May issue by Maryam Morrison

EDEN T h e

Magazine

TARA-JENELLE WALSCH

Soulful Author, Speaker & Artist

Being Loyal to Ourselves comes first By Angela Dunning

Scott HARRIS

A favorite among celebrities, C.O.O. & Co-Founder of Building Construction Group

RENAE

Conscious pop singer

May issue 2017 Volume 7 issue 5

Things

you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about life on

planet earth

By Annie Kagen

Table of Contents 8

TARA-JENELLE WALSCH

ACHMOWLEDGE MY REPLACEMENT By Barbara Jaffe

AN EVENINIG BENEDITING NCADV

RENAE

LIGHT OF TRUTH By Jan Diana

THE HEART &

SCIENCE OF YOGA

By Leonard Perlmutter

FINALLY, THE BIG QUESTION IS OUT OF CLOSE

By Michael White Ryan

YOU & YOUR DATE

By Georgina Cannon

SCOTT HARRIS

TWO SIDES OF THE RIVER By Cate Montana

THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT LIFE ON PLANET EARTH By Annie Kagen

YOUR JOURNEY TO PURPOSE POWER, & WHOLNESS By Rhys Thomas

Cover by Steven Addington

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EDEN

Photo by Artin Mardirosian

T H E

MAGAZINE

Spreading compassion to all Sentient Beings and Lliving in healing and peaceful world

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MARYAM MORRISON

Maryam Morrison

Contributing Editor DINA MORRONE PUBLIC RELATIONS MARIA ELENA INFANTINO SOCIALITE DIRECTOR GLORIA KISEL-HOLLIS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS JAN DIANA MARTA WILLIAMS TARA-JENELLE WALSCH MICHAEL WHITE RYAN ANGELA DUNNING ROXANA JONES & ARNAUD SAINT-PAUL GRAPHICS ARTIPHICS PHOTOGRAPY BRENDA SAINT HILAIRE PHOTOGRAPHY EVENT PHOTOGRAPY SHERI DETERMAN CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS + MAKEUP ARTIST EDWARD HAKOPIAN WEBSITE www.theedenmagazine.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/TheEdenMagazine To have a copy visit us in www.magcloud.com

Eden Magazine is an independent monthly online magazine. Our aim is to create a better environment where we live among other living being in peace and harmony. We support artists that their work match our criteria. If you would like to submit your artwork, article or/and your Photography For our future issues please contact Maryam Morrison at; maryammorrison@theedenmagazine.com

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Tara-jenelle

Walsch Soulful Author, Speaker & Artist

The first time I spoke with Tara-jenelle I was im-

mediately at ease. It was as if we were old friends catching up, laughing and exchanging ideas about life. To say that she is authentic is an understatement, all which makes complete sense if you know anything about her. Tara-jenelle has built a career around what she calls, “Living Soul-First,” a phrase that suggests the way to connection with ourselves and others is by tuning within and genuinely being yourself. She is the author of the recently published book, Soul Courage, which received accolades just two months after being released in Aspire Magazine’s Top 10 Most Inspiring Books of 2016. The book is filled with deep insight, inspiring suggestions and personal stories, all taking you on a journey to engage your soul in day-to-day life. In 2004, Tara-jenelle launched a greeting card company called, Soulebrate, where she designs and writes unique and colorful cards created to support others in expressing themselves and staying connected. Soulebrate cards are being sold worldwide, carrying messages of empowerment as well as specialty designs for best-selling authors such as Tony Robbins, Byron Katie and Neale Donald Walsch (who happens to be her father). You’ll also find her speaking publically about emotional and energetic awareness, and a concept called, Soulcialize, which she believes has the ability to enrich the world at large. Tara-jenelle was born in Annapolis, Maryland and received a degree in Communications at Towson University in Baltimore. She later moved to Ashland, Oregon to be closer to her father. Our instant kinship led me to offer her a monthly column in The Eden Magazine about Soul Courage and I’m now honored to share with readers about her life, her passion and the courage that brought her to be who she is today.

What is the most important work of your life? I’m really passionate about the reminder that we aren’t just physical beings roaming the earth, there is more to us; we are souls. This seems to be something we often forget or are not open to as we get more comfortable living in the complexities of the mind alone.

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Why? Because I believe this is where connection lives; connection with ourselves, connection with others and connection with the Divine. When we live from a soul level, we begin to experience a sense of oneness with everyone and everything, enriching life in a more profound way. This gateway from physical life to connection with soul opens as we increase our emotional and energetic awareness. When we really feel our feelings and courageously express them, and are more conscious of the energy in and around us—a connection is always created. Doesn’t matter if we’re completely alone or with others, the act of doing so launches a sense of emotional and energetic connection with anyone or thing involved. Your book, Soul Courage, is fascinating, what inspired you to write it? The fact that we’re connecting like this, less and less. At the risk of sounding dramatic, we’re losing each other right in front of our very own eyes. We are forgetting our oneness. And in the few moments that we actually do remember, we are seldom courageous enough to live from that place. The rise of technology has improved our world in some amazing ways—the flip side is that it’s really taking humanity for a spin and shifting the depths in which we all relate to one another. I had a personal revelation around this years ago after emerging from the darkest chapter in my life when I hit rock bottom and was hospitalized for an eating disorder and severe depression. Once I got on the other side of it, my intuition and awareness felt bizarrely enhanced, leaving me with a magnified experience of people and life. I just didn’t see things the same way. In fact, I started to feel them instead of just see them. I was feeling the emotions and energy of my experiences and connecting with myself and others on a new level. It felt like I was connecting from my soul. I knew this wasn’t something special about me, because we are all souls, living in a physical body, so everyone had access to their true selves, as well. But it is going to take courage to embrace the essence of who we really are and live collectively from that place. That’s what inspired me to write Soul Courage.

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What do you mean by the phrase, Soul Courage? Soul Courage is a deep loyalty to who you really are and being brave enough to live from that place. So much so, that all masks and walls of protection drop and you are true to each moment. There’s a certain new-found freedom that comes alive in us when we trust our true self like this and bring all of who we are to our life, sharing it openly with others; our joys and our pains, our wonders and our vulnerabilities, our excitements and our fears. What does it take to access that kind of courage? I’d say the first step to accessing your Soul Courage is to simply be aware of it. Not just in general, but consciously carry it with you throughout your days. After a while, you’ll almost hear your inside-self rooting for you in times when you may bend out of your genuinity. But there’s way more to that answer, a whole book actually, which explains things much more expansively! What do you mean about the moment of our life’s most important realization? This is the time in your life when you realize that “you” aren’t just your physical body, and it suddenly becomes clear that there’s way more to life than meets the eye. How do you believe other people can benefit from what you’ve brought to the world? My hope is that it opens our minds to all of the other layers in life. Not just the physical things that are right in front of our eyes, but that we begin to feel a sense of who we are at our core and realize that life isn’t “happening to us” but that we are part of creating it together. Have you always wanted to be a writer? I’m not sure I looked at it that way when I was little, it was just my instinct to grab a pen and paper to let out so much of what was inside. I did want to be a poet, actually. I was writing poetry and filling up diaries from the time I was 8 years old, and it wasn’t long before I began writing short stories, then online articles as I grew older. When did you first know you wanted to write a book? That question makes me smile because I used to make books when I little. I would cut a bunch of paper into rectangles, punch holes at the ends and sew the pages together with yarn or ribbon. Then fill the “book” with my short stories or poetry (the cover was usually made from some 70’s contact paper). I also made homemade greeting cards for years on end…go figure! But I think when I was in my 30’s I really knew I’d be an author, it just took so darn long for me to build the courage to come out of hiding. 12 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2017

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Was it a challenge to write this book or did it come naturally? Oh, it flowed naturally, just in a cattywampus kind of way! Initially there were chapters and ideas all over the place with little structure or order. But it was fun to print everything out and put it together like a puzzle. Those years of sewing pages together weren’t for naught! Watching it all come together was when things started to feel real. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? Hahaa! Ugh, yea. But I’ve noticed when that happens it’s because my head is in the game too much. I can’t write from that place. I can’t write from my mind. I usually have to switch the energy up and step away from the computer. Take a walk or do something to shake my head out like a snow globe and get the non-sense down to a place where I can reground into me again—then things start flowing. What advice do you have for aspiring writers? I would probably say, try not to stop writing for long periods of time. Keep the flow going and stay consistent with your writing. It doesn’t matter if it’s going to be published or not, doesn’t even matter what it’s about. Could be a book, poetry, stories, wisdom bits, or just getting out some good old fashioned ranting and raving in your journal. I used to write a lot when I was little, but then as I grew older the dramas and responsibilities of life distracted me and I fell out of the habit of regular writing. Sure, I was writing when I was sad or wanted to vent, but it was initially difficult to find my way back on a solid basis. But once I got in again it was like spending time with an old friend. Which, of course, is what I’m doing when I write. Spending time with my inner true self; my soul. Something that’s helped me to stay consistent with writing is a secret that my Dad passed onto me: Write at the same time, every day. By doing this, you create a productive habit and are also telling your subconscious or muse when to show up. My time is early morning when it’s still a little dark outside. It feels like borrowed time to me, almost like Christ-

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mas morning or something. I’m not as dedicated to this process now as I’d like to be, but it was especially helpful when I was writing the book. You also have a greeting card company called, Soulebrate—what was your motivation to start this business and where do you get your inspiration? When I was in a deep depression years ago, I noticed that no one knew how to interact with me—not even my own family and friends. And because they didn’t know what to say to do, many of them just backed off completely. I started noticing that to be true with a lot of people when it came to expressing their feelings. Most people just didn’t know how to respond or reach out to others in need. It was so bizarre because everywhere people were “doing” something to appear as if they were showing up for one another (wearing Breast Cancer Awareness pins, running the Aids race, walking for MS, etc.), but seldom did I see people actually reaching out to others. Calling, hugging, sending cards, opening their hearts up and really “being” there for each other. This awareness inspired me to create something that might help another to feel and express, just a little bit more. Continued inspiration comes from my feelings and life experiences. What keeps you going? The thought that somewhere, in some way, I’m helping another person. Whether it’s through a card they receive, something in my book they read, or through an interaction we have. Knowing that I have opened their heart to feeling or expressing themselves more, or increased their connection with others in some way—that fills my tank. It can be difficult, though, working from home and not knowing whether anything I do is even making a difference. It can really pull a number on me. In those times, I often take out a note or pull up an email from someone that has shared with me how I touched their life in a positive way.

