The Eden Magazine June 2024

Eva

LA RUE

A Stunningly Radiant  and Fiercely Talented

MEET OUR TEAM

Maryam Morrison

Dina Morrone

Alexia Melocchi

Brad wallace

Lisa Joy Walton

JSquared Photography @j2pix

Nikki Pattillo

Artin Mardirosian

Sheri Determan

Dulce Garcia-Morman

Greg Doherty

Ben Rollins

Joe Santos, Jr.

Philip Smith

Edward Hakopian

Susanna Schroadter

Jan Wakefiled

Zee

Emilie Macas

Polly Wirum

Sherri Cortland

EDEN

Since 2010

The Eden Magazine is a free online publication is your guide to healthy living, spiritual awareness, compassion and love for all living beings, holistic lifestyle, mindfulness, organic living, positive thinking, sustainability, and personal development

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

Maryam Morrison

Executive Editor/Contributing Writer

Dina Morrone

Communication Director/Contributing Writer

Alexia Melocchi

Contributing Writers

Dulce Garcia-Morman

Susanna Schroadter

Emilie Macas

Jan Wakefiled

Joe Santos, Jr.

Sherri Cortland

Nikki Pattillo

Polly Wirum zee

Guest Writer

Philip Smith

Contributing Stylists + Makeup Artist

Edward Hakopian

Lisa Joy Walton

Graphics & Photography

JSquared Photography @j2pix

Artin Mardirosian (Nexision)

Sheri Determan

Greg Doherty

Ben Rollins

Isabelle Ruen

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https://bradwallacedesign.com/

325 N. Maple Dr. Po Box 5132 Beverly Hills, CA 90209

56

REINCARNATION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO KARMA by

Barbara Y. Martin & Dimitri Moraitis

63

HOW DOES GOD ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS? by Polly Wirum 66

CONNECTING WITH THE UNIVERSE THROUGH ENERGY by susanna Schroadter 70

THE PERMANENCE OF TEMPORARY EVERYDAY LIFE by Zee

Cover by David Sobel Edited by Artin Mardirosian

74

TOKYO: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND TRADITION by Jan Wakefiled 78

EMOTIONAL FITNESS AND SHADOW WORK by Dulce

Garcia-Morman

86

THE EASY TO START CREATIVE ENDEAVOR THAT CAN BRING JOY AND MEANING IN RETIREMENT by Esther Siegal & Spencer Brewer 94

FORESTS, WATERS, AND LIVELIHOODS IN THE LESSER HIMALAYA by L. Adrian Bruijnzeel, Ge Sun, Jun Zhang, Krishna Raj Tiwari and Lu Hao Covering Climate Now

Are the Tissues The Issues

by Vickie Dodd, M.A

Please note, when I speak of the “body,” I am speaking of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual consciousness contained in this skin and bones package we call our body. We work on the body because we can access all dimensions through the physical form. As we touch the body with sound, we can feel and see the changes that occur.

All that has ever happened to us is recorded in our bodies as frequencies.

Whether engaged in self-care or as a practitioner in service to others, I need to come from a place of being empty, not an agenda of how I’m going to fix anything in those I serve. My intention is to listen and sense from a place of not knowing. My job is to be as focused and present as possible in my listening as I reflect an audible sound print of what the body wants to express.

As I touch someone’s magnetic field, I listen as if I am blind and reading Braille. I follow and see from my inner vision the pathways that wish to be expressed. This listening reveals a palette of pulse, rhythm, and timing of tempo, melody, shape, form, color, and even words. These outer soundings resonate with what is familiar in that person’s inner wisdom, inner teachings, and their own language.

The Formula Is Revealed

Students often want to learn techniques that will promise specific results. In Sacred Sound sessions, we do not know the formula until the body reveals it to us. Our work with sound is an emerging composition comprised of mixed elements.

The body is exquisitely intelligent and knows exactly what is needed—the timing, sequence, and tonal qualities. We are listening and trusting and following the innate wisdom of the body. We only know the formula of a session and what has occurred after the treatment is complete. The formula is being revealed during the session. It’s an active trust that the body will show us what it needs and wants.

We are following the body’s map. Our posture of listening is one of trusting. If we love what we want to know, it will reveal its teachings to us. Listening from love, and with love, takes time and trust and patience. We do not know beforehand what the body will reveal, because listening is an evolving formula, never a preplanned formula. Mind wants to know ahead of time; body reveals what is in the moment. Listen to the tissue!

I do not say, “I’m going to hum here, release sounds there . . .” I come to the body willing to listen and observe, breathe, and move. Together, we experience what arises. We only know what different approaches were used by observing the outcome. The body unravels and unwinds in its most accurate integrity for itself.

While sounding for myself or my clients, I have found it helpful to record my perceptions in a journal in the order in which they make themselves known. I also observed how one action engaged the next.

It’s All in the Listening

By keeping a journal, we start to see the sequencing of the formulas, understand our perceptions, and see the patterns and rhythms, the characters, and subtle layers. The languages of the body are revealed, and the communication pathways are enhanced. The work becomes powerful because we start learning how the body wants to communicate with us. We develop a trust that there really is an inherent intelligence ready and willing to communicate with us. We are following the body’s map.

We Sound to Get Quiet Enough to Listen

We sound the noise, the static, the ongoing conversation, the worries. We sound that which may be in the way of our listening to our audible body. The body is listening to see if we will listen. The earth is waiting to see if we will listen. The trees and plant world are waiting to hear if we will listen. May we be willing to slow down enough to receive our listening?

Our work with sounding is comprised of formulas; mixtures of listening, observing, asking permission, noticing rhythms, timings, shapes, colors, breath, messages from all parts of the body, as well as all our various characters, archetypes, and ages that are encased in this garment called the body. We are asking to be in relationship and to have communication with all aspects of Self. This way of relating to ourselves is the most intimate relationship we can have.

Core essentials of the listening practice are Love and Respect.

We come to the body desiring to be in a relationship with that to which we are listening. Since the mind may become impatient,

Healing Through Sound, offers a fresh perspective on holistic healing, emphasizing the remarkable power of sound, including simple acts like humming, to revolutionize any wellness journey.

The book demonstrates how sound can physically alter body tissues and posture and release emotional trauma and stress. And shows us how to attune to the body’s unique rhythms and use the voice to dissolve emotional conflicts.

we must remember to be patient—to pause and give time and space to build a new relationship with the body. Basically, slow down and develop trust. This is not a race! Trusting relationships takes time.

“Ears are no good for this music, The whole presence must be open to it.

It is a matter of vibrations.”

If You Love Something Enough

Respect is truly the first and foremost important ingredient for accessing trust and listening. We can get lost in our zest for healing and doing what needs to be done. In this “eager to help” mindset, our passion can move us faster than the layer at hand. It is essen-

tial to pause and remember that possibly not all parts of this being may be on the same page—not all parts of the body are eagerly awaiting our touch and sound. We wait and listen, for that which wants to be addressed will indeed bubble up to meet us. Whether we are caring for ourselves or, as a practitioner, caring for others, we support the practice of listening by noticing the rhythm of our own breath and allowing it to center us.

The essential teachings of listening are an ancient system of directly cultivating relationships and communication with the mineral, plant, animal, and human world. Find your own words, but the essence is always an invitation filled with love and respect.

Photo by Kateryna Kovarzhadobestock

Trusting the Innate Wisdom of the Body

When we listen to what wishes and desires to be expressed, we touch the inner needs and the well of wisdom of the person we are sounding. Our intention is to access the innate wisdom of the body. As I sincerely want to listen and communicate and truly want to be in a relationship with this soul, I will express what is there. I need not embellish, enhance, protect, or judge what is being expressed. What is sounded is gold for the person receiving the sound. The body knows if it is being listened to, accepted, and loved for all it is.

Essential Tools for Listening

•    Love what is.

•    Respect what is.

•    Appreciate and accept what is.

•    Ask permission to enter and listen—each time.

•    Let the body know your intention to touch, listen, and sound.

•   “Act as if” it is completely natural, reasonable, and possible to have a direct relationship with the bodies of others and ourselves.

Listening is the ancient art of communication. We can be in direct communication with the life that is around us and with our bodies. Consider how our ancestors knew which plant to pick and what was its nature and remedy. We go to a plant we want to know and ask permission from the plant to learn from it. Receiving permission, we express our intention. We do the same with the human body.

We say to the plant, “I desire to know you better.” We observe its color, flowers, number of petals, leaf structure, and stem. Is it round, square, fuzzy? We observe how we feel by truly being with the plant. We taste it and spit it

out. Is it sour, sweet, bitter, drying to the tongue? What is its smell? Let us listen.

Like coming to know the plant, we can also come to know our body. Where in my body has my attention been drawn? Interestingly, I’ll start noticing my liver, my stomach, or my knees. At this moment, the plant is teaching me. I am aware of my body area because the plant is communicating with me there.

The yellow flower of the dandelion brings an awareness of my liver and kidney area as I taste the bitterness of its leaves, and it tells me. “I am your first cleanser in the spring.” Or the willow may bring my awareness to my knees or bony structure and suggest, “I can help your limbs become more resilient and flexible.” These are suggestions to allow ourselves to trust our listening. The roses are often taught through the sense of smell and color. The fragrance of rose fills our being with love. Wait, observe, and listen. I like to have a notepad with me so that I can jot down impressions. I have had the privilege of living in beautiful places where one can find fields of yarrow or arnica. My herbalist teachers took us on journeys to sacred spots, and we would lie in these fields and listen with all our senses. Even in our smaller gardens, we can sit by the plant and note what we sense. This is a lovely way to begin acknowledging that we can be in a communicative relationship with the plant life around us. There are many reasons we enjoy sitting with our backs resting against or hugging a tree: We receive much-needed connection. Being with nature reconnects us with our own innate nature. We are developing our acuity with plants. Once we can listen to nature, we can listen to bodies more easily.

Vickie Dodd, M.A., has been a sound healing therapist, bodyworker, workshop leader, and internationally recognized pioneer of healing through sound for more than 50 years. She collaborated with Don Campbell at the Institute of Music and Health Education in Boulder, Colorado, and has created sound school training around the world.

Vickie offers residential retreats on sound at the NatureBridge Campus in Olympic National Park and is an adjunct faculty member at the Globe Institute in San Francisco. She lives in Port Angeles, Washington. https://sacredsoundworks.com/

Help for Those Seeking Freedom From the Harmful Effects of Psych Meds

by Rachel M. Anderson

Photo by Colton Sturgeon

Massachusetts Woman on a Mission to Make People Aware of Alternative Treatments

When Chaya Grossberg of Easthampton, Massachusetts, was a teenager, she was among the many American kids who experience a lot of stress.

At the time, Chaya was living in Brooklyn, New York, had a long subway ride to and from her very competitive high school in Manhattan every day, and had stress in her family life.

“I was unhappy and struggling emotionally,” she said. When she was eight years old, Grossberg’s parents had sent her to a therapist as they were going through a divorce. When she was 16, and Prozac was being heavily marketed, her therapist encouraged her to give it a try.

“It made me a bit manic and impulsive,” recalled Grossberg. I would say things I wouldn’t normally say, and I think it made me more of a people-pleaser and more extroverted, too.

I definitely was not myself. Something was kind of off.”

Grossberg only took the drug for about a year before going off of it and remembers feeling remarkably better once she stopped taking it. However, another stressful time a few years later landed her right back on psychiatric drugs.

“In the summer after my third year in college, I ended up hospitalized as a result of some trauma I was dealing with and was forced to take psychiatric drugs,” she said. Doctors put her on benzodiazepine, Xanax, and Risperdal, a neuroleptic or “major tranquilizer.”

“They put me on another antidepressant and another anxiety medication, too,” said Grossberg, who wasn’t too happy about being forced back onto medication.

Her parents weren’t happy about the situation either and soon brought her home to recover. Grossberg was 20 years old, almost 21, and when she returned home, she quit the drugs cold turkey.

Over the next few years, she was put on and eventually withdrew slowly from seven different psychiatric pharmaceuticals. She became very ill and was bedridden for two years.

As she came off the drugs gradually and overcame the withdrawal symptoms, slowly but surely, things began to improve. “I found myself able to think clearly again, and my energy returned,” said Grossberg, who also discovered there were plenty of things she could do that did not involve medication to integrate her emotions and improve her state of mind.

Among the alternatives that worked for her were yoga, meditation, and following a healthy diet.

Once she began to feel like herself again, Grossberg had an epiphany of sorts. “I came to the realization that I had a calling to help other people like myself who wanted to live free from psych meds, too,” she said.

“People need to be fully invested in their healthcare and take care of themselves every day. A lot of it is about common, everyday things like eating well, sleeping well, and knowing what your body needs.”

For the past twenty-plus years, Grossberg has been an activist for change in the “mental health” system. She provides one-on-one consulting and information about holistic alternatives to medication to people who are struggling.

She began her career as an organizer for The Freedom Center in Northampton, Massachusetts, and has since also consulted for the Western Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community, Massachusetts Protection and Advocacy Council, Windhorse

Associates, and Alternative to Meds Center.

What she didn’t realize at the time was that the drugs she had been on had withdrawal symptoms. “My withdrawal from the Benzos was causing me to have panic attacks. At the time, people didn’t even know withdrawal from psychiatric drugs was a thing.”

Plus, she was the community organizer of the Mental Health Association of Portland, assistant director of Portland Hearing Voices, and a Warm Line specialist at the Mental Health Association of San Francisco, helping to launch their Warm Line.

She is also the author of “Freedom from Psychiatric Drugs,” a book that incorporates much of what she has learned over the years of working professionally with many hundreds of people. The book includes her own personal story and also has chapters on understanding the system, how to find resources for one’s struggles, how to manage withdrawal symptoms, how to overcome suicidal tendencies, and where to find support for the body and mind.

“A step-by-step guide on how to create your very own freedom, I encountered a wealth of ideas that kept me on my path.”

~ Grossberg

“For me, it was so empowering as a teacher and writer to be able to find my own language and also to speak out on things that will be helpful and purposeful for other people,” said Grossberg.

Since its release in 2019, “Freedom from Psychiatric Drugs” has sold thousands of copies. The book has numerous 5-Star reviews on Amazon.

“This is an incredible book for those seeking freedom from the difficult effects of psych meds. Chaya lays out a full spectrum approach for finding your way out of the maze of psychiatric drugs with practical advice, spiritual wisdom, and a big-picture understanding of how the mental health system works. She explains how people often get into this system and how they might get out. The workbook sections are amazing for helping you explore the topics in more depth. It really opened my eyes to what is going on in the system, and now I know where to send friends or family when they need support with this,” said Paula A. Yolles.

