WINTER 2015 by New Consciousness Review

NEW

CONSCIOUSNESS WINTER, 2015 |

REVIEW

N C R E V I E W. CO M

LIFE AND

DEATH

SUPER

GENES

Tom Bird

BOOK WHISPERER WEIGHT

LOSS

Tuning the

HUMAN BIOFIELD

2016

REVIEWS | INTERVIEWS | ARTICLES

health - SELF-HELP - metaphysics - CONSCIOUS LIVING - SPIRITUALITY

iofield Tuning is a unique therapeutic method that uses sound waves produced by tuning forks in the biomagnetic field, or biofield, that surrounds the human body. Developed by pioneering researcher and practitioner Eileen Day McKusick, it is based on her 20 years of clinical inquiry into the Biofield Anatomy. It is a simple, non-invasive, and efficient therapy that can produce profound and powerful outcomes. Biofield Tuning sessions can be experienced in person or at a distance, singularly or in a group, with Eileen or one of our certified practitioners. Group Distance Biofield Tuning Sessions are an inexpensive and accessible way to experience this unique method.

For those interested in becoming a Biofield Tuning practitioner, certification programs are available either as a stand-alone practice or integrated into an existing massage, reiki, chiropractic, acupuncture or other bodywork background.

In 2016 Eileen will have programs in • improving digestion • reducing pain • healing food and body issues • reducing anxiety • and more Visit our site to see for all our offerings including high quality tuning forks and instructional DVDs www.biofieldtuning.com

Biofield Tuning is a unique therapeutic method that uses sound waves produced by tuning forks in the biomagnetic field, or biofield, that surrounds the human body. Biofield Tuning was developed by pioneering researcher and practitioner Eileen Day McKusick, and is based on her 20 years of clinical inquiry into the Biofield Anatomy. It is a simple, non-invasive, and efficient therapy that can produce profound and powerful outcomes. Biofield Tuning sessions can be experienced in person or at a distance, singularly or in a group, with Eileen or one of our certified practitioners. For those interested in becoming a Biofield Tuning practitioner, certification programs are available either as a standalone practice or integrated into an existing massage, reiki, chiropractic, acupuncture or other bodywork background.

Group Distance Biofield Tuning Sessions are an inexpensive and accessible way to experience this unique method. In 2016 Eileen will have programs in • improving digestion • reducing pain

• healing food and body issues • reducing anxiety

• and more

Visit our site to see for all our offerings including high quality tuning forks and instructional DVDs www.biofieldtuning.com

CONTENTS 11

5 FROM THE EDITOR

HEALTH

INSPIRATION

39 TUNING THE HUMAN BIOFIELD by Eileen McKusick

7 WRITE/RIGHT YOUR SOUL by Tom Bird 9 WHAT IS YOUR SACRED STORY? by Paddy Fievet. PhD 11 OUTRAGEOUS: VICTORIA WOODHULL STORY with Neal Katz 13 RESOLUTIONS THAT REAP REWARDS! by May McCarthy 17 THE SIX HABITS OF HIGHLY EMPATHIC PEOPLE by Roman Krznaric

41 WEIGHT LOSS 2016 by Marc Mincolla 44 WORLD’S HEALTHIEST FOODS by George Mateljan 46 BECOMING A SUPPLE LEOPARD by Dr. Kelly Starrett 48 MEDICAL MEDIUM by William Anthony CONSCIOUS PARENTING

19 THE GRATITUDE ATTITUDE by Tim Braun

50 CHILDREN KNOWING THEMSELVES by Janai Mestrovich

OUR WORLD

54 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

21 BEHIND THE WIRE with Kit Cummings

55 FREE WILL by Michael Simonson

23 THE 8 LAWS OF CHANGE by Stephan Schwartz 24 DEVELOP YOUR VISIONARY POTENTIAL by Paul O’Brien 26 PLANNING FOR DEATH--ENJOYABLY! by Holley Kelley 29 SIMPLE GIVING by Jennifer Iacovelli CONSCIOUS CINEMA 31 PUTTING PERSPECTIVE INTO PERSPECTIVE by Brent Marchant

METAREALITY 57 MY LIFE AFTER DEATH by Eric & Dr. Elisa Medhus 59 HOPE, HEALING AND MIRACLES with Alex Hermosillo 60 SUPER GENES by Deepak Chopra and Rudolph Tanzi 62 ARTIFICIAL SUPERINTELLIGENCE by Roman V. Yampolskiy

36 TIME IS ART by Jennifer Palmer

64 LIFE AND DEATH: A MEDIUM’S MESSAGES by Tim Braun

MEDITATION:

66 RISING STARS

38 CUPS OF CONSCIOUSNESS by Aleya Dao

72 REVIEWERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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NEW CONSCIOUSNESS Review

Bold Perspectives on Life, the Universe and Everything Cover Personality: Tom Bird SUBSCRIPTIONS New Consciousness Review is a quarterly publication covering media and people at the forefront of conscious awakening, particularly those whose enlightening perspectives contribute to personal and global transformation. Subscribe for freeat http://ncreview.com/magazine and view the archives on www.ncreview.com ADVERTISING For all advertising enquiries, call 503-892-3300 or email info@ncreview.com SUBMISSIONS To submit your work for review or interview or to submit articles, email us at info@ncreview.com or visit our website for guidelines. PUBLISHER & EDITOR Miriam Knight CONTRIBUTORS Reviewers Cynthia Sue Larson, Miriam Knight, Jannai Mestrovich, Brent Marchant, Nelly Bright Feature Writers Aleya Dao, Brent Marchant, Jannai Mestrovich Contributing Writers Paddy Fievet, Jennifer Iacovelli, May McCarthy, Mark Mincolla, Paul O’Brien, Michael Simonson, Roman Krznaric, Holley Kelley, Tim Braun Production Design  - Neboysa Dolovacki NewConsciousness Review PO Box 80547,  Portland, OR 97280 Tel: 503-892-3300 Web: www.ncreview.com  Email: info@ncreview.com

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FROM THE EDITOR

Fear vs. Compassion atching the steady stream of media images and reports from countries around the world, it is hard not to have a heavy heart. We are being faced with a level of barbarism that we thought we had put behind us, and we are being sorely tested as a society. How we respond – individually and collectively – will be the measure of our maturity as a species.

It is natural and understandable for us to be afraid of unknown killers who may even be already embedded in our communities. However, to let them sow such terror in our minds that we abandon our humanity hands them a victory far greater than what their heinous acts could achieve on the ground. It is vital that we open our hearts to compassion rather than fear. Being awake and aware of the world around us and helping those in the greatest need will do far more to keep us safe than closing our borders. We are groping in the dark for solutions to this new reality and we run the grave danger of exchanging the freedoms we hold so dearly for a hollow sense of security represented by a police state. We may be well entering an era where searches, armed guards and metal detectors become the new normal. Recent history offers us some very stark reminders of what it was and could be like. It was Thomas Jefferson who warned that all tyranny needs to gain a foothold “is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” Instilling fear may offer short-term political gain to some politicians, but is that who we want to be as a nation? We are living in a global culture and need to find our way to rally together for the greatest good. As a reader of New Consciousness Review, you already know the power of thought and intention. It is even more vital in these times to monitor our thoughts and act from love and compassion. It may sound trite, but every act of kindness illuminates the darkness and acts as a counterweight to the violence and destruction of these forces of darkness threatening to overwhelm us. If you anchor yourself in compassion, and meditate on love and breathe it in daily, you will fortify your spirit against these dark times and will become a beacon of light for those around you. Miriam Knight Editor & Publisher

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Write Your Best Seller in a Weekend NO KIDDING!!!!!! Tom Bird, of tombird.com, is not only a best selling writer and an author of twenty-eight books, but, possibly even more valuable, he also leads aspiring authors to the writing of their eventual best sellers in the course of a weekend retreat. In 2014 alone, twenty-one of Bird’s retreat attendees found homes as Amazon.com best sellers, and he is on the path to break his own personal record this year.

WHAT’S THE KEY TO BIRD’S SUCCESS? According to Bird, of Sedona, Arizona, he uses a simple but unique inside/out, spiritual approach to lead his writers to tap into their books, that Bird believes are already written inside of them - all of which constitutes a life changing spiritual experience for his attendees. “Tom is simply the finest writing coach in the world,” claims Paul McCarthy, who is a New York Times Best Seller Author and personal editor to nine #1 New York Times Best Selling Authors, including Clive Cussler and Stephen Coonts.

More about Bird can be found at

tombird.com.

INSPIRATION REVIEW & INTERVIEW

Write Right From God: You, Words, Writing And Your Divine Purpose by Tom Bird

Have you ever had the feeling that there is a book in you waiting to get out? If so, this book has good news for you. Its core message is that you don’t have to do it alone. You have available to you a direct pipeline to the source of creation and creativity. Call it God, Spirit or just Inspiration, it is what authors great and small have tapped into through the ages.

om Bird has in fact guided thousands of people to write a book in a weekend with a psycho-spiritual method he developed to tap into your divine muse. While the book does warmly recommend you join his 3 1/2 day retreats, which are kind of an altered state boot camp for writers, you can get much of the benefit of his experience and method from this book plus the freebies he has on his website, like downloadable MP3s, and other free eBooks and videos. So if you want to get the words flowing onto the page, this book might just be what you need to prime the pump. The interesting thing about the process, is that to do it right, you need to recognize and clear out the stuff in the pipeline that is obstructing your connection to the Universal Source. This has proven to be an incredibly healing process for those attending his workshops or doing the exercises in his books. Whether you end up with a best-seller

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or just a cathartic exercise that will make interesting reading for your heirs, this process should be a valuable landmark on your own path to self-discovery and growth. Note: Tom offers a number of free videos and mp3s on his website that complement the material in the books, and are really worthwhile listening to. If you can afford to attend a workshop, either in person or online, I would recommend you do it. I did write the better part of a book, and while I don’t know whether I will want to publish it because it was intensely personal, it was a profound and freeing experience.  Reviewed by Miriam Knight

INSPIRATION INTERVIEW Tom Bird is one of the top writing coaches in the country, but one with a difference. Known as the book shaman or whisperer, because of the inside/ out, spiritual nature of the method he shares, he believes that penning a book is one of the fastest and most surefire routes to a higher level of con-

sciousness and enlightenment. Tom believes that in writing our books, we are given the opportunity to commune directly with God, who urgently desires to bridge the gap between the human side of us and the divine within us. His website is http://tombird.com

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

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INSPIRATION ARTICLE

What Is Your SACRED STORY? By Paddy Fievet, Ph.D.

“What is the bear’s story?” the kindergarten teacher asked the five-year-olds gathered around her. She held up a teddy bear with bright eyes and brown fur; rather ordinary looking, he was dear to her pupils. She asked, “Where does the bear live? What does he like to do? What is important to him?”

ne by one, eager voices named the bear, gave him a history, and projected their own likes and dislikes onto him, imaginatively creating a personality and an imposed life for their very special stuffed bear.

Just like these children, our first stories were bedtime tales of heroes and fluffy animals, in books illustrated in cheery primary colors. As adults, we tell ourselves stories to define who we think we are, who we think we should be, and to conform to society’s expectations. We may be aware of these self-imposed stories or they may be hidden in the dark corners of our psyches. They can be partially true or they can be masks – wordy tales we cling to for dear life – and at best only futile attempts to make us feel whole. And yet, the most important story is often the one first forgotten – your unique Sacred Story. Your Sacred Story is not who you think you were, it’s not who you think you need to be, and it’s not who you think you will be. Instead, it is your inner being, your authentic self, and the absolute presence that lies at the core of your life. Your Sacred Story is your complete essence, what you were

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born with before the world of experiences caused you to forget, and what you take with you when your earthly journey ends. Your story is with you right now, probably buried beneath some untruths that you have assumed are fact. Your Sacred Story is a love story, not the love you may have in a relationship, rather, the Divine Love

INSPIRATION that created you. This is the love that truly motivates you from the soul level, from the core of your spirit. This Divine Love is your connection to the infinity of the stars and to humanity and is literally your authentic life. What in your life is keeping you from feeling this Divine Love as part of your being? Have life experiences told you a false story about who you are, or what capabilities you have, or even something about your self-worth? Are you buying into a negative self-image related to tragedy? Has forgiveness for others or for yourself played a part in your healing? Misfortune happens to all of us, and it may leave you in emotional tangles. Nevertheless, there is a real you beyond this chaos, the you that was born and was there when the tragedy happened, and the you that you are now. Think of the lotus. For a long time it sends a shoot up through the muddy waters, then finally reaches the beautiful, life-giving light where it blooms true to its life’s purpose. Are you blooming, or are you still in the watery muck of false assumptions about yourself?

To realize the innate love of your Sacred Story, you must open wide the door of awareness with the strength of your intent and al the energy you can muster You won’t understand your life as a Sacred Story until you stop judging yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, and eventually, everyone learns from them; some learn quickly, while others take a lifetime. When you believe that your life is a Sacred Story, you find that even imperfection can be bathed in Divine Perfection. Wisdom comes from looking back at your mistakes without a verdict of right or wrong, and looking at the events of your life with a spiritual perspective rather than with judgment. Ask yourself, “What did I learn from this experience? Can I access the part of me that is the compassionate witness to this experience?” To realize the innate love of your Sacred Story, you must open wide the door of awareness with the strength of your intent and al the energy you can muster; then, answers will flood into your life. The greater your awareness, the more in tune you will be with the innate Divine Love that is your birthright. Whatever you think you are, whatever you have done, and whatever you endeavor to create of yourself, your story is still sacred. When you realize the sanctity of all of your experiences and feel a loving Higher Power, you will finally realize that the wholeness you seek has been with you the entire time. When you discover that the Divine Love within is actually the love you have always sought outside of yourself, you will have awakened to your Sacred Story. © Paddy Fievet, PhD, is the author of When Life Cried Out; One Woman’s Spiritual Quest to be Fully Alive and The Making of a Mystic; Writing as a Form of Spiritual Emergence, published by Cloverhurst Publications, 2015.

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INSPIRATION REVIEW & INTERVIEW

Outrageous: The Victoria Woodhull Saga, Volume One:

Rise to Riches By Neal H. Katz

Outrageous is an apt title for this book on many counts. It is outrageous that the events depicted in this historical novel actually occurred.