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What do you do for fun? I love abstract painting! Something about it just sets me free—it’s like my mind “leaves the building” immediately upon touching the canvas. I really enjoy the process of expressing my emotions through color and shape and watch as the art becomes a message of its own, without words. And the best part is that there’s no “wrong” way to do it! That’s a major plus for a perfectionist like me! Mostly, though, you’ll find me spending time with my fur angel pug, Sascha. We used to go hiking a lot and he’d run through the Oregon trails, but he’s over 15 years old now and physically unable to do much except love and snuggle. Hey, I’ll take that! If there was one thing that someone reading this could do in their life right now to make ours a better world, what would it be? I would say to be more emotionally and energetically available. Both to yourself and to others. One of the biggest compliments that anyone ever gave me was, “You’re the kind of person that everyone wishes was their sister!” I didn’t take the comment to mean that I’m more special than someone else, but more so that my energy was inviting, safe and that she felt naturally teamed-up with me, like we can often feel with our siblings or best friends. Imagine feeling that way with everyone you know. Imagine engaging like that with strangers! I’m not saying that there wouldn’t be disagreements or conflicts of interest from time to time, but the difference would be that your relationships would be based in connection. All which opens the space to relatability, understanding, compassion, compromise and unification. If we shift our energy collectively in this way, this level of emotional and energetic sharing could potentially be one of the most powerful steps towards world peace. Since both peace and turmoil are a result of human interaction—if we can turn interaction into connection, we will dissolve separation. What are you up to now? Are you working on

anything new? Yes! I’ve been getting a lot of questions since the book came out about how to apply the messages of Soul Courage to everyday life, so I created what I call, Soul Courage Response, as a way to guide people through the process. I’ve just launched a Soul Courage Response comment stream on my website, which is an interactive outreach that allows people to pose any question, dilemma or challenge that they’re facing and get a response from me showing them how to apply soul courage to their situation. In addition to launching this on my website, I’m bringing Soul Courage Response to people in person through speaking events and workshops to guide them directly on how to respond to a dilemma, interaction, or challenge from a place of soul courage. I’m excited to support others in moving through life in a new and deliberate way! If there was a final thought you wished to leave readers with, what would it be? Everything that you do matters. Never underestimate how your feelings and energy affects others and eventually the world at large. In every single waking moment of our lives each one of us is facing the exact same choice—and that is, “How much of me am I willing to share?” At some level, we’re all deciding how much of our overall energy we will let shine through in each moment, genuinely and openly, and how much we will hide, protect, or disguise. When we’re with others, do we have the courage to look them in the eyes and be fully present without putting on a protective cloak? When we’re alone, do we have the courage to feel our feelings without a numbing distraction? Try posing this question, “How much of me am I willing to share?” to yourself, from time to time, and see what comes up. The benefits of keeping an awareness around this are vast, both to our spiritual growth and personal relationships.

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Tara-jenelle applying gold leaf to one of her large, abstract paintings.

Tara-jenelle and her Dad (Neale Donald Walsch) at the Celebrate your Life Conference in 2014.

Soulebrate greeting cards, written & designed by Tara-jenelle. Printed in the USA with recycled paper & soy-based ink. For more information about Tara-jenelle, visit her website www.soulcourage.com and follow her on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/tarajenellewalsch To book Tara-jenelle for a speaking engagement or workshop, contact her at info@soulcourage.com Photos by Steven Addington | Location; Ashland, Oregon 18 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2017

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Acknowledging My Replacement Child Challenges and Letting Go By Barbara Jaffe, Ed.D.

My mother did the best she could with the tools she had; this I know for sure. No mother, no parent, can prepare for the tormented experience of the death of a child let alone begin to heal, even slightly, without help. My brother Jeffrey, 22 months, contracted bacterial meningitis and died within six weeks. My mother took to her bed, where she enveloped her grief within her sheets and blankets and a darkened room. Her doctor paid her a house call to counsel her along with a command to “Have another,” and a slap across her face to startle her out of her grief. She followed doctor’s orders and I was conceived. I am the replacement child, born after my brother’s tragic loss, to fill the vacancy of Child Number Two in a family that had already etched its completed blueprint. My mother never recovered from the loss made all the more painful by her doctor’s harsh ‘therapy,’ as she would refer to his slap over the years. My heart broke for her, especially as I became a mother myself and reflected on the horrific, “What ifs” deep inside many parents as they question their own survival after such a loss and a lack of compassion. Because my mother had no healthy way in which to

grieve or process Jeffrey’s death, she was not emotionally prepared for my arrival. Yes, she overjoyed with a daughter after her two sons, but she did not want to feel the loss of another, so she protected herself from getting too close to another child who might also have needs and could possibly die. As I grew, she loved me from a distance and I came to view her love as unconditional, dependent on my behavior. Early on, without the language or understanding of such dynamics, I became my mother’s savior. I did anything and everything to make her happy, to cajole her out of bed, out of the darkness from which she took familiar comfort. I behaved ‘perfectly’ both in and out of the house. I was determined not to cause her any problems while my older brother Stephen offered no apology in his normal little boy activities. I sensed the added expectations placed upon me long before I could articulate such responsibility. My mother either responded angrily when I was less than perfect, isolating herself once again behind her bedroom door. At other times, when I became ill, she completely fell apart. Even as a little girl, I did my best never to show that I was sick and when I was, I masked my symptoms.

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What I couldn’t conceal, though, was my love of food. Oh how I loved anything that was filled with calories—from burgers, to thick meats, to pizzas, fried chicken and all sweets! While Stephen could literally eat an entire Sara Lee pound cake after school, I was reminded to ‘watch it’ by the age of ten. Again, as the dutiful little girl, I did just that. I became so cognizant of my weight that soon I was more focused on my hunger pains than food. Initial positive comments about my weight loss from friends and extended family were inspiring, so much so that I began to enjoy my days of starvation. Anorexia wasn’t discussed much in the early 60s, an eating disorder I claimed as my own. My mother and I developed a war of control between what she begged me to eat and what I refused. While she could control what I wore through her purchases, and where I went through her driving, she could not control what I chose to eat or not eat. This, then, became our dance for the rest of our lives. Even up to the time she passed away eight years ago, she was begging me to eat whenever I visited. I never fully recovered from the image of the good little girl who found the one way in which to provide control over my fragile existence as the replacement child. Yet, as I mentioned, my mother did the best she could. There were times when she was loving and giving and hysterically funny. The house became painted in invisible primary colors of joy, shared by my father, brother and me. Yet, when her darkness set in, this same house sighed with heaviness, forcing us each to retreat to our separate rooms, allowing Mother to rest in peace behind her closed bedroom door. At the same time, without warning, once again, joy returned for us all when she raised her bedroom shades and dressed with her impeccably matching wardrobe and jewelry, ready to face the day. While there were good and not-sogood days, what became a constant was her under-the-surface sadness that was only relieved by afternoons in bed, which she deemed her “favorite piece of furniture.” Like many children born to fill a void in a family, I grew into a chubby, anxious little girl, with my desire to please not only my mother but also everyone. While I never grew up feeling I was the replacement child, I knew that my birth was the result of poor Jeffrey’s passing. Every once in a while, my mother and I would have a similar conversation, seemingly out of nowhere. My mother would reflect:

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“I really only wanted two children.” I responded with a comment that reflected my growing critical thinking skills: “Mom, where would I be if Jeffrey lived?” Her final statement required no response, and left me in perplexed silence: “Well, Barbara, you wouldn’t have been born.” Still, no matter the circumstances of my birth, and my place in our family, I felt loved and reflect on my childhood with warmth and joy. My resilience, a genetic gift from my father, helped me to mold my challenges into a tapestry of beauty as I navigate my life’s journey. Ironically, I owe much of my natural empathy of others to my own insecurities, feeling less than in so many areas of my life and enabled me to reach out to others. Yet, through hard work—therapy, reflective writing, and the determination to possess what others seemingly own so effortlessly, today, I have a beautifully fulfilling life with deep appreciation for my struggles that have ultimately provided the foundation for my inner growth.

n Barbara Jaffe is the author of When Will I Be Good Enough: A Replacement Child Journey to Healing (Lisa Hagan Books ISBN 978-09974699-9-8, January 2017) she completed her B.A. M.A., and her doctorate from UCLA. Dr. Jaffe is a Tenured Professor of English at a community college in Southern California. A fourth generation San Franciscan native, she has spent her adult life living in Los Angeles with her husband, three sons, two grandchildren, and her very sweet poodle/bichon Emma.

Be Mindful, Be Heartful, Be Empowered

Roxana Jones Arnaud Saint-Paul

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An event benefiting The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) www.ncadv.org www.beverlyhillscenter.com

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Dr. Benjamin Talei and the family

Dr. Benjamin Talei is a native of California graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in Physiological Sciences. He received his medical degree at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Talei then went on to complete his residency training in Head and Neck Surgery at Columbia University and Cornell University Medical Centers, New York Presbyterian Hospital. Following his residency program, Dr. Talei became one of the only surgeons in the country to complete two separate fellowships in Facial & Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery including a fellowship at the Vascular Birthmark Institute of New York. In addition, Dr. Talei is a respected author, speaker and humanitarian. Dr. Ben Talei of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery is a distinguished, dual board certified facial plastic surgeon who values the importance of using his elite training and reputation to help others in need and pursue charitable works. He has a special passion for supporting and raising awareness for the NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence). Dr. Talei hosted a fundraiser party on April 1, 2017 at his new office The NCADV has noted that Dr. Talei has single-handedly raised more funds and awareness for the organization than any surgeon in their history.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) is the voice of victims and survivors. They are the catalyst for changing society to have zero tolerance for domestic violence. They do this by affecting public policy, increasing understanding of the impact of domestic violence, and providing programs and education that drive that change. The NCADV is a grassroots non-profit membership organization with a mission to empower both victims and survivors, and ultimately end violence in the lives of women. Event was planned by Michele Fox Gott from Center of Attention Events. Attendees: to this memorable event were: Dr. Nassif (Plastic Surgeon from Botched) Beverly Todd (Actress) Bijon Hill (Actress) Stevie Mackey (pianist) Alec Monopoly (Artist / Influencer) Caitlin O'Connor (Model) Janice Dickinson (Model) Angie Everhart (Model) Photos by Brenda Saint Hilaire Photography

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photo by Katerina Plotnikova Photography

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Being Loyal to Ourselves Comes First By Angela Dunning

Being faithful and committed to yourself is something which is not encouraged in our society; in fact it is rarely spoken of. Often we think and talk of being faithful and committed only in relation to others, usually our significant other, our partner, husband, wife, etc. At the same time we let ourselves down a thousand times a day through lack of commitment and loyalty if weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not vigilant enough. Through the tiniest of ways we abandon ourselves over and over again. Through ignoring or dismissing our needs, our emotions, our bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs and our energy levels, we let ourselves down repeatedly. Through failing to maintain our boundaries or over-committing to work, projects and other people, even the animals which are in our care, we are incapable of being committed to ourselves the most. And yet, unless and until we can be fully faithful to ourselves; not let ourselves down repeatedly and often cruelly, or remain committed to that we which we need and truly desire, and not be faithless to ourselves over and over again, we can never truly manifest this towards another person.