“This is a beautiful book that I read while I was in a hospital in California. I spoke to Chaya over the phone, too, and she was wonderful. Reading this book is like hearing it from the author herself. It is an interesting foray into learning about becoming free from psychiatric drugs Thank you,” said K.V.

“Having this book with me as I heal from the vicious brain and nervous system damage incurred by the Benzodiazepine Ativan is helping me

process and enjoy my awakening and rebirth,” said Atara Schimmel.

“Chaya Grossberg’s book should be in everyone’s library....whether you’re for psych drugs or against them, whether they work for you or don’t; if you’re on them, you probably want off them (at least you will at some point).... Chaya’s book tells you how to do it! Chaya presents the information in a logical fashion with wit and pragmatism, understanding that achieving the coveted goal of freedom from psych drugs requires both creativity and tenacity. A step-by-step guide on how to create your very own freedom, I encountered a wealth of ideas that kept me on my path. This is good reading, not your dreary “how-to”....... it’s practical, literary, pragmatic, and artistic. I’ve been free from psych drugs for almost two years after having been on a cocktail of five or six drugs for thirty plus years....I keep this book at my bedside; it’s like having a good friend close by. I grab it when I feel the need, which is often when there is much to be depressed about. GET THIS BOOK! We all need it!” said Robert Rootenberg, an artist and former client of Grossberg’s.

Freedom from Psychiatric Drugs is available in paperback and eBook formats on Amazon.com.

Learn more about Chaya Grossberg’s work on her website, Chayagrossberg. com

EYOND EXPECTATIONS B

Relationships

Sadhguru: For most people, the quality of relationships that they hold in their lives largely decides the very quality of life that they live. When it is playing such an important role in your life, it needs to be looked at. What is the basis of a relationship? Why do human beings need a relationship? Relationships are formed on different levels; there are various types of relationships to fulfill different types of needs. The needs may be physical, psychological, emotional, social, financial, or politicalthey could be of any kind.

Your mind is made in such a way that it still needs a relationship. Your emotions are in such a way that it still need a relationship. And on a deeper level, your very energies are made in such way that you still need a relationship on that level also.

Whatever be the nature of the relationship, whatever be the type of relationship, still the fundamental aspect is you have a need to fulfill. “No, I have nothing to get, I want to give.” Giving is also as much a need as receiving. “I have to give something to somebody” - this is also as much a need as “I have to receive something.” There is a need. Needs may be diverse, accordingly relationships could be diverse.

The needs within a human being have risen because there is a certain sense of incompleteness, and people are forming relationships to experience a certain sense of completeness within themselves. When you have a good relationship with someone dear to you, you feel complete. When you do not have that, you feel incomplete. Why is this so? This piece of life is a complete entity by itself - why is it feeling incomplete? Why is it trying to fulfill itself by making a partnership with another piece of life? The fundamental reason is we have not explored this life in its full depth and dimension. Though that is the basis, there is a complex process of relationships.

The Source of Expectations

Where there is a relationship, there is an expectation. The expectations that most people create are such that there is no human being on the plan-

et who can ever fulfill those expectations. Especially in a man-woman relationship, the expectations are so much that even if you marry a God or a Goddess, they will fail you. When you are unable to understand the expectations or the source of expectations, you cannot fulfill the expectations. But if you understand the source of these expectations, you could form a very beautiful partnership.

Fundamentally, why have you sought a relationship? Because you will find that without any kind of relationship in your life, you would become depressed. You are seeking a relationship because you want to be happy; you want to be joyful. In other words, you are trying to use the other person as a source of your happiness. If you are happy by your own nature, the relationships will become a means for you to express your happiness, not to seek happiness. If you are trying to squeeze happiness out of somebody and that person is trying to squeeze happiness out of you, it is going to be a painful relationship after some time. Initially, it may be okay because something is being fulfilled. But if you are forming relationships because you want to express your happiness, nobody is going to complain about you because you are in the process of expressing your joy not seeking joy from the other person.

Infrastructures to Raise  Human Consciousness

Experience Yoga in its classical form at Isha Yoga Center Los Angeles and Isha Institute of Inner-sciences. Established by Sadhguru, the centers serve as powerful spaces for inner transformation and raising human consciousness. Located  in northern Los Angeles County and Tennessee, the centers offer an array of yoga and meditation programs in a vibrant and conducive ambience.

You are invited to Free Yoga Day, a monthly open-door event a t the center. On this day, we offer a variety of free sessions dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being through simple but powerful practices sourced from the Yogic tradition.

Learn more at ishausa.org/la

If your life becomes an expression of your joy, not a pursuit of happiness, then relationships will be naturally wonderful. You can hold a million relationships and still hold them well. This whole circus of trying to fulfill somebody else’s expectations does not arise because if you are an expression of joy, anyway they would want to be with you. Shifting your life from pursuit of happiness to an expression of joyfulness is what needs to happen if relationships have to really work on all levels because they are of many kinds.

Many Kinds of Relationships

Your body is right now made in such way that it is still in a condition where it needs a relationship. Your mind is made in such a way that it still needs a relationship. Your emotions are in such a way that it still need a relationship. And on a deeper level, your very energies are made in such way that you still need a relationship on that level also. If your body goes in search of a relationship, we call this sexuality. If you mind goes in search of relationships, we call this companionship. If your emotion goes in search of relationships, we call this love. If your energies go in search of a relationship, we call this Yoga.

You will see that with all these efforts, whether it is sexuality, companionship, love or Yoga, you are trying to become one with something else because somehow being who you are right now is not enough. How can you become one with somebody else? Physically you have tried. It looks like you are going to make it, but you know you fall apart. Mentally you have tried, many times you thought you are really there but you know two minds are never one. Emotionally you thought you really made it, but divisions come up very easily.

What is the way to fulfill this longing to become one with something? There are many ways to look at it. You might have noticed this at some time in your life; suppose you were

very joyful, loving, or ecstatic, and your life energies are feeling very exuberant; you feel a certain sense of extension. This extension, what does it mean? First of all, what is it that you call as ‘myself’? What is the basis for you to know, “This is me, and this is not me?” Sensation, isn’t it? Whatever is within the boundaries of your sensation is you. Whatever is outside the boundaries of this sensation is “the other,” and the other is always the hell. You do not want to experience this hell, so you want to experience at least a small part of humanity as a part of yourself. This longing to include somebody or the other as a part of your life is what is called a relationship. If you include the other, the hell could be your heaven. To experience that heaven, to have that piece of heaven in your life is what the desperation to have a relationship is.

Whatever is the longing behind any relationship, either if you try through the body, or through the mind, or through the emotion, you will only long; you will never know that oneness. You will know moments of oneness, but it will never really happen. If you experience all this life around you as a part of yourself - Yoga is the means to experience this oneness - the way you exist here will be very different. When this happens, the relationship will only become a way of looking towards the other’s needs, not about your own, because you have no need of your own anymore. Once there is no compulsion within you and everything that you do becomes conscious, the relationship will become a true blessing, no more a longing or a struggle.

Editor’s Note: When you want to know about how to deal with relationships, where do you go? Three Million people found solutions to their relationship woes in this video of Sadhguru!

EVA La Rue

Astunningly beautiful and fiercely talented

Southern California native currently on the longest-running soap opera in television history, General Hospital, is a dedicated mom passionate about horseback riding and dance. She shares so many heartwarming stories and memories and speaks candidly about her last few years of loss and grief.

As a California native, what was it like growing up in Southern California?

Growing up in California was magical because I grew up in Norco, California, about an hour and a half east of Los Angeles. It’s called Horse Town USA. Every street has horse trails. The city ordinance does not allow sidewalks to be built. You can ride your horse to your favorite café or restaurant, and there you will find a hitching post and stalls. It was just an amazing way to grow up—to be able to ride everywhere, up in the hills and the riverbed. Many big open fields we rode on have become housing developments with brand-new homes. I still enjoy going there, especially to the Norco Rodeo. I was there over the weekend. I love it there.

The thing I love about California, in general, is that we’ve got everything in one state with the most amazing weather of any state. And we have a gorgeous wine country that rivals Tuscany. We’ve got spectacular mountains for skiing, and within two hours of those ski hills, you can go down to the beach surfing. You can lay on the beach in 80-degree weather and, on the same day, ski on white snow. We’ve got one of the most gorgeous coastlines I’ve ever driven. I haven’t been all over the world, but I’ve driven the coast of Kerry in Ireland, some of the coasts in South Africa, the south of France and Italy. Our Highway One is unbelievable: Big Sur,

Carmel, and San Francisco. Then we’ve got Yosemite and Tahoe, which have all that natural beauty.

If you could live anywhere else, where would it be?

It would be Italy, possibly Croatia, or somewhere in southern France.

You are one of the most beautiful women in the world. When you look in the mirror, do you see the beauty your fans and the public see?

No, I’m the one who sees the makeup-free version of me with all the imperfections. But I do love to go makeup-free. We’re all always trying to get used to the aging process, especially in my line of work.

You are a wonderful mix of four cultures: Puerto Rican, French, Dutch, and Scottish. Which one do you feel closest to? Do you speak any other languages?

My mom spoke French, Dutch, and English. My dad was Puerto Rican, but some of his family came through the Canary Islands. They were Black, Spanish, and Indigenous. My dad spoke Spanish, but because my mom didn’t speak it, my dad never spoke Spanish in the house. So, I didn’t grow up speaking Spanish.

Even though I took Spanish in junior high, it didn’t stick because I never spoke it in the house. Speaking any language fluently requires constant home conversation.

Because I’m mostly Puerto Rican, I feel more Puerto Rican. Although my mom is a mix of many European things, I don’t feel very European, And I don’t feel close to my British or Dutch side. But the French part of me does make me a foodie. And the Puerto Rican part of me is the spicy part. Last year, I took up salsa dancing, and I’m crazy about it.

It was one of the most amazing experiences. Now that I’m on General Hospital, several castmates from All My Children are also on the show, so it’s been like old home week. I was given an incredible welcome when I got there.

Tell me about your first acting job.

My very first acting job was a commercial for Del Monte Green Beans. I loved green beans, which was great. While shooting that commercial, I learned what a spit bucket was. I had to do so many takes of happily eating green beans and then spitting them out, or I’d have had a distended belly. It was a fun, positive experience, but I didn’t eat green beans for quite some time after that.

My mom entered me in a beauty pageant when I was about six. It was actually a series of beauty pageants. I won Little Miss Garden Grove and then went on to the Little Miss California pageant. I got lucky and won that, too. Some of the judges were talent agents, and I got an agent, and that’s how it all started.

How does it feel to be a part of television history now that you are on General Hospital, a soap opera that has been around for many years and entered the homes of millions of people worldwide?

I’m honored to be part of the cast of a show that has been around for 60 years—it’s the longest-running show.

The beautiful thing about soap operas is that they have touched generation after generation. I meet many people who say, “My grandmother watched this. My mom watched this.” People will tell me they started watching it with their moms, and when they went to college, they would schedule their classes around their soap operas, and everybody in the dorm would sit and watch at the same time. I’ve heard many stories about people watching it through their cancer diagnosis while sitting with their families and having that to look forward to every day.

I started watching All My Children when I was eight because my mom was a huge fan of the show. When I landed the role on All My Children,

I was already a huge fan. Meeting everybody in the cast was a dream come true, and then getting to be part of the cast was extraordinary. It was one of the most amazing experiences. Now that I’m on General Hospital, several castmates from All My Children are also on the show, so it’s been like old home week. I was given an incredible welcome when I got there.

There are still so many General Hospital fans, soap fans in general, because there’s a nostalgia about how TV was done in the past. It’s the last remaining relic of how TV daytime dramas were done, and now only three are left on the air. When I started, there were 15 soap operas between the four networks.

What can you tell us about Natalia Rogers-Ramirez, your character on General Hospital? My character is in a precarious position because she is struggling with accepting that her daughter is gay. She’s very conservative and old-school and has all these opinions about her daughter and her daughter’s girlfriend.

She’s stirring up a lot of troublethat’s something we do not have in common. From what I know, I have a story arc where she will come to love and accept it. I don’t know how the arc plays out because they don’t tell us much beforehand. It’s interesting to play that role and say things I would never say to my daughter.

What drew you to the Baháʼí faith?

When I was 11, my older brother was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. My mom went into a spiral of depression. We all did, but especially for my mom. My ballet teacher at the time was a Baháʼí. My mom was searching for any kind of meaning, any lifeline, and that’s how she found the Baháʼí faith. And then, I was introduced to it through her. I found so much beauty in it and so much acceptance of all people, all religions, nationalities, and ways of being.

Eva La Rue in CSI:Miami

Is there a pivotal moment or experience that continued to strengthen your faith in the teachings?

Throughout my life, whenever I’ve faced major hurdles, my faith has protected and strengthened me. Unfortunately, like most of us, when it comes to faith, it’s always the traumatic times that we choose to get close to God again.

Some of the most important precepts of the Baháʼí Faith are unity of religion, one God, and unity of universal language so that everybody can communicate; everybody should be taught and have access to free learning because the only real way out of POV equality of men and women. Not until women are completely equal will we have a true opportunity for peace in the world. In the Baháʼí faith, we are shown not to speak badly of anybody else’s beliefs or religions. I love those things about the Bahai faith.

What has been the greatest thrill and satisfaction about being a mother?

To see your child start to blossom or see them as they are learning, growing, and becoming their own little amazing person. I wouldn’t miss any of that for the world. Our children afford us the ability to love them so much more than ourselves.

Is there something your daughter taught you that surprised you?

Patience and communication were essential, especially during the prepubescent and teenage years. We had to learn a new language so we could speak to each other, which was monumental, beneficial, and rewarding.

I sang and danced growing up, and I always thought, “I’d love to be on Broadway,” or “I’d love to do one of those musical movies.” “

You are also a singer; did you ever dream of being a pop star? No, I never wanted to be a pop star. I did, however, want to do Musical Theatre on Broadway. I sang and danced growing up, and I always thought, “I’d love to be on Broadway,” or “I’d love to do one of those musical movies.” I wanted to be a triple threat like Rita Moreno or Chita Rivera, singing, acting, and dancing.

What career path would you have chosen if you hadn’t become an actress?

I would have been a dance teacher. I have always loved dance as much as acting. I grew up doing ballet, and at one point, I wanted to be a ballerina until I realized it might not have been very lucrative and that there wasn’t much longevity.

Did you ever dance professionally?