Outrageous is an apt title for this book on many counts. It is outrageous that the events depicted in this historical novel actually occurred. It is outrageous to realize that in very recent history a father or husband could viciously degrade a woman with impunity. It is outrageous to realize that the financial underpinnings of our society can still be so easily manipulated by those in power for the benefit of the few. And finally, is an outrageously

delightful read about a woman who had such steel in her backbone that she couldn’t be broken, such fire in her belly that she couldn’t be stopped, and such light in her intellect that she was able to envision the way to help her sisters to a better life. The story of Victoria Woodhull is so amazing that one can only be grateful to Neal Katz for researching it and presenting it in such a finely imagined form. A man of many parts, from financier to feminist, he deftly captures the very heart and spirit of the heroine and of the times, allowing us vividly to share her trials and her triumphs. One of the survival skills that Victoria and her sister developed was clairvoyance, abilities that her depraved father was quick to exploit as he made her give readings during the day and service men at night. There is so much passion and pain in Victoria’s story that it gives one a visceral appreciation of what it was to be a woman in the late 1800s. The historical narrative provides the social context for this period, with interesting portraits of the buccaneer financiers and other leading figures drawn into Victoria’s fascinating circle. The fact that Victoria was able to move from the status of prostitute to being the first female stockbroker on Wall Street and a spokeswoman for women’s suffrage is a testament to the power of one’s thoughts and beliefs. Using her intuitive gifts, Victoria knew she was destined to play a significant role in the world and never allowed herself to give up. The book is an amazingly compelling and inspiring read and warmly recommended.  Reviewed by Miriam Knight

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INSPIRATION INTERVIEW

Neal Katz is a semi-retired, successful, serial entrepreneur, and former stockbroker with a passion for women’s rights.

daily meditator and Yoga practitioner, he has taught A Course in Miracles and lives a life based on self-awareness and Love.

His book, Outrageous, the Victoria Woodhull Saga, is essentially a channeled dramatization of Victoria’s own story and her interactions with many prominent players of that era. Neal has pledged fifty percent (50%) of royalties from this book to a foundation for the empowerment and economic improvement of women, especially single mothers, formed in tribute to Victoria Woodhull and her passion for woman rights. Find out more at: http://thevictoriawoodhullsaga. com

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

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INSPIRATION ARTICLE & INTERVIEW

Resolutions That Reap Rewards! By May McCarthy

Every New Year, the topic of resolutions comes up. That is the time of year when people are fired up and optimistic about achieving their goals. I hear friends powerfully proclaim, “I want to lose ten pounds” or “I want to get out of debt.”

even heard one friend say, “I hope that this year Uncle Bob isn’t a pain in everyone’s neck at the family reunion.” One thing that all of these resolutions or goals have in common is that they’re going to produce more of what these people don’t want in their lives.

Our subconscious is designed to help us achieve whatever we put our attention on. To make the statement “I want to lose ten pounds” true, you always have to be wanting to lose and never achieving. A better way to describe the desired outcome

Unfortunately, we often give voice to what we don’t want instead of what we do want, and then we’re surprised and disappointed with the results. 13 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

that you want is to say with gratitude: “I am so grateful that I have a physically fit, trim, toned, and energetic body that is pain-free and easily able to go on walks with my family and friends. We have

INSPIRATION

so much fun together!” With a goal like this, your subconscious and your intuition are going to show up more often, and in more obvious ways, to point you toward steps you can take to make those statements true. Our words are powerful tools that help us to receive whatever we describe. Unfortunately, we often give voice to what we don’t want instead of what we do want, and then we’re surprised and disappointed with the results. For example, I know a saleswoman who often says things like, “I really hope that I’m not late for my appointment with ABC Company on Tuesday. They are a huge potential customer and I don’t want them to buy from my competitor.” Do you see anything out of the ordinary in these statements? Perhaps not, since many of us have learned to speak like this. We spend time talking about what we don’t want as a normal part of our speech. Then, we’re surprised with the results. In this example, the saleswoman is most likely going to be late for her appointment with ABC Company since that’s what she’s focused on, and she may lose the sale to one of her competitors. Her subconscious recognizes that she’s focused on being late and her customer buying from a competitor. Accordingly, she may act in a way that makes those statements true. This is not what she really wants to happen.

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To enable her subconscious and intuition to help her, a more powerful statement would be, “I am so grateful to be on time and early for my appointments. I’m going to arrive at ABC Company 15 minutes early for my meeting, and I’m excited for the opportunity to sell our products and have my customer receive great value in return.” With statements like these, her subconscious and intuition will show up in a more obvious way to help make those statements true. She might get a strong, unexpected thought to check the traffic report before she decides on a route to the appointment and avoid a terrible accident and backup. She may feel an intuitive nudge to get ready sooner than she normally does so that she can leave earlier. She might receive an email or phone call that gives her insight into her customer’s needs so that her presentation can be designed to be more valuable. We can choose to use our words to achieve more of our goals in 2016. To do this, follow the three simple steps below: 1. REWRITE YOUR GOALS DAILY WITH GRATITUDE AS THOUGH YOU’VE ALREADY ACHIEVED THEM. Describe the outcome that you want to experience and be grateful in advance for the achievement. For example, “I am so grateful that I am

INSPIRATION living in a beautiful new home that allows my family and me to feel comfortable, safe, and happy,” or “I’m delighted to receive a minimum of $____ that easily affords all of my living, giving, and entertainment expenses. I use my talents and skills in fulfilling and satisfying ways.” Rewrite your goals daily to keep them at the forefront of your thoughts and enable your subconscious and intuition to help you notice more possibilities throughout the day to make your statements true. 2. READ YOUR GOAL STATEMENTS OUT LOUD WITH EMOTION. The practice of reading your goal attainment statements out loud anchors the meaning more fully within you. This tells your brain that you’re serious about your goals manifesting so you can begin to notice more opportunities to take steps toward achieving your goals. Muhammad Ali, one of the world’s greatest boxers, said, “It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.” Speaking your goal statements out loud daily with emotion helps to convince you to believe that achieving your goals is possible. Once you believe, you can receive. 3. IMAGINE YOURSELF ACHIEVING YOUR DESIRED OUTCOMES. As you create a clear picture of your realized goals in your mind, you are creating new beliefs to make those goals manifest. Visualizing the successful completion of a goal is a powerful

Rewrite your goals daily to keep them at the forefront of your thoughts and enable your subconscious and intuition to help you notice more possibilities 15 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

The key here is to spend more time focusing on what you want to achieve rather than on what you don’t want or what others tell you that you can’t do.

method that many professional athletes, musicians, and businesspeople use daily as part of their preparation and training for success. Fourtime Mr. Universe and seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger has not only used mental imaging for athletic success but also credits it for his success as a Hollywood actor: “When I was very young I visualized myself being and having what it was I wanted. Mentally I never had any doubts about it.” Well-known author Robert Collier puts it this way: “Visualize this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blue print, and begin to build.” As you begin to see and feel yourself in your realized goals, you’ll welcome your achieved goals into your life sooner. Set aside 20 minutes every morning to repeat the steps described above. The key here is to spend more time focusing on what you want to achieve rather than on what you don’t want or what others tell you that you can’t do. You have the freedom to choose! As you focus more of your time on your achieved goals, you will manifest more of them into your life. Earl Nightingale, a respected author and motivational speaker, said, “Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.” Repetition changes your beliefs; and once that happens, you will achieve your goals sooner and the results will last longer. 2016 can be your happiest New Year of all time, and your well-worded resolutions can help you to reap the rewards that you want!

INSPIRATION INTERVIEW

ay McCarthy has cofounded and helped to grow six successful companies over her thirty-two-year career, with the largest growing to over $100 million in annual revenues. She credits her success to the principles described in her new book, The Path to Wealth: Seven Spiritual Steps for Financial Abundance, and she firmly believes that financial success and freedom are available to anyone who is willing to apply them. Visit her online at www.maymccarthy.com.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

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INSPIRATION ARTICLE

The Six Habits of Highly Empathic People by Roman Krznaric

How can we expand our empathic potential? We may well be wired for empathy, but we still need to think about how we are going to bring our circuits to life.

I have spent the last dozen years searching for an answer to this question, exploring the research on empathy in fields from experimental psychology to social history, from anthropology to literary studies, from politics to brain science. Along the way I have delved into the lives of pioneering empathists, many of whom you will meet in these pages, including an Argentinian revolutionary, a best-selling American novelist, and Europe’s most

famous undercover journalist. I have also done fieldwork, speaking to people from every walk of life about their experiences of empathy, or its absence. Whether they’ve been trauma nurses or investment bankers, police officers or professional working mothers, people living on the streets of inner-city London or wealthy Guatemalan plantation owners, almost everyone has a story to tell about stepping into the shoes of others. What I have discovered is that highly empathic people have something in common. They make an effort to cultivate six habits—a set of attitudes and daily practices that spark the empathic circuitry in their brains, enabling them to understand how other people see the world. The challenge we face, if we hope to fully realize the Homo empathicus that lies within each of us, is to develop these six habits in ourselves as best we can.

THE SIX HABITS OF HIGHLY EMPATHIC PEOPLE Habit 1: Switch On Your Empathic Brain Shifting our mental frameworks to recognize that empathy is at the core of human nature and that it can be expanded throughout our lives. Habit 2: Make the Imaginative Leap Making a conscious effort to step into other people’s shoes—including those of our “enemies”—to acknowledge their humanity, individuality, and perspectives. Habit 3: Seek Experiential Adventures Exploring lives and cultures that contrast with our own through direct immersion, empathic journeying, and social cooperation.

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INSPIRATION Habit 4: Practice the Craft of Conversation Fostering curiosity about strangers and radical listening and taking off our emotional masks. Habit 5: Travel in Your Armchair Transporting ourselves into other people’s minds with the help of art, literature, film, and online social networks. Habit 6: Inspire a Revolution Generating empathy on a mass scale to create social change and extending our empathy skills to embrace the natural world. There are habits to suit every temperament and personality, whether you are an extrovert or an in-

trovert, a risk-taking adventurer or a connoisseur of intimacy and subtle emotions. Making them part of your everyday life will change how you think, how you feel, and what you do. You’ll start to be fascinated by entering people’s mind-sets and trying to see where they are coming from—their underlying motives, aspirations, and beliefs. Your understanding of what makes people tick will expand beyond measure and, like many highly empathic people, you may begin to find others more interesting than yourself. There is nothing utopian about living by these six habits: the capacity to empathize is one of the great hidden talents possessed by almost every human being.

EXTRACT The capacity to empathize is one of the great hidden talents possessed by almost every human being. Nearly all of us have it—even if we don’t always put it to use. Only a tiny proportion of people display what the psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen calls “zero degrees of empathy.” Among them are psychopaths, who have a cognitive ability to enter your mind but make no emotional bond with you (think Hannibal Lecter), and, arguably, some people with autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger syndrome, who have a harder time understanding the emotions and experiences of others. Together they account for no more than around 2 percent of the general population. The other 98 percent of humanity is born to empathize and wired for social connection.5 We also empathize much more frequently than we would ever imagine. Most of us exercise our empathic brains every day, although we are often not conscious of doing so. When you notice a new work colleague is nervous before giving a presentation, you might try to imagine the anxiety and uncertainty she is feeling, and give her the reassurance she needs. You see someone begging under a bridge, and rather than just pitying him (remember, that’s sympathy), you may think about what it feels like to sleep out on a cold winter

night or to have people walk straight past you without even bothering to look you in the eye. But empathy is not just about an awareness of the pain and suffering around us. Even when choosing a birthday present for your favorite aunt, you think about the kind of gift that would really delight her—someone with her particular tastes, and of her age and background—not what you might personally wish for as a present. I am convinced that we cannot explain vast realms of social life without acknowledging the reality and importance of everyday empathy. Just try to imagine a world where it did not exist. It is almost impossible to do so. Mothers would ignore the hunger cries of newborn babies. Charities fighting child poverty would fold due to lack of donations. Few people would make the effort to help a person in a wheelchair trying to open a shop door. Your friends would yawn with boredom as you told them about your marriage breaking up. This heartless world of indifference is not the one we live in. Open your eyes to it, and you will realize that empathy is all around us; it’s the stuff we swim in. Yet if that is the case, what’s the problem? Why should we care about cultivating the six habits of highly empathic people? Because at this moment in history we are suffering from an acute empathy deficit, both as a society and in our individual lives.

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INSPIRATION ARTICLE

THE GRATITUDE ATTITUDE

By Tim Braun

Gratitude is what I would call a secret elixir. It is one of the most potent spiritual gifts that we all possess.

t literally is a gift from Spirit, and the very place from which I get my gift of being a Spiritual Medium – the very place that allows me to connect you with friends and loves ones who have crossed over to the other side. And just as I have had to truly work to develop my gift of Spiritual Mediumship, so can you develop the gift of truly being grateful and strengthen that connection with spirit in the process. Here’s a list of 11 things I have discovered that can really help create that Attitude of Gratitude.

11 TIPS FOR CREATING THE GRATITUDE ATTITUDE 1. BE Grateful Be grateful. Spirit just is. So decide that you are going to BE grateful in all circumstances. The highs and the lows! Decide that you are going to see and seek the value in all things because you know that everything that spirits creates has value.

2. EMBRACE & SHARE Your Wins – Journal the WINS, Tweet the WINS, Facebook the WINS You have a great meeting for work. You have a great conversation with your spouse. Own the wins and express Gratitude for it. Share your gratitude and share your wins. Be mindful and grateful for the win!

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INSPIRATION 7. BLESS the MEAN, DIFFICULT person

The gratitude attitude comes from a commitment to seeing the value in all things! 3. EMBRACE Your Losses – Journal the Losses and Reflect Failing Forward is the adage here but there’s no way to even fail forward if you don’t embrace the mistakes or failure and express gratitude for it. And if you are having a hard time with this one, practice being grateful for what you can learn. Seek Spirit by thanking Spirit for what you can learn even if you have no idea what that might be.

4. PAY ATTENTION to your Feelings and OWN them with Gratitude Whether you feeling happiness or sadness, practice paying attention to your feelings, and thanking Spirit for the awareness that your feelings are pointing out. OWN those feelings and simply be grateful for what they are trying to teach you.

5. PAY ATTENTION to what you are Paying Attention What are you focused on? This is important. Are you focusing on the positive side, by being grateful and seeking value? Remember everything has value! Or are you denying Spirit by focusing on what you think is negative?