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Inevitably then, we shall let them down too through failing to commit to them or the relationship fully. We will inevitably fall down and not follow through on our promises, agreements and behaviours. We are much more likely to stray from them, even if not in the most obvious way through cheating on them, but rather through the things we think or say about or to them, causing them to feel cheated by us and feel our lack of faith and commitment.

commitment to yourself. Even giving yourself a ring or other item of jewelry to always wear to remind yourself of your commitment daily.

So what are the ways in which are often not faithful to ourselves? • Not taking care of ourselves sufficiently • Not staying healthy - Eating poorly, not exercising, drinking or smoking, etc. • Not sticking to our stated intentions · Not prioritizing the things which aid our healing and growth · Not taking the time to heal ourselves, maybe always focused on others instead to avoid ourselves · Being too busy, working too long and hard · Partaking in any addictive activities • Whenever we dismiss a feeling, suppress and emotion, be hard on ourselves for feeling weak, vulnerable or fragile • Not resting when we are tired or exhausted • Demanding that we be perfect and ‘good enough’ all the time.

It is this inner commitment to ourselves which really enables us to move forward and flourish. And inevitably it impacts more positively on all of our relationships, most notably our intimate ones.

Loyalty begins with us. How we treat ourselves gets replicated in our relationships and our treatment of and by others; it really does start with us. 1. How hard do you find it to be loyal to yourself? 2. How hard is it to commit to something you really want to create or do? 3. How faithful are you to your values, beliefs, needs and desires? 4. How often do you let yourself down? Or feel (and/or complain) that others let you down, or are unfaithful to you and your needs, values, etc.? In Jungian therapy, much focus is placed on what is called the ‘inner-marriage’. The union of the feminine and masculine parts within each of us, in men and women. The work that takes place in therapy, dream work and body work focuses on discovering, developing and making real this union. Some spiritual practices even go as far as conducting inner-marriage ceremonies, where a beautiful ceremony takes place and you make vows to yourself and state your

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Who knows, maybe it is this wedding ceremony and vow that is of far greater importance to us and society? Maybe this should be our priority rather than displacing our loyalty onto someone else when we have yet to strengthen our ability to commit even to ourselves?

y devoting such time and attention to sorting out our own internall messy relationships, we free up our partner to be themselves and meet us on more equal ground.

p Angela Dunning has been a certified Eponaquest Instructor since 2007. Based in Herefordshire, England, she also practices elsewhere in the UK and abroad on invitation. She delivers gentle yet powerful personal development and training programs in Equine Facilitated Learning to individuals, groups and organizations. She specializes in helping people reconnect to their body, emotions and personal power. She particularly works with women with depression, low levels of confidence and relationship issues, using ground-breaking techniques that make a real difference to your life, your inner healing work and your relationships. In addition, she offers consultancy, supervision and training in equine facilitated practice. Angela is also a passionate writer of books, articles and poetry on related topics. Learn more about Angela and her EFL work and read her Blog here: www.equinereflections.co.uk You can also connect with Angela on Facebook also: www.facebook.com/equinereflections

R RENAE

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RENAE’s infectious pop melodies, soothing vocals, cutting edge productions, and mindful messages are all elements of her music that make her absolutely one of a kind. RENAE is truly a pioneer in a new genre, which she calls Spiritual / Pop or Conscious Pop — music that inspires inner and outer harmony in the world. In French, RENAE means “reborn” and through her unique music, RENAE creates an experience of storytelling, self-discovery, and celebration. Her highly anticipated debut album, “Align,” due out in 2017, is centered on the metaphors of each chakra and will inspire individuals to connect with their souls as a way to live their most authentic and conscious lives. Growing up in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, RENAE was surrounded by music from a young age. While other kids focused on sports and academics, RENAE found an outlet in the arts. Initially shy about performing in front of others, RENAE slowly gained the confidence as she grew up and began to realize music was her true calling. “Once I started performing in front of people, I fell in love with the feeling of connecting with others through song. It’s an exhilarating sensation to feel intimately connected to many people at once.” RENAE best describes her own sound as “pop, cinematic and alternative.” It is infused with hooky melodies and honest stories that will move listeners to a higher consciousness. “I’d like my music and brand to inspire people to reflect and turn inwards. In my opinion, a lot of pop music in our culture right now is sort of passive and pessimistic. I want to give people

art that they can use to heal and that inspires them to live a better life.” Drawn to boldness and authenticity, RENAE cites two of her biggest musical influences as Taylor Swift and Twenty One Pilots. Signed to Universal Music Publishing and Arthouse Entertainment, RENAE (aka Cristi Vaughan) has worked with some of the world's biggest pop music players, writing and placing songs with artists such as Meghan Trainor, 5 Seconds of Summer, Troye Sivan, Aluna George, Leona Lewis, and Little Mix, as well as penning many placements on TV and film. RENAE’s primary team member, producer, and husband (Matt Naylor) has achieved thousands of placements including tracks in Gone Girl, X-Men - Days of Future Past, Django Unchained, Lincoln, and has engineered projects for Selena Gomez, Casting Crowns, and Jason Mraz. Going through a “quarter life crisis” when she turned 25, RENAE would soon find herself on a journey that would undoubtedly change the course of her life and music career. “I had been working in the music industry since I was 19 and somewhere in the midst of it, I lost myself. A spiritual book called, The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle fell in my lap and as I read it, I felt like something profound was shifting in me. Shortly after, I went to a 6-day mindfulness retreat at Spirit Rock Retreat Center in Northern California. It was a silent retreat, meaning all 100 of us didn’t speak for 6 days straight and were challenged to simply sit with ourselves, meditate, do yoga, mindfully eat, hike and draw.

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This was a transformative experience, where I was introduced to mindfulness and self-care for the first time. From there, I started exploring spirituality and psychology more by reading books, adopting a mindful lifestyle, and redefining my purpose and meaning in life. Through this awakening, I've felt called to help inspire others to find their own alignment with who they really are, because when you live from that place, you live your best life and change the world at the same time.” Her upcoming album “Align” is the true product and creative expression of this time in her life. “The concept for the album came to me in Sedona, AZ on New Years Eve, while my husband, Matt, and I meditated with a group of people on the side of a mountain. There was a harp player who took us through a chakra sound healing session, and she explained to us that each of the chakras resonated with a different musical note. A light bulb went off in my head and I thought, why don’t we make a pop music album based on the chakras? As I was becoming more spiritual in my own life, I found it hard to find music I could relate to, to support my journey.” On the album you’ll find 7 songs, each crafted to lyrically and musically embody the metaphor of each chakra. Each song is also written in the chakra's musical key to really enhance the mind-body experience. These songs are RENAE’s stories and ultimate reminders to herself of how to come back home to her true nature. Songwriting for RENAE usually starts with a title or phrase that interests her and from there, she builds a melody and structure around it. She’ll then record a rough cut of the song as a

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voice memo on her phone and soon after, get into the studio to flesh it out with a producer. In addition to her incredible songwriting, RENAE plays both the piano and the guitar. Outside of music, RENAE loves animals, spending time with friends and family, exploring nature and traveling whenever she can. She is extremely passionate about using her voice to give back and plans to give 10% of income from iTunes purchases to charity. Additionally, RENAE studies psychology at the graduate level and in the future, plans to offer workshops and services in the healing arts. “My goal is to use my voice and artistry to raise the vibration of our planet! Music is one of the best ways to do this, as it speaks directly to the soul and body, transcending the intellectual parameters that so often divide us. My new purpose in life is simply love -to feel it within and to spread it to others. I plan to create many albums of work, tour the world, and give love to as many people as possible.” RENAE’s music is not solely about RENAE, but about everyone who takes the time to listen. Her inspiring message is about healing together, growing together, and helping others to become “reborn” into the best version of themselves. “I hope these songs resonate and serve others in their own journey of self-exploration and alignment with their true nature. “ www.renaemusic.com Photos by Matt Naylor

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LIGHTS

OF TRUTH

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Message from the Goddess Mother

with JAN DIANA

By Jan Diana

My Beloved Children of Light,

choice and desire.

“It is with great joy that I greet you this day. We shall share a journey of the heart today which will bring you a sense of great hope for your tomorrows, while living in greater joy in your present time.

You can begin to flavor your life with greater joy and lightness as you accept the lights of truth.

The days ahead are bringing to you new possibilities never before experienced by humans on your glorious world. Of course you know this in your deeper level of consciousness. It was the reason you chose to be here at this time on our beloved Earth. The future is filled with great promise as the elevation of the collective of Earth advances in greater acceptance of the lights of truth. These blessed lights of truth are shining as a constant to lead the way of the heart. It will become easier to recognize these truths in a consciously aware state of mind. The higher dimensional frames which Earth is now offering you to experience living within, makes this possible. As you elevate in your conscious awareness, so does your physical make up and reality. Adjustments are made as you are ready to enter new playing fields of existence. Each new dimensional field offers new opportunities for greater elevation and expansion. Every thought of a lighter value elevates your consciousness. Each time that you love, you elevate. Each time you experience a joyful expression you will feel a greater connection to your heart, elevating the wholeness of you. Your heart knows the lights of truth. Your heart knows all divine truth and can easily recognize and embrace the lightness of it. As we elevate together, each one chooses their personal level of acceptance. This allows each one to be guided to reach what their heart desires in their own timing and readiness. Every person’s journey is unique, flavored by

With lightness comes greater awareness of your personal purpose and life missions. Your personal desires for your life plans were created before you entered the realms of physical existence on Earth. Now is a time to allow yourself to let the light energies elevate, and inspire you and your choices. It is also a time to discover what no longer resonates with your higher consciousness and light quotient. It is a time to release from the old perceptions that are not your truth. Opening up the windows of your mind allowing the light to shine onto your consciousness, is likened to a beautiful flower in the sunlight, blossoming in joy. The lights of truth illuminate the sweet memory of your authentic truth. To remember truth has been a desire of your heart all your life. Isn’t it wonderful that the time has come for this desire to be fulfilled! Feel the sweetness of the lights of truth as they shower their radiance upon you, blessing, loving and elevating you into joyfulness. Accept the wonder of it all, for truly you are ready to receive and know the flavor of who you really are. To be in a state of unconditional loving of self and of all beings, is your goal. This is your true nature, to be that sweet love. When you resist the love with judgments of lesser value, you will experience discord. It is a way for you to know you have slipped off the path of love for a moment, which you can easily shift back onto with a loving joyful thought.