Yes. In my teens, I started doing contemporary jazz and getting cast in music videos during the MTV era. But then, once I focused on acting and graduated from high school, I immediately started working as a professional actress and left the dancing behind.

Have your dancing skills ever come in handy in a film or television role?

No, but I wish they had.

Is there a project you’re working on that you want to share with us?

Yes. I have a project in development. I’m one of the executive producers and will also be starring in it, based on a true story that happened to my daughter Kaya and me a couple of years ago. We had a stalker for 12 years. It was when I was on CSI Miami. I was playing a DNA detective specialist on CSI Miami, solving every case in 43 minutes, not including commercials, and in real life, the FBI couldn’t solve our stalking case for 12 years, even with all the DNA they had collected. This was before the advent of 23andMe and ancestry.com.

The only means of DNA examination law enforcement had at the time was to access something called CODIS, which is the national database for DNA. The only people who are in CODIS are people who have already been prosecuted, which means 80% of the people there are already in prison for something, and the other 20% are John Doe. There are rape kits that nobody has put a name to yet, and the reason they haven’t is because they haven’t been picked up and processed for another crime.

If you haven’t been busted for anything, then you won’t be in CODIS. That’s why all these rapists DNA is in CODIS with no name. When 23andMe and ancestry.com came around, the two FBI agents who solved the Golden State Killer case, were the first ones ever to use the GEDmatch to find him and identify him. It was a huge case here in California that went unsolved for 43 years. The killer ended up being an ex-police officer.

After they resolved that case, they were trying to prove to the FBI that using GEDmatch was not a fluke and that it was an actual new technology, so they grabbed the next heavily DNA-laden case they could find to try and do it again, and that happened to be my case, and they solved it in two weeks. Now, the stalker is in jail, not for long enough, unfortunately. He’s only gone in for three and a half years. It’s horrible that he got such little time for what he did. And we weren’t the only ones stalked by him. There was another actress from another soap opera whose mom called me and said, “Are you getting letters from this person because they mentioned you in my daughter’s letter?” I said, “Yes, I am.” But she didn’t want to come forward when it came to sentencing and convicting. Had she done so, he would’ve been given more time. It’s frustrating when people choose silence. It’s understandable because people are scared and just want it to go away, but it doesn’t help the cause.

Are you looking to turn it into a feature film?

I want it to be a limited series or a two-hour made-for-TV movie. This is an important story because it can happen to anyone. People are stalked from all walks of life, both men and women. And to think that these criminals live among us in our everyday lives. For example, the stalker in the Bay Area was a father of two girls and, evidently, on the outside, was your typical soccer dad.

Do you cook? What is your favorite meal?

I do cook more now than I ever did before. But I never considered myself a cook because I was always a working mom. There wasn’t time to luxuriate over preparing an amazing meal, and not only that, but I didn’t enjoy standing in the kitchen for hours by myself after working long hours. Then, through COVID-19, the SAGAFTRA strike last year, and everything else, I started cooking more because it gave me something to do. My favorite meal is Mexican food.

What charities are you close to?

The Tahirih Justice Center is the main charity I support. I’m their spokesperson. They have offices in New York, Houston, San Francisco, and Atlanta.

They are a large network of lawyers who work pro bono. These wonder-

ful generous immigration attorneys decided to give their time and energy to help women and girls who have been sex trafficked into the United States and now can’t go home because their traffickers will either pick them up again or kill them because they know where they live. And they’re not allowed back into their villages or their homes because now they’re considered dirty and tainted.

They never wanted to be here in the first place, and now they can’t go home. The Tahirih Justice Center provides them with a pro bono immigration attorney or somebody who can do their immigration work for them so they can seek asylum in the United States. Without an immigration attorney, their chances of asylum are slim, just 16%. They need an immigration attorney to navigate it because many don’t speak English fluently.

Who would you want to be if you could be another actress for one day?

I would love to be Kate Blanchett. I’d like to be in her mind as she works because she’s unbelievably talented. I want to know what she does and what her process is. Where does she go to find what she pulls out and puts into her characters? She’s flawless and mesmerizing from the inside out.

Would you like to share anything we haven’t covered, and do you have any parting words?

My life has been like a roller coaster for the last four years. I had so many deaths in my family, starting with my dad. It all happened right around the beginning of COVID-19. Nobody died of COVID-19, but they all died during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six months after my dad died, my ex-husband, my daughter’s dad, died. We were still close friends. Then my mother-in-law, whom we all adored, died, my aunt died, and then my mom died last year.

It has been mind-numbing these last four years. Kaya and I both needed so much help getting through her dad’s passing. She was a senior in high school when that happened, and she was struggling. I was struggling along with her because I’d just lost my dad and then her dad.

We felt like punching bags being pummeled repeatedly. It’s been a year this weekend since my mom passed, and then last week, my beloved dog passed away. Our pets become such an important part of our lives. They’re with us all day, every day, through highs and lows. Especially through the lows. Even when people can’t be there for you, your dog is always there and becomes your comfort support.

It’s been a real struggle to float above all of it, and not because we were dragged into the depths of despair for the first couple of years. Thankfully, I have my faith, which I have been relying on and which has gotten me through it.

The biggest gift out of that major loss and grief is that I learned that all the silly little things just don’t matter. You start to become so grateful for what you do have. Another thing I did to help myself through it all was to start a gratitude practice. At first, I felt so heavy and wondered if I would ever get out of that feeling. However, once I started a daily gratitude

practice for the things that I was grateful for, it started to change my brain chemistry. Now, it’s a habit. I don’t get out of bed without saying at least five to ten things that I’m grateful for. That sets my brain on a different dial. I dial into where I want to be dialed in instead of letting circumstances dial me where they want. I purposely dial into a frequency I want to be at.

What have you learned from all this loss and grief?

I have learned that only I can change. I cannot change what’s happening, but I can change my reaction. The other thing you can’t change is the grief. You’ll be decimated by the losses, but you can either stay drowning in that or pick yourself up piece by piece, gratitude by gratitude, and slowly pull yourself out of the mire. The lesson to me was to not stay stuck in it. Don’t get me wrong. There were times I was flailing and lost in it.

Do you ever get messages from your deceased loved ones?

All the time. Especially from Kaya’s dad. He’s so vocal. He’s a big, gregarious personality, and he took that personality with him. He’s always finding ways to reach out to us. Also, my dad. And this past weekend, even the dog. We all heard him walking down the hall. I believe they try to comfort us in whatever ways they can to let us know that they’re watching and helping.

Special Thank you to:

Eva La Rue

Photography: David Sobel

Makeup: Lisa Joy

Location: Richard Garnier

Hypnomagnetism Practice

Constance Brooks THE

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Constance Brooks’ entrepreneurial spirit was ignited in the heart of Detroit amidst the bustling streets and vibrant culture. Growing up in the Motor City, she witnessed firsthand the resilience and determination of her community, traits that would later shape her path as a visionary entrepreneur.

From an early age, Constance harbored a passion for innovation and a keen eye for opportunity. Inspired by her surroundings, she dreamt of creating something that would not only revolutionize the market but also make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

After years of hard work and dedication, Constance’s vision came to fruition with the founding of Cozie Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets. More than just a product, Cozie represents a commitment to quality, sustainability, and well-being.

Driven by her desire to provide consumers with a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional dryer sheets, Constance meticulously developed Cozie’s formula. By utilizing natural ingredients and avoiding harmful chemicals, she ensured that Cozie not only softened fabrics but also cared for her customers’ environment and health.

Beyond its practical benefits, Cozie Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets. embodies Constance’s ethos of community and empowerment.

But Constance’s impact extends beyond the boundaries of her business. Through Cozie Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets, she has inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs, demonstrating that with determination, creativity, and a commitment to social responsibility, anything is possible.

As Cozie Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets. continues to thrive and expand its reach, Constance remains dedicated to her vision of creating a better world, one soft, cozy fabric at a time.

Her journey from Detroit to entrepreneurial success serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the belief that a single idea can change the world.

Cozie Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets are currently in 75 stores in two states (Michigan and Ohio) and has customers in 16 states nationwide. It is dedicated to creating more jobs in Detroit and nationwide in the near future.

Photo by Anany Khare

Flightof the

Bon Monks

Describes the difficulties facing Tibetan refugees as they struggled over the Himalayas and to survive crowded refugee camps in an alien land.

by Harvey Rice and Jackie Cole

Tsering Wyangal was a once-prosperous merchant forced into poverty by Chinese policies. He and his wife, Dawa Ransom, and their three-yearold daughter, Tsering Dolma, fled their home in Chungbol, Kham, in 1960. They decided to flee after the Chinese confiscated their property and elevated their servants and employees to positions of authority. Reveling in their new power, they lorded over Tsering Wyangal and his family, making their lives miserable. The abuse became intolerable, and Tsering Wyangal and his wife and daughter joined a seventeen-member group on a twenty-eight-day trek across the Himalayas. Like many of those fleeing Tibet, they had no more than a notional sense of geography. Without a guide, they struck out in the general direction of the border, avoiding areas that would be patrolled. They crossed the Yarlung Tsangpo in coracles made of hides, paddling furiously to avoid being swept away by fierce currents. On reaching the far bank, they struck off cross-country over unfamiliar mountainous terrain, with Tsering carrying his daughter. Heading in the proper direction without a compass proved challenging in the strange landscape. Several times, they found themselves walking for hours only to arrive near the place they had started. They camped on mountains so steep that they had to lash themselves to trees at night to keep from falling down the mountainside. Four times, they felled trees to bridge impassable chasms. Everyone in Tsering Wyangal’s party sur-

vived, but as they slogged through snowy passes, they passed the bodies of those in other parties who hadn’t.

Near starvation, their food supplies having run out days earlier, they were slowly making their way down the southern side of the Himalayas when a group of soldiers appeared out of the mist. At first, they thought the Chinese army had found them. The soldiers spoke an unfamiliar language that one of the party recognized as Hindi. Once they realized the soldiers were Indian, they shouted, “Iha ghyal lo!” or “May the gods be victorious!” and wept.

The soldiers escorted them to a military base where they ate for the first time in days, devouring the unfamiliar Indian food. Their names were recorded, and their baggage was inspected. They were asked to undress for a medical examination but refused, in keeping with the Tibetan custom of never appearing naked in front of anyone, especially strangers. They were given lodging in barracks, where the simple cots seemed luxurious after sleeping on the ground for so long. The next day, they were ushered onto a strange-looking metal contraption. The Tibetans had never seen a helicopter before and were frightened by the roar of the engines. They were astounded to see the ground fall away outside the window as the helicopter soared into the air. They were deposited in the Missamari Transit Camp, where 150 bamboo barracks had been erected in only two weeks on a sandy area by a river.

In hours, they had come from the cool mountains to the humid tropics. Their only clothes were thick woolen chubas unsuitable for the intense tropical heat. The Tibetans suffered miserably. Camp officials gave the family potatoes, curry, lentils, rice, sugar, and oil. Tsering Wyangal’s wife, Dawa, had never seen lentils before and didn’t know how to cook them. Initially, the family subsisted on the rice, a dish only occasionally eaten by Tibetans.

Unlike the clear water that flowed from Tibetan streams, the water in the camp was cloudy with pollutants. Dysentery and scabies swept through the camp. Tsering Wyangal’s daughter, suffering from scabies, became nauseated and soon had diarrhea so severe she passed only blood. Helpless, he watched as she became increasingly weak. After several agonizing days, she died. Tsering Wyangal, who had carried his daughter on his back over the Himalayas, now carried her tiny body to a funeral pyre that smoldered near the river. The pyre burned constantly, consuming the bodies of refugees as they died by the scores. A grieving Tsering Wyangal and his wife prayed for their child for the traditional forty-nine days to ensure her consciousness made a peaceful transition through reincarnation.

Samten Karmay also suffered the miseries of Missamari, although he would not meet Tsering Wyangal there. Samten had been living in Kathmandu for about seven months when he heard that many of his friends from Drepung were

at the Missamari Transit Camp. After arranging to send for his mother if India proved to have better prospects, Samten set out for Raxaul, a railhead on the Indian side of the border, traveling with a monk he knew from Drepung who had escaped with another party. The two had become reacquainted in Kathmandu and decided to travel together, having been advised to board a train in Raxaul. They had never seen a train before, much less traveled on one. No one had mentioned that tickets needed to be purchased before boarding. The monks saw people boarding the passenger cars and followed their example. They were penniless and would have been unable to purchase tickets in any case. The train was well underway when the Indian conductor entered their car and began asking for tickets. They watched in puzzlement as the conductor worked his way down the aisle, examining tickets and squeezing a handheld punch to place a hole in each one. As they watched, it dawned on them that they, too, would be asked for a ticket to be punched. The conductor, who spoke no Tibetan, asked for their tickets in Hindi, which neither could speak. Through gestures, they made him understand that they had no tickets. The conductor began shouting at them, and they were in danger of being tossed off the train at the next stop. Finally, Samten spoke the words that even Hindi speakers knew: “Dalai Lama.” He repeated the name several times, and the conductor’s visage calmed. He looked at them for a moment and then shook his head as if to say, “Never mind, it’s alright.”

Photo by Kat Joel

They rode the train for three days and nights before arriving at the Missamari Transit Camp. Nearly 15,000 refugees crowded the camp, most of them Khampa rebels who had surrendered their guns before being allowed to cross the border. Samten found a spot in a bamboo barracks with sixty people living in two rooms. Most of them had dysentery, and Samten soon had it as well. Like Tsering Wyangal, he subsisted on the monotonous diet of rice and lentils provided by the Indian government. The intense tropical heat doubled his misery.

Unaware of Samten’s whereabouts, his close friend and fellow monk Sangye Tenzin began searching for him after returning his nephew, Khedup, to his father in Kalimpong, India. While visiting a Buddhist monastery in Kalimpong, he heard that Samten was in Missamari and hastened to join his friend.

Tenzin and the lamas had set out three days earlier, joined by dozens of lay Tibetans and a group of armed rebels. Tenzin divided them into three groups. Each group would travel within sight of the others, allowing the others to flee if one group was attacked. Heading west, they changed direction whenever they spotted the black yak-hair tents of nomads or their flocks of sheep; they knew that fear or Chinese silver could induce the nomads to betray their fellow Tibetans.

The monks carried the few sacred texts and artifacts they had been able to res-

cue from their monasteries before they were looted by Chinese troops. Tenzin carried the most sacred object: a six-hundred-year-old reliquary containing the ashes of the founder of Bön’s premier mon- astery. The artifacts were mere slivers of a culture under assault by the Chinese. Soldiers were torturing and killing monks, razing temples and destroying texts, statues, and paintings. Tenzin’s world was being ripped apart. Escape was the only way to ensure the monks’ survival and the survival of Bön itself.