6. SEEK greater connection to Spirit In Difficult Times During the most trying times when you are overwhelmed or just at your wits end. Simply breathe in and Ask for Spirit to lead you and guide you. This can be a 5-minute mediation or a longer meditation. But the important thing is to seek to be connected to Spirit even when you don’t feel like it! This will steer you back to having an attitude of Gratitude!

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If you are dealing with a mean-spirited or difficult person remember that they, like you, are a valuable creation of Spirit. Seek Spirit for them bless them and ask Spirit to help them see themselves and the impact of their actions better! And be grateful that Spirit is allowing you to be of service to them!

8. WRITE THANK YOU NOTES Expressing gratitude to others is a truly an act of service. It is fuel for the soul and makes others feel truly valued and appreciated. It is a spreading of good cheer and love of others that make us even more grateful for each other!

9. BE OF SERVICE Volunteering formally or simply being willing to help others and be of service. A willingness to help others always supercharges the soul and connects us more to Spirit. When we help others we are automatically acknowledging their value. And everything that Spirit creates has value.

10. ENJOY NATURE – TAKE A WALK Take a walk and look at nature. Breathe in the air. Look at the Sky, Feel the flowers. Smile the roses. Roll on the grass. Walk barefoot through the sand. Thank Spirit ever time you see the beauty of nature while holding the thought that nature is exquisitely valuable and beautiful!

11. Adopt a Pet Animals are amazing creations of Spirit. The love they give is 100% unconditional! They love they seek is 100% unconditional. And this is how Spirit loves us, with no conditions. The gratitude attitude comes from a commitment to seeing the value in all things! Because when we perceive the value in all things we automatically acknowledge the love Spirit has for us. Tim Braun is an internationally renowned medium and the author of Life and Death – a Medium’s Messages to Help You Overcome Grief and Find Closure. His website is www.TimBraun.net

OUR WORLD REVIEW & INTERVIEW

Peace Behind the Wire: A Nonviolent Resolution By Kit Cummings I suspect that most of us can point to some events in our lives that were excruciatingly painful at the time, but in some way made us stronger and wiser. In the case of Kit Cummings, his journey from gifted speaker, trainer and pastor of a megachurch to addiction, divorce and a 12-step recovery program gave him both the humility and the empathy to be able to connect with inmates and at-risk youth around the world, and help them turn away from violence.

ombining the skills of a corporate change agent with the spiritual principles underlying all faiths, Kit went into some of the most violent prisons in the country with an audacious idea. He got convicted felons, whose very survival was based on being more ruthless than the next guy, to sign a pledge of peace and non-violence for 40 days. He called it the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Power of Peace Project,â&#x20AC;? and developed seven powerful steps to practice daily, like treating people with respect, not retaliating to provocation, not cursing, lying or stealing, and being a peacemaker wherever they go. Kit was able to give these desperate, hopeless men a sense of hope and purpose that they could live better and maybe keep their sons and brothers from making the same mistakes they had. He was able to connect with the best part of them and truly see and acknowledge the divinity within them. Like water makes a desert bloom, the seeds of peace that were planted took root, flourished and reduced the violence around them to levels that were unheard of.

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OUR WORLD It would be hard to overstate how utterly profound and moving I found “Peace Behind the Wire.” For one thing, it holds a mirror up to us as a society that permits the levels of poverty, poor education and lack of employment options that make street gangs and drug dealing one of the few means of survival. It also explains how youngsters may come into the system for minor offenses, but leave as hardened criminals – honed by a self-perpetuating system that is a multi-billion-dollar business. The success that Kit has had in helping thousands of inmates and youth regain self-respect and a reason for hope, means that it didn’t have to be this way, and we can and must change the system. The courageous work of Kit and others is screaming for our attention, because these young people are the canaries in our social coalmine. The environment in our inner-cities and prisons is poisonous, and desperately needs to change. “Peace Behind the Wire” describes how one man ignited the hope and determination of many to live

The courageous work of Kit and others is screaming for our attention, because these young people are the canaries in our social coalmine. without violence, and they in turn changed the lives of those around them. His work has sparked the Power of Peace Project, which is an object lesson on how to use one’s own brokenness to help others, and ourselves in the process. Few of us would have the courage to go into the places Kit has, but as he has shown, every effort, large or small, to respect the spark of God in others will help repair the world.  Reviewed by Miriam Knight Kit Cummings is an author, teacher, and peace activist. He is the founder of the Power of Peace Project, Inc., a non-profit committed to redirecting at-risk youth, reducing the overall incidence of youth crime in America, rehabilitating young inmates, lowering academic dropout rates, and inspiring young people to discover and develop the untapped power and potential within all of us. He tells the remarkable story of how it came to be in his book, Peace Behind the Wire: A Nonviolent Resolution. Kit spreads his energy-filled message of power, potential and positive change to schools, prisons, churches, and corporations through life-changing keynotes, workshops, and seminars. You can find out more about his amazing work at http://www. powerofpeaceproject.com/ LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

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OUR WORLD REVIEW

The 8 Laws of Change:

How to Be an Agent of Personal and Social Transformation By Stephan A. Schwartz

How to Succeed in Positively Transforming the World... and Yourself

LAWS OF CHANGE packs centuries of time-tested wisdom about how to successfully effect long-lasting positive change in the world. Schwartz shares insights from five decades of his personal experiences, starting with the American civil rights movement of the 1960s, and continuing forward to today. Until 8 LAWS OF CHANGE, those of us striving to achieve social goals with small community groups have relied upon good intentions and good luck when bringing together people of different experiences and viewpoints. To say results are not guaranteed is an understatement! I’m grateful to have been involved in a few successful projects involving small groups of dedicated individuals working in the face of opposition and with limited resources. People working together to improve the world need help holding a consistent vision of long-term goals without individuals pushing their specific beliefs or agendas— and 8 LAWS OF CHANGE serves as the best book I’ve yet seen that provides a guide for accomplishing that. Schwartz’s 8 LAWS OF CHANGE are key success factors responsible for

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having brought about change in American society in such areas as: civil rights, women’s suffrage, public education, and environmental protection. Schwartz introduces the 8 LAWS OF CHANGE by expressing astonishment that every successful movement for social change he lists began with “a few Quakers joining together in common intention.” Individuals and the group: share a common intention; have goals but not cherished outcomes; accept they may not see change in their lifetime; accept lack of credit or acknowledgement; enjoy fundamental equality; foreswear all violence; make private selves consistent with public postures; and act from the beingness of life-affirming integrity. Choosing my favorite part of this book is challenging, since it’s so well written, and filled with fascinating accounts and people. Some chapters share a successful case history, and others delve into important topics such as: taking the long view, the power of nonviolence, the issue of authority, the power of intentioned awareness, and nonlocal consciousness. I’m especially fond of investigating matters of nonlocal consciousness and intentioned awareness, and was pleased to see that these chapters provided current research findings and useful practical tips. Highly recommended!  Reviewed by Cynthia Sue Larson

OUR WORLD ARTICLE

Develop Your VISIONARY POTENTIAL By Paul O’Brien

We hear a lot about the importance of vision these days and I can relate to that. Both businesses I founded long ago had “visionary” in their name—Visionary Software and Visionary Networks.

My current non-profit organization, the Divination Foundation, offers a Visionary I Ching app. From the beginning of my entrepreneurial adventures, I saw myself as an inventor and called myself “Chief Visionary.” Obviously, the word “visionary” has packed meaning and creative power for me. Nowadays, it has become a very fashionable word—even if mostly for marketing reasons—because everyone has dreams of greater creative freedom. Writing my book, Great Decisions, Perfect Timing, made me wonder if a visionary capacity—including the ability to practice the Visionary Decision-Making (VDM) process described in my book—is really available to everyone. It starts with holding to a vision that can inspire you to take risks that will grow you when the timing is right. But most people don’t do this. I wondered if becoming visionary can be learned?

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My VDM system is beyond people who are too busy and distracted to think outside the box of their beliefs, but a highly visionary capacity is ultimately available to everyone. I wrote the book to serve both those who are already becoming intuitively adept as well as those who would like to. Each of us has a greater capacity for visionary creativity, even if few of us actually follow through and dissolve the box of habitual thought patterns.

OUR WORLD How can a person develop their visionary capacity? First of all, you can improve your skill at envisioning creative results by practicing active imagination and mining your dreams for clues. In other words, “think different” … and think bigger. In my case, by imagining an interactive experience of ancient spiritual technologies, I created the first divination software products and features, which culminated in Tarot.com, I-Ching.com and the Visionary I Ching app. My book is about how to channel and focus Creative Power—the archetype that is the first hexagram of the I Ching—and other archetypal resources that are always available to us. Through active imagination, dreams and daydreams, an infinite intelligence that includes Creative Power informs insights and visions. As the nursery school rhyme puts it, “life is but a dream.” Yes, but it is a dream that you are creating with and for yourself. Surround yourself with people, objects and experiences that inspire you—like favorite music, time with a

A trustworthy vision will connect mind, heart and soul.

loved one or meditating quietly with nature. Doing what inspires you will cultivate your intuitive intelligence and creative powers. You might ask: How can I be sure that my vision is real rather than wishful thinking or fantasies of my ego? In order to be sure that a vision is in alignment with who you are at depth, you can use the “heart-check” method. A trustworthy vision will connect mind, heart and soul. For some, success takes the form of a harmonious and loving family life. For others, it could translate into a strong sense of mission or purpose related to one’s vocation, or some competitive victory on behalf of a partnership, family, tribe or even the entire world. As we move toward a more evolved culture that spawns dreams of greater creative freedom, the ability to formulate and realize the visionary capacity becomes more essential for individuals and society. Developing our visionary potential and increasing creative freedom is part of our legacy to future generations. As we cultivate intuitive intelligence and evolve toward our human potential, we make it easier for all those who follow us. This is the path of healing the planet as well as ourselves. FREE GIFT: For a limited time, New Consciousness Review readers can download a free Kindle or iPad copy of Great Decisions, Perfect Timing via www.Divination.com/freebook. Enjoy! Paul O’Brien is author of Great Decisions, Perfect Timing: Cultivating Intuitive Intelligence and the Visionary I Ching App. He is host of Pathways podcasts (on iTunes) and founder of the Divination Foundation.

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OUR WORLD ARTICLE

The New Year’s Resolution with Flair, Finesse and FUNctionality!

Creating a New Peace of Mind

Instead of planning your life this January, how about planning your death--ENJOYABLY!?

By Holley Kelley, M.S., C.P.G.

New Year’s resolutions are a long-held tradition, marking new beginnings and renewed commitments for more of what we hope for, but fell short of achieving in the years prior.

Marked with motivation and newfound pledges, the best of resolutions often fade to the wayside by February. So this year, how about a New Year’s resolution that makes the top of the list for priorities, is guaranteed to be personally enriching, and is met with complete success in just two months? Instead of planning your life, how about planning your death!? We often spend so much time focusing on specific goals, that we easily overlook the omnipresent aspect of our life... aging-and ultimately being a conscious participant in our own future passing. Acknowledging these two inevitable realities creates a wonderful opportunity to personally define

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OUR WORLD

When final-affairs planning is purposefully embraced, it makes the second half of life more rewarding, happier and more deeply soulful. your destiny for gracious and dynamic aging, while thoughtfully putting your signature on the specific details of your future providence. It’s letting your body and your spirit depart on YOUR own terms. However, final-affairs planning is also an incredibly important component of your existing life affairs today. It’s far more than just matters such as advance care planning aspects, advance directives, and your Last Will and Testament. It’s really about having peace of mind while you are living! Done right, it is a rewarding personal journey, involving a multi-layered approach that creates an opportunity for heartening growth, transcendence into new levels of higher consciousness, and confidence that your desires will be carried forth as you deem them. It’s a chance to set the record straight, to unclutter your conscience, and define the legacy YOU wish to leave. When your affairs are in order, you have distinguished your future in spectacular detail, as well as eased unnecessary burdens from your loved ones. Doing so provides the perfect opportunity to do a house-cleaning self-reflection, to relive what is special and unique about your life, to leave behind a distinctive written legacy that serves as a virtual and meaningful remembrance of you. It is a way to avoid familial discord, by making important decisions about your life and preferences-utilizing dependable faculties and sound mind. When final-affairs planning is purposefully embraced, it makes the second half of life more rewarding, happier and more deeply soulful. Consider taking these actions as part of your 2015 Final Affairs resolutions:

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Creating a bucket list is a wonderful exercise, allowing you to identify life pursuits and interests you dream of experiencing. It serves as a blueprint for future fulfillment and adventure! Furthermore, it’s a way for you to truly express your soul-driven desires. • But, what is equally important is the “kick-thebucket list;” defining anything that must transpire so that you can consciously and virtuously solidify your life’s passage with genuine peace and comfort. Such items include resolving longheld feuds, making peace or amends, asking forgiveness from yourself or others. The point is to ensure you remain in complete concord with yourself and those you care about. Completing a bucket list and a “kick-the-bucket” list can be a revitalizing and liberating experience, providing surprisingly new opportunities for spiritually-enlightened living. • Funeral planning is another area of importance and allows you to design every detail regarding your life celebration. This soul-soothing exercise can be really enjoyable, allowing you to personally create your own farewell-one that really reflects your self-expression--a last “themed” festivity for instance, or something

OUR WORLD sharing your wishes with your family and medical providers. This is one of the most important aspects related to your planning endeavors.