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Imagine being in a state of unconditional loving always. This is the peace you seek. It is within your reach more easily now as you accept the gifts of light being offered on a continuing basis.

Take heart in knowing you will succeed. It is a journey, a progression to remember fully your true self. Each step you take, each breath you breathe leads you closer to this ultimate realization.

Much is being offered to assist and elevate. It is for you to choose whether you will accept these gifts now or at another time when you feel more ready.

It is your destiny My Beloveds. I am with you always shining the lights of truth that your journey will be filled with joy and the lightness of heart. Shamon.”

As you choose the pathways of light, the truth will manifest before you. This will allow you to reach even greater heights of awareness. What you focus on receives creation energy. Choose what you desire to manifest and let your focus be fueling those desires with constructive positive supporting thoughts. There is a simple way to determine if something is of value to place your focus upon. You can ponder on these questions, “Will this focus bring me joy? Will this thought uplift me and others?” If you feel that it will elevate, than focus your loving thoughts and let it begin to manifest. Keep the focus free of doubts or any thoughts that do not support your desire and move into joyful focus. In essence, you are loving your dreams into reality. When you focus on lightness, everything in your life will elevate, because you will elevate. It is a principle of truth that lightness and love expand and elevate. It is truth because your divine nature, your truth is the essence of love. Divine love is always evolving and expanding, lighting up the universes with such sweetness and joy. Your loving thoughts combined with all others who are choosing this focus, lead us all into the New World. This is a dream of your heart. To be living in a world where peace and joy abide as a constant has been a driving force for humanity. A world where there is an abundance of all that brings joy and fulfillment is a dream which you desire to experience and enjoy. Open your heart and mind to allow the lights of truth to guide you. Each step you take leads you into greater awareness of your own lightness. To remember is to taste the sweetness of your divine truth.

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With great love, Your Beloved Mother

j Jan Diana is an intuitive healer, spiritual teacher, and master practitioner. Her mission is to assist clients & students in creating harmony, balance, heightened levels of clarity, develop innate gifts & abilities, empowering them on their personal evolution to create the dreams of their heart. She utilizes several modalities including SVH L3M, Animal healing, GHM, Language of love, Reiki Master, and more. Sessions and Classes by phone. You can reach her at website www.sunshineinyourheart.com or by email sunsinyourheart@aol.com . Free meditation journeys, articles, & classes. www.sunshineinyourheart.com/free_telecasts.html FREE CLASS- “The Gift of the Golden Rose”. Experience the Golden Rose Ray on a journey to the Sacred Gardens of Light, learning how this gift can bless your life. Class information & Registration at: www.sunshineinyourheart.com

CATS AT THE STUDIOS, INC http://catsatthestudios.com/

Cat & Kitten for adoption

Cats At The Studios, Inc is a non profit rescue organization comprised entirely of volunteers. We are dedicated to nurturing, neutering/spaying, and finding a good homes for abononed cats and Kitten. We are looking for volunteers and help please contact us at CatsAtTheStudios@yahoo.com

The Heart and Science of Yoga By Leonard Perlmutter

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Yoga Science Teaches Us How to Transform Energy You learned in grade school science class that energy can appear in either the potential or kinetic form. The electricity in the wiring of your home is available for any use you choose. When you turn a light switch to the "on" position, energy appears in the form of light. This is the kinetic state because the energy is being used or expended. However, when you turn the light switch to the "off" position, the energy remains in the potential state--ready to be used at the flick of a switch. The inherent power of fear, anger and self-willed desire can also be stored potentially or expended kinetically, and it is your personal attention that determines in which state the energy resides. If the mind's conscience, known as buddhi in Sanskrit, defines a particular thought as a form of energy that will enable you to fulfill the purpose of your life (a shreya), it is suggesting that you transform the state of that thought energy from the potential into the kinetic by taking some appropriate action. In other words, you are encouraged to think about the shreya, speak in service to the shreya, and take some physical action in service to the shreya. Such emotions as fear, anger and greed are not inherently bad or negative, for if they're handled skillfully, they can become helpful resources. If the conscience (buddhi) recognizes them as merely an ego or sense gratification that conflicts with your own Inner Wisdom, (known as preya), you are being asked to renounce your attachment to them so that their intrinsic power can be transformed and stored for your future use. The laws of physical science state that energy cannot be created nor destroyed, but it can be transformed. Viewing Yoga as a sister science, the ancients experimented

with controlling, conserving and transforming the energy of thought. Through trial and error they realized that when they renounced a single preya desire-what could be seen as a momentary temptation or a negative thought -the energy of that desire manifested in a different form. Recognizing this process, imagine what would happen if, instead of gasoline, twenty gallons of crude oil directly from the fields of Saudi Arabia were pumped into your car's gas tank. It would wreck your engine. Crude oil is simply of no use in a combustion engine. To become an appropriate fuel for your automobile, the raw oil must first be refined. Each of us has the capacity to employ a refining process that can transform the raw, inherent power of every thought, desire and emotion. When the mind's conscience, the buddhi, intuitively advises that the unusable, destructive and constrictive power of a particular fear, anger or self-willed desire is appearing in your awareness in the form of preya, you, as a Yoga scientist, have access to a mechanism for capturing and transforming that power. This refinement process is accomplished by consciously and willingly renouncing your attachment to the preya. Remember, in every moment, the buddhi is always present to advise you that it's not in your best long-term interest to give the preya your continued attention. If you consciously or unconsciously choose to serve the preya in thought, word or deed, you will experience some form of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual disase.

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Every thought, word and deed is a means for spiritual unfoldment. Recognizing that desire is the fuel for human action, the ancient sages conceived a scientific formula that might well be called the spiritual equivalent of Albert Einstein's E=MC2. The formula they discerned was D = E + W + C. Every desire is composed of three basic components: energy, will power and creativity (consciousness). When you align every thought, word and action with the wise and good counsel of the buddhi by serving the shreya, you'll be led for your highest and greatest good. When you willingly and consciously surrender your attachment to the merely pleasant, comfortable, familiar and attractive preya, you really give up nothing of value. The intrinsic power of the preya is not lost to you. Instead, your voluntary act of sacrifice automatically transforms the preya into internal reserves of energy and will power, and opens the doorway to the superconscious mind--your access to the Divine source of intuitive wisdom and creativity.

ply of power arises within you daily in the form of fear, anger and selfish desires. If you do not expend this power kinetically in the present moment, you can consciously conserve and transform it for use at another time. Yoga Science offers a systematic, practical method for conserving and transforming energy. It's very simple, and all it takes is knowing how to direct your attention appropriately, based on the intuitive wisdom already within you.

Conversely, when you go against the advice of the mind's conscience (buddhi) by serving the ego or sense gratification that conflicts with Inner Wisdom in thought, word and deed, your internal strategic reserves of energy, will power and creativity are diminished. The major crisis of our culture today is not one of IQ-intelligence quotient. Rather, the problem we face individually and collectively is one of WQ--will quotient. In twenty-first century America, countless people possess the intellectual capacity to make brilliant decisions, but because they are habituated to serving the limited perspective of the ego, senses and unconscious mind, their reserves of will power have become bankrupt. Without sufficient will power to exercise discrimination, their reserves of energy and creativity are similarly diminished. The more these reserves are depleted, the more frequent and severe the tension, stress, anxiety, burnout and pain. As in banking, our personal balance sheet always reflects whether deposits or withdrawals have been made. The choice of solvency or bankruptcy is up to each individual. In modern life, you need plentiful reserves of energy, will power and creativity to fulfill your many duties and responsibilities. You have obligations to yourself, your family, friends, business associates, society, the animal kingdom and the good earth Herself. Yoga Science teaches that everything you need for a happy, healthy and secure life is always available in the form of your thoughts, desires and emotions. A ready sup40 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2017

Leonard Perlmutter, founder of the American Meditation Institute (AMI), is the author of an acclaimed book The Heart and Science of Yoga:The American Meditation Institute's Empowering Self-Care Program for a Happy, Healthy, Joyful Life, an encyclopedic guide to meditation and the Yoga Science that supports it. Praised by such international medical luminaries as Drs. Dean Ornish, Mehmet Oz, Bernie Siegel and Larry Dossey, this ultimate guidebook not only explains what to do, BUT WHY TO DO IT. It delves into Yoga Science, the eight-step method for managing the life force energy that propels us and connects us to the infinite power and creativity that is within and without us all. And the result of mastering it is the bliss and daily joy that comes from the realization of our connection. For more information, visit www.americanmeditation.org

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LANGUAGE OF SPACE

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with Michael White Ryan

FINALLY, THE BIG QUESTION IS OUT OF THE CLOSET WHAT IS THIS STUFF WE CALL ENERGY ??? IS IT FREQUENCY, IS IT VIBRATION OR IS IT ELEMENTAL By Michael White Ryan

The word on the street is out, the people on this home planet are waking up to a number of very old seasoned truths! One of them being, you are, or better yet, we are energy. We are an energy producing construct endowed with capacities of unknown proportions and capacity.

to the next including our behavior. We are beings of individuality, of this there is no doubt. Our methods, not our capacity to focus and deliver is in question, for without a simple point destination, our advanced powers of influence are diminished. Where did that focus go?

Fortunate or unfortunate our path has for too long been filled with hand-me-down directions/solutions combined with more ideas than one could fill in a thousand lifetimes. We find ourselves here and now in 2017, standing once again before the I am and the collective self. Dr. R, a famous research scientist whose name shall remain unknown, measures an individual’s concentrated capacity of intention and unconditional love, to alter cellular structure to an individual’s well-being. Is this really an answer to self-discovery, or have we been totally misled/distracted by traditions and unintentional false beliefs in the power of our mindset. No matter how spiritual they may appear to the logical well trained educated fools who keep perpetuating an out-of-date mindset.