Their only escape route was across the daunting Himalayas that lay south of the vast plateau. In Sanskrit, Himalaya means “the abode of snow.” The Himalayas would be the final abode for untold numbers of Tibetans as they died from hunger, cold, avalanches, and steep plunges from rocky heights during their long trek to freedom.

Moving as fast as possible, members of Tenzin’s party continually cast wary eyes behind them. As the cold blue sky faded toward dark- ness, the monks made camp in the shadow of a mountain at the edge of a lake, tethering their pack animals and pitching their tents. While the animals were being unloaded, a black donkey reared and snorted, refusing to be handled. Tenzin saw it as a dark portent. As the monks crouched around the campfire, heating water for black tea, the crack of a single bullet rent the air. The men bolted upright in alarm. The shot grew to a fusillade as the Tibetans scattered. Streams of green tracer bullets licked at scurrying figures, pitching them onto the earth. Tenzin ran for his life.

The authors, Harvey Rice and Jackie Cole, are a husband-and-wife team. Rice spent 18 years as a reporter for the Houston Chronicle. Cole has studied Bön for over two decades and has many contacts in the worldwide Bön community. The authors live in Galveston, Texas. https://flightofthebonmonks.com

Extend the gentleness of your heart to the majestic elephant, for in its grace lies a reminder of the beauty of compassion

by Dr. David Clarke

SIGNS STRESS IS CAUSING YOUR CHRONIC PAIN 5

Psychophysiologic disorders are at the root of chronic conditions plaguing millions of Americans.

One in five adults in the U.S. suffers from chronic pain or illness that is “medically unexplained,” and many of these symptoms are tied to stress-induced changes in the brain, new research reveals.

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from pain or illness not caused by injury or disease. These Psychophysiologic Disorders (PPD) are generated by changes in nerve circuits in the brain and include fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, many cases of chronic fatigue syndrome, some cases of long-term COVID-19, and many other painful conditions. But new research confirms that pain relief psychology achieves far better outcomes for non-structural pain or illness than earlier forms of treatment, Dr. Clarke says.

Dr. Clarke explains how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can lead to chronic pain and illness later in life, and how you can screen yourself for the possibility of PPD contributing to your symptoms.

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from “medically unexplained” pain or illness — conditions that are not caused by injury or disease. They include people struggling with chronic pain, migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, pelvic pain, and many other conditions.

Many people, and even many medical professionals, don’t realize that these conditions can be caused or aggravated by unrecognized stress, trauma, or emotions. This is the largest blind spot in health care, and it’s a long time before we address it.

One in five adults and 40% of patients who consult a primary care physician suffer from chronic pain or illness without a clear physical cause. These psychophysiologic disorders (PPD) are tied to stress-induced changes in the brain, new research shows.

Patients with these disorders are often told, directly or indirectly, that their symptoms are “all in your head,” which implies they are neurotic with symptoms that are not real. The truth is that the research shows that symptoms of psychophysiologic disorders are just as real as those of any other form of illness.

This is because studies of the brain show significant symptoms associated with changes in nerve pathways. These changes affect how the brain processes signals coming from the body. The changes are linked to stress that often includes the long-term impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

To help people discover if their chronic pain or illness is the result of a psychophysiologic disorder, we developed a self-assessment questionnaire   https://ppdassociation.org/ ppd-self-questionnairewhich includes the questions below. When taking the quiz, keep in mind the questions are only a screening tool and cannot provide a diagnosis. Please discuss any concerns about your specific condition with a medical or mental health professional.

5 signs that PPD may be an underlying cause of your pain or illness:

1. When you first consult your doctor about a chronic pain or illness, there is a 40% chance that a psychophysiologic disorder is responsible. After the doctor has completed diagnostic testing and has not found a disease or injury to explain the symptoms, the probability that a psychophysiologic disorder is responsible is very high.

2. You have more than one symptom that has persisted for longer than six months. The more symptoms you have and the longer you have had them, the more likely PPD is responsible. (Note that many people with PPD have just one symptom.)

3. Your symptoms are located in different parts of the body or change locations. The more different places you have symptoms, the more likely PPD is contributing. Symptoms that change their location are usually linked to PPD.

4. Your symptoms get worse when you are under stress or think about stressful situations. When this is the case, PPD is likely contributing to your condition.

5. If you learned that a child you care about was experiencing everything you did as a child, you would feel sad or angry. This is a sign that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) could be a cause or aggravating factor.

Adverse childhood experiences can be traumatic and obvious or subtle and difficult to recall. Many of the patients I have treated became ill years or even decades after they had grown and moved away from their families. In these cases, their illness is the result of the long-term consequences of childhood stress, a process often hidden from those experiencing it. Learning this truth had a profound effect on the trajectory of my medical career.

Near the end of my medical training, I met a patient I had no idea how to treat. She was 37 years old and suffering from severe abdominal symptoms, but an extensive diagnostic evaluation found nothing wrong. The chairman of my department and I reluctantly concluded we had nothing more to offer, and it was left to me to share this bad news.

During that conversation, I asked the patient about stress in her life. She told me, in a calm voice, that her father had sexually abused her hundreds of times from age four to twelve. I had no training in how to respond to that, but I had heard of a psychiatrist at my institution who did.

I didn’t believe at the time that the psychiatrist, Harriet Kaplan, MD, could do more than help the patient live with her abdominal condition. When Dr. Kaplan cured the patient with a few months of psychotherapy, I was amazed and humbled. She introduced me to the concepts I call Pain Relief Psychology (PRP). Since 1984, as a gastroenterologist in private practice, I have used PRP to help thousands of patients.

Our understanding of psychophysiologic disorders and effective treatments for them has come a long way. Recent studies in Halifax, Boston, Detroit, Colorado, and Los Angeles have shown that several closely related versions of Pain Relief Psychology provide dramatically better pain relief than traditional forms of treatment such as mindfulness, injections, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Bridging psychology and physiology, Pain Relief Psychology begins with education that pain or illness can be generated by the brain, thereby reducing patients’ fear of damage to their bodies. Shifting attention to how stress might be affecting the brain begins the process of uncovering stresses, unrecognized emotions, or triggers. Symptoms improve when these are addressed, sometimes dramatically.

The Psychophysiologic Disorders Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ending the chronic pain epidemic by promoting awareness of PPD diagnosis and treatment. We support an evidence-based, biopsychosocial approach that is safer, more affordable, and more effective than traditional methods in treating chronic pain. Numerous PPD training programs, webinars, textbooks, self-help books, and even apps are now available to educate professionals and treat patients. This approach has extraordinary benefits for patients and healthcare professionals, as well as reducing healthcare costs and the ravages of the opioid epidemic. The more people — both medical professionals and members of the public — who know about psychophysiologic disorders and what causes them, the more these patients will receive the care they deserve.

Dr. David Clarke is the President of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ending the chronic pain epidemic.

Dr. Clarke holds an M.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. His organization’s mission is to advance the awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of stress-related, brain-generated medical conditions. Learn more at EndChronicPain.org

IntegrateWellnessMindfulness With These Strategies &

by Tanya Lee

In our fast-paced world, finding moments of peace and clarity can often seem like a distant dream. Yet, the practice of mindfulness offers a beacon of hope, a way to anchor ourselves in the present and truly engage with the world around us. This guide, courtesy of The Eden Magazine, provides actionable steps to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine, transforming mundane moments into opportunities for growth and reflection.

Embrace the Power of Gratitude

Gratitude isn’t just about acknowledging the big wins; it’s about appreciating the myriad of small joys that life offers each day. Starting a gratitude journal encourages you to reflect on these moments, cultivating a mindset of abundance and positivity. By writing down things you’re thankful for, you shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s plentiful, fostering a sense of well-being and contentment permeating all aspects of life.

Breathe with Intention

The simple act of focusing on your breath can be profoundly transformative. Dedicate a few minutes each day to this practice, allowing yourself to become fully immersed in the rhythm of your breathing. This calms the mind and body and serves as a grounding exercise, bringing you back to the present moment and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.

Create Visual Motivations

In the realm of mindfulness, the impact of visual stimuli cannot be overstated. Imagine the profound effect of an inspirational poster strategically placed within your personal sanctuary, acting as a constant beacon guiding you towards your meditation objectives. This isn’t just any poster, but one that truly speaks to your soul, featuring your favorite photographs adorned with quotes and hues that echo the essence of calm and concentration. Engaging in this artistic endeavor enriches your mindfulness journey, injecting a dose of personalization and aesthetic appeal into

your space, reminding you daily of your commitment to inner peace and focus.

Practice Active Listening

Listening to others without the intention to respond immediately is a profound exercise in mindfulness. It requires full presence, allowing you to truly hear and understand the perspective of the speaker. This form of active listening fosters deeper connections and shows a genuine interest in the experiences of others, enriching your interpersonal relationships.

Mindful Eating

Transforming eating into a mindful activity can significantly enhance your relationship with food. By eating slowly and without distraction, you allow yourself to fully experience the taste, texture, and aroma of your meal. This practice not only improves digestion but also makes eating a more enjoyable and satisfying experience, encouraging a healthier approach to food.

Digital Detox

Taking regular breaks from electronic devices is crucial in today’s digitally dominated world. By setting aside time to disconnect, you give yourself the opportunity to reconnect with your own thoughts and the environment around you. This can lead to improved mental clarity, reduced stress levels, and a greater appreciation for the present moment.

Discover Body Scan Meditation

Body scan meditation is a powerful technique to connect with your body on a deeper level. It involves mentally scanning your body from head to toe, observing without judgment any sensations, tensions, or discomfort. This practice encourages a state of mindful awareness, promoting relaxation and a sense of peace within the body.

Incorporating mindfulness into your daily life is about embracing each moment with intention and gratitude. It’s a journey of discovering the richness of the present, a path to living a more fulfilled and serene life. Start with these practices, and let mindfulness transform your daily experiences into a wellspring of joy and clarity.

The Eden Magazine offers stories and resources to help individuals around the world build positivity and a culture of wellness. Have a question for the team? Reach out today.

About Hollywood & Mind, LLC

Hollywood & Mind is uniquely positioned at the intersection of the entertainment and mental health sectors. We are an incubator of ideas, fostering collaboration, innovation and solutions in an effort both to leverage the power of entertainment to help diminish the world’s global mental health crisis, and care for the wellbeing of those working in the industry.

This year’s Summit builds on the success of Hollywood & Mind’s inaugural Summit, which featured a fireside chat with Grammy-nominated and award-winning musician, actor, advocate and New York Times best-selling author Demi Lovato and conversations with media mogul Charlamagne Tha God, Master P, Rupi Kaur, singer/songwriters Em Beihold, Valerie June and Meredith O’Connor, Zak Williams, mental health advocate and son of the late Robin Williams, Carmela Wallace, founder of Live Free 999 and mother of the late Jarad “Juice WRLD” Higgins, and more.

About UTA UTA unites ideas, opportunities, and talent. The company represents some of the world’s most iconic, barrier-breaking artists, creators, and changemakers—from actors, athletes, authors, and musicians to writers, gamers, and digital influencers. One of the most influential companies in global entertainment, UTA’s business spans talent representation, content production, as well as strategic advisory and marketing work with some of the world’s biggest brands. Affiliated companies include Digital Brand Architects, KLUTCH Sports Group, Curtis Brown Group, and MediaLink. UTA is headquartered in Los Angeles and has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, New York, and London.

The UTA Foundation is the social impact division of United Talent Agency, providing strategic counsel to UTA clients and employees on community engagement and philanthropic initiatives.

Hollywood & Mind

Brought Together Top Mental Health Advocates and Entertainment Heavyweights at Second Annual Summit on the UTA Campus

With enlightening discussions and impactful presentations, the event illuminated the intersection of mental health and the entertainment industry. It fostered a crucial dialogue, highlighting the industry’s commitment to destigmatizing mental health issues. This was not just a step, but a significant leap in promoting awareness and support for mental health within Hollywood and beyond, instilling a sense of hope for a brighter future in the industry.

Singer-songwriter Mike Posner joined the event to perform his 2017 Grammy-nominated song I Took A Pill in Ibiza and a brand new song. He joined Hollywood & Mind founder Cathy Applefeld Olson for a thought-provoking conversation.

He shared his experience with self-exploration and discovery, including his epic walk across the United States in 2019. “Not all crazy ideas are great, but all great ideas are crazy. I went on this journey, and it changed my life. I’m not saying everyone here should walk across America, but sometimes there’s an internal walk we must go on,” he said.

In a panel with Joel Goldman of The Kids Mental Health Foundation, Angel Carter Conrad, Aaron Pearce, and Soleil Moon Frye, Frye talked about her experience making her 2021 documentary. “From my experience doing KID 90, I thought I was doing something very different, and in reliving my own childhood, I had a lot of ghosts that came back, and I had to process that, and it was one of the true healing experiences of my life.”

Cathy Applefeld Olson founder of Hollywood & Mind

Kevin Hines, storyteller, author, filmmaker, investor, and one of only a small number of survivors who attempted suicide by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge, shared, “Suicide does not take the pain away. It transfers it to everyone left behind and makes it wholly impossible for things ever to get better.”

Through candid panel discussions, speakers encouraged attendees to address the stigma surrounding mental health struggles and shared personal strategies for effectively navigating the formidable pressures inherent within the industry. “Couples Therapy” Star Dr. Orna Guralnik, actor and singer Chyler Leigh, Maybelline Head of Brand Engagement Sarah Shaker, comedians Kevin Fredericks and Carmen Esposito, professional basketball player Imani McGee-Stafford, Indianapolis Colts vice chair/ owner Kalen Jackson, “Bel Air” creator and showrunner Morgan Stevenson Cooper, model Emma Brooks, The NAACP’s Kyle Bowser, actor/singer Kevin Quinn, The Squeeze podcast co-host Tay Lautner, advocate and model Rose Montoya, Creators Capital/Empower GenZ founder Jaxon J Huffman, multi-Grammy-winning producer Aaron Pearce, were just a few of the notable speakers who offered attendees unique perspectives for managing mental health. Additional attendees included Vanderpump Rules star

This year’s event marked the second Hollywood & Mind Summit. The inaugural Summit in 2023 featured a fireside chat between Hollywood & Mind founder Cathy Applefeld Olson and Demi Lovato and conversations about mental health storytelling, the power of song, and partnerships among mental health organizations and creators among topics. With each gathering, Hollywood & Mind reinforces its commitment to fostering a culture of empathy, resilience, and support within the entertainment industry. As conversations continue beyond the summit, Hollywood & Mind remains steadfast in its mission to drive lasting change and elevate mental health awareness across industries.