The best time to plan for later is NOW

with special nuance (think doves, butterflies, uplifting music choices from your life history). Let this be a connection to your living heart and your everlasting spirit. • Well-orchestrated, pre-determined funerals encourage healing and heartfelt remembrance for those left behind. Wise funeral planning also includes writing your own obituary, a reflective task that tells the world who you are, who you love and what is significant about your amazing life. You’d be surprised to see the immeasurable gratitude this elicits from your survivors! • From family trees, archiving family history, to logging important family medical information and financial information-each is a vital and unique piece of the final affairs planning puzzle-including itemizing meaningful personal mementos, family heirlooms and sharing family customs. Defining who gets what in advance can circumvent family quarrels and conflict because wishes have been clearly conveyed. Planning and recording all these matters in advance prevents indecision, infighting, and hurt feelings that often plague families. • In “putting your house in order,” this presents a perfect opportunity to also release those items you no longer need, that don’t contribute to your joy and welfare any more, and that would only be left for your family to sort through and discard. Find other places (shelters, thrift shops, direct donations to others, etc.)---where your “things” can be loved and appreciated--a wonderful uplifting feeling knowing they have gone on to bring joy to someone else. And a relief to your survivors! • While there are many areas of comprehensive final affairs planning, one area not to overlook is

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• Yet, there is also a chance for you to impact not only your own healing, but the healing of your loved ones. Besides leaving a written legacy of your life for them to have as a warm and loving memorial to you, there is an opportunity to write letters to individual family members and friends, a beautiful “gift” to those you love, when you are no longer present to do so. Explanations of your decisions, wishes for their future, encouragement, wisdom, requests for family to stay connected, letters to the future bride or grandchildren yet to be born.... You can impact their lives long after you are gone. In writing my book, Sunrises and Sunsets, Final Affairs Forged with Flair, Finesse, and FUNctionality, I was determined to take the trepidation out of endof-life planning and actually make the process engaging and fun. The secret recipe for richer enjoyment and deeper satisfaction is ensuring all areas of advance care planning are achieved now...well before the crisis point. Completing these important initiatives must be done while you are capable of making these paramount decisions independently and with a positive and optimistic outlook. The best time to plan for later is now. Doing so certainly allows for renewed spiritual advancement and encourages familial elevation in incomparable ways. It’s the ideal way to start 2016! Holley Kelley, M.S., C.P.G , gerontologist and author of Sunrises and Sunsets, Final Affairs Forged with Flair, Finesse, and FUNctionality, has awakened the nation on final affairs planning with her ground-breaking and captivating new book that seeks to make the process comprehensive, cleansing and conscious. Through her Latter-Day Life Planning Institute, she encourages an inspirational approach to end-of-life initiatives through consulting, workshops, seminars, presentations, and written works. For more information, visit: www.sunrisesandsunsetsbook.com or www. latterlifeplanninginstitute.com.

OUR WORLD ARTICLE

SIMPLE GIVING:

5 Ways to Start Shopping More Consciously by Jennifer Iacovelli

When is the last time you stopped to think about the purchases you make on a regular basis or where you shop for those purchases? Do you know what kind of carbon footprint the manufacturer is leaving? Where are the products made and by whom? Are the workers that made the products paid fairly?

hese questions may not be at the top of your mind every time you step foot into a store or open your laptop to do some online shopping, but when you start to think more consciously about your purchases you can actually make a difference when you shop. A few basic rules of thumb to help you shop more consciously include shopping locally, looking for fair trade products, finding products that give back, and considering the environmental impact of your purchases. Here are 5 actions steps to get you shopping more consciously, as excerpted from Simple Giving: Easy Ways to Give Every Day:

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OUR WORLD

Teaching our kids how to be mindful about shopping at a young age will make for conscious shoppers in the future.

1. CHANGE YOUR MIND-SET WHEN YOU SHOP The first step is to make it a point to be more observant about where you shop and what you buy. It may take a little legwork, but you can do this. And you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to break the bank to replace products that just arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cutting it. Look at what is available to you, make your plan, and start making small changes.

2. PLAN YOUR CONVERSION It can be overwhelming to think about making many changes all at once. For example, you do not have to throw out everything in your cupboard of cleaning supplies if you are concerned about environmental effects. Rather, as you run out of a product, replace it with a more eco-friendly version. Do some background research on the products you find in your closet and in your home. Make it a point to look for local options when shopping. Choose fair trade coffee over regular coffee. Step by step these small decisions will become more of a habit over time.

3. CHOOSE A CAUSE Shopping with a conscience can mean different things to different people. In your plan, it might be helpful to determine whether your cause is environ-

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mental, a focus on social good, or something else. Having a passion for what you are supporting can make you feel even better about your purchase. You might decide to start focusing on finding products that support your local economy before you start looking at purchasing gifts with a more global focus. There is no right or wrong approach.

4. SHARE YOUR PASSION WITH OTHERS When giving a gift that supports your cause, be sure to explain to the recipient why this particular gift is so special. Tell them how the gift affects people and communities locally and globally. Encourage your friends and family to shop consciously as well. Teach them how to make better purchasing decisions and share your tools and resources with them.

5. RAISE YOUR CHILDREN TO SHOP WITH A CONSCIENCE We learn how to shop from our parents, caregivers, and adult role models. Talking to kids about the products we buy, how they are made, and the effect our purchases have on people and the environment can be powerful. Teaching our kids how to be mindful about shopping at a young age will make for conscious shoppers in the future. Be sure to include your kids in your conscious shopping excursions and ask them for their own ideas to shop with a conscience!

Jennifer Iacovelli is a writer, speaker and consultant, and author of SIMPLE GIVING Easy Ways to Give Every Day. She writes for Mom Bloggers for Social Good as part of the Global Team of 200 and is a regular contributor to World Moms Blog and HuffPost Divorce. Jennifer is also a contributing author of the book The Mother Of All Meltdowns. Her work has been featured on GOOD, BlogHer, USAID Impact, Feed the Future, and the PSI Impact blog. She is based in Brunswick, Maine.

CONSCIOUS CINEMA

PUTTING PERSPECTIVE INTO PERSPECTIVE By Brent Marchant Those who practice conscious creation/law of attraction principles understand the importance of beliefs as the cornerstone of what fuels the process.

ut beliefs are seldom developed and employed as standalone thoughts and intents; rather, they often possess common qualities that link them to one another, even if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re deployed for seemingly unrelated purposes. What ties these individual, diverse notions to one another is the concept of perspective. To understand the relationship between perspective and beliefs, think of perspective as an underlying template from which our beliefs spring forth. It

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CONSCIOUS CINEMA consists of a collection of core values to which we tend to cling zealously (if not stubbornly) and that subsequently color whatever arises out of them. Put another way, perspective can be thought of as the metaphysical equivalent of a computer operating system, with our individual manifesting beliefs serving as the applications or programs that run atop that core platform. So, even if our beliefs are intended to materialize different aspects of our lives, they nevertheless often arise from shared roots. Just like our manifesting beliefs, we’re each capable of drawing from and adopting a wide variety of core perspectives, an ability that allows us to view a particular situation from an array of vantage points, each highly personalized. Perspective is thus what makes it possible for two or more individuals to perceive the “same” circumstances in different ways. For instance, is a room with a particular illumination level lit too brightly, too dimly or just right? Ask different people, and you’re likely to get a range of responses, even though logic would dictate that the answers seemingly “should” be the same. No one’s response is intrinsically “right” or “wrong,” either, since our individual perspectives account for the differences in our perceptions of these materializations (and the beliefs that manifest them), with each being equally valid in its own right. Variances in perspective apply not only to different individuals; sometimes we’re capable of viewing particular situations in multiple, or even myriad, ways ourselves. The ability to see circumstances from different vantage points better enables us to assess how we respond to prevailing conditions, providing us with perspective options that might otherwise go unconsidered. And the specific beliefs we form in response to the particular outlook we adopt determine how our reality subsequently unfolds. Perspective also enables us to perceive the jointly held traits present in seemingly unrelated situations in our lives. Something that occurs in our careers, for example, may have qualities that are similarly reflected in other areas of our existence, such as romance, creativity or spiritual matters. Endeavors that superficially might be seen as sep-

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arate and distinct thus may not be as removed from one another as we might initially assume. Perspective truly has many ways of making its presence felt in our lives. However, if we genuinely hope to fathom the nature of the beliefs that create our reality, it helps immensely to understand the character of the perspective that drives them. Such an awareness, for example, is important to make sense of our perceptions, which, in turn, often play a pivotal responsive role in the formation of subsequent manifesting beliefs. It’s also crucial when we feel the need to implement changes in our circumstances; indeed, it’s difficult to know where we want to go if we first don’t have a handle on precisely where we are. Numerous films examine perspective in relation to the foregoing principles. When it comes to assessing how life’s various events serve to color our overall outlook, for instance, consider the example offered up in the Coen Brothers’ offbeat comedy, “A Serious Man” (2009). The picture, set in the mid-1960s in suburban Minnesota, follows the

CONSCIOUS CINEMA life of Jewish everyman Larry Gopnick (Michael Stuhlbarg), a physics professor who strives to be a loving husband, a good provider and a competent professional. However, despite his well-meaning efforts, he’s repeatedly put upon by ungrateful kids, a ne’er-do-well brother, his unfaithful wife, a bigoted neighbor and judgmental colleagues. And, when he seeks guidance from a trio of rabbis, he’s met with cluelessness, irrelevance and indifference. But, as Larry comes to discover, life’s tests are nearly always accompanied by meaningful rewards—which, in turn, are followed by new and bigger tests with new and even bigger rewards. How Larry chooses to respond to these circumstances thus serves to frame the prevailing perspective he holds about his life, his reactions to those subsequent experiences and how his reality fundamentally unfolds, all of which, in turn, make it possible for him (if he so chooses) to assess (and, if needed, to alter) his viewpoint going forward. Similar circumstances shape the narrative of “I’ll See You in My Dreams” (2015). Having lost many of the things that she loves about life, Carol, a vi-

brant but lonely widow (Blythe Danner), must decide whether she’ll spend her remaining days in relative seclusion or whether she’ll allow herself to get back into the swing of things. The fear of getting hurt again has kept her on the sidelines for years, but is that really living? That’s the question she must ask herself. With gentle nudges from friends, an unlikely drinking buddy and a sexy new romantic interest, Carol has an opportunity to embrace a new outlook on life and the beliefs she employs that go into creating it. The experience thus holds the potential to provide her with a new perspective about what she wants, how she lives and what life is really all about Of course, the belief choices we make for creating our reality go a long way toward reinforcing our overall perspective, a notion superbly illustrated in the thought-provoking character study, “Another Year” (2010). Tom and Gerri, a London couple on the brink of their golden years (Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen), love their lives and one another, and they generously share their good fortune with others. However, when one of their friends, Mary (Lesley Manville), starts to take advantage of their kindness as a crutch in hopes of helping her resolve her many self-created problems, friction arises. If amicable relations are to be preserved, Mary must examine her beliefs and the perspective underlying them, for they will impact both her friendship with Tom and Gerri and her quality of life generally. In some instances, the perspectives and resulting beliefs we choose to adopt can potentially carry even greater consequences, as seen in the offbeat Mexican drama, “Malos Hábitos” (“Bad Habits”) (2007). This film, easily one of the most unusual releases of recent years, offers an insightful meditation on our relationship to two seemingly unrelated but fundamentally essential aspects of life—spirituality and food. Though superficially disparate, they’re linked by the common thread of being sources of “nourishment,” one for our bodies, the other for our souls. The picture thoughtfully explores the various perspective options available to us in these areas through an interwoven collection of storylines involving members of the Soriano family, all of whom are affiliated in one way or another with a Catholic university and convent in Mexico City. And, as the film unfolds, viewers wit-

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CONSCIOUS CINEMA pair of twin tragedies, the death of one son (Scott Doebler) and the attempted suicide of another (Timothy Hutton). But is that all that’s amiss in the Jarrett family? And is everything that’s supposedly problematic really as troubling as some contend? Perceptions alone don’t always tell the entire story, and going beneath the surface to see what underlying perspectives are truly at work is essential to understanding how the family’s reality has unfolded as it has—and what it will take to resolve their challenges.

ness an array of perspective possibilities play out on screen, ranging from healthy and well-adjusted to overwrought and self-destructive. The implications in that are truly wide-ranging, with ramifications that extend well beyond the primary areas under exploration in the picture’s central premise. As noted above, our perspectives and the beliefs that arise from them are often significantly shaped by our perceptions of our reality (which, themselves, are products of those beliefs and perspectives). Those perceptions, in turn, may present each of us with views of reality that differ markedly from those held by others (even those we think of as our kindred spirits). Consider the scenario presented in the Oscar-winning drama “Ordinary People” (1980). In a household where everything seemingly should be free of pain and hardship, an affluent family living on Chicago’s upscale North Shore seeks to pick up the pieces and reassemble itself in the wake of a

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Comparable circumstances surface in the riveting biopic “A Beautiful Mind” (2001), which tells the life story of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash (Russell Crowe), who battled mental illness during a significant portion of his adult life. As portrayed in the film, is the reality Nash perceives genuine, or is he suffering from an elaborate delusion? Answers may not be as easy to come by or as clear-cut as one might think, a challenge for both characters and viewers alike. What’s more, as this picture reveals, what we think of as a handicap in one context may actually prove to be a blessing in another, something that should give us all pause to contemplate the breadth of our prevailing perspective. Courtroom dramas are especially good vehicles for addressing situations in which opposing parties hold divergent perspectives about how events unfolded and what should be done about them. “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Ansalem” (2014) provides a particularly good example, in which the title character (Ronit Elkabetz), an Israeli woman, seeks to dissolve her marriage to the husband she no longer loves (Simon Abkarian). However, because Israel has no civil divorce proceedings, Viviane must make her case before an all-male religious court. Such tribunals have historically ruled in favor of the husband’s wishes, no matter what they may be, so Viviane faces an uphill battle in pressing her claim, especially since her contention is seen as weak and

CONSCIOUS CINEMA Lance’s actions could be seen as altruistic, with others being wholly self-serving. So is he truly the world’s greatest dad for what he does? Or is he a cynical embodiment of that appellation? Tune in, and decide for yourself. Audience perceptions are similarly tested in the chilling psychological drama, “Sound of My Voice” (2012). When investigative documentary filmmaker Peter Aitken (Christopher Denham) goes under cover to infiltrate a Los Angeles cult, he seeks to expose the group’s iconic leader, Maggie (Britt Marling), who claims to be a time traveler from the future. Maggie also claims to possess a special singular wisdom, a purportedly insightful outlook that she routinely taps in justifying the questionable demands she places on her unquestioning followers. Peter’s plan to reveal her as a manipulative fraud encounters a snag, however, when evidence surfaces that suggests her claim just may be true. But is it? Again, you decide.

meritless. To complicate matters further, given the stalemate between the parties, each side must take an unconventional step to prove their case, namely, calling on third-party witnesses to testify about their impressions of the couple’s relationship. This process, which is rife with myriad perceptions and perspectives about the nature of marriage, the character of the litigants’ relationship, and what’s ultimately considered “right,” will nevertheless decide the fate of these dueling partners and the uncertain future they face. Viewers’ perspectives about what’s transpiring on screen are challenged in a number of films as well, such as Bobcat Goldthwait’s dark comedy, “World’s Greatest Dad” (2009). When Lance Clayton (Robin Williams), a high school poetry teacher and would-be author, discovers that his rambunctious, smart-mouthed teenage son, Kyle (Daryl Sabara), has accidently killed himself, he tries to give him some semblance of dignity by making his death look like a suicide. Lance even goes so far as to pen a phony suicide note and ante-mortem personal journal. But, when reactions to the once-despised (and now sympathetically misunderstood) teen begin to change drastically, so, too, do Lance’s responses to the newly unfolding events. Some of

35 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

In the end, perspectives, like beliefs, make a wide range of options possible. Which one we end up with depends on us. And movies, for their part, can help to shed light on this by showing us the influential role they play in shaping the perspective that shapes our reality. Copyright © 2015, by Brent Marchant. All rights reserved. A lifelong movie fan, longtime student of metaphysics and presenter, Brent Marchant is the author of Get the Picture?!: Conscious Creation Goes to the Movies and Consciously Created Cinema: The Movie Lover’s Guide to the Law of Attraction books that provide a reader-friendly look at how the practice of “conscious creation” is illustrated through film. Brent blogs about metaphysical cinema and other self-empowerment topics at http://brentmarchantsblog.blogspot.com. He is also Featured Contributor, Arts & Entertainment, for VividLife magazine and Featured Contributor for Smart Women’s Empowerment, as well as Library Journal, BeliefNet, New Age News and Master Heart Magazine. Brent holds a B.A. in magazine journalism and history from Syracuse University. His web site is www.BrentMarchant. com.