Everything is energy, now is the energy in my right arm the same as the energy in my left arm. If not, one may consider the idea, not only is energy multi-dimensional but multi-physically dimensional. Hence the thought, are all energies identical? Now we can proceed/expand on the notion of how the 5 ELEMENTs were birthed into being.

If everything is energy then what is energy and how do we measure it’s influences on humans delivered from the intentions of the Universe!!! Is it possible, our one on one experiences are the Universe’s intentions guiding us back to our original true nature Singular functional organisms we may be, but due to the many contributing internal and external influences, past present and future, we can and do function mentally emotionally and spiritually differently from one hour

Consider this for one moment, do the various five elements, functional behavior patterns (not human behavior) differ widely when in close proximity to one another, FIRE, WOOD, EARTH, WATER and AIR. What may be even more surprising to contemplate is, it may not be a person’s character/persona that we like or dislike but our combined elemental structures communicating far beyond our conscious/subconscious level. The elemental construct of an individual may not be in alignment with another individual’s element structure, they are just totally different. Then as humans do, we mistakenly judge! What a wake up! As two energies come in close proximity to each other, there is a reaction, an exchange, a coupling effect with a resulting consequence in our favor or not. As energies come together there are eight ending results/productions. The three best to describe here, I will be supported (good luck), all remains the same (normal), the consequence takes away from me (bad luck). 43 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2017

As we begin to grasp the idea that energy is elemental as are all humans, we can begin to develop a heart-felt personal relationship with the “ALL THAT IS.” We are fully aware when two energies come together a third is conceived, man-woman-child, Jobs-Wazniak-Apple, mentor-support-Tony Robbins, it’s all around us, there is no such thing as different and yet at the same time everything is one and the same. We are misled by the visual construct of perception. How do we move connectedness over into a mindset which clears the futures path into our expansion? After saying all this, yes, we do have influence, the power of focus, our successes and a capacity to advance, but no matter how great they may appear to be, it is small compared to what we are definitely 100% capable of accomplishing!!! The unseen answers are hidden deep in discovering the courage of, knowing who you are. Unearth your unique elemental structure, this will guide you towards the path of one’s own true talents/skillset/destiny, gifted by “grace” at birth. Now the road less traveled becomes you and one’s purpose is an action/extension of those gifted skills and talents. Time has caught up with us, as the evolution of original true self is now upon all of us in 2017. Oh, yeah baby. Like it or not, there is no escape. In this time-frame of 2017 as individuals we are faced with an intention communication from the Universe. This is a time for personal expansion, to stand face to face and stare with unwavering courage, deep into the eyes of our soul and overcome all which the Universe delivers. At first it may appear a little daunting, this entity we call time, is calling out for us to rebuild a new revised self-foundation based on what our “future real” is for us in this present moment and release the existing foundation based on past experience, assumptions and incorrect self judgements. All energy is one and all energy is different, look around at us humans all the same and all are different. No area in this world functions different from any other, be it the pattern of nature, the pattern of man, the pattern of opportunity. Yes, we can control our choices, but under this process how far can we go. No matter how successful, the path will remain limited. For example, an intelligent man creating his own company alone by choice, after 7 years still in incubation connects to one person then another. Bingo 5 months on, now ready to launch. Success and opportunities only come when we connect to something outside of the self.

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Choice can be a blessing and a bitch, for as long as we are bound by incorrect intention, knowingly or unknowingly and the fear that resists change, we will be forever bound in bondage past. We are confined by giving permission to allow self-judgement and the judgements of others to hold us in a “confined state of being”, we can never deliver the truth of “who we are!!!” Not all energies are meant to be our friend, but please remain aware that all energies are present to support and develop our evolving growth in finances, our business, personal and intimate relationships, opportunities, well-being and and and. Then on a much broader big picture scheme of things, all divine energies are here to support the evolution for all humans as a whole, and that’s the good news!!! Blessings to one and all until we meet again,

t Michael White Ryan is a co-founder with his wife Pamela Edwards of Language of Space. They are leaders in sustainable business growth via Performance Design and Performance Code. Sustainable design encompasses both Western and Eastern philosophies including advanced Feng Shui principles, Environmental Design, Buildings, Alternative Health, Business Advisory Consultants and 20 plus years as entrepreneurs. Recognized in the top 100 globally and are Americas Leading Feng Shui Business Consultants. They are on faculty at CEO Space International one of the oldest business organizations in America today, currently operate in 7 countries and reside in Henderson NV. www.languageofspace.com

You and Your Date By Georgina Cannon

You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly

~ Sam Keen, Baby boomer author and lecturer

At its best, dating is an experiment that can be fun; at its worst, it’s a dismal letdown. Like all experiments, we can learn from failures. What went wrong? Did we set expectations too high? What did you discover from your last two or three dates that you can put into the learnings for the next two or three? Yes, successful dating is usually a numbers game. The smart way to think about dating is to consider it a learning process for mind, body, and spirit. It’s a bit like learning to run a marathon. First you walk, then you jog, then you run 5k, then you run 10k, and then you run the marathon. Slowly does it. In its purest form, dating is auditioning for mating (and auditioning means we may or may not get the part). ~Joy Browne, Dating for Dummies Another way to think of it is that it’s like a wine tasting. Different vintages, different flavors—all are good, but not everyone is to your taste. And that’s okay, too! Yeah, But Why Do I Always Get It Wrong? • How come I always choose losers? • How come they all look so good in the beginning and then they change? • He/she seemed so caring in the beginning, then it became suffocating. • I like strong, self-sustaining women, but the last one left me feeling unnecessary; she was too self-sustaining! • I’m such a giving person. All the women I meet, I end up taking care of, then they leave me. • Why can’t I find someone to take care of me for a change? We are what we repeatedly do. ~ Aristotle If you’re one of those people who keeps repeating the same mistakes when looking for a lover or a mate, you should know you’re in a rut. It’s a conundrum, because we can’t change something if we don’t know a) that it’s our pattern (everyone initially shows up looking so different) and b) how we stop doing that! Let’s take a look at some of the possible patterns you find yourself in. Are you: • Frightened to ask what you want to know for fear of losing the connection: (“Are you … married? in a relationship? seeing someone else?”) • Choosing people who:

– are not close to or talking to their families; – seem to be married to their job rather than the people in their life, always working late, or traveling out of town more than staying in it; – would rather spend their evenings with the boys (or girls) than at home with you; – seem caring, but quickly become possessive and abusive; – have the negative aspects of your father; or – have the negative aspects of your mother. I know we’re talking about dating, but let’s also consider what we hope dating can lead to: falling in love; because you don’t want to fall in love with someone who is: – mean to you; – not fun to be with; – always controlling; – not inclined to be monogamous; – wants to be “joined at the hip,” doing everything together; – shows signs of jealousy; – drinks too much; – uses illegal substances; – is moody and sulks; – puts everything and everyone else before you (i.e., job and buddies). We need to be aware of what not to ignore. Yes, some of these may seem obvious but, trust me, it happens. I’m not sure if people think they can change their partners or just choose to ignore the obvious. Don’t! That’s the not-so-good news. Now for the good news! You’re dating as a grown-up! If you’re smart, you’ll dispense with the game playing—the mind reading, the jealousy or hard-to-get game—and get real right from the get-go. That doesn’t mean you tell all on the first date; it just means, be who you are. Really. Dating is about finding out who you are and who others are. If you show up in a masquerade outfit,

neither is going to happen. ~ Henry Cloud, How to Get a Date Worth Keeping

Trudy is a 32-year-old lawyer—chic, energetic, with a smile to light up the room. She came to see me because she didn’t understand why the men she chose to date bored her or disappointed her in some important way a few months into each relationship. We talked about the four stages of most dating relationships and decided to investigate together at which stage hers always broke down.

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• Infatuation/Romance stage • What the Heck Happened? stage • Dealing with the Differences stage • Fight-or-Flight stage • Commitment and Co-Creation stage I asked her about the infatuation stage for her. What did she look for in a date-with-potential? She wanted intelligence, someone who is a self-starter, ambitious “like me,” someone who is focused and excited about life. Not a guy who sits in front of the TV and watches sports all the time. She also said she liked slim, good-looking men who were a bit taller than her (“not too much, just a bit”).

between us starts to simmer down and our beloved isn't so magically marvelous anymore. Instead of seeing similarities, we start noticing the differences and our partner’s flaws. Irritability often sets in (How come they changed on me? or They hid that part of themselves from me. How can I trust them now?) Often at this time, one partner draws away and the other becomes clingier, wondering, What the heck happened?

I noticed, but didn’t say anything, that she hadn’t included kind, loving, family values, humor, or respect. Trudy said that it was always exciting, with great sex and anticipation at the beginning, and sometimes that feeling lasted “even as long as two years— my longest relationship.”

“I’m always the one that pulls away,” Trudy commented. “Somehow I always feel betrayed, like there’s a lie between us.” Trudy had become a serial dater, always taking the exit the minute it “didn’t feel right.” She never allowed herself to experience the “Stability Stage,” where the couple learns to discuss their differences and allows the other person to be who they are: different yet respectful of each other and their differences. She didn’t deal with level 3 at all: “Fight or Flight”; she just flew! Trudy never allowed herself to move onto the “Commitment” stage of planning a future together, even though she said that was what she wanted.

“My two-year relationship with Ralph was really good at the start. We had so much in common; we were even born within a few days of each other! Not the same year, but the same month. How crazy is that?!” They traveled a lot together, sometimes piggy-backing on his business trips when she could get away. They took a wine course together, took out a joint membership to the museum so they could attend the lectures together, and started a nonfiction book club with some of their mutual friends. And they were talking about moving in together.

After this discussion—an eye-opener for Trudy—we decided we needed to plan a series of clinic appointments that would help her discover: a) who she really is, underneath the mantle of “lawyer”; b) what she really wants in a life partner—if she truly wants a long-term relationship at all!; c) when and what caused her to be so protective of her vulnerability that she couldn’t allow herself to be emotionally intimate and available—whether it was a childhood issue, or something about her professional persona that didn’t allow her to relax.