Rachel Leviss and actors James Haven and Gary Dourdan

and Its Relationship to Reincarnation Karma

by Barbara Y. Martin and Dimitri Moraitis

Each of us possesses a precious “coin of wisdom.” On one side of this coin is the right of free choice, and on the other side is the will to act out that choice. How you choose to spend this coin determines if you live in harmony with the divine laws of life. As you express your free choice, you generate karma — the great law of cause and effect. Every day, you spend your coin of wisdom either to pay the price for any misdeed (bad karma) or to reap the rewards of the fruits of Spirit (good karma).

Karma is essential to your well-being. All of us, at one point or another, make mistakes. When we do things that are bad, evil, or foolish, these are the growing pains of an evolving soul. When you break a spiritual law, knowingly or unknowingly, you face natural consequences; by repeatedly breaking these laws, you slowly begin to understand how they work. The law of karma, therefore, allows us to learn right from wrong by firsthand experi-

ence. It is designed in love to make you a greater being and to help you realize your great goal.

Karma is impartial. In the same way, you feel the pain of missteps, you also reap good karma for the created life-enhancing actions that contribute to life and build your talents and skills. The successes you feel with good karma are not really rewards, but the universe bringing back what you put out multiplied.

Intimately connected with karma is reincarnation. Reincarnation is the cycle of birth and rebirth, also known as the wheel of necessity or the wheel of samsara. As Earth is a schoolhouse, it’s impossible to learn all the lessons of life in a single incarnation. So we reincarnate time and time again, with each incarnation like a grade in school to gather knowledge and experience. Reincarnation offers us, through successive embodiments in physical form, time — time to resolve all our karmic debts, learn all our lessons, develop all our latent spiritual powers, and fully express our gift of free choice and will.

Does reincarnation and the balancing of our karma happen by itself, or is there a higher intelligence involved that steers the process? The resounding answer is that reincarnation and karma are not blind forces of nature — they are part of a conscious, intelligent, and intricate activity of divine life.

The ultimate goal of reincarnation is spiritual perfection. By learning all our soul lessons here on Earth and resolving all our karmic debts, we achieve spiritual maturity. How many lifetimes, on average, does it take for souls to achieve mastery? A soul going through the human experience will incarnate in physical form approximately 800 times in its quest for spiritual maturity! This is “getting off the wheel of necessity.” We are no longer obliged to incarnate in physical form. We’ve graduated from Schoolhouse Earth. It is the greatest achievement we can attain in physical life; for now, the soul is ready to go upward to even greater adventures in the world of Spirit. This is the great goal each of our souls is aiming to reach, and it is in God’s plan for every soul to achieve.

Does reincarnation and the balancing of our karma happen by itself, or is there a higher intelligence involved that steers the process? The resounding answer is that reincarnation and karma are not blind forces of nature — they are part of a conscious, intelligent, and intricate activity of divine life. But how does the divine carry this process out? The Divine is working with you now to help you work through karmic conditions and evolve your soul. There are grand celestial beings who are the administrators of the divine law of cause and effect. It is their job to help you resolve your karma and fulfill your destiny. The truth is we cannot possibly understand all the intricacies of our karmic credits and debts we have generated, as well as what is needed for our spiritual growth. This must be done by a loving hand far more developed than we are.

There is a grand design for your incarnation. It’s called

your “Tapestry of Life.” This vision of your incarnated life is shown to you before your soul incarnates in physical life. The Tapestry of Life reveals images of some of the major events and main goals you are meant to accomplish in your upcoming incarnation. All of this is done to help you, the growing soul, continue to resolve your karma and fulfill your destiny. Yet this is a vision. We must weave our Tapestry into physical life through our own efforts. Yet as the saying goes, “The universe is conspiring for your success.” As we cooperate with life out of free will, we achieve our ultimate good.

How do you know where in your approximately 800 lives you’re currently at? It’s difficult to say. There is a glorious, gradual unfolding of life that we cannot shortcut — nor should we want to. To truly reach the spiritual maturity and enlightenment you seek, adopt the long view of life. Be patient, be persistent, and stay close to the path, but also let life unfold naturally; do not force anything. Each step in your unfolding, after all, is necessary and beautiful.

The more urgent question is, what are you doing now to fulfill all you came to this Earth to accomplish? There’s nothing wrong with reincarnating here on Earth. You’ve done it hundreds of times. The only time it becomes difficult is when you reincarnate in a future incarnation to complete something you could have completed in this life. Pay attention to the life lessons you are faced with. The challenges and opportunities in your life right now are not only setting the condition of your current success but also success in lives that are yet to be lived.

and Dimitri

are cofounders of the renowned Spiritual Arts Institute. With over 50 years of clairvoyant experience, they have taught thousands to better themselves by working with the aura and spiritual energy. Their award-winning books include the international bestseller Change Your Aura, Change Your Life, Karma and Reincarnation, The Healing Power of Your Aura, Communing with the Divine, and Heaven and Your Spiritual Evolution.

https://spiritualarts.org/

Barbara Y. Martin

Moraitis

Welcome to Our Contributor Writers’ Neighborhood

By Polly Wirum

Does God Answer Your Questions? HOW

Do you ever find yourself wanting the big questions in your life answered? Do you ponder the makings of the Universe and why you are having this incredible life experience? You are seeking answers to questions that are not even fully formed, but you know they are important. Continue reading this blog if you are ready to have clear communication with God, the Universe, or whoever your higher power is, and finally get your questions answered.

My Story

Working as a psychic, I have developed a very strong faith in a higher power that has helped me create an open channel of communication with the Angels, Guides, and God. To be sure, this is a daily practice, and I am fully aware of what causes the communication line to short-circuit, leaving questions unanswered.

The biggest culprit of disruptions in conversations with the Universe is stress.

It is not that ironic. When you have crazy things unfolding in your life, that is when you want the big booming voice to tell you what to do, and that is when it seems farthest away.

Photo by Julee Juu

I recently sold my home and had a purchase fall through. I am in a short-term rental and under contract for another home. All of this seems to be moving in a semi non stressful way; and yet I have questions that are unanswered.

My mind juggles stored furniture, deciding if I want to spend summer in Alaska, and the list of ponderings continues. Yesterday, I was contemplating all my choices as I drove to a trailhead. In the open space of the desert, I began imagining that I was sitting in a classroom where God was the teacher. All of life’s deepest mysteries were being solved by a holy presence at the front of the room.

The classroom was very utilitarian, with uncomfortable little desks and lit in a way that was not bright, but it was not full of shadows either. None of that mattered. I was so excited to finally get all my concerns addressed. I could see myself sitting tall and leaning forward in excitement. My right arm was stretched so high that it pulled on the side of my body. It felt great to actively participate in a heart-to-heart with God.

Here is where it became a little more interesting. I could see the outline of a figure; it could be male or female. I also noted that God appeared to be very relaxed but also fully engaged with our classroom lesson on life.

Of course this made complete sense.

The appearance of God can be whatever we choose. It is only our human mind that seeks an image of God, a definitive of what God is. I also appreciated that God was very relaxed, but fully engaged in the experience. This is exactly the way each of us best manifests and makes connections with our guides, angels and God or Source energy.

What Does Your God Look Like?

Take a moment and imagine what God looks like. You may see your deity in a human form or something else that resonates with you on a deep level. Find at least one aspect in this image that is unique and memorable.

What Does Your Classroom Look Like?

Now, you get to decide what your classroom looks like. I am surprised my meeting place is literally in a classroom setting. Maybe there are less distractions for me.

Choose a setting where you can one hundred percent focus on your communication with God.

How Do You Feel When you are Conversing with God?

When we connect with God for good conversation, it might feel different than other times of communication. There should be a feeling of anticipation, curiosity, and overall joy.

Take a minute and imagine how you will feel when you get all your cosmic answers.

Photo by Katerina May

Who Else Is in The Classroom?

I like the very simple setting with God, but you may enjoy your angels, guides, or other students. Is there anyone else in your classroom?

How Does God Communicate with You?

The Universe, Source or God communicates with you in countless ways. You get to decide your go to method, but always be open to other forms of expression.

I will share several examples of how I have received messages from the universe.I frequently receive messages when I am out on a trail. These could be thoughts that keep popping into my head or animals that visit me, carrying a particular energy. I have also heard the booming voice.

I will share the first voice experience. When I was pregnant with my first child, the perinatologist noted some anomalies on an ultrasound. They suggested an amniocentesis. I was very scared, and tears were streaming down my face.

At home and alone, I curled up in bed and cried. Suddenly, I heard a voice that said, “don’t worry she will be alright.” I instantly felt at peace. The experience was completely unexpected and I did not tell anyone of my experience for years.

Our daughter was in fact fine! I have had that very strong presence of peace show up at other stressful times in my life.

Notice if you see, feel, or hear your messages. Remember the messages can continue being shared throughout the day.

What Are Your Biggest Pressing Questions?

Create a list of questions you would like to ask Source. Do

this with a relaxed but eager and curious state of mind. Have faith that the answers will come.

I do believe we are experiencing life on many different levels. This means we need to allow certain life experiences to take form before the answers come.

It can be frustrating if you want the answers now, but there are many things the human mind cannot completely understand. There are times in our life where we are in mid transformation. Our new experience has not completely become our reality, but we have outgrown the old.

Sometimes, I ask questions, and I am shown that pondering is a distraction in my life. It is almost like the question is erased, and I see how insignificant it is in my journey. When this happens, it is also accompanied by a peaceful feeling. It is almost like something is being cleared from my thoughts.

You have everything you need to have a deep conversation with God.

Spirituality is fun, exciting; and collectively we are on the edge of making astounding discoveries. You have always had everything you need to make this holy connection and hear the voice of God. It is as simple as turning within and opening to the mysteries of the Universe.

I hope this simple exercise can be part of what helps you discover the inner workings and greatness of you. The more you practice, the sharper your communication skills will become. Whatever method of connection you choose, know that you are helping create a compassionate and high vibrational world.

Do not be surprised if new questions arise as our amazing and mysterious evolution continues.

Polly Wirum is a psychic, life coach, and writer. Years ago, she experienced a health crisis that led to a complete spiritual and life transformation. When she thought her life was crumbling, the universe was easing her grip on everything, distracting her from the truth. The healing helped her discover the beauty of a joyful and uncomplicated life. It is here that she connects with wisdom and magic. She shares this with her clients through life’s coaching psychic readings and spiritual retreats. visit Pollywirum.com

By Susanna Schroadter

Photo by fybAdobeStock

In our everyday lives, amidst the hustle and the tangible, physical elements that surround us, there exists something infinitely more profound and less visible — the vibrant, humming energy that interlaces the very fabric of the universe. This unseen force connects us all, whispering secrets of the cosmos into the ears of those who choose to listen.

The Subtle Realm Beyond the Physical

It is in the quiet moments, when the clamor of life fades into the background that many of us sense there is something more. We feel the underlying energy, a pulse that connects every living being to each other and to the universe at large. The ancient sages spoke of this invisible ether, and today’s spiritual leaders echo the same truth. Eckhart Tolle, the German-born spiritual teacher, beautifully articulates this sentiment when he says, “You are not in the universe; you are the universe, an intrinsic part of it. Ultimately, you are not a person, but a focal point where the universe is becoming conscious of itself.”

Clearing Our Channels: Sage, Meditation, Water

To truly tune into this cosmic dialogue, our channels — our bodies, minds, and spirits — must be clear and pure of the emotional and physical toxicity this world creates. There is an art to cleansing our energy and opening up our ability to communicate with the divine. Although each individual may create their own ritual for this sacred practice, throughout history there is a common thread of using elemental tools such as sage, meditation, and water.

Sage, in this sense, a sacred herb, has been used for centuries to clear spaces of negative energy and to cleanse the aura, allowing the whispers of the universe to be heard without interference.

Meditation, the practice of focusing or clearing the mind,  is our direct line to the universe. It transcends the noise of the physical world, providing clarity and peace. In meditation, we find a profound depth of connection, a sense of oneness with the energy that binds us. It is often said that prayer is a means of asking a question, while meditation is the tool to which the universe responds.

Water, a symbol of wisdom, fluid and pure, is akin to the flow of energy within and all around us. It reminds us to move with grace, to cleanse regularly, and to nurture our inner wells of spirituality.

The Power of Personal Experience

There are moments in life that defy explanation, times when the universe speaks directly to our hearts. I remember vividly a day filled with a profound sense of connection and communication from beyond. In honoring the memory of my sons who had passed into the next realm, a song that held deep personal significance to my family, “When You Say Nothing at All” by Alison Kraus, unexpectedly filled the heavy silence of my car. These words so rarely played on the radio, were a balm to my aching heart in a moment that needed it the most. It was a gentle, loving confirmation from my sons, Archer and Logan, that they had not disappeared into an abyss and were still with me, sharing in

the love and the moment of remembrance. My soul knows this was not mere coincidence; it was a message, an affirmation of the continuous and unbreakable bond we share through the energy of the universe, through all space and all time.

Tuning into the Universe with Support from the Wise

In our quest for connection, we find guidance in the words of those who have walked this path before us. Deepak Chopra, an alternative medicine advocate and author, reminds us that “In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” To connect with the universal energy, we must find calm within ourselves amidst life’s incessant turmoil.

Sadhguru, with his ability to bring ancient yogic wisdom to everyday life, offers a perspective on our unity with the universe, stating, “The whole existence is a kind of energy.” He encourages us to see beyond our physical boundaries, to recognize ourselves as more than mere bodies and instead as a vital part of the cosmic energy network.

A Safe Harbor for Spiritual Seekers

To all who are on this spiritual odyssey, seeking to deepen your understanding and connection with the universe’s energy, know that you are not alone. This space, created with love and empathy, serves as a beacon for all like-minded souls everywhere. Here, we share our stories, our losses, our discoveries, and above all, our unending hope and love that propel us forward.

Our connections are not defined or limited by the physical realm but are constantly nourished and supported by the boundless energy of the universe. In recognizing and honoring this sacred connection, we open ourselves to a world of clarity, purpose, and unconditional love.

Trusting the Journey and Embracing the

Unknown

Along this journey, we will face moments of uncertainty and doubt. We may question our choices, our beliefs, and even ourselves. But it is in these moments that we must trust in and surrender to the universe’s guiding energy - a force that knows no limits or boundaries.