CONSCIOUS CINEMA REVIEW

TIME IS ART:

Synchronicity and the Collective Dream A film by Katy Walker and Joel Mejia

When writer Jennifer Palmer underwent a profound experience with the passing of a loved one, the once-spiritually skeptical scribe set off on a path of self-discovery.

n the new documentary “Time is Art,” viewers witness her journey through a series of dialogues with an array of enlightened teachers, practitioners, artists and activists, including Rupert Sheldrake, Daniel Pinchbeck, Graham Hancock, Amy Lansky and Jocelyn James. These conversations cover a range of topics and the benefits they potentially afford, including dream work, ancient mysteries, cosmology, sacred substances, intuition and, above all, synchronicity. Through these discussions, audiences are made more aware of our inherent connectedness, our evolving mindset and our vastly underrated capabilities, all helping us to frame a new world – and a new future – for ourselves. In moving away from a materialistic way of living to one that’s inherently more focused on expressing our innate creativity, we’re witnessing a significant paradigm shift in which the prevailing thinking is changing from the notion that “time is money” to, as the film’s title suggests, “Time is Art.”  Reviewed by Brent Marchant

36 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

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MEDITATION

On Line Meditation by Aleya Dao

Cups of Consciousness Column

Dec 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016

he months of December thru February of 2016 are an interesting combination of energies. We will be pulling our energy deep within. Once we are anchored deep inside we will open internally and gain access to an even wiser more sacred aspect of ourselves. As we embrace our inner

divine energy it will trigger a nourishing restorative current that can heal and empower.

1ST CUP G O DEEP WITHIN AND ALLOW FOR AN INNER OPENING.

2ND CUP OPEN TO RECEIVE THE ESSENCE, LOVE, SOURCE

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nergetically locate the vibrational pulses of energy that are assisting you in accessing your core essence. Bring your awareness deep within your divine line. Go deep in with tones. Imagine standing in a waterfall of light that is perfect whole and divine, as some part of you brings greater awareness into your divine line, locate the appropriate frequencies, light codes, and vibrations that can help you open, and transform to the degree that is appropriate for your spiritual growth and evolution. Open in the higher realms to access a deeper part of your essence. Invite the Angelic realm to hold a safe a protected space as you open internally and go deep within, and access a deeper power and connection.

Use this time to go deep within, open to receive the divine part of you, and open to a revitalizing current. The following two meditations can help you go deep within and then restore your spirit by opening to receive the light of your essence, and love.

nergetically locate all of your receptors for receiving the current of oneness, love, and the divine aspect of you. Clean and clear your receptors for receiving the energy of Source and Oneness. Bring in a healing hologram to help you open to receive more deeply. Dissolve all vibrations of jadedness, entitlement, disappointment, and expectations. Open your heart to receive a current of love from your divine spark that exists in the heart of Source. Tones to activate the inner current of your own divine energy. Invite your Team to receive their own Essence more deeply. (Angelic tones to help you open to receive, literally singing in the background.) May you open to receive your own essence more deeply. By Aleya Dao

Author of Seven Cups of Consciousness, Change Your Life by Connecting to the Higher Realms www.cupsofconsciousness.com

38 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

HEALTH REVIEW & INTERVIEW

Tuning the Human Biofield:

Healing with Vibrational Sound Therapy By Eileen Day McKusick

This book is a refreshingly candid account of the author’s research and experimentation into sound healing as she sought to understand phenomena are that she had experienced in her own massage therapy practice.

What she discovered was that holding the end of a tuning fork at various positions above and around the body, and observing the changes in the sound and intensity and overtones generated by the tuning fork, she was able to receive information and shift and release energy blockages that had been causing issues in her clients physical body. Being of a scientific and inquisitive bent, she embarked on an intensive research program that covered areas from electricity and magnetism to sound and

ultrasound to the underlying resonance of the planet.

The book reads a bit like a travel diary in which she details the many books and research papers she studied 39 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

She was on a mission to fit the observed phenomena into some kind of understandable theoretical framework. The book reads a bit like a travel diary in which she details the many books and research papers she studied, and the little “aha!” moments

HEALTH

This book is valuable as an intelligent overview of many different approaches to energy and sound medicine, as well as an instructive anatomy of the development of the new therapeutic modality. as she was able to connect the dots and put the pieces into a broader context. What emerges is a plausible, and detailed mapping of the human energetic anatomy, or biofield. What gives it substance are the empirical results that Eileen and her growing army of students achieve in a regular and reproducible fashion using her map and tech-

niques. During the course of 20 years of practice in this field she has amassed a considerable body of evidence and it is exciting to consider the implications of this emerging avenue of energy medicine. The ability to identify, treat and release blockages, and thus pain and disease, simply by applying vibration in the form of a tuning fork, is indeed mind boggling. While this book is written primarily for therapists, I believe that it can be used for self-help with ease. Eileen is very open and forthcoming about the tools that she has discovered to be most effective, and has been simplifying them refining them over the years. They are available through her website, or one could order them directly from the manufacturer. All of the information is freely provided. This book is valuable as an intelligent overview of many different approaches to energy and sound medicine, as well as an instructive anatomy of the development of the new therapeutic modality. Warmly recommended.  Reviewed by Miriam Knight

Eileen Day McKusick is a researcher, writer, educator and practitioner who has been studying the effects of audible sound on the human body since 1996. She is the originator of Biofield Tuning , a unique therapeutic method utilizing tuning forks. Eileen is the founder of The Biofield Tuning Institute in Burlington, VT, and is the author of Tuning the Human Biofield – Healing with Vibrational Sound Therapy. Her website is https://biofieldtuning.com

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

40 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

HEALTH ARTICLE

Weight Loss 2016: A Matter of Energy?

Tapping the mind-body energy field to transcend the archaic, one-size-fits-all approach to dieting By Mark Mincolla According to the CDC (centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 69% of American adults over 20 are overweight; 35.1% are obese. Many will resolve to lose weight this New Year’s. However, if we buy into one of the one-size-fits-all diets on the market and don’t explore our own, individual mind-energy fields to determine which foods we should be eating and which we should avoid to shed those pounds, we may never fit the size we dream of.

ake a look around you. You see lamps, tables, a television set, four walls, a ceiling and a floor. What you see may only be what you think you see. What you think you see may in fact be but an illusion. You’ve been led to believe that the over-stuffed material supported by four wooden legs that you’re sitting in as you’re reading this is a chair, but reality is based on perception,

We largely remain a materially biased culture simply because we’re unwilling to expand our consciousness beyond our five senses. 41 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

and your perception of reality is based on an obsolete theory of materialism. In 1921, Albert Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for his groundbreaking theory of

HEALTH relativity. With this theory, Einstein reinforced an emerging reality based on the inter-convertibility and transferability of energy and matter. Suddenly there was an argument for a reshaped reality where the perceptible is both supported and continually created by the imperceptible. With his Nobel Prize award, the world was suddenly forced to acknowledge that all matter is comprised of 99.999 percent energy. In 1925, the Nobel Prize in physics was awarded to Dr. Werner Heisenberg for discovering a way to formulate quantum mechanics in comprehensive matrices. Heisenberg’s discovery revealed that all things material were in fact, comprised of energy. In the span of one generation, reality as the world had known it was turned upside down. Solid material objects were suddenly redefined as invisible vibrating particles of energy that gave shape to the mirage that was our erroneous material reality. In spite of the transformational Nobel Prize work of Einstein and Heisenberg, the western world has insisted on holding on for dear life to an outdated Newtonian reality predicated on the five senses. This represents nearly a century of self imposed limitation. Even to this day, if we can’t see it, touch it, hear it, taste it or smell it, for all intents and purposes it ceases to exist. Delving into the world of energy demands that we be willing to reach beyond our grasp, to see the invisible and hear the inaudible. We largely remain a materially biased culture simply because we’re unwilling to expand our consciousness beyond our five senses. Instead of attaining to a higher level of understanding as is demanded by any appreciable degree of energy literacy, we instead insist on forcing our most convenient reality of choice to conform to the limitations of our consciousness. But what are the real possibilities beyond such shortsightedness and ignorance? What might we be missing out on? Imagine if we were willing to stretch our consciousness just long enough to explore the infinite possibilities that energy-based applications might offer. We need turn no further than the world of our ancestors for a hint of viable possibilities. They understood and applied energy-based applications for a variety of purposes including medicine, healing and self defense. Acupuncture, Reiki and mar-

42 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

tial arts are time-tested examples of energy-based applications that have dramatically improved life quality. So, where medicine and healing have played such an important role in our ancestral energy healing applications, why couldn’t we employ them for our present weight loss dilemma? Einstein and Heisenberg made it clear that everything is energy! You and I are comprised of energy, and so too is food. Whenever two energies meet there is an energetic reaction that is either positive or negative. And so it is when we eat. Some foods make us feel strong, while other foods make us feel weak. As anyone with a gluten intolerance can tell you, even the slightest hint of wheat on the palate can create some very inflammatory energy. There are those with such severe peanut allergies that a mere waft of the nuts will send them to the emergency room in a state of anaphylaxis. But do these profound energetic reactions only take place within our material, body chemistry? The mind produces an energy field that is shared by the body. In energetic terms the mind and body are one. Whatever reactions take place in the body also happen simultaneously in the mind, and vice versa. Remember, the world of matter only appears to differ from the world of energy. We’re led to believe that the only way to experience a negative food reaction is bodily. The truth is food reactions manifest at both a body and mind level simultaneously. This fact suggests a remarkable possibility for diet and weight loss. There are several university studies that have proven that subjects can experience appreciable weight loss by merely thinking about food! It seems that

The mind produces an energy field that is shared by the body. In energetic terms the mind and body are one.

HEALTH

by thinking about feeling full on copious amounts of healthy food such as lean proteins, low starch vegetables and low sugar fruits, the mind-body energy field becomes programmed to support weight loss. The body-mind field represents a new frontier in diet, weight loss possibilities. One energy application that is currently being explored is that of food energy muscle testing. This is a simple procedure that can easily be engaged by two people. A subject and practitioner can interface, with the practitioner placing an index finger gently on the subject’s throat as if to energetically dialogue with the subject’s calorie burning thyroid gland. Then the subject raises their non-dominant

The human mind-body energy field is a subtle and unique medium for food allergy testing. It represents an untapped natural resource that invites us to transcend the archaic, material, one-sizefits-all approach to dieting. 43 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

arm at shoulder height for a series of simple strength resistance muscle tests, as the practitioner audibly calls out the names of respective foods. Those announced foods that elicit a strong subject strength response are representative of the most efficient calorie burning foods for the subject’s prospective diet. The audibly called out foods that weaken the subject’s arm strength, on the other hand, should be seen as foods that will likely hamper subject’s metabolic weight loss efficiency. It’s as if we can be manually tested through our mind-body field for our unique, energetic “DNA like” response. One of the more interesting aspects of this testing is that many foods that are generically considered to be healthy might in fact impose a negative influence over one’s weight loss metabolism. The human mind-body energy field is a subtle and unique medium for food allergy testing. It represents an untapped natural resource that invites us to transcend the archaic, material, one-size-fitsall approach to dieting. Mark Mincolla, Ph.D., is a natural health care practitioner who has transformed thousands of lives over the past thirty years. Integrating ancient Chinese energy techniques with cutting-edge nutritional science, Dr. Mincolla approaches food as the primary medicine. He is the author of THE WHOLE HEALTH DIET: Balancing Energy and Nutrition to Achieve Optimum Health (Tarcher Penguin/Dec. 29, 2015). www.MarkMincolla.com

HEALTH REVIEW

WORLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HEALTHIEST FOODS By George Mateljan

Kudos to George Mateljan for having the knowledge and culinary inspiration to fill a thousand page cookbook, and the guts to print it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all 5 pounds of it. If you are looking for a comprehensive reference book cum cookbook for preparing the healthiest food in the healthiest way, this it it.

his book literally has everything, except for a binding likely to last, (yay duct tape), but the paper it is printed on is great and beautifully printed. The book starts with an overview of the nutritional value of different foods, and how to create smart menus that translate into healthy eating for life. Emphasis is placed on the most nutrient dense foods, explaining the science behind why they are so, as well as different strategies for snacks and trade-offs to keep you on the healthy path while still enjoying your food.

Throughout the book, the emphasis is on preserving the maximum food value, taste, and appearance. 44 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

HEALTH He includes an overview of different methods of cooking, and the best ones to use to preserve the nutrients, and guidelines on the selection of cooking utensils. The book is then divided into color-coded sections where you can see at a glance the sections for vegetables, fruits, grains, fish and so on. Individual foods are arranged alphabetically within the sections, and each section contains an overview of the nutritional considerations for that category, the best way to select, store and prepare the individual items. For example the page or chapter on apples explains why you should eat them, the different types of apples and their characteristics, which ones are best enjoyed raw or which can be cooked, the nutritional profile, how to store them and how best to select them. I consider myself both a knowledgeable and a good cook, so I was rather surprised to find so much information that was new to me and really valuable. For example bok choy is a very healthy member of the brassica family, which I would occasionally cook by stir-frying. The result was usually a wilted top and a tough stem. George’s approach is to steam chopped bok choi in broth for exactly seven minutes with the sliced stems on the bottom of the pan and the shredded leaves on top. You then toss with a dressing that does double duty, both enhancing the taste and making the vitamins more absorbable. It was perfectly cooked and delicious.