Everything seemed fine at the first level of the relationship. So, what happened in the next level? Is this where it breaks down? “Sounds perfect,” I said. “What happened?” “I started noticing how he wasn’t always there for me. Sometimes he’d cancel a date at the last minute, saying he had to work late. Or when I was sick, he didn’t come over because he didn’t want to catch my cold or flu, saying he had an important contract to complete and couldn’t afford to get sick.” Trudy also complained that the sex wasn’t as exciting. It became routine. “Even the flowers he brought for me every Friday were the same flowers,” she said accusingly. The second level is where most relationships start to fray around the edges. It’s then that we start to notice irritating habits as the “frisson” of the new chemistry 48 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2017

y Georgina Cannon is an award-winning author, board-certified, master consulting hypnotist, trainer and founder of the Ontario Hypnosis Centre. Georgina is a regular guest on national and international television and radio programs. Her work gained prominence as a source for news and feature articles on hypnosis, counseling and complementary therapies and her commitment to her techniques and approach has led to international recognition. www.georginacannon.com

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Scott Harris

C.O.O. & Co-Founder of Building Construction Group

Since the age of 5, Scott spent his childhood inventing contraptions and experimenting on how to perfect a home. He then went on to work alongside some of the world’s most influential designers. In Los Angeles, Scott is deemed one the foremost building (general) contractors and the industry’s noted “triple threat” (design, architecture and building/construction) “go-to” experts for residential and commercial properties specializing in environmental (“green”), new technology, renovation, deconstruction, reconstruction, restoration and building as an art form. Co-founder of Building Construction Group in 2006 with stellar William Hefner AIA, Scott has not only redefined what a home should be, but his vision has reached millions, stretching what we thought was the norm for simple construction. Scott's vision,

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creativity and mission reach farther than mere construction. From the heart of a family man, Scott says, “Our goals extend well beyond building the next estate, they project toward building relationships and a respectable, honorable future and environment for our family’s generations to come.” He is a favorite among a long list including billionaires and celebrities (i.e., Paul Allen, Taio Cruz, Kevin James, Kevin Costner, John Paul DeJoria, the Sultan of Brunel, Savoy Hotel-London, LA’s AOC restaurant, San Francisco’s Saint Francis Hotel, restaurants for Gordon Ramsay and Michel Mina), creating elite and jawdropping crème de la crème estates including actorenvironmentalist, Ed Begley Jr.’s new certified LEED PLATINUM home.

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Ed Begley Jr. House, photo by Marina Anderson

Has your passion always been focused on building/home construction? YES. As far back as I can recall, I never felt at home, unless I was building or bettering a home for my family or others. It’s a rhythm that courses through my veins. While my friends wanted to climb the fence to play basketball, I would go the other way and climb the construction fence imagining it was my own job site. I do recall as a child, connecting with the boy in the movie, 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.’ He had an unexplainable drive to build the model he envisioned and when I saw him I related to the calling. I than found out in mid-life, that I came from a long line of creative individuals that migrated here and became furniture builders, home builders, a great Grandfather who built the first Temple in the city of Los Angeles and a jewelry designer. Pulling from my inborn history, I feel at peace building and creating subtlety-jeweled homes that would hopefully make an atheist wonder if there is a supreme builder! How is your work different from any other builder? What makes our work different is, that we literally look beyond the box and weave in subtle repetitive formulas and proportions that some call ‘Sacred Geometry’. There is a feeling, unexpressed, but only felt, when you

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see something that moves you like a wave of electricity. There is achievement in design that is found when something that appears so simple, but indescribably, equally moves a child, a grandmother and a business tycoon. What they all have in common is, familiarity of or own DNA. We found you will never feel more at home, than living in a home that is built replicating the perfect proportions of your own human body. The secret is revealed why are homes are different, yet familiar! We heard that you are the President of the Green Wish Foundation’s board of directors, tell us more about it? While our company and I give openly to our clients through building with the goal of bettering and healing lives, after becoming a father to two beautiful boys, I wanted my children to have an example and a memory of a father that taught them the importance of helping their community. I took on the awesome challenge as the President of Green Wish and in doing so, we reconnected our community, by envisioning and creating some of the largest outreach events in Green Wish’s history. While we did historically well, it’s not all about raising funds it’s about raising conscience, raising our education level and raising the awareness of how to take care of those who can’t take care of themselves.

Actor/TV-Film Star KEVIN JAMES kitchen & Entry What is the key and idea behind your work to turn a home into a sanctuary? No matter how many challenges you may come across in a day, there is often no better restorative place to go, but to your home. When we are sick, we go to our homes to heal. When we are sad, we go to our homes to reconnect with our thoughts. When we are tired, we go to our homes to recharge. When we are happy, we go to our homes to celebrate. We encourage our clients to include a meditation room or space, in our homes we build so they can restore. And, with regard to design, we found purity and simplicity are the ingredients that organically make a home into our haven or, our place of sanctuary. What was it like building the Greenest Home in America for actor-environmentalist, Ed Begley Jr.? I was so honored that Ed and Rachelle Begley selected the Architect, William Hefner and Building Construction Group as the builder to help them build a nearly self- sustaining home. If building were a sport, building the Greenest Home in America would be an akin to the (recycled ironman) Triathlon. It was truly a journey into the future looking at how we build today and exploring the world of building tomorrow and incorporating new thoughts and ideas, blazing a trail that hopefully others can, and will want to follow. Tell us more about Building Construction Group. Building Construction Group is unique in the sense that we cater to those “who know what they want, but don’t know how to get there.” We listen to our clients on a deeper level and draw out what it is that they may have dreamed of as a child, but don’t know how to articulate

it. We then help them balance out their imagination with the latest technological, environmental and safety advancements, and create sanctuaries that touch a spot so deep in our clients’ lives that with every turnover, they toast a glass to us, smile, and then suddenly say. “You made my dreams come true.” Who were some of your clients that you can share their name with us, and why you think they choose you? In hindsight I never tried to seek out clients with names that were recognizable to most, and only focused on the craft of building. Somehow, every client we have is a captain of their industry and we are currently working on some of the most famous estates in the world…and I think back, as you ask this question…how did this come to be? I’ve come to find that our clients are not rich, or successful, or a star of entertainment because they were born lucky. I’ve come to find that they are some of the hardest working, most dedicated and generous individuals I’ve ever met. While I don’t know it to be true, I would like to think that perhaps I became a captain of my industry and work equally hard and perhaps like-minded people attract like-minded people? As far as who is on our client list, besides a few public ones like Ed Begley Jr. we honor our clients by keeping it mostly private.

www.buildingcgroup.com/content www.facebook.com/scott.harris.3388?fref=ts https://preprod.instagram.com/scott_harris_building

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Two Sides of the River By Cate Montana

In response to Earth’s need, a tribe deep in the rainforests sent a young shaman to the country called America to learn about modern Western ways. He'd been in the country for six months studying the culture when (in something of a panic) he began to ask people an important question. “Where are your women?” he cried. “What do you mean where are our women?” people replied, puzzled. Once upon a time there was a planet filled with people who “Where are your women — what are they doing?” had forgotten the river of life has two equal sides to it: the “What a silly question! Can’t you see? They’re working as mind and the heart. teachers and doctors and bus drivers right along with the guys. Why?” For thousands of years the heart and its wonderful wild emotions helds way, and the people danced and reveled The young man said, “In our tribe we understand that men and sang. Then the tables turned and the mind took over. and women embody very different qualities and thus have Wonderful discoveries were made and technology flowered. different roles to play. But there's one job that only the But soon the Earth began to groan under the weight of women can do that’s the most important job in our tribe. profit, greed and progress. And the people forgot how to In fact, the survival of our tribe depends upon women fulsing. filling this one task.”

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der if all the fish, all the animal skins and all the huts she’d acquired had been worth it. Perhaps there was another way to be? Haunted by the shaman’s story, driven to discover what made the women of his tribe so powerful they could tell the men to STOP, she journeyed to his tribe to learn. She did medicine ceremonies with ayahuasceros deep in the Amazon; she climbed to shamans’ huts high in the Andes. And everywhere she went the people told her: “Go into your body and be present and connect with it. Listen. What does your heart say? Its voice is the wisest of all.” But oh! It was hard! She’d forgotten how to trust what lay inside her! In her modern world there was no time to listen or feel. She’d been trained to depend only on her mind; to use her body for only one thing; told her heart should only belong to one. No wonder she’d felt so frightened, weary and alone!

The young shaman continued earnestly. “Your modern world is headed over a cliff. Why are the women in America not telling their men to stop?” An American journalist heard this story and it rocked her world. She looked at her life and realized that, like most women, she'd been raised to learn how to cut the trees, fish the rivers and hunt the game. It had been wonderful and exciting and she felt proud she’d been as good as any man at her tasks. But she'd worked so hard and set such a brutal pace that at times she wondered what her life was for and whether there were more meaningful ways to live. She began to won-

She stayed with the tribe, remembering her connection with the Earth and the importance of the heart songs of others. Her heart flowered and she grew strong in her love for herself and her caring for the world. She went back to America and wrote and shared. And then one day she looked around and saw she’d been joined by so many people who’d also learned to open their hearts as well as their minds that she couldn’t count the faces their numbers had grown so strong. And the whole planet lived happily ever after as both mind and heart were finally rejoined as one.

[ Cate Montana, MA is the author of Unearthing Venus: My Search for the Woman Within and co-author of The Heart of the Matter: A Simple Guide to Discovering Gifts in Strange Wrapping Paper and The E-Word: Ego, Enlightenment & Other Essentials.

Photo credit: Shane Gorski

Curious, people asked, “What task is that?” “It’s man’s nature to be single-minded, aggressive and competitive. Because of this he will hunt until there's no more game left in\the forests. He will fish until there are no more fish swimming in the rivers. He will cut down the trees until there are no more left standing to cut. “It's woman's nature to be connected with the whole village and aware of the needs of the earth. She is open to deeper kinds of information. She is loving and peaceful unless you rouse her anger. She wants life to be in harmony. “Left on his own man-kind will destroy everything. It's woman-kind’s job to tell the men when to stop.”

She lives in the Pacific Northwest www.unearthingvenus.com 57 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2017

Things You Didn’t Know About Life on Planet Earth By Annie Kagan

I grabbed a pen and began writing my brother’s words as he spoke. Nothing would have been odd about that had Billy been sitting next to me or on the phone. But my brother had died three weeks earlier after being hit by a car. At first, I couldn’t be sure if he was real or some sort of weird grief-induced reaction to make me feel better about his departure from earth. When Billy was alive, he was far from perfect. My bad-boy brother did a lot of things that most people would consider big mistakes. But as Billy traveled through the afterlife, not only did he describe a realm of bliss beyond all imagination, he also taught me some interesting things about life on this illusion-filled planet called earth.