As the 13th Century poet, Rumi wisely said, “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean, in a drop.” Each one of us holds within us the power and wisdom of the universe. When we trust in ourselves and lean into the unknown, we remember who we are and tap into this infinite potential and discover the beauty and truth of our existence.

Embracing Love, Letting Go of Fear

As we continue on this journey, it is essential to remember that love is the guiding force of the universe. It flows through us and connects us all, transcending all physical barriers. When we release fear and embrace love, we open ourselves up to a world of endless possibilities.

To create a better existence for ourselves and our children, let us come together in this safe harbor, bound by our shared desire for deeper spiritual understanding and connection. Let us support and uplift one another, celebrating each other’s unique journey while recognizing the common thread of love that unites us all.

Let us continue on our journey with open hearts and minds, trusting in the universe’s plan for us and embracing the beauty of the unknown. May we be a beacon of light for others, shining our love out into the world and creating a ripple effect. Let us lean into love and help one another rise in love. Now and always.

Susanna Schroadter, once a practicing attorney and mediator, has has turned her focus to creating Sage, a safe sanctuary to allow others to heal. She offers consulting and strategy for those going into mediation or dealing with life altering events so that they may be empowered and advocate for themselves. Once those events have occurred, she also offers different modalities for healing such as life and spiritual guidance and energy work.

https://susannalitchfield.com/

The Permanence Everyday Life of the Temporary

Words fly across the pages to tantalize, transform, and capture the ever-present mind. Endless ideas, traditions, rules, and beliefs instruct us toward the path of happiness and enlightenment. And yet, all can be downloaded automatically just sitting on the grass, as the sun penetrates us with its rays and ignites one’s earthly physical flesh into feelings of ecstasy. It’s the ever-present potent power of fire that maintains us earth-humans!

Have you begun to notice a strange feeling in the air, as if everything needs a shake-up? What may be viewed as an endless line of changes on the surface is nothing more than a continuity of already existing movements.

Unable to see beyond the surface noise, one’s awareness is blinded by distractions of a constantly expanding visual chaos. And “here” is where we stand.

Humans create growth, and yet, are we growing? While everything surrounding us, including nature and human consequences, is in a constant growth mode?

A selfie is a physical manifestation of one’s foundation. How dare anyone pass judgment on that which we have no understanding of other than a conceptual theory totally made up to fit like a glove in mind contained in ignorance?

Any form of condemnation shows a complete lack of self-awareness of one’s surroundings and current reality. Let us examine what has transpired.

As long as we are never convinced of this evidence, that change is the very essence of every single-life in this earthly realm. Human beings will forever remain confined and subjected to internal forces we will never be able to control. The most powerful force is our beliefs, created within one’s misguided conceptual mindset. Beliefs are the primary positive or negating essence engaged in upholding one’s foundation. When viewed with understanding, it is no different from and exactly identical to how a selfie upholds one’s foundation for these individuals!

Permanence is a self-generated conscious security, now known as one’s comfort zone. And yet, we are constantly reminded that the only permanence on this earth is change. What is change? Lo and behold, change is an event that suddenly, seemingly from nowhere, springs itself upon us and confronts our indiscriminate comfort zone mindset. Change has forever hidden its true purpose, existing as an invisible portal for human growth. If we so choose to acknowledge, it will naturally transport one into their gifted state of evolutionary awareness. Commonly referred to as the path to human happiness and enlightenment!

Blessed are we, always.

“Life is suffering.” Here is a common term known to most humans through a variety of teachings, everyday living, and past personal experiences. All of which, unfortunately, may have been incorrectly defined! This is the way of a misunderstanding. In reality, what is actually being stated is the question, “Does your life satisfy you?” If not, what exists are ideas, rules, or beliefs confined and attached to one’s wants, needs, desires, reasons, judgments, or logic, constantly pivoting us to believe that one’s life is a story of unhappiness. An idea that is desperately in need of a thorough investigation. Is unhappiness a misinformed reality, a gross figment of one’s imagination, or even more problematic, some made-up educated story we have been fed to believe? Is this all there is?

Baa Baa, black sheep, what are you doing now?

Is self-sabotage a form of enlightenment? Could it possibility be a misunderstood reoccurring life transformative process, purely dedicated to learning of one’s true-self. A reoccurring process of engaged awareness, which allows a sneak peak into human functions, when living in the now. An opening which invites one to experience a mindful connection, on how to overcome calcified concepts which still today, condemn one to past experiences and behavioral patterns.

Instead, we are constantly bombarded by podcasts arising from all areas of existence, personal development, and teachings, with answers that have supposedly unraveled the mystery of life’s meaning, which have seemingly interpreted any form of attachment as not good for the soul. We should aim for higher attainments to experience hap-

piness rather than cultivate a life that strives for a collection of material goodies to foster one’s happy place.

The question now arises, is there an issue with, and what are these negatives, when thousands and millions of humans derive happiness, peace and solitude while regularly engaging with nature? Especially when coming to terms with their human conditioning. Humans rejoice in nature as one’s private playground for personal pleasures! Is one’s love of nature also an attachment?

You are all you need.

Will humans ever find any form of happiness while constantly engaged in internal forces we have placed on our not-to-do, shame-blame list? It’s not really a question, as we are knowingly living the answer. Come to terms with whatever you or another person is doing, has done, or is OK. For the educated human, this will definitely be one of the hardest shift changes he/she will ever have to participate in.

What is happiness? In a world imprisoned in definitions, happiness is a rebel. To confuse everyone, it has a super broad collection of definitions and varies between individuals and different social and cultural factors. Be careful what you wish for, goes the old saying, as happiness also contains a curved ball. For when one allows our inner smile to leave, the shadows of being human can slowly crept in, and take us to where the sun doesn’t shine. Hence acknowledge an even greater power existing in another old saying, remember always “know and accept thy self.”

Is happiness a choice?

Sitting on the other side of the fence are many forms of sabotage: self-created, hiding, and waiting to pounce like the Red Barron. Sadly, it’s one’s mismatch between our in-the-moment evolution and agreements cemented by how we evaluate past experiences. You are not alone. Humans fluctuate on autopilot between what the mind desires and what is already built into one’s physical mindset and behavioral patterns. When they conflict, life seems completely messed up, so we tend to sit back on our laurels and remain as we were. Try as we may; release from sabotage patterns may seem impossible. If this is the case, we are definitely unsure of what we are doing. Don’t get caught up in one’s labeling, as feelings will confuse and lead you astray. Research or seek help.

If you unknowingly base your life on expectations and/or assumptions, then who are you? Living a life as a generic being will only add to any issues because you are no longer somebody; you have become everybody. Self-discovery brings one home, removes fear and avoidance, and resets the groundwork to rebuild a stable human. Welcome home. Filling in the gaps is a journey of never-ending discovery. It is always amazing and allows one to hold their head above high, far from drowning in yesterday’s waters.

Rejoice.

Today’s creatives have made available over-the-counter material solutions one can purchase to subdue the thinking mind and manifest one’s completed beingness. Dare one say, no judgment. In reality, it’s like leaving you stranded in an empty parking lot all alone, complete and empty at the same time. Yes, you are the mind, and

you are more than the mind. Remain a follower or dive deeper, where one learns how to engage in sustainable essences that feed your completeness. It’s a no-risk challenge when you keep moving forward. There will be times when dark clouds reappear; they, too, shall pass. Know this: the sun is always shining, light is constant, and it can never leave! When the firelight appears to be resting in silence, the moon automatically takes over. Within this silent crossover, one’s determination ignites the strength to rebuild and deliver, and one returns to their upgraded flow.

You are, and always shall be.

What is ego? Like everything that exists in this material world of duality, finding a balance is crucial to one’s existence. One could say that life is greater and easier when we remain on neutral ground. This could also be a definition of meditation. Is ego really our enemy, or are we so lacking in self-control that life becomes easier when we have ego to blame for our nonexistent disciplines and misaligned abilities? If ego is your left arm, do you really think after cutting it off, your life will automatically get better?

Delusions abound in a world where thinking holds court over all seen and unseen. Deluded, yes, we are if we think ego is the positive proof originating the cause of one’s lack of happiness and endless suffering. One’s life is foundational. When that is nonexistent, false, or out of balance, we make up baloney to justify our fears and lack. Then, we call it knowledge, which satisfies one’s permanence in our temporary existence. What a sorry bunch we have become, lost in our timorous maze mindset. No wonder we are asking, even begging, to be led into our futures by the nose.

Transcendental Voyages: Roaming the World and Reimagining the Self

By Jan Wakefield, M.A.

A Journey Through Time and Tradition Tokyo:

Photo by Svetlana Gumerova

In the heart of Japan, amidst the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers of Tokyo, lies a world where ancient tradition and modern innovation collide in a symphony of sights and sensations. From the majestic slopes of Mount Fuji to the neon-lit streets of Shibuya, my journey through this vibrant metropolis was a whirlwind of discovery, adventure, and wonder.

My Tokyo adventure began with an upgrade to first class from Hawaii to Japan. Asian hospitality is unparalleled, and the experience on the plane set the mood for the entire trip. I arrived late in the evening at an airport that was futuristic, bright, and impossibly clean. Day one began with an early-morning pilgrimage to one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks: Mount Fuji. Rising majestically on the horizon like a silent sentinel, Fuji-san is not just a mountain; it is a symbol of Japan’s indomitable spirit and timeless beauty. And what better time to visit than during the fleeting season of cherry blossoms, when the surrounding area is ablaze with the delicate pink hues of Sakura?

Being that I planned the trip around seeing the cherry blossoms, I was not disappointed with the organized tour to Mt. Fuji that promised I would see these glorious trees. At one stop, I gazed out upon a sea of pink petals stretching as far as the eye could see, a breathtaking panorama that spoke to the deep reverence the Japanese people hold for these fleeting flowers. For centuries, cherry blossoms have been

a symbol of renewal and rebirth in Japanese culture, a reminder of the transient nature of life and the beauty that can be found in impermanence.

The reverence of nature always provides me with a moment to reflect, but the powerful presence of Tokyo’s temple reminded me of the depth of spirituality that imbues Japanese culture.  Sensoji Temple, a spiritual oasis nestled in the heart of Tokyo’s bustling Asakusa district, gave me an opportunity to experience Shinto culture from a close perspective.

Steeped in history and tradition, Sensoji is not just a temple; it is a living testament to Japan’s rich spiritual heritage. Amidst the incense-laden air and a massive volume of visitors, I witnessed the gentle murmur of prayers said with true devotion. I learned about the temple’s storied past, of how the statue of the goddess of wisdom, Kannon, was found there, so the temple was erected in her honor.  I purchased a charm for good health and prosperity, dipped my fingers in the temple fountain, brought the water to my lips, and stood before Kannon and, offered my own prayer for peace and expressed my gratitude for such an incredible trip to Tokyo.

Tokyo is a combination of rich history and modern marvels where innovation and imagination reign supreme. One of the highlights of my trip was a thrilling Go Kart ride along Rainbow Bridge, a feat of engineering that spans

Tokyo Bay in a dazzling display of lights and motion. As I raced through the streets dressed as an anime character and surrounded by the cityscape, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer energy and vitality of Tokyo’s urban landscape. With over 800 square miles of endless buildings, every road on which I drove had rows of towering buildings on either side. The unique architecture of each building representative of the decade in which it was built, making it very tempting to swivel my head to see the details more closely.

Tokyo is not just a city of skyscrapers and fast-paced living; it is also a place of tradition and modern excitement. Nowhere is this more evident than in Shibuya, where the iconic scramble crossing serves as a microcosm of Japanese society. Here, amidst the throngs of people crossing in every direction, I marveled at the efficiency and unwavering politeness of the Japanese people, a stark contrast to the chaos of the intersection. A short walk up the hill from Shibuya crossing yielded boutique shops surrounded by local restaurants and the reverent silence of Japanese residential areas.

One of my favorite places on my journey was not on the surface of Tokyo but underground. Descending the depths of Tokyo Station, I explored the labyrinthine underground shops and bustling corridors that lay beneath the surface. From traditional souvenirs to cutting-edge technology to remarkable dessert shops, Tokyo Station is a treasure trove of delights waiting to be discovered. Amidst the

hustle and bustle of the station, I found myself swept up in the rhythm of Tokyo life, where well-dressed, busy workers stopped at tiny hot pot stands to fuel themselves for the more than 20,000 steps the average worker walks in a day to and from work.

For me, no trip to Tokyo would be complete without a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. A true Disney fan since childhood, I could not miss the opportunity to step into the magic of Disney, imbued with a distinct Japanese spin on it. From the enchanting fairy tales of Disneyland to the nautical adventures of DisneySea, each moment was a reminder of the magic of Disney from my childhood, combined with the Shinto traditions that lie at the heart of Japanese culture. The last days passed far too quickly, but I somehow also felt suspended in time.

The most enduring memory of my time in Tokyo is the sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom, their delicate petals drifting on the breeze with Mt Fuji in the background. For the Japanese people, sakura represents more than just a flower; it is a symbol of hope, renewal, and the temporary nature of life itself. Tokyo is a city of contrasts, where past and present merge in a harmonious blend of old and new. As I watched the sun set behind the towering skyscrapers of Tokyo the night I left, I mentally planned my next trip to this city of the enduring power of tradition, innovation, and deep spirituality.

A lifelong traveler and educator, Jan Wakefield sees the world as a vast opportunity for expanding her understanding of the human condition.

For her, travel equals transformation. Jan’s passion for travel and decades of experience as a personal transformation coach are the foundation for her international retreats, where people release who they once were and embrace who they want to be through meditation, relaxation, and a gentle return to self.

In addition, Jan plans to visit all 195 countries in the world and share her experiences with readers and audiences worldwide. For more about Jan’s transformational retreats and programs, visit http://jan-wakefield.com

Photo by By

An Ecology of Ideas

By Dulce García-Morman, Ph.D.

Emotional Fitness SHADOW WORK &

For years I’ve thought a lot about emotional fitness and how to come into healthy relationship with my emotions, something that I did not learn from my family of origin. And it was through my riding horses and later my apprenticeship in equine-assisted learning (EAL) that I began to understand the importance of emotions and how we process them. In my EAL work, I was introduced to the work of Karla McLaren, author, researcher, and empathy expert, and her award-winning work in the field of emotional fitness.

