmony where we can then integrate better nutritional practices. Visualization opens the door to see ourselves as God sees us… perfect, whole and complete, vital, healthy and strong. We are blessed with modalities that integrate our emotional,

physical and mental bodies, but let’s not forget that when Spirit leads the way, all things fall into divine order, easily and gracefully.

-----Rv.JB Rev. Janice Billera is the Interim Spiritual Leader at the Unity Church of Sussex County, in Lafayette, NJ, where she celebrates Sunday Service every week at 11:00.

(continued) Her thoughtful and dynamic lessons always carry a powerful spiritual message that can easily be integrated into every area of life, resulting in personal empowerment and balance.

Rev. Janice also provides spiritual counseling to individuals, couples and groups. She can be reached at 973-383-6277.

The Idea of Separation in A Course of Miracles

by Girolamo Pagano sorrows, the achievements and failures, the skills and the struggles, the health and the sickness, the stories of the ego-----all take place in Course In Miracles the dreaming of the mind. gives us a way to understand The whole and perfect Mind the world and ourselves holis- that is created by God tically, providing a sure found- through extension, the Mind ation for the flow of holistic that is part of God and practice. The Course teaches therefore has and is everythat to heal is to make whole thing, dreams it can be and that the healed mind special and have a unique shares the single purpose of existence apart from the healing with all minds.

Creator. The mind dreams that it is part of a unique and In the Course, it is impossible special body with a will diffor our true Self, Who is forferent from God’s Will. ever One, and one with It’s Source, even to think the The ego comes into existhought of separation. tence as the self within the sleeping mind who believes Only our little selves, our the dream is real. The ego egos, each one experiencebelieves it is separate from ing itself to be apart from God and that its will has preothers, could make up the vailed against the Will of idea of separation and then God. It feels guilt over defybelieve it to be true. ing the Will of God and it fears the punishing power of The Course offers a myth of God. The ego then projects separation, explaining how this guilt and fear outward the impossible came to be in onto other bodies and the our belief. The ups and world in a constant effort to downs, the pleasures and get rid of them by seeing

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them outside the self. It then becomes possible to judge and condemn others for their sins and to become a victim of attack from outside the self. The ego will stop at nothing to maintain the denial of its projections, believing that therein its safety lies.

demonstrate the illusory nature of the world of separation and the truth of our oneness with each other and with our Source.

The Voice for God, or Holy Spirit, or Higher Self, or the Christ within, calls to the sleeping mind to awaken and remember its true Identity. A Course In Miracles is a course in putting aside the ego and learning to listen to the Voice for God. The mind awakens and remembers through practicing forgiveness of everyone and every- Separateness asserts itself everywhere as an underlying thing without exception. assumption of the un-mindful When everything in the dream has been healed and world. Realizing there is no reflects only the Will of God, separation is the same thing the dreamer is ready to fully as becoming mindful, or waking up. Holistic practice awa-ken into the eternal sets us on a journey that Oneness. Learning and appears to be both outward practicing the Course heals our perception and makes it and inward. Our journey holy, or holistic. In the Continued on next page process, miracles occur to

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The Holistic Mentorship Network The Idea of Separation in A Course of Miracles takes us outward to interact with the world in healing ways and inward to heal our minds. The holistic professional is commit-

ted to perceiving wholeness where others may perceive separateness: we try to nurture, strengthen and extend wholeness. Holistic profess-

continued

sionals shine the light of unity on the world of separation and make an opening for miracles to occur.

-----GP

Since January 2005, he has facilitated a weekly ACIM study/support group for active Girolamo “Jerry” Pagano was introduced to A Course In Miracles (ACIM) in 1981 and over the next two years, students of the Course at Unity he completed the Workbook in the context of Shanti Rica Joseph’s inspired and challenging Course Church of Sussex County, where he study/support group in New York City. Since 1986 he has practiced the teachings of ACIM doing child regularly volunteers as singer and protective services social work in Sussex County, his home community since 1978. pianist.

Therapy with the Angels A TRUE STORY My little friends were whispering in my head not to meet with her alone at our center this late, because the other therapist at the center will be all gone by 8:00 pm, and I was worried something might go wrong and I might need help. So I called Suzanne, my partner, who is one of my Reiki students (and is a Reiki Master/ lady calls me after seeing my name on her Aetna Alter- Teacher, too) to be with me at the office. She left her native booklet for a lower back pain massage. She said husband at home, and came that she was six months preg- this late to help me. When the lady came in for the pain nant. She had severe lower management session, she back pain, very painful sciasaid that she’d had pregtica and her legs are killing nancy massage and visited her. I gave her an appointa chiropractor, but her pains ment and my intent was to use Muscle Release Therapy are still there. She was very apprehensive of what I could to relieve her pains. Her appointment was late at night do to ease her pains. But, she was very delighted to about 8:00 pm. see Suzanne with me in a very well lit, comfortable room. We supplied her with every comfortable means, such as long body pillow, a head rest and many other small cushions, to support her body and her head; then I started with her a meditative breathing technique to ease her mental anguish which was causing her more stress and pain. As I started

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by Suhail Jarroush

working on her different therapy techniques such as, Pregnancy massage, MRT, Reiki,Seichim, Energy Balancing, Acupressure, Su Jok, Vita flex, and other techniques started to flow through me. It did not take me more than forty-five minutes of concentrated work and the lady was completely pain free. Her tears were flowing with happiness and relief to a point that she wanted to take me home with her, ----ha-ha-ha, just kidding.

After I finished the pain management treatment, I looked up towards Suzanne and saw her standing looking at me in awe. She said: “I wish you could see the aura around you when you were working--------

----as if the hands of the angels were working with you.” And the angels were working with me. I felt them all around me and within me, guiding my heart and my hands.

I am retelling this story to let all therapists know that as long as they supply their clients with a comfortable atmosphere to ease their anguish, then they Center, Shield and Ground; then attach the unconditional love of their hearts to their higher-self when working with their clients or patients, the whole universe will conspire to make their work a piece of art specially customdesigned by the hands of God and specially formulated for whatever their clients need.

---SJ

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YOGA INTEGRITY NUTRITION INTUITION DOULA Puzzle Designed by SUSAN CLOUTIER

The Mentorship Network TheHolistic Back Holistic Page Story Mentorship Headline Network Board Members George Dominguez Linda Mitchell-Dominguez Kevin Deighan Suhail Jarroush Cethelen macEalaionta Donna Price

Our Mission: To create a unified community of compassionate holistic practitioners that will contribute to enhancing our profession and ourselves by providing a supportive space to share, learn, teach, grow, and lead.

CONTACT US at:

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The Holistic Mentorship Network Board of Trustees has defined a holistic practitioner as... Any practitioner who offers a PHONE: therapeutic approach intended to treat health issues or 973-300-1184 conditions through a process that views the physical, emotional, FAX: energetic, and spiritual aspects of existence as co-equal in 973-300-1189 addressing health and illness…Any practitioner who seeks to E-MAIL: address health conditions in terms of the "whole person" rather info@mentorshipnetwork.com than as disorders affecting or confined to only specific functional Or Visit on the Web! parts, systems, components, or organs could be considered a candidate to become a member in our Holistic Mentorship www.mentorshipnetwork.com Network.

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