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8 Things You Didn’t Know About Life on Planet Earth 1. JUST BECAUSE THERE’S A LOT OF PAIN IN LIFE DOESN’T MEAN YOU’VE DONE SOMETHING TO DESERVE IT. Pain is part of the human experience, as natural as breath, or eyesight, or blood moving through your veins. Sometimes you fix one hole and another pops up. It’s supposed to be like that though, so don’t be too concerned about it. Pain is part of the earth deal. 2. SOCIETY TEACHES LIMITATION. No matter what you’ve been taught, everything you ever need is already inside you. And who you really are is far beyond your comprehension. That’s why living squeezed into the human experience can be painful at times. 3. THERE ISN’T JUST ONE RIGHT WAY FOR THINGS TO TURN OUT. Some endings are happier, some not so happy, but it’s not just the happiness percentage that matters. It’s the music of it. Most people’s lives don’t have enough music. And sometimes, darkness is okay. Don’t overlook the riches contained in the darkness. Life’s very temporary, so don’t let time just pass. Let the moments fill you, the ones you judge to be good as well as bad. 4. WE’RE MEANT TO ENGAGE IN ALL KINDS OF THINGS ON EARTH, THINGS THAT DON’T MAKE SENSE FROM A HUMAN POINT OF VIEW. Take a moment before you judge your fellow man, or yourself, too harshly. You’re all dealing with circumstances you signed up to explore before you were born. But don’t be hard on yourself if you can’t master the attitude of absolute acceptance of yourself and others. You’d have to be a Buddha to be that advanced. 5. DON’T BE OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW YOU LOOK IN THE EYES OF OTHERS. People will pretty much see you as they want to. People are fond of opinions that suit their needs. They’ll try to assign you various roles, and some of them won’t be particularly flattering. Play your part in the cosmic drama, but never forget: you choose the way you see yourself. Don’t let others do the casting. 6. LIFE IS ABOUT DRAMAS THAT CHANGE YOU.

Most people are scared of change, but changing is the double fudge frosting on top of the cake of life. To stay free, find the glory inside yourself, beyond the ever-shifting dramas. Then, you can dance the game of life with a little more rhythm, a little more abandon, a little more shaking-those-hips. 7. THE CONCEPT OF AN EYE FOR AN EYE, TOOTH FOR A TOOTH KARMIC EQUALIZING OF THE SCORE ISN’T THE REAL DEAL. We aren’t acting out some type of I-did-somethingwrong-to-you-in-another-life-and-I’m-paying-forit-now kind of thing. It doesn’t really work like that. It’s more a kind of experiment chosen for soul-type reasons that humans have an almost impossible time understanding. And not understanding is an important part of the experiment. If you knew the workings of the experiment, it would lose some of its punch, and that losing of punch, well, that’s a little bit of what enlightenment is all about. 8. IF THERE’S ONE THING WORTH DOING ON YOUR PLANET IT’S DISCOVERING SELF LOVE. It’s a matter of "discovering" instead of "learning" because learning implies you're starting from zero; but the truth is, you already love yourself. When you're born, when the amnesia happens, you forget your magnificence, and think you have to earn the right to be loved. How can you earn what already belongs to you?

Annie Kagan left her career as a chiropractor and her hectic New York City life in search of serenity in a small house on the tip of Long Island. When her brother Billy died unexpectedly and began speaking to her from the a fterlife, her future took a surprising turn. She recorded her conversations with Billy from the other side and published them in her debut book The Afterlife of Billy Fingers: How My Bad-Boy Brother Proved To Me There’s Life After Death (Hampton Roads, 2013) www.anniekagan.com www.facebook.com/AfterlifeBillyFingers

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Whole Body Vibration Might End Loneliness By Becky Chambers

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I’m alone . . . but not lonely, well maybe a little lonely. I’m traveling, on tour with my business for six months through areas of the country where I know no one, and my mother passed away one month into this trip. It is a scenario that once would have devastated me with loneliness. Now, it is manageable; I make friends much more easily and I have friends in other places I can talk to, and I have work I love that keeps me busy and connected. Loneliness was an unwelcome companion most of my life. My earliest memories are of not feeling a part of the group, always the outsider. This got worse as I got older. The typically difficult teenage years were excruciating, my early twenties a wasteland. I had virtually no friends, weighed 200 pounds, was wildly bulimic and severely depressed. Not surprisingly I didn’t go on a date until I was 25 years old. Eventually I married that man, which helped but did not solve the problem; I was still lonely. In my 30’s I found homeopathy (energy medicine) and later whole body vibration (WBV), a revolutionary mind, body and spirit therapy, and in subtle and dramatic ways my life began to change. Things I had struggled to achieve all my life (and failed using numerous other approaches) suddenly began to just happen. I was thrilled beyond measure. I was like Sally Field receiving the Oscar, “You like me!”

That was the first year. Since then I have been on such a dizzying arc of change that it is almost inconceivable . . . busy becoming the person I was meant to be, a bright and shining joyful light no longer hidden under an obliterating blanket of negative energy. The transformation began with homeopathy, a form of energy medicine with a 200-year history of success worldwide. Once, homeopathy was so popular in the US that there were hundreds of homeopathic medical schools and thousands of homeopathic pharmacies. It was crushed in this country, though, by the exploding western pharmaceutical/medical industry of the early 1900’s with its seductive drugs and technology. But drugs and surgery are illusionary (though sometimes necessary in emergencies) — they do not change your energy, the guiding force of your body, mind, and life. Homeopathy works through resonating energy wavelengths to amplify your energy and ability to heal. This can lead to huge changes in your physical body — like when a singer hits a note (sound waves) and a glass shatters. Our thoughts and feelings have energy, as can be seen with a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of our brain. When the correct resonating homeopathic remedy is given, one that truly resonates with a person, it can “shatter” a negative thought pattern, leading to deep healing on all levels: the body, mind, and soul. 61 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2017

Whole body vibration (WBV) is a booming body, mind, and spirit therapy that raises serotonin, almost immediately giving you a quick anti-depressant effect. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in our brains that western anti-depressant drugs target. High levels of serotonin are linked with a calm, happy mood, self-confidence, and motivation, all of which is, of course, very helpful for your social life. However, to achieve good long-lasting relationships, perhaps especially in the intensity of a romantic relationship, one needs to let go of negative thoughts and beliefs, i.e. change your energy — because we attract that which we radiate — this is The Law of Attraction. You must come to love yourself with the greatest of unconditional love, like a mother loves her adored child. Most especially you must love that soft tender part inside of you that is hurting and angry, like that archetypal mother would love her injured child. Love that soft tender part because that child needs and deserves love, and because it is true that you can only love another as much as you can love yourself. WBV was originally developed for Olympic athletes in Russia some 50 years ago, and it is most famous as a workout, but it is a powerful energy therapy as well. We are all liquid crystals, in the sense that we are highly organized molecular structures. And all crystals have a physical property called piezoelectricity, which is the ability to turn mechanical vibration into electromagnetic energy. So, when you stand on a vibrating plate your body will automatically turn the vibration into the exact electromagnetic energy you need to balance your energy meridians and spin your chakras. My experience with WBV over the last fifteen years, has been that WBV speeds up the rate of energy change. It seems to be an energy detoxification method, helping to bring buried negative energy to the surface where it can then be let go with a homeopathic remedy. Negative energy (beliefs and thoughts) arises from trauma, whether it is physical, psychological, emotional, or sexual, or even from a previous generation or life. Imbedded deep in our subconscious, these negative thoughts and beliefs often get stuck, and as new ones come along from new traumas, they pile up, like the layers of an onion. You can let go of the top layer with the help of homeopathy, but it is likely that there will be more than one layer of negative energy accumulated over your lifetime (s). Normally it can take quite a while for another layer to rise to the surface. Classical homeopathy addresses each layer as it arises with a single remedy to cover the whole 62 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2017

mind-body-emotional state for that layer of negative energy. Some homeopaths feel that if the correct remedy for a chronic condition has been chosen, you should only need one deep-acting “constitutional” homeopathic remedy in your lifetime. In my case, as I continued with both the WBV and the homeopathy I saw increasingly rapid change. I ended up needing many different homeopathic remedies, and at an increasing rate. One could think that perhaps I needed more remedies because the WBV was hurting me somehow, but along with my physical symptoms improving I also saw my mental health and life circumstances improving. This told me that I was on the right track, despite the fact that I was breaking the rules of classical homeopathy. I have now been at this a long time — it seems I had an Eiffel Tower sized onion of negative energy layers — but it also reflects the enormous arc of change I have experienced. I am now vastly more accepting and loving of myself, which means I am much more able to take care of myself in all the ways I need to in order to have a good life. And that feeling of comfort and love I have for myself extends outward, radiating, and attracting other people. Mostly I am no longer lonely, whether alone or not.

y Becky Chambers, B.S., M.Ed., is a natural health practitioner, teacher, author, and the president and owner of Vibrant Health. She specializes in homeopathy and the revolutionary body, mind, and energy therapy of whole body vibration. Becky is one of the most experienced independent experts in whole body vibration in the United States. Her book, Whole Body Vibration: The Future of Good Health, has been the best-selling book in the USA about this revolutionary technology since it was published in 2013. Becky second book, Homeopathy Plus Whole Body Vibration, explores the synergy between energy medicine and whole body vibration. Her website is www.BCVibrantHealth.com

Your Journey

to Purpose, Power, and Wholeness By Rhys Thomas

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What if you could buy a ticket to the life you’ve always wanted to live, the one you know you were born to live? Like most people, you’d probably step right up. But the truth is you don’t need a ticket for something that is already within you just waiting to be discovered. What you need is to get clear on what your purpose in life is. Then the road ahead is easy. It spreads out before you, and suddenly you have the energy to accomplish all that you desire. The life you were born to live…. So how do you figure that out? Well, you can’t figure out your purpose. Instead, the path to that deeper self-knowledge is through tuning into and then trusting your feelings, an experience of resonating rather than reasoning. The key is you realizing that who you are is your purpose. You think your purpose is something outside yourself that you will eventually catch up with and then get to live. Sorry, but your purpose isn’t out there. And that’s the good news. Discovering your purpose is a matter of feeling what it is, not doing what it is. Trying on different careers endlessly, jumping from one job to another, hoping one of them will be “it,” is exhausting and defeating. Or maybe you’ve been stuck in a work situation or relationship that has never been the right one for you, but you tolerate it and suffer silently because it’s what you are “supposed to” be doing.