McLaren emphasizes the importance of viewing emotions as information, staying away from labeling them as negative, and learning to dialogue with emotions to gather the valuable information that they carry for us. In other words, emotions inform and can also be a source of healing. To come into a proper relationship with our emotions, McLaren has developed an “emotional vocabulary” along with the types of questions that we must ask of each emotion to dig into the messages they have for us. This requires, in turn, a refinement of how we normally identify emotions. For example, it is very helpful to learn to discern between anger and frustration or fear and vulnerability. While these may sort of “feel”

the same, connecting with these emotions in our body and asking the right questions will help us to sort things out more accurately. Below is an example of how one might work with discerning fear from vulnerability. This is an excerpt from an “emotional message chart”

I often use in my coaching work: The idea here is that fear comes from an external threat, which begs the basic question of “how do I move into a position of safety”? An example of this can be someone exposed to an environment of physical or emotional abuse, whether at home or in the workplace. In contrast, and although it can feel like fear, vulnerability comes from an internal threat to our beliefs, value systems, and conditioned ways of relating to self and to the world. An example of this might be the shifts that could come during a person’s mid-life, when we might begin to think more about purpose and meaning, and perhaps question if the relationships and life we have built are serving us. These questions can be unsettling and bring up “fears”, but it is a vulnerability that arises from within. As such, it requires a different set of questions, such as identifying what is being challenged, and what disruptions and opportunities might come about if we accept a new direction.

Of course, the idea behind all the emotions is that they are neither positive nor negative -they are just powerful allies trying to tell us something. If we ignore our emotions and do not seek resolution and integration, they tend to escalate and intensify. Emotions are like babies; they will cry until you pick them up and take care of them. You can check out Karla’s work on her website: https://karlamclaren.com/

There’s excellent work being done in the field of emotional fitness, especially in the professional and leadership fields. Someone who comes to mind is Carol Ross, founder of Emotionally Fit Leadership (emotionalfitleadership. com), who left a successful career as an engineer in the fields of nuclear power and telecommunications due to burnout. She eventually became a leadership coach after her own journey to become an emotionally fit individual. To quote Ross on what she identifies as her humbling journey into her emotional world, “I started to place importance on how I felt. Not just the good emotions, like thrill and hope, but also the ones typically labeled as negativeanger, despair, hurt, loneliness, even hatred. The range of emotions I allowed myself to feel determined my resilience to life’s challenges.  I discovered a profound truth: emotions are my birthright”.

Emotional fitness work is essential in the path toward self-knowledge; to become proficient in the language of emotions and to dialogue with them, no matter how uncomfortable it may feel, is very important. And because the physical body is where emotion is stored and processed, emotional fitness tools ideally include embodied practices that strengthen our mindbody connection. This is not to suggest that the logical/rational brain is set aside; on the contrary, the idea is that emotions inform our intellect and that an alliance of the two makes for better decision-making and greater states of clarity. However, later in my coaching work and in my own personal journey, I became increasingly interested in emotional triggers -those interactions with another person or situations that can spark a negative emotional response. According to HealthLine.org, “An emotional trigger is anything — including memories, experiences, or events — that sparks an intense emotional reaction, regardless of your current mood.”

Almost all of us have triggers, which can range from experiencing a surge of emotions to even symptoms of anxiety. Working with emotions when we are triggered is an excellent skill for self-development.

Photo by bady abbas

For example, in the moment we can practice mindful breathing, scan our bodies to identify areas of discomfort, and then dig into those areas of tension for information -can we identify what we’re feeling, and is there any information that we can get from our bodies? Our body will speak to us when we engage with it in heart-felt inquiry. Tapping is another excellent way to engage the body when we need to self-regulate during an intense emotional response. Beyond self-regulation and improving our emotional vocabulary, there is a deeper inquiry involved in understanding the Source of our triggers, which generally are not isolated instances but rather patterns of response. Most of the time we’re not conscious of the pattern, until we begin the arduous and magical journey into shadow work.

We owe the concept of the shadow to the work of Carl G. Jung (1875-1961), the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology. Although a complex concept, we can think of the shadow as an unconscious aspect of the personality that does not live up to the ego ideal of who we are. This usually leads to the ego rejecting these “unwanted” dimensions of the self, and rather than accepting and integrating them, they are project onto others. The shadow is like the blind spot of the psyche, and the process of individuating (or become whole) requires the awareness of these blind spots and the inner work of integrating them into the ego. Another way to put it is to take what is unconscious and bring it into consciousness….out of hiding in the closet of the repressed parts of ourselves and into the space where we can create a union of opposites. One example of shadow projection is when we get triggered by what someone may say or behave; you know, the stuff that just pokes the bear in us and we feel that surge of emotion that

is almost irrational. Then we tend to go into judgment, “Oh, that person is so this and that.” Maybe our response is a rejection of the mirror that the person presents -we ourselves are “so this and that”, but because we cannot recognize it, we judge “the other”. It is always easier to point the finger outward than inward.

Therefore, there is a space of possibility beyond emotional fitness…the place where our shadows dwell, deep in our psyche. When we undertake the rigorous work of withdrawing our shadow (i.e., to stop projecting it) and rather integrating or owning it, it frees the soul and exposes our full potential. This is not a journey of becoming perfect or of “cleansing our sins”, it is rather a journey of integrating the various aspects of self into the whole that we are. Shadow work is an amazing process of “adulting”, through which we become fully accountable. In shadow work, we wake up to the soul’s yearnings, become intimate with its desires, and develop a good dose of self-love. Once that self-compassion awakens, we can more easily feel it toward others.

I like to think of emotional fitness as a valuable first layer to uncover in the process of self-knowing. It gets us to feel our feelings, to value them as allies, to become more supple, and to make more informed decisions that integrate the heart and the intellect. The tools we learn in our emotional fitness journey are very helpful when we enter the realm of the shadow. The language of the unconscious is highly symbolic and infused with feeling; it is a different dimension that requires we feel safe in navigating our emotional landscape. Emotional fitness and shadow work is a yin-yang process, the challenging dance of opposites coming into harmony with each other, grounded in self-love, forever evolving toward union with Source.

Dulce García-Morman, Ph.D. is founder of Life-Is-Art Equine Assisted Learning & Coaching. She has facilitated learning and therapeutic experiences through the horse-human connection for the past 17 years. Dulce’s practice draws from different wisdom traditions and is strongly oriented toward a Jungian approach to the restoration of the authentic Self.For more information, visit https://life-is-art.us/

By Joey Santos

Photo by Charbel Aoun

I’m choosing happy. If “happy” is a choice, then feeling “unhappy” must be one too. Or is it? Is either one of them our choice? Or are there simply chemicals within the brain that trigger emotions either way? I’m sure that with as many questions as there are, there are twice as many answers and theories as to how and why. I’ll leave those to the hundreds of “paid professionals” who spend most of their lives walking themselves and other people through the “what ifs” of life.

For me, it’s a choice… as simple and as complicated as that sounds… a choice because my life experiences have been vast. With all of its privileges and blessings, there have been twice as many challenges, disappointments, and regrets. It’s funny to think how it could be as simple as just that, but for me, it is. Think about it. Choosing happy! Have you met people who choose to be sad? Choose to be angry, alone, frustrated, aloof, cruel, irresponsible, unavailable, insensitive, and despairing. Would, or could, anyone want to live this one and only life (as we know it) as such? Yet, so many do!

For every problem, there is a solution. But to recognize either, it takes acknowledgment, work, responsibility, and the commitment to living your best life amidst the struggle of choosing “either” the problem (unhappy) or the solution (happy) every day! How we go about it is the real question and challenge.

We are all different, but if we are healthy spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally, can we make choices for ourselves and find ways to be happy? I’m not referring to the material things, physical attributes, or monetary traps that preoccupy us long enough to lift the “grey veil” within us that ultimately prevents us from seeing what

true happiness looks, tastes, smells, or feels like.

Happiness is a reflection. It’s what or whom you see yourself in and find delight from. It could be a time, a place, a song, a moment, a poem, a person, your pet, your children, yourself.

The sun, the moon, the stars, the past, the present, the future… all that you can dream of, all that you want to remember, this is the happiness I choose, and for this reason, to me, it’s a choice. I can look at life the way I feel the sun… warm and bright, greeting me each day and lighting my path to color and beauty. Or, I can choose to see the eclipse, that dark, cold place with nothing but doubt, disappointment, anxiety, and the ultimate fear that no light will ever be bright enough to help me see my path out.

So if “happy” is a choice, the opposite is too. Life greets us each day without an agenda. We can get up with as much as we can muster to greet it with a smile, with hope and gratitude, that it is a new day. Or we can make excuses as to why it takes too much simply to be, throw the covers over our heads, and wait until the next. Yep. For some, that’s a choice too. For me, I say, “No thanks! I’m choosing happy!”

For every problem, there is a solution. But to recognize either, it takes acknowledgment, work, responsibility, and the commitment

Joey Santos is a Celebrity Chef, Life Stylist & Co-Host of The Two Guys From Hollywood Podcast on Spotify. A Columnist for The Eden Magazine since 2016. Joey was raised in NYC, Malibu, and West Hollywood. He is the son of Film & Television Actor Joe Santos, and his Grandfather is World-Renowned Latin Singer Daniel Santos. To follow Joey on IG: @jojoboy13 To contact Joey; whynotjoe@gmail.com

by Brett Larkin

https://tinyrituals.co/

Sleep is a vital time for our body to rest and for our cells to heal and rejuvenate. Good sleep helps us be productive, boosts our metabolism, and helps our immune system thrive.

Healing crystals can help us to find that place of rich and rewarding slumber.

Several crystals can help soothe anxieties and clear the mind, granting us the mental space we need to let go of our worries and find rest.

By placing one of these rocks beneath your pillow or on your person, you could clear out negative energy and finally get the solid sleep you need.

Below, the crystal experts at Tiny Rituals highlight ten of the best crystals for sleep

and how they impact the mind, body, and soul.

1. Selenite

- Brings clarity and a zen-like calm

- Removes negative energy

Selenite brings clarity to your inner thoughts, helping to put you into a headspace of Zen-like calm rather than a toxic mess.

This crystal hums with a high frequency that helps to promote a restful night’s sleep. Its soothing vibrations instantly put you at ease.

Selenite is soaked in calm and helps remote negative energies—exactly the state of mind you need to rest easy regardless of what is happening outside.

2. Celestite

• Connects to intuition and higher purpose

• Soothes jangled thoughts

Celestite is a mineral crystal often associated with promoting relaxation, tranquility, and a sense of calm.

It is believed that its properties may indirectly contribute to a more peaceful sleep environment and improved sleep quality.

It also bridges the gap and helps connect you to the third eye, heart, and crown chakra, which leads to a deeper sense of spirituality, open-heartedness, and deep intuitive wisdom.

When we feel connected to our intuition and a higher purpose, this can soothe jangled thoughts and put us right down into a place of beautiful rest.

3. Lepidolite

• A natural ore of lithium

• Promotes serenity through self-love

Lepidolite is used as a medicine for those who can suffer the consequences of an overactive mind.

Lepidolite is a gentle and joyous purple stone that promotes peaceful sleep through the pathways of self-love, easing stress and taking you to a place of serenity.

When we can clear our minds, we are better equipped to get some decent shuteye.

Lepidolite also raises our awareness of joy, gratitude, and other positive emotions that help to promote a dreamy sleep.

4. Howlite

• Slows the heartbeat to a softer rhythm

• Cools hot heads and tempers

Howlite is known to slow the heartbeat to a gentle rhythm, take hot tempers down to a cooler place, and stop the mind from fragmenting into a million pieces.

This gentle stone is abundant in healing energy and is one of the best soothers before bed.

5. Amethyst

• A purifying and gentle stone

• Balances emotions and soothes the body

A famously serene stone, Amethyst is one of the most purifying and gentle stones.

Amethyst is rich in healing energy, balances out your emotions, and promotes happy dreams.

Particularly for those who struggle with nightmares, Amethyst can provide a sense of soft security, all while clearing your third eye chakra and raising your crown chakra vibrations too.

Crystal expert Brett Larkin adds, Having the gemstones pressed directly against the skin will ensure that those soft vibrations keep on humming throughout the day and when you are lost in the land of nod.

6. Angelite

• Promotes physical healing

• Brings messages from the spirit realms

Angelite promotes inner peace and fills your dreams with messages from the spirit realms.

It invites you into the soft mental magic you need to sleep and promotes the physical healing that leads to a higher quality of rest.

7. Smoky Quartz

• Gorgeously grounding

• Has a calming effect

This smoky version of the quartz crystal can help you fall into REM in a matter of minutes.

Smoky Quartz is a great stone to turn to when you want to manifest all your hopes and desires.

It has an easygoing nature and an instant calming effect that can put you on the pathway to perfect shuteye.

8. Rose Quartz

- A radiant heart healer

- Cuts through anxious thoughts

This stone helps to instantly put your body, mind, and soul at rest.

Rose Quartz is known for being one of the most radiant heart healers, meaning it can stitch up old wounds and open your heart to love, trust, and effortless selfcare.

By keeping Rose Quartz close by, you may find the soft flow of sleep replaces those ruminating night-time routines.

9. Black Tourmaline

• Offers protection from bad dreams

• Keeps negative vibes at bay

Sometimes, our dreams can be a scary place and other times; anxiety won’t loosen its grip even to let us go down to that sleepy place.

But this stone will see you on your way to gentle rest by letting you know that your energy is protected.

Black Tourmaline sees off all kinds of negative vibes and brings a sense of calm washing over you.

10. Moonstone

• Soaked in feminine energy

• Offers acceptance

The Moonstone is soaked in feminine energy and well-equipped to calm the mind.

A quick meditation with this white stone sees all that emotional tension away.

Not only will Moonstone put you in a place where easy sleep is possible, but it also paves the way for lucid dreaming for those who want to delve into the depths of mastering and connecting to their subconscious.

Crystal expert Brett Larkin adds, Having the gemstones pressed directly against the skin will ensure that those soft vibrations keep on humming throughout the day and when you are lost in the land of nod.

It also helps to keep the stones close by throughout the day as the crystals can keep working to fend off negative vibes and anxiety, so these emotions don’t have the chance to build.

Other ways you can weave in the healing power of these sleepbright stones is to place them on your bedside table or tuck them beneath your pillow for added protection.

You can also make it part of your bedtime routine to sit in meditation with your crystal and set an intention for deep and healing sleep.

Photo by Darius Bashar

The Easy-to-Start Creative Endeavor That Can Bring Joy and Meaning in Retirement

by Esther Siegel and Spencer Brewer

The joy and freedom of one’s retirement years can often come at the cost of a reduced sense of purpose and meaning, causing the retirement blues. Without cultivating passions and hobbies outside of work and family, one might find themselves wondering: How can I bring joy, be creative, and satisfy my need to continually learn and grow? And have fun while doing it!