I consider myself both a knowledgeable and a good cook, so I was rather surprised to find so much information that was new to me and really valuable. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on preserving the maximum food value, taste, and appearance. I have discovered that the cooking methods George suggests are quick, easy and can be followed by anyone, no matter what their level of experience, and will produce tasty and nutritious results. This is going to be my go-to present for newlyweds, and even hostesses. The book has a whole section on spices including their nutrient profile, the best ways to select them, the best ways to cook with them and their health-promoting benefits. I love this book. It really does incorporate the very latest insights on nutrition do’s and don’ts, and why’s and wherefore’s. Be sure to keep it within easy reach because you will be referring to it for inspiration daily. As a bonus, using it probably qualifies as weight-bearing exercise. Did I mention that I love this book?  Reviewed by Miriam Knight

Individual foods are arranged alphabetically within the sections, and each section contains an overview of the nutritional considerations for that category, the best way to select, store and prepare the individual items. 45 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

George Mateljan has had a lifelong love affair with healthy food. He studied biochemistry and became a classically trained chef, before founding Health Valley Foods. It was the first company to produce healthy convenient prepared foods in the United States. George has published five cookbooks, and established The George Mateljan Foundation for the World’s Healthiest Foods, committed to providing the latest scientific information about foods and nutrients needed for good health, and how best to prepare them. More at http://www.whfoods.com

HEALTH REVIEW

Becoming a Supple Leopard

The Ultimate Guide to Resolving Pain, Preventing Injury, and Optimizing Athletic Performance By Dr. Kelly Starrett

Excellent Tips on Minimizing Pain & Injury While Maximizing Performance

t least three essential basics I wish I’d learned early in life are included in Becoming a Supple Leopard (BASL): how to stand, how to sit, and how to breathe. While some of us were fortunate enough to have parents and teachers advise us to sit up straight, stand up straight, and breathe deeply from the diaphragm, true clarity and specifics are seldom provided to such a degree that decades later, pain and injury is prevented and/or easily remedied through return to optimal body positioning. Instead, all too often I hear from friends and colleagues seeking a return

Most of us don’t notice something is wrong with our bodies until we feel pain--what the authors call “lagging indicators.” 46 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

of mobility and a reduction in pain that even when they get surgeries and take time off from movement, they still continue suffering from mobility issues. The three basic principles in BASL are: (1) if something’s not in the right place, put it in the right place, (2) if something is not moving, get it moving, and (3) Work upstream and downstream of the

HEALTH problem. I love how more than one third of BASL is dedicated to helping people put these principles to work exactly where we need them most in our own lives with mobilization techniques. If you flip to the very last pages in this book, you’ll find joint and body prescriptions for addressing a variety of aches, pains, tweaks and other assorted “lagging indicators” that it’s time to address position and mobility of a specific area, such as: headache, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, foot pain, hip pain, shin splints, or back pain. The idea from the title of this book comes from the notion that leopards stay in a steady state in which they are consistently prepared for movement, thanks to being naturally supple--and humans can attain a state of suppleness from learning correct movement and positioning. Most of us don’t notice something is wrong with our bodies until we feel pain--what the authors call “lagging indicators.” Sometimes by the time we notice something is wrong, it’s really gone spectacularly wrong, to the point that we experience a good deal of pain and often serious reduction in flexibility, strength, stamina, and movement. The authors point out that many of our daily habits-- including the way we sit, stand up, and stand--can contribute to injury without our knowledge. As a middle-aged athlete, I have discovered how much strain can occur to my body when I move in ways that are less than optimal. I also know lots of people who are experiencing reduction in mobility, pain, and injury. I felt inspired to spend a few hours reading specific treatment plans addressing many of the most common types of problems people tend to encounter, and I felt immediate improvement and reduction of pain by following

As a middle-aged athlete, I have discovered how much strain can occur to my body when I move in ways that are less than optimal. 47 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

I love how this book is written in such a way that it’s easy to immediately test the basic principles along with the illustrations and exercises designed to retune my body positions and movements for optimal functionality. I love how this book is written in such a way that it’s easy to immediately test the basic principles of maintaining neutral posture and correct torque on hips and shoulders. Not only are the principles clear and easy to understand, but some of the mysterious tips athletes have been hearing finally start to make sense, such as why weight lifters are instructed to “break the bar,” and what’s really going on when you “screw your feet into the ground.” The essential idea in the case of ball-and-socket joints like hips and shoulders is that it’s important to take up slack that naturally occurs in those designs. BASL truly shines in providing techniques for working with painfully knotted tissues with a “smash and floss” method of providing targeted pressure together with movement to restore normal range of motion to short and stiff tissues, benefiting multiple tissue systems. The organization and structure of this book is great for quickly looking something up in the index when dealing with an immediate question or concern, or browsing through the sections that include: midline stabilization and spinal mechanics, moving joints from a braced neutral position, maintaining optimal torque, categories of movement, mobilization techniques and target areas, and mobility prescriptions. This book is an excellent addition to any athlete’s shelf, and is especially good for people who’d like to learn how to work with their body with its current issues and shortcomings. Highly recommended!  Reviewed by Cynthia Sue Larson

HEALTH REVIEW

Medical Medium:

Secrets Behind Chronic and Mystery Illness and How to Finally Heal By Anthony William

Anthony William has spent much of his life being the conduit for information about physical disorders and disease.

uch of it flies in the face of current medical knowledge, but Anthony believes it is just a matter of time before medicine will catch up. This book presents a detailed explanation of the causes of many of the unexplained and chronic illnesses plaguing us, like fibromyalgia and Lyme disease. He suggests that they are mostly viral in origin and provides protocols on how to eliminate the conditions predisposing the body to succumb to them and allow the body to regain its ability to heal itself. He goes on to explain the caus-

This is an extraordinary volume that could potentially shake much of modern medical diagnosis to its core! 48 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

es of each disease, and what foods, supplements, physical and spiritual practices will combine to support you in eliminating them. This is an extraordinary volume that could potentially shake much of modern medical diagnosis to its core! ď&#x201A;Ą Reviewed by Miriam Knight

NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW Advancing Conscious Awakening since 2008

RATE CARD www.NCReview.com

CONSCIOUS PARENTING

HEALING THE PLANET THROUGH CHILDREN KNOWING THEMSELVES: Teach Children About Their Inner World Resources by Janai ‘Grandma Boom’ Mestrovich “Every time you make fun of my nose I feel tight knots in my stomach and it hurts.” The first grade boy was alive with expression as he exclaimed this body awareness. I had just finished explaining that we always feel an emotional feeling plus a body sesnation when we think a thought. Immediately, the boy sitting behind him that was being spoken to quipped, “Oh yeah! Well, that is where I feel hurt in MY stomach every time you call me a name!”

nd then the magic happened. Both boys looked at each other with wide eyes. They had connected not just through honesty and internal awareness, but through pain which led to compassion. They started talking about how they both felt the same way in the same place from agitating each other. Unfortunately, this was the last day of the school year. The boys had been arch enemies all year long, causing problems for the teacher and the entire class. Suddenly, they were talking and befriending one another. The teacher voiced she wish she had invited me the first day of school instead of the last day. She knew undoubtedly that her year would have been much less stressful and more productive. Empowering children to “Know Thyself” with their own internal resources is the greatest gift that can be given to them for self-help, self-awareness, self-control, self-confidence and self-responsibili-

50 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

ty. Teach children these skills and wipe out the tendency to blame others for how they feel, self-victimization, and the loss of self-worth. Give them these skills and they begin to feel empowered as a vital part of the family unit, classroom and community member. “Know Thyself” is a profundity made explicit in all major world religions and philosophies. Yet there is no specific guidebook on how to do that, let alone teach children at a young age how to tap and manage their powerful inner world resources. When I was a child I had zero clue where thoughts came from. It seemed they dropped into my head from the sky. There was no indication in my environment that anyone had control over their thoughts, let alone me. Reaction to any and everything was the norm. I could not control my reactions in thoughts, emotions or actions save for being threatened to not perform certain actions like kicking my brother under the table when he kicked me first. The world was made of reactions and their ripples.

CONSCIOUS PARENTING Some of the following excerpts are from “The Superkid Power Guidebook” (available on Amazon) that is nothing short of a treasure chest of 52 concepts for adults to use with young children to empower them with their own resources anytime, anywhere.

frame of reference makes for a healthier, happier, confident life. EXAMPLE: Think a sad thought and you will physically feel the sadness in parts of your body as well as emotionally experience the sadness. Feel an angry feeling and notice the tension build in your body as your thoughts fill with anger. You cannot feel happy while you are thinking jealous thoughts. You cannot think frustrating thoughts while you are experiencing inner peace n a relaxed body. The mind, body, emotional feelings ALWAYS work together – whether or not we are aware of it. By teaching this concept you give children a great foundation for life’s challenges. In return, you receive the gift of becoming more aware yourself. It is a happy Win-Win.

MIND, BODY, FEELINGS are ALLIES AND FRIENDS WHY THIS CONCEPT IS IMPORTANT The hip bone’s connected to the leg bone; the leg bone’s connected to the knee bone. The mind, body and emotional feelings are all connected together. “Know thyself” begins here. Children are at a great advantage to manage themselves regardless of circumstances once they begin learning their mind, body and emotions are all working together. It has been scientifically validated through techniques such as biofeedback that there is a corresponding change physiologically for every mental/emotional change and vice versa. Having a SOLID internal

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CONSCIOUS PARENTING LEARNING POINTS AND EXERCISES FOR REINFORCEMENT 1. Mind/Body/Emotional Awareness. Talk about the mind/body/emoitonal connection yourself in a practical way. “When I was fixing supper I felt good feelings about what I was doing for the family. My thoughts were happy and my body felt energetic. I felt angry feelings when you left your dirty sox in the living room. There were tight knots and tension in my chest. My thoughts were upset with you.” 2. Simple Questions. Have your child talk specifically about one of the three partners. Use a leading question. “You look like you have tight knots of tension in your shoulders right now. What kind of thoughts are you having?” After reply, ask where child feels tight knots in the body. Keep trying to use these kinds of examples whenever possible. 3. Watch Others in Non-judgmental Way. If you and your child are together and you ask someone, “How are you?” and the person answers,

“Fine.” but looks terrible, talk about that with your child. Ask his/her opinion. Use examples in talking about person’s tone of voice, body language, eye contact, etc. “I think maybe Robert was not feeling very good. His eyes were tired and he walked slowly.” • Singing Reinforcement. Create a tune to the following jingle or just recite it in a fun voice and help child to memorize it. If you march with it or have special gestures with hands, face and feet, your child will remember it easily. Mind/Body/Feelings Jingle My mind, my body, my feelings are friends. They work together from beginning to end. And that’s the way it’s always been! • Body Outlines. Have child look at, color and talk about the different outlines. Be sure to post their coloring on the refrigerator or bulletin board for ongoing reinforcement. • Sad/Happy Experiment. Have child close eyes and remember something sad and feel it. Point out for child to notice where it is felt in the body and how the body is breathing, what the thoughts are like. Then tell child to think of something happy. FEEL it. Notice thoughts, how the body changes breathing pattern and where it is felt in the body. Tell child to open eyes and then discuss the experience. You can join in and share your experience, too.

COMPLETE THE LEARNING CYCLE • Toy Usage. Find a toy that comes apart – a doll or robot that can have its head unscrewed, arms taken off, etc. Ask child to compare it to body outlines and decide which way looks like the toy and the body outline works in the right way – being split up or having all its parts together in one unit where everything is connected. Share how important it is to remember the mind/body/emotional feelings all work together.

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CONSCIOUS PARENTING • Puppet Friends. Have one puppet talk to your child about how he’s lost his ‘thinking’ cap and his ‘feeling’ shirt so he can’t think of feel anymore. Jest with your child through the puppet and try to get your child to talk with puppet about the mind and feelings being connected to the body, not located in a cap or shirt. • Simon Says. Play a game similar to Simon Says only chabnge it to My Mind Says and point out how the body does what the mind says to do. For example, “My mind says ‘body jump up and down two times.” My mind says, “body, feel angry with a tense face.” • Process Verbally. Share examples with your child about things you notice with your mind, body emotions AS they are happening. KKFor example, “I keep having the thought with my mind to sit down and rest. And just look at my body! It is just dragging along and I FEEL tired. My mind got the message from my body that it is tired and I am going to listen to it and sit down right now.”

• Play Dough Feelings. Instruct child(ren) to think a mad thought, feel it, notice where it is in the body, and let the mad feelings come out into the play dough. Talk about it. Next, breathe deeply together and think a calm thought, feel it in the body, notice how breathing changes from having mad thoughts, then let the calm feelings come out into the play dough. Compare how each art form feels and looks differently. This technique can also be used to release upset/ stressed feelings in everyday situations and be used as a catalyst for discussion.