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But when you learn to feel your unique calling that has never left you since the day you were born, all that shifts. You have the power to close the gap between what you feel is your purpose and what you actually do in your life to express that purpose. The 5 Soul Qualities From my decades of experience practicing martial arts and energy medicine, as well as studying and applying the work of revolutionary thinkers Alexander Lowen and Wilhelm Reich, I’ve learned that each of us has a unique quality that can be felt energetically, and that quality connects you to your deepest purpose in life. There are five universal human qualities embodied in each of us, visible as distinct physical types and representing unique soul qualities. These five qualities make up five “soul profiles” of people who are born to live a life of creating, feeling, caretaking, leading, or achieving. All five are equally essential in the world, and when you discover which one you are, you will make sense of your life. How you choose to express the qualities unique to each type is yours to discover. Which one do you feel yourself resonating with? Are you a creator, bringing forth the future through you brilliant ideas; or a feeler, tuning into subtle levels of human emotion and love; or a supporter, being the loyal one who holds any system together; or a leader, destined to inspire the masses; or an achiever, responsible for seeing the bigger picture and getting the job done? These are the five kinds of people in the world, and each of us is a combination of the qualities represented. But only one of the qualities describes your primary purpose in life. You will resonate most deeply with one of these— the creator, the feeler, the supporter, the achiever, or the leader—because you were designed to live and feel your best in the energetic field that is characteristic of one of those states. Once you reconnect with this dynamic quality of who you are, and fully embrace it in your life, your purpose is naturally expressed, first in yourself and then in the world. When you are aligned with your unique soul profile, living on purpose soon becomes second nature. When your purpose is integrated at that deeper level, you can have the life you’ve always wanted, including success in

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your career, fulfillment in your relationships, and the energy and well-being to fully enjoy your life. You know what to do, and you never have to figure it out. It starts with feeling your purpose from the center of your being and having the courage to express your unique quality. Are you called to create through your ideas, to feel from your heart, to support the team, to lead the masses, to achieve the greatest mission? Only you know why you are here, and that is linked to who you are. The place to look for your purpose is where your purpose has always been—inside you. To know your soul’s purpose is to embark on the journey of a lifetime. Along the way, you will find your unique place in the universe and come to live as a whole person, the person you were born to be.

y Rhys Thomas is a visionary author, speaker and trainer in the energy medicine field. He is celebrated worldwide as a pioneer in energy medicine due to his synthesis and re-interpretation of energy medicine techniques for personal and professional transformation. He is the creator of the Rhys Method® Transformational System taught exclusively at the Rhys Thomas Institute of Energy Medicine in Attleboro MA, and as part of Rhys Thomas Coaching Programs. His most recent book, “Discover Your Purpose: How to Use the 5 Life Purpose Profiles to Unlock Your Hidden Potential and Live the Life you Were Meant to Live,” is available through Amazon and also on his website, www.rhysmethod.com.

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2. A pet available for adoption may have already been trained to respond to basic commands like come, sit, go, etc., and hence it reduces the trouble of training them from scratch.

10 Reasons Why You Should

Adopt a Pet By Victor Wade

3. Pets available for sale in pet shops are reared for the purpose of selling, keeping profit in mind rather than the health of the pets and are therefore, often sick and behaviorally troubled. Pets for adoption are not reared for commercial purposes. They are available for adoption because their previous owners had to give them up due to certain unfortunate reasons for which the animals are not responsible. Since, before being available for adoption, they had an owner who took care of them, they are generally healthy and well behaved. 4. Pets for adoption come in every size, age, breed, and color and thus you get a wider variety to choose from. 5. Most pet shop owners keep the animals in horrible conditions and the elderly female animals are treated as breeding machines. They have no genuine concern for these animals. Without purchasing from them, you can feel self righteous as you have not given them a dime. 6. Most of the older animals available as pets for adoption have already been vaccinated. So you don't have to bear the additional task of getting them vaccinated. 7. By adopting a pet, not only are you giving it a home, but also you are helping provide shelter to another homeless animal which will be taken in, in place of the animal you have adopted.

Thinking of having a puppy that wags its tails and runs to you joyfully at your every beck and call? Or, thinking of having that cute little ball of fur called a kitten running about playfully in your house? Thinking about going to the nearby pet store to buy one? Stop your pet search then and there, and think, "Why should I spend my money on buying a pet when I have the option of adopting one?"

8. Having an animal as a pet has been found to be psychologically and emotionally beneficial to their companions. Not only this. The feeling that you have saved an animal by adopting it also gives you self-satisfaction and makes you feel proud of yourself. 9. When you adopt a pet from a pet shelter, they inform you in advance about the "do's and don'ts" so that you become well aware of what your pet loves and what provokes it. 10. Last of all, you can brag in your social circles about having adopted a pet!

Makes sense, right? Well, as you will see, besides saving your bucks, adopting a pet comes with tons of other advantages.

Now that you are convinced about the benefits of adopting a pet, make a pet search on the internet and find out the nearest pet shelter from which you can adopt your pet.

1. As mentioned above, pets for adoption generally cost less than the ones available for sale in pet shops.

Pets are a blessing to humans. They act as great companions and great friends. So give them the love and care that they deserve.

In Memory of Beloved

Ally

Ally was adopted 14 years ago by Marian Montelongo. After finishing basic training Ally became a therapy dog for 12 years. Her innate ability to love and heal had no boundaries. She was loved and now is deeply missed by many. Ally was and always will be my heart and soul dog. Run young and free sweet Ally. July 2003 - April 2017

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Art Hearts Fashion Shows Presented by AHF Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness During LA Fashion Week

Duke DeAndre Richardson & Prince Manvendra

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) were again partnered with Art Hearts Fashion during LA Fashion Week to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and promote sexual health through HIV/STD testing. Founded by fashion designer and producer Erik Rosete in 2011, Art Hearts Fashion has become an important platform in the fashion industry, and its popularity has led to

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featured shows in both the Mercedes Benz New York City Fashion Week and Los Angeles Fashion Week. The Eventheld fashion show was attended by Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s openly gay Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil and was featured designers including Lily Marotto, Jonathan Marc Stein, Charles and Ron, Rich by Richie Rich, Fernando Alberto Atelier and Mister Triple X. Social media star Shannon T. Boodram (@ Shanboody) will provide live updates from the show.

AHF has been the presenting sponsor of Art Hearts Fashion for three years. Most recently, AHF partnered with Art Hearts Fashion in February for a pre-Valentine’s Day fashion show event during New York Fashion Week to celebrate International Condom Day. This year’s International Condom Day theme, “Always In Fashion,” promoted the safer sex message that using condoms never goes out of style. “We are always excited to partner with Erik to present Art Hearts Fashion and provide a platform for fashion designers who support AHF’s mission and want to help

raise awareness about the ongoing battle against HIV/ AIDS,” said AHF’s Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy Terri Ford. “It’s through successful partnerships like this one that AHF is able to reach new audiences with our message of prevention and treatment and keep attention on the fact that condoms are always in fashion!” AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/ or services to over 700,000 individuals in 36 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe.

Jax Malcolm

To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare

Photos by Sheri Determan Madeline Stuart

Stimulating Acupoints To Harness The Dormant Energy Of The Body By Dr. Chien C Lin

72 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2017

Over the last decade, acupuncture and acupressure have become quite popular as major branches of alternative medicine. These medical practices are an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and have a history of over 1000 years. While acupressure involves applying pressure to special points distributed across the body, acupuncture involves inserting needles at these points. Both acupressure and acupuncture are very beneficial as they help relieve a number of problems from headaches to stress to back aches to pregnancy related issues. What's the philosophy? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is the energetic makeup of the body that determines health and illness. "Qi" or "Chi" is the vital energy that flows throughout the body. It moves along invisible lines or energy channels called meridians. There are 12 regular meridians in the body. Meridians connect organs with other parts and hence they are often known by the name of the organ they influence. The large intestine, small intestine, stomach, gall bladder, bladder, lung, heart, spleen, liver, kidney and pericardium (heart) are names of some of the meridians. Acupoints are points mapped out along these meridians; they are gateways for the entry and exit of energy in the body. Acupoints are also called xue and tsubo. There are almost 350 acupressure points across the body. When the flow of energy is blocked at any of these acupoints, it causes diseases, aches and pains. The ailments could affect any of the organs along the meridian. The imbalance can be corrected by simply applying pressure to acupoints. Applying pressure stimulates the acupoints and corrects the imbalance. Thus, it restores health. The Amazing Effects of Acupoints • People with chronic migraines can use acupuncture as a treatment measure. Stimulating the acupoints relieves ordinary headaches as well as reduces the frequency of monthly migraines. • Antihistamines are often regarded as the only solution for allergies. Acupuncture builds resistance against seasonal allergies and thus reduces depen dency on antibiotic drugs. It is also useful for asthma. • Stress, depression and insomnia are other conditions that can be treated by correcting energy imbalances. Acupuncture sessions increase the secretion of neurotransmitters that help the mind relax. It also creates a feel-good feeling.

• Acupuncture improves heart health. It reduces stress and lowers blood pressure. • If you suffer bone stiffness, discomfort in the back, tennis elbow and Carpal Tunnel syndrome, you can relieve it by a few consecutive sessions of acupunc ture. • This alternative system of medicine also helps for a number of woman's issues. This includes relieving menstrual cramps. For menopausal woman, it makes it easier to control symptoms such as hot flashes. In pregnant woman, it can be used to make morning sickness less severe and to induce labor as well. • Acupuncture can be used to treat digestive disorders and hyperacidity. • Finally, instead of spending hours on the treadmill, you can harness the energy of the acupoints to melt a few pounds and reach a healthy weight. Acupressure and acupuncture are very effective medical practices. However, in order to be a safe, they must be done from certified providers with the experience and required level of training. Acupuncture not only helps maintain good health but also helps relieve pain and balance body energy. Alfred Health Care has certified WFA Acupuncturists specialized in TMC self-healing oriented approaches and modalities.

y Dr Chien C Lin aka. Simon Lin, who is a certified WFA Acupuncturist (World Federation Of A cupuncture-Moxibustion Societies- a NGO in official relations with WHO. He is also a NCBTMB / MBLEX licensed Massage therapist, and specialized in TMC self-healing oriented approaches and modalities. He owns Alabama & California Massage Therapist License. 73 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2017