Children who are taught to know themselves develop a higher consciousness that lets them know good choices from bad choices, self-healing from self-harming, and knowing how to help themselves be happy and healthy. These are the resources that we cannot afford to waste on our planet. Children can help heal our world with these skills and awareness. “Your work saved our child from being a trouble maker and filtered into our family to create a life that gave us more enrichment and healthy relationships than we ever could have had without the skills you gave us. Thank you for helping us to save ourselves.” Teacher/parent

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CONSCIOUS PARENTING

JACKSON’S FUN ADVENTURES

By Janai Mestrovich

his book gives children a glimpse into what it is like to use their imaginations to discover who they are and explore how they feel. The magic box with costumes is a delightful treasure chest that seems to have a life of its own. A boy finds himself inside a new costume every day, which leads him through many ways of exploring what it is like to be in different roles. In the end, he realizes that he can be whatever he wants to be in life. This book could be particularly useful in building self-esteem. It is easy to see why author, Janai Mestrovich, is so wellknown for her happy and innovative approach to teaching children about themselves.  Reviewed by Miriam Knight

BEEING CALM Coloring Story Book

By Janai Mestrovich Illustrated by Rachel Moore his combination of storybook and coloring book draws children into the adventures of a hyperactive little bee called Buzzbee, who keeps hitting his head on flowers. His sister knows he needs to learn how to be calm if he wants to keep from getting hurt and be able to have friends. As an interactive story, children are drawn into the experiences that help them feel the difference between being a tense bee and a calm bee. Self-calming proves to be entertaining and empowering. Art exercises for further reinforcement are provided at the end of the story. This book would be a helpful tool for parents and teachers to offer kids some good interactive tips. This coloring book provides a way for children to understand the concept of self-calming at their own level that is both fun and empowering.  Reviewed by Miriam Knight

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CONSCIOUS PARENTING ARTICLE

Free Will By Michael Simonson

It is through dialogue that we have an opportunity to expand our understanding of ourselves and those we are sharing our world with.

ntil there is a universal understanding, this world will remain a fragmented world, a world where everyone struggles to survive. You will find even those who have great wealth and power struggle with the fears that rule their experience that gives them cause to have a need for power, for wealth. In order for anyone to come into their power, it is important that they learn to use discernment, to find their own truth. As long as people choose to embrace belief systems that are passed on to them or that accommodate their fears, their judgments, without taking the time to check out the teachings presented to them and the consequences to them and others of those teachings, they are choosing to remain disempowered beings denying the very thing they profess to believe in. You will find truths in all religions along with a lot of teachings that contradict the truth. Discernment is what is necessary in order for your ability to discern teachings that come from the light and those teachings that come from those who teach about the light, but do not have the full understanding of what they are teaching about. One of the simplest ways to determine whether a teaching is of the light is to ask yourself does it honor my free will and the free will of others; If any teaching interferes in your free will, or the free will of any other being it is not of the light.

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I have met many people who believe we are free will beings and they understand what free will means. But if they truly understood free will, there would be no anger, resentment, sadness or any kind of negative experiences in their life. They would not judge anyone. As we are all of God or Source, however you want to perceive that creative energy that we are all part of, the minute you judge another you deny the truth of who you are, you deny Source. It doesn’t matter how much you go to your church, synagogue, temple, place of worship or how much you meditate or engage in any kind of spiritual practice, you deny the very thing you profess to believe in and you are seeking to open up to. As I’ve said before, do not believe anything that I teach or anyone else for that matter. Look at all teachings presented to you and ask yourself, “does this serve my highest and greatest good, is it in accordance with the energies of love?” If it requires anything of you that interferes in your free will or that of others I would suggest you put it off to the side and keep looking. We are all one regardless of where we are born in this world, what our cultural or racial origins are. In order for this world to move into a place of peace, humanity needs to take hold of the opportunity it has at this time to discuss all of the various belief systems in this world and to take from them that which serves the highest and greatest good of all, and to let go of those that require judgment.

CONSCIOUS PARENTING

The reason we come into this world is to explore our creative abilities. As I’ve said before it is through dialogue that we have an opportunity to grow in our understanding of each other and the world we live in. Look forward to those opportunities presented to you to express your truths. But remember the trick is to deliver your truth from a place of love. In that place you will have no need to change anyone, to fix anyone, to save anyone or any need for them to understand you and accept your truths. The reason we come into this world is to explore our creative abilities. Your highest priority if you desire to awaken to the truth of who you are would be to master your fears. In mastering your fears your energies in this world will now be in sync with the energies of Source, which will then allow you to have a clear connection to the truth of who you are. In that place you will no longer have a need to fix anyone, to help anyone, to save the world. You will realize that everyone in the world is an aspect of Source, an aspect of yourself who has free will. You will realize that by just being in this world and choosing to create from a place of love you create opportunities for others to move into that place because of the power of your thoughts. The way to change the world so that it moves into a place that represents the highest creating humanity can embrace is to change yourself and show the world another way of being. When you’re coming from that place that represents the truth of who you are, and you look out into the world and see all the negative co-creating experiences others are choosing to create, your response would be something like this; My brothers and sisters you are doing one heck of a job exploring the energies of fear. It’s not what I choose but understand you are free will beings exploring duality. Good for you, I love you.

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By honoring the free will of others choices to be enmeshed in fear, you are now coming from a place that represents the energies of Source, and you will now find yourself in sync with the energies of Source. By honoring their free will and loving those who choose to allow fear to be their master your light will enhance the energies of the collective consciousness in powerful positive ways. You will no longer be feeding those energetically who choose to allow fear to be their master. Remember, every time that you get angry over the wars and all the other injustices from your perspective in this world you are supporting all the people who engage in those things energetically. This world is not going to move into a place of peace by people getting up on soapboxes and preaching to others what they should or shouldn’t do, for that kind it teaching comes from a place of judgment, a place of fear. Consequently it’s important when you engage in dialogue with others to allow them their perspective, their understanding. If you find yourself becoming frustrated or angry with what they have to say, with their truth, they are simply giving you an opportunity to see clearly that you yourself are not coming from a loving place, you are not honoring their free will to believe in whatever they choose to believe in. Michael Simonson has been working as an Energy Practitioner and Teacher for over 25 years. He works with parents, children, educators and health practitioners in understanding how to help Energetically Sensitive Children awaken to the truth of who they are. Michael teaches that it is important for parents, educators and health practitioners to be coming from the same place that they desire their children to come from. Through his one-on-one counseling sessions and workshops people are given all the tools necessary to live empowered loving lives. Michael was the facilitator of the Energy Program (energetic mindfulness) at the Hunter School in Rumney, New Hampshire. He is now expanding and is offering to facilitate these energy programs to other educational institutions throughout the country. https://energeticallysensitivechild.com

METAREALITY REVIEW & INTERVIEW

My Life After Death: A Memoir from Heaven By Erik Medhus with Elisa Medhus, MD

This book occupies a special niche between the growing numbers of first-hand accounts of near-death experiences and channeled books about the afterlife.

hile it is channeled through a medium, or spiritual translator as she prefers to be called, the voice of 20-yearold Erik Medhus comes through with such clarity and integrity that you have the sense of a living presence behind the transcription. The text is down-to-earth and liberally peppered with the vulgarities and usages of young males. That, however, is part of what makes this book uniquely valuable. It speaks directly to those who are vulnerable and hurting in language they can resonate with.

The wonder and delight of this book is truly in the voice of this extraordinary young man 57 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

When Erik took his own life, he could have been just another statistic among the epidemic of alienated and emotionally disturbed youth (as well as adults and seniors) who have lost all sense of hope and meaning in their lives. He suffered from a complex of emotional troubles from ADHD to bipolar disorder, and the detailed description he gives of his mental state leading up to his suicide is worthy

METAREALITY

The mission he undertook was to help as many people as possible understand both our immortality and our interconnection – we don’t die and we are never alone. of being studied by professionals and parents of kids with these challenges. Erik, however, did not go quietly because he had a mission. He rapidly developed the ability to appear either visually or in dreams, first to members of his immediate family and then to members of the online community gathering around his mother’s blog, channelingErik.com, which she started as a means of dealing with her grief. As he acclimated to life on the “other side” Eric came to realize that he had planned his life path in order to gain empathy for those suffering from mental illness and

depression, as well as from grief and loss. The mission he undertook was to help as many people as possible understand both our immortality and our interconnection – we don’t die and we are never alone. We always have beings around us to guide and support us if we but listen and/or ask. Erik’s descriptions about what happened to him after a passing offer a number of original observations, but mostly echo reports from much of the near-death literature. The wonder and delight of this book is truly in the voice of this extraordinary young man – a voice full of humor, the energy of youth, and a passion for living and helping others. Just as his physician mother overcame her science oriented skepticism and embraced the notion of a vibrant afterlife, so whatever level of skepticism you may start out with, you will turn the last page with a strengthened confidence that while our role in this universe may shift and change, it will never end. You are left with a quiet smile on your face and perhaps a nagging sense that you might want to get your act together because down the line you’re going to be your own judge and jury. The good news is that everybody else will still love you - unconditionally.  Reviewed by Miriam Knight

Elisa Medhus, a physician and mother of five, practiced internal medicine in Houston, Texas for over thirty years. In 2009, after the death of her 20 year-old son, Erik, Dr. Medhus began journaling her grief on her blog, Channeling Erik. Because of her strong science background, she viewed spiritual matters such as the soul’s survival of death with skepticism, but once Erik began to communicate with family, friends and blog members, her entire paradigm shifted. Today she works with a spirit translator that channels Erik, and he shares his insights from the other side about death, the afterlife and more. Dr. Medhus is the author of My Son and the Afterlife: Conversations from the Other Side. The blog is at channelingerik.com LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

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METAREALITY INTERVIEW

Healing and Miracles with Alex Hermosillo

In 1997 the gift of divine healing was awakened within Alex Hermosillo when a woman handed him her dying baby and the child was spontaneously healed — now he is one of the most highly sought after spiritual healers in the world.

or over ten years now, Alex (aka the “Happy Healer”) has been offering energy-healing services and has assisted over 7,000 people in healing from ailments such as heart disease, cancer, tumors, chronic migraines, grief, depression, and much more. He is the founder of Mastery of Energy Healing and author of A True Story of Hope, Healing & Miracles, which chronicles life experiences and the wisdom he gained through a profound near-death experience. He also has recorded a therapeutic audio meditation CD “MEDITATION TO HEAL YOUR MIND, BODY & SPIRIT.” Alex has presented at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, International Association for NearDeath Studies, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Southern Arizona Veterans Health Care System and the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. He has been featured on FOX 10 News, ABC-15, and CBS-5 (Phoenix, Arizona) and more. More information can be found at www. masteryofenergyhealing.com or thehappyhealer. com

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LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

METAREALITY REVIEW

Super Genes:

Unlock the Astonishing Power of Your DNA for Optimum Health and Well-Being By Deepak Chopra, MD and Rudolph E. Tanzi Ph.D.

By Deepak Chopra, MD and Rudolph E. Tanzi Ph.D. Deepak Chopra, MD and Rudolph E. Tanzi Ph.D.

Nature versus nurture has always been a hot topic.

n this book from Chopra and Tanzi, a follow-up to their New York Times bestseller Super Brain, they turn genetics on its head. They surmise that while one may have a natural genetic propensity for certain things (diseases, behaviours and the like), one’s DNA can in effect be switched on and off, turned up and down and otherwise modified for the greater good of the body. DNA isn’t set, it’s modifiable. And one can start making

The authors provide ‘menus’ of actions one can take in each of these categories, ranging from easy to more difficult and experimental. 60 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

modifications today to show up in the structure of their chromosomes not generations down the line but tomorrow. The key? Life experiences. It’s down to the mind. It’s about what and how one chooses to think as well as one’s actions. There are many

METAREALITY things one can do including following an anti-inflammatory diet, taking regular exercise, getting enough quality sleep, daily meditation, implementing stress-lowering methods and effectively dealing with emotions. The authors provide ‘menus’ of actions one can take in each of these categories, ranging from easy to more difficult and experimental. And these will all contribute to creating a healthy and flourishing epigenome - a field of compounds and proteins that regulate DNA - and microbiome – the community of bacteria that inhabit our bodies and which vastly outnumber genes. The first part of the book goes into the nitty gritty of genetics and some surprising facts emerge, all backed up with scientific data. For example consuming a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice along with a greasy fast food meal can cancel out the inflammatory effects. Not that this gives one carte blanche to eat unhealthy food. On the contrary, it’s that there really are superfoods and super methods that impact the epigenome and microbiome and it makes sense to use or do as many of them as possible. It’s a case of we aren’t what we already are but we can be what we consciously choose to become.

The final section offers ideas and data about how evolution may not be the correct way of seeing things and that in fact DNA can be changed in real-time. 61 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

This stimulating book explains the reasons why and what practical steps you can take to activate the natural power of your genes to nurture supreme health and well-being Part two is the how-to section, which explains the methods one can take to transform your building blocks into a harmonious foundation. From eating more hot sauce to thinking of one thing to be grateful for each day to more experimental but no less valid practices such as adopting a vegan diet, these are solid ways in which to manifest a change in your overall wellbeing which is largely dictated by what’s going on in your system. So it’s prudent to take care of that system, and it’s not difficult especially if you take the authors’ suggestion to just make one change, choose one process a week to do on a daily basis. After a year that’s 52 changes which will have a significant effect on your DNA. The final section offers ideas and data about how evolution may not be the correct way of seeing things and that in fact DNA can be changed in real-time. This means what we do today, affects us in the here and now and sends ripples into our futures. The ideas that you are what you eat and you are what you think have been around for a while. This stimulating book explains the reasons why and what practical steps you can take to activate the natural power of your genes to nurture supreme health and well-being.  Reviewed by Nelly Bright

METAREALITY REVIEW

Artificial Superintelligence:

A Futuristic Approach By Roman V. Yampolskiy

Excellent Call to Action to Address Dangers of Artificial Intelligence Yampolsky summarizes the Singularity Paradox (SP) as “superintelligent machines are feared to be too dumb to possess common sense.” Put in even more simple terms, there is a growing concern about dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) amongst some of the world’s best-educated and most well-respected scientific leaders, such as Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates.

he hazards of AI containment are discussed in some detail in Artificial Superintelligence, yet in language easily understandable to the layman.

In Artificial Superintelligence, Yampolsky argues for addressing AI potential dangers with a safety engineering approach, rather than with loosely defined ethics, since human values are inconsistent and dynamic. Yampolsky points out that “fully autonomous machnines cannot ever be assumed to be safe,” and going so far as adding, “... and so should not be constructed.” (p 186)

fully autonomous machnines cannot ever be assumed to be safe ... and so should not be constructed. 62 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

METAREALITY Yampolsky acknowledges the concern of AI escaping confines, and takes the reader on a tour of AI taxonomies with a general overview of the field of Intelligence, showing a Venn type diagram (p 30) in which ‘human minds’ and ‘human designed AI’ occupy adjacent real estate on this nonlinear terrain of ‘minds in general’ in multidimensional super space. ‘Self-improving minds’ are envisioned which improve upon ‘human designed AI,’ and at this very juncture arises the potential for ‘universal intelligence,’ and the Singularity Paradox (SP) problem. Yampolsky proposes initiation of an AI hazard symbol, which could prove useful for constraining AI to designated containment areas, in J.A.I.L. or ‘Just for A.I. Location.’ Part of Yampolsky’s proposed solution to the AI Confinement Problem includes asking ‘safe questions’ (p 137). Yampolsky includes other solutions proposed by Drexler (confine transhuman machines), Bostrom (utilize AI only for answering questions in Oracle mode), Chalmers (confine AI to ‘leakproof’ virtual worlds), and argues for creation of committees designated to oversea AI security. Emphasizing the scale and scope of what needs to be accomplished in order to help ensure safety of AI are points such as Yudkowsky having “performed AI-box ‘experiments’ in which he demonstrated that even human-level intelligence is sufficient to escape from an AI-box,” and even Chalmers “correctly observes that a truly leakproof system in which NO information is allowed to leak out from the simulated world into our environment is impossible, or at least pointless.” (p 111) Since one of the fundamental tenets in information security is that it is impossible to ever prove any system is 100% secure, it’s easy to see why there is such strong and growing concern regarding the safety to mankind of AI. And if there is no way to

‘Self-improving minds’ are envisioned which improve upon ‘human designed AI’ 63 | NEW CONSCIOUSNESS REVIEW

safely confine AI, then like any parents, humanity will certainly find itself hoping that we’ll have done such an excellent job raising AI to maturity, that it will comport itself kindly toward its elders. Yampolsky points out “In general, ethics for superintelligent machines is one of the most fruitful areas of research in the field of singularity research, with numerous publications appearing every year.” (p 114) For those hoping that teaching AI to simply follow the rules will be enough, Yampolsky replies that law-abiding is not enough. AI could still keep humans safe ‘for their own good,’ increasingly limiting human free choice in a sped-up kind of way, that superintelligent AI will be able to do. For readers intrigued in what safe variety of AI might be possible, the section of Artificial Superintelligence early in the book will be of great interest. Yampolsky describes five taxonomies of minds (pp 31-34). Returning to re-read this section after having completed the rest of the book can be quite beneficial, as at this point readers can more fully understand how AI that is Quantum and Flexibly Embodied according to Goetzel taxonomy (p 31) with Ethics Self-Monitoring (p 122) might help ensure development of safe AI. If such AI systems include error-checking, with firmware (unerasable) dedication to preserving others and constantly checking to seek and resonate with highest-order intelligence with quantum levels of sensing through time-reversible logic gates (in accordance with quantum deductive logic), one can begin to breathe a sigh of relief that there might just be a way to ensure safe AI will prevail. While the deepest pockets of government funding are unlikely to ever make plans to develop such a system that would not be controlled by anything less than the greatest intelligence seekable by AI (such as God), it is conceivable that humanitarian philanthropists will step forward to fund such a project in time that all of us will be eternally grateful that its highest-order-seeking AI will prevail. I highly recommend Artificial Superintelligence to all readers, as this subject will absolutely impact everyone’s lives.  Reviewed by Cynthia Sue Larson

METAREALITY REVIEW

Life and Death: A Medium’s Messages to Help You Overcome Grief and Find Closure By Tim Braun

The job of a medium is to connect with dead people. It’s perfectly understandable that a child exhibiting this ability would either freak people out or be accused of an overactive imagination.

Neither option is a lot of fun for a kid, so it’s understandable that Tim Braun suppressed this ability for many years. It is fortunate that he met James Van Praagh, and was able to accept and develop his abilities under James’s guidance. Tim has now fully embraced his role as a medium, and 13,000 sittings later, he has penned a wise, compassionate and useful book, rich with the insights into the grieving process that he has accumulated over his 20 years of helping people to connect with lost loved ones. Even though it frequently means experiencing in his own body of the pain and anguish of the passing, the comfort and joy that he is able to bring to people by demonstrating to them without a shadow of a doubt that their loved ones are still with them has been a rich reward for him. The stories of the messages he has been able to deliver are very moving, but this book has a broader goal. With so much experience dealing with grief, Tim is able to offer a wide range of concrete steps not only to overcome one’s grief, but also in a real sense to continue the communication on their

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own. He offers a good range of suggestions on how to do so. When anyone, whether grieving or not, is able to truly accept that death is not the end, life takes on new meaning. Tim shares perspectives on the purpose and mystery of life from both sides of the veil, and urges the reader to live life to the absolute fullest. Citing a study from a nurse that listed the top 10 regrets of patients on their deathbed, the number one regret was, “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”

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Rising Stars Profiles of Conscious Creatives you may not yet have met ... Elisa Medhus, a physician and mother of five, practiced internal medicine in Houston, Texas for over thirty years. In 2009, after the death of her 20 year-old son, Erik, Dr. Medhus began journaling her grief on her blog, Channeling Erik. Because of her strong science background, she viewed spiritual matters such as the soul’s survival of death with skepticism, but once Erik began to communicate with family, friends and blog members, her entire paradigm shifted. Today she works with a spirit translator that channels Erik, and he shares his insights from the other side about death, the afterlife and so much more. Dr. Medhus is the author of My Son and the Afterlife: Conversations from the Other Side. Erik has authored his own book, My Life After Death: A Memoir from Heaven. Website: ChannelingErik.com Dr. Carol Maikalani Hannum is a medical intuitive who developed a powerful healing technique called the Holon Method, which was the result of over 30 years of studies in many disciplines, including Reiki, Herbology, Homeopathy, BodyTalk, Healing Touch, and Applied Resonant Dynamics. Carol has been recommended as a healer by Dr. Norm Shealy. Carol holds two Minister’s licenses and received a Doctor of Divinity degree from the AIWP, the Association for the Integration of the Whole Person. She also holds a degree in Landscape Architecture and has designed passive solar houses in Sonoma County. She is the author of “The Holon Method - A Breakthrough in Energy Medicine,” which is a step-by-step guide to this powerful self-healing modality.

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The Holon Method ™

A Breakthrough in Energy Medicine and Step-by-Step Guide to Powerful Self-Healing

Carol Maikalani Hannum, D.D.

Website: http://www. holonmethod.com

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Rising Stars Profiles of Conscious Creatives you may not yet have met ... Yogi Amrit Desai is an internationally renowned yoga master, and the founder of the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, the largest in the U.S., and the creator of Kripalu Yoga. Currently he is the spiritual director of the Amrit Yoga Institute in Salt Springs, Florida, where, at 83 years young, he continues to refine his unique methodology of an integrated yoga practice as Amrit Yoga, which combines the spiritual dimension of authentic yoga with the physical practice of asanas. The style of yoga he developed is now taught by thousands of teachers in 40 countries. As a master in the holistic living, he is also the author of numerous books. His latest, and very timely entry into the world of literature, is The Yoga of Relationships: A Practical Guide to Loving Yourself and Others, published in July 2015. You can learn more at www.amrityoga.org

Capping a 50-year career in publishing, a new edition of Toinette Lippe’s book, Nothing Left Over: A Plain and Simple Life, has been released. The book speaks of “interior housekeeping” and illuminates the true measure of a life lived in terms of usefulness and integrity rather than accomplishment or possessions. With subtle wit, wonderfully evocative language, and cleareyed wisdom gleaned from her own experience, Toinette teaches us how to discern what is essential and let go of what is not. This “primer in grateful living” (Brother David Steindl-Rast, OSB) shows us how to move through the day with integrity, elegant economy, and grace, and will be of particular interest to female readers on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual seeking. Toinette now devotes herself to practicing and teaching East Asian brush painting, which she teaches on the Upper West Side of New York City. You can view and purchase her paintings and cards at www.toinettelippe.com.

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Rising Stars Profiles of Conscious Creatives you may not yet have met ... Paula Muran is a New Thought Leader and a futurist in the field of higher mind consciousness who specializes in the unconscious patterning of belief systems and how-to resolve the conflicted ego mind-- developing a relationship with your true self. Spurred by a profound spiritual awakening experience in the mid-80’s, her extensive background in transpersonal psycho- spiritual healing enabled her to develop a cutting edge and powerfully effective technology for strengthening the individual not only emotionally and mentally, but also spiritually. How often do you know what the real issue is behind your anger or frustration? Paula suggests that there is no new anger. It’s all old anger from unresolved situations of the past. She has packaged her knowledge in an eCourse called “What’s the Issue,” a revolutionary new way to find out what’s really troubling you. Her website is www.PaulaMuran.com

Neal Katz is a semi-retired, successful, serial entrepreneur, and former stockbroker with a passion for women rights. He has taught A Course in Miracles, produced Oregon wines under the LOVE, a Wine Co. label, enjoys reciting Vedic sutras, and writes his own inspirational poetry. His new book, Outrageous, the Victoria Woodhull Saga, is a semi-channeled dramatization of the life of an extraordinary woman who rose from being abused and prostituted by her father, to becoming the first female securities broker on Wall Street, and a fiery campaigner for women’s rights. It also exposes the historical basis for the current manipulation of the “free markets” of stocks, bonds and commodities. Neal has pledged half the royalties from this book to a foundation for the empowerment and economic improvement of women, in tribute to Victoria Woodhull and her passion for woman rights. Find out more at: http://thevictoriawoodhullsaga.com

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Rising Stars Profiles of Conscious Creatives you may not yet have met ... Founder and director of the Institute for Circlework, Jalaja Bonheim, PhD, is one of the world’s foremost experts in the use of circle gatherings as a tool for empowering women. A uniquely skilled facilitator, Bonheim has trained hundreds of female circle leaders from around the world and is internationally known for her groundbreaking work with Israeli and Palestinian women in the Middle East. Growing up German and Jewish in post-war Germany, Bonheim struggled to make sense of the events that had left both the German and Jewish people deeply traumatized. This struggle guided her work and led to new views. Now an internationally acclaimed author and speaker, she shares stores, insights, and hope—grounded in decades of practical experience—with her global audience in her book, “The Sacred Ego - Making Peace with Ourselves and Our World”. Her website is http://jalajabonheim.com Francesca Thoman is an author, painter, Akashic Record reader, and conscious channel. Following a near-death experience as a child she developed a meditation practice and was initiated as a Sufi. She discovered that she was a natural channel, and in 1990 began channeling a 16th-century England Wiccan, Obehon for Spirit Speaks magazine. With Obehon, she created the newsletter, “Familiar Spirits,” and has channeled personalities from Laurel and Hardy, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and George Washington, to ETs and angels. When she was asked to do a piece with Nikola Tesla, Francesca was so enthralled by the depth, integrity, and complexity of the material, she asked Tesla for more. His responses to questions posed by her and others presented a new approach to physics, which she has compiled into a book called, Nikola Tesla: Afterlife Comments on Para-Physical Concepts, Volume One.”

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Rising Stars Profiles of Conscious Creatives you may not yet have met ... Kit Cummings is an author, teacher, and peace activist. He spreads his energy-filled message of power, potential and positive change to schools, prisons, churches, and corporations through life-changing keynotes, workshops, and seminars. Kit is the Founder and President of Power of Peace Project, Inc., a registered non-profit committed to redirecting at-risk youth, rehabilitating young inmates, and inspiring young people to discover and develop their untapped power and potential. He has spoken to tens of thousands of people all over the world, and is now reaching out with his new book, Peace Behind the Wire: A Nonviolent Resolution. Learn more at http://www.powerofpeaceproject.com/

Polls show that most people believe they have a book inside of them that they will get to “someday.” What if they are actually being drawn to do so by Source? Tom Bird, a bestselling author and renowned Book Whisperer, thinks that penning a book is one of the fastest and most surefire routes to a higher level of consciousness and enlightenment, which is why he believes so many are innately drawn to it. As people work through their resistance, fears, and beliefs, he has seen them clear years of emotional and physical pain, and achieve new levels of self-awareness and conscious universal connections that change their lives. His new book, “Write/Right From God,” which is already a #1 Amazon Best Seller, claims that the reason so many of us are drawn to write books is because through the process we are given the opportunity to commune directly with God, who urgently desires to bridge the gap between the human side of us an the divine within us. His website is http://tombird.com

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Rising Stars Profiles of Conscious Creatives you may not yet have met ... Eileen Day McKusick is a researcher, writer, educator and practitioner who has been studying the effects of audible sound on the human body since 1996. She is the originator of Biofield Tuning (formerly called Sound Balancing), a unique therapeutic method utilizing tuning forks, founder of the Biofield Tuning Institute (Burlington VT) and the author of Tuning the Human Biofield: Healing with Vibrational Sound Therapy (Healing Arts Press, 2014). An experienced teacher and speaker, her extensive research into the field of therapeutic sound spans both the alternative and academic realms. She maintains a sound therapy practice in Vermont, where she treats clients with both in-person and distance sessions, and teaches Sound Healing at Johnson State College in Vermont. Eileen founded The Biofield Tuning Institute, and is the author of Tuning the Human Biofield – Healing with Vibrational Sound Therapy. Her website is https://biofieldtuning.com

Paul O’Brien is a visionary entrepreneur who invented a new category of software in 1989, which evolved to become the world’s largest astrology and divination website. After he sold the company in 2007 he authored three books, the latest being Great Decisions, Perfect Timing—Cultivating Intuitive Intelligence. This book is a manifesto for achieving happiness and success using the author’s Visionary Decision Making principles, which leverage the esoteric discoveries of Carl Jung. Going beyond an explanation of Jung’s esoteric and powerful discoveries—including Synchronicity and Archetypes—the book shows the reader how to put these powerful agencies to effective use in the service of the most impactful human activity there is—strategic decision-making. Paul is a sought-after speaker, radio host, philanthropist and founder of the educational Divination Foundation (Divination.com).

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Reviewers in the Spotlight Cynthia Sue Larson, a best-selling author, life coach, and inspirational speaker who is known as “The Quantum Optimist” for helping people discover their many possible selves and jump into their favorite lives as they focus on the question “How good can it get?” Cynthia has been featured on the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, Coast-to-Coast AM, and BBC. You can watch her videos and subscribe to her free eZine at: www.realityshifters.com

Nelly Bright is a Londoner who loves to travel, both physically and via the pages of a book and her imagination. An intuitive who works with healing energies, she’s an avid reader of non-fiction and classics.

Brent Marchant has been a lifelong movie fan and longtime student of metaphysics. He is the author of Get the Picture?!: Conscious Creation Goes to the Movies and Consciously Created Cinema: The Movie Lover’s Guide to the Law of Attraction, books that provide a reader-friendly look at how the practice of “conscious creation” (also known as “the law of attraction”) is illustrated through film. Brent maintains an ongoing blog about metaphysical cinema and other self-empowerment topics at http://brentmarchantsblog. blogspot.com. Brent holds a B.A. in magazine journalism and history from Syracuse University.

Miriam Knight is a lifelong bookworm who is inveterately curious about how the world works. A passionate proselytizer of unity consciousness, Miriam found her sweet spot as Publisher of New Consciousness Review and host of NCR Radio. She also offers book and eLearning narration services at www.miriamknight.com

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