We — Esther Siegel and Spencer Brewer -- stumbled upon a solution that chases away the blues and sparkles creativity and wonder, with the bonus side-effect of helping us declutter and transform old objects into something new.

Making assemblage art.

You may be wondering, What is assemblage art?” We didn’t know, either, until we were already doing it. This happened coincidentally as an outgrowth of our shared interest in creativity and art. Esther had always enjoyed scrapbooking and making creative greeting cards. Spencer, who had some formal art training, was making weird birdhouses and musical sculptures from found objects and instruments he collected over the years while in the music industry.

We enjoyed the scavenger hunt experiences, going to garage sales and thrift stores, and began collecting unique and unusual ‘found’ or recycled objects. Little by little, these things grew into a large ‘collection of found objects’ in our barn. With all these ‘artifacts,’ it seemed a natural progression to put objects that were never originally meant to go together and make something new and different. It happened quite naturally, as we started creating individual art pieces side by side, as well as art pieces together.

This art form we found out was called assemblage art, and is the subject of our new book, Lost & Found: Assemblage Artists of Northern California. Little did we know how much joy and meaning it would bring, especially as we transitioned away from our fulltime careers.

An ideal creative outlet

Imagine you’re down at the beach. You see driftwood worn smooth from the constant tumbling of the tides. Or you find unused objects in your home, ranging from old typewriters, broken musical instruments and parts of toys that the kids no longer use. You break them apart and compile them into something new altogether such as a sculpture or statue. By nature, this is a profound expression of creativity.

The preliminary, and very fun step too, is the creative pursuit: hunting for objects in the basement and attic, at yard sales, in the kitchen pantry and the great outdoors. The entire world suddenly becomes a pallet and source of inspiration.

As retirement can sometimes lead to a void in one’s daily creative pursuits, assemblage sculptures offer a fresh avenue to explore and express one’s creativity. It allows retirees to reconnect with their creative and imaginative sides, embarking on a new journey that

may have been neglected during their years of working or raising a family. Everywhere you look, items seen as useless or ‘out of date’ beg to be found and repurposed into unique pieces of art. The simple act of ‘discovery’ combined with re-imagining what it now could be becomes an exciting way of living.

Sparks awe, wonder, and curiosity. Taking found objects and assembling them in unique ways that diverge from their original purpose is a never-ending source of discovery. Think ‘painting with objects’, which anyone can do, with no previous art training! Who could have imagined that the face of that old grandfather clock you were about to get rid of could become the focal point of an intriguing statue?

Or would you see beads or okra pods flourishing in a striking piece of wall art built into grandma’s wooden tray?

Through this continuous process of learning and discovery, retirees can immerse themselves in discovering new techniques, materials, and artistic inspirations. This ongoing learning not only keeps the mind active but also fosters a sense of accomplishment, whimsey, joy, and growth.

Helps reduce waste

Our environment is filled with discarded objects and wastes clogging landfills and recycling centers -- or simply scattering the landscape. How best to reduce waste is a constant source of debate, but rarely do we talk about how to repurpose it instead. Yet we should.

Surprisingly, making assemblage art offers a unique opportunity to do just that. And the act of helping our environment by helping to reduce waste is fulfilling in and of itself.

Our environment is filled with discarded objects and wastes clogging landfills and recycling centers -- or simply scattering the landscape. How best to reduce waste is a constant source of debate, but rarely do we talk about how to repurpose it instead. Yet we should.

Moreover, sifting through collected items often leads to decluttering and organization in our homes. This process not only clears physical space but can also symbolize a decluttering of the mind, making room for new ideas and perspectives in retirement.` And it’s fun!

Builds connections with the community

Engaging in this art form can also lead to meaningful connections with like-minded individuals in our communities. Throughout our own journey as assemblage artists, we have noticed a constant stream of interest from family, friends, and even strangers who enjoy the creative process and collecting art. We had so much interest that we started monthly ‘assemblage camps’ in the sculpture barn, assisting folks in learning about the art form and helping them along their creative path.

Is an Outlet for Sharing Stories

Consider every object has its unique story, often intertwined with the history of what it was used for and/or how it was created. People can find joy in sharing these stories with others, learning about an object while fostering connections with viewers and adding a layer of narrative depth to their creations.

Builds legacies

A finished sculpture can supply its creator with the gift of leaving behind a tangible legacy of their creativity and passion, not to mention the possible historical story behind it. These art pieces will be cherished by loved ones and serve as a testament to the richness of a well-lived life and retirement.

Wondering how to get started? Here are a few easy first steps.

Step 1: Hunt and Gather

Start with a scavenger hunt within your home. Find objects—old toys, dusty heirlooms, tools, broken jew-

elry, memories from bygone eras or items stored more than used.

Step 2: Discover Your Setting

Determine how your objects will come together into a finished piece. Should they fit within a picture frame or a box or adhere to an unconventional surface? Allow creativity to flow freely during this stage. Literally think, ‘Outta the Box.’

Step 3: Bring it Together

Lay everything out so you can see them. Bounce ideas with your partner, friends, or family members, arranging and rearranging the objects within their chosen setting. There is no ‘wrong way’ to do this; it is all discovery and playful fun. This task, followed by creative assembly, is a wonderful activity to do with grandchildren and even grown children who are deep into the business of life at this stage. Once satisfied with the assembly, take pictures to preserve the original vision before permanent attachment.

Step 4: Make it Permanent

Now take it apart and start attaching the objects closest to the backing. Using simple hand tools and glues allowing sufficient drying time before attaching the next level. Use appropriate adhesives based on surface materials, such as E6000 for versatility, wood glue for wood, and epoxy for challenging surfaces. Prioritize safety and patience throughout the process.

One of the best things about making assemblage art is that no prior experience or special instructions are needed—just a willingness to repurpose objects creatively and rediscover the joy of making something new. This makes it even more perfect in the retirement years when we all are striving to de-clutter while striving to be creative and active.

Spencer Brewer has been creating art and music since he was a young boy. He was in the music business for most of his adult life, recording and producing hundreds of records while working as a technician on pianos, crank phonographs, and pump organs. Collecting and working on vintage pianos and instruments, he eventually found himself creating assemblage art before he knew what it was called.

Esther Siegel is a psychotherapist by training who has worked in the field of book art, been active in the scrapbooking world, and created greeting cards. A late-in-life artist, she creates pieces that are a mixture of whimsical and dark humor. Her love of horses, need for harmony, admiration for Friday Kahlo and interest in psychotherapy are some of the themes/ motivators for her pieces. They include Twisted Toasters (vintage toasters as the base), Horse People (horse/doll combo), sculptures, and Altered Barbies.

Brewer and Siegel are the co-authors of Lost And Found: Assemblage Artists of Northern California.

The book is on its third printing, received eight national book awards, rave reviews, and is being distributed internationally. https://lostandfound.art/artists/esther-siegel-spencer-brewer/

https://www.protectivity.com

pet expert has revealed which common foods can prove fatal for dogs, including diet-friendly items like grapes, raisins, and nuts.

GRAPES AND NUTS Against THESE Common Diet Foods that are Deadly for Dogs including A

According to a recent YouGov survey, almost a quarter (23%) of pet owners planned to share their food with their dogs over the festive period.

As many Brits have resolved to eat healthier in the new year, many won’t be aware that their diet is now toxic for dogs.

The expert also reveals which festive season leftovers need to be avoided - including turkey, Christmas pudding, and cheese boards.

A pet expert has revealed which diet-friendly food items prove deadly to dogs, as many pet owners have resolved to eat healthier in the new year - and may not know how their new diet will affect their furry friend.

Pet business insurance specialists Protectivity warn that many foods recommended as healthy alternatives to fatty snacks may prove deadly for dogs, including grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, xylitol (found in chewing gum), and dairy products.

by

Americans must brush up on which foods they should and should not share with their pooches, especially given that a YouGov survey found that almost a quarter (23%) of pet owners planned to share their festive human food with their dogs over the festive period.

The experts said: “This time of year can be full of hazards for pets as owners juggle festive leftovers and changes to their diet - especially if they resolved to eat healthier in the new year. The best way to prevent accidents is by educating yourself on which items are toxic, keeping them out of the way.”

According to the experts, risky ingredients that may be prominent in a New Year’s diet include: Grapes and raisins - Grapes and raisins are naturally a low-calorie, nutrient-dense, fat-free snack for those aiming to eat healthier, but few people know they are toxic to dogs. Grapes and raisins can cause canine kidney failure, even in small amounts.

Macadamia nuts—These can be eaten raw or roasted, making them a popular pre-gym snack for diet-conscious Brits looking for a quick and easy energy boost. However, they can cause weakness, vomiting, and hypothermia in dogs.

Onions and garlic—These staples for adding flavor to healthy dishes are toxic for dogs in all forms (whether powdered, raw, dehydrated, or cooked). They can destroy a dog’s red blood cells and lead to anemia.

Xylitol (chewing gum)—People trying to eat healthier are often encouraged to chew gum to curb cravings, but when dogs consume it, it can cause a rapid insulin increase that, in turn, can lead to hypoglycemia.

Dairy products - Incorporating healthy dairy into your

diet, including yogurt, low-fat cheese, and milk, is a great source of protein and calcium. However, many dogs are lactose intolerant and will experience digestive problems if they consume dairy.

As well as identifying the common diet foods to look out for, the experts also reveal which festive leftovers prove dangerous for dogs - including turkey, which can cause pancreatitis due to being difficult for dogs to digest, and Christmas pudding that contains raisins.

Commenting on the dangers, a Protectivity spokesperson says: “As well as keeping problem foods out of reach, it’s also key to set boundaries with your dog so that your pet knows what’s expected of them. These boundaries aren’t limited to dog owners but anyone who works around them, such as dog groomers or dog walkers.

“It can be tempting to indulge our four-legged friends when there’s so much excess food left over from the festive period, but these actions can have dangerous consequences. While you may be aiming to improve your eating habits this year, It’s important to remember that food that is healthy for you isn’t always good for them.”

Note: The insights were provided by Protectivity, who aim to make buying your pet business insurance easy, that’s why you can get a quote for your pet business insurance policy and buy your cover in just a few minutes on their site. They’re one of the leading online providers of insurance for pet businesses, providing coverage to over 20,000 pet care professionals. This content has been created for general information and should not be taken as advice. Pet owners and pet care professionals should always seek guidance from a qualified veterinarian.

Photo

By AnnaFotymaAdobeStock

Photo

Forests, Water, and Livelihoods in the Lesser Himalaya

Complex changes in land use, land cover, climate, and demographics are combining to stress water security for millions of people in the region.

by L. Adrian Bruijnzeel, Ge Sun, Jun Zhang, Krishna Raj Tiwari and Lu Hao

The Himalayan mountain chain and the adjacent Tibetan Plateau together form one of the world’s major water towers, sustaining several of Asia’s largest rivers and providing water to more than a billion people in the surrounding lowlands.

The mountain chain, which stretches across northern Pakistan, northern India, Nepal, and Bhutan, broadly comprises the High Himalaya and the Lesser Himalaya. The Lesser Himalaya—taken here to include the Middle Mountain zone, Siwalik foothills, and Terai plain—is characterized by much denser human habitation and primarily rain-fed water supplies at elevations mostly below 3,000 meters

The vulnerability to global warming of the higher, ice-covered parts of the region (often referred to as the “Third Pole”) and the resulting changes in downstream water provisioning are intensively studied.

In contrast, the hydrological implications of changes in climate and, especially, in land use and land cover that have taken place over the past half century in the Lesser Himalaya have received far less scientific attention. These implications are critically important, however, as more than 80% of the total streamflow emanating each year from the mountain chain

(excluding the westernmost and easternmost parts) derives from rain falling in the Lesser Himalaya [Bookhagen and Burbank, 2010] Five decades ago, planting fast-growing (mostly native) pine trees to restore degraded upland forest lands in the Lesser Himalaya, particularly in Nepal, was seen as a remedy for downstream flooding and sedimentation problems. Although this effort helped to stem local soil erosion and provided much needed fuelwood to hill dwellers, the thirsty pines also contributed to reduced spring flows and streamflows, creating new problems in the region. Climate change, human migration to urban centers, abandonment of rain-fed agriculture, and other interacting factors have added further complexity to the mounting water management problems challenging the people of the Lesser Himalaya.

In September 2023, an international symposium was held in Pokhara, Nepal, to review past and present connections among water, forests, and rural livelihoods in the Lesser Himalaya and to shed light on the specific challenge of declining spring water supplies [Sun et al., 2023]. The meeting brought together experts—mostly from Nepal, with others from China, India, the Netherlands, and the United States—in forest hydrology and ecology, water resources management, community forest management, socioeconomic dynamics,

Photo by Chandan Chaurasia

and climate change. Representatives of international institutions (e.g., the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development), national and provincial government officials, and regional journalists also attended. Among the meeting’s outcomes, the group identified key knowledge gaps with respect to forest-water-livelihood relationships in the Lesser Himalaya, as well as steps to fill these gaps.

The Hills Regreened

Until the mid-1980s, it was generally assumed by scientists and policymakers alike that widespread degradation and loss of forests resulting from agricultural cropping and grazing in the Lesser Himalaya were the primary causes of flooding and sedimentation problems experienced on the plains of Bangladesh and northern India. This view was ultimately found to be untenable, as other factors, including the region’s naturally steep, unstable topography, seasonally concentrated rainfall, and frequent tectonic activity, were shown to have much greater influence on lowland flooding and sediment export at the regional scale [Bruijnzeel and Bremmer, 1989; Hofer and Messerli, 2006].

Within the Lesser Himalaya, however, advanced forest degradation and loss still had adverse local hydrological effects. These effects included accelerated erosion on farm fields and associated losses of

plant productivity, as well as reduced rainfall infiltration and groundwater recharge that adversely affected flows of locally important springs and headwater streams.

A major reforestation program, initiated in the mid1970s by the Nepalese government with Australian assistance, mostly involved planting pine trees on degraded land across the Middle Mountain zone of Nepal. In the late 1970s, community-based forest management practices and government regulations were introduced and expanded, which gradually curtailed the traditional but unsustainable extraction of large amounts of animal fodder, fuelwood, and litter material from native broadleaved forests that supported subsistence agriculture.

Today, nearly 40% of Nepal’s forests are managed by local Community Forest User Groups. These groups are required by law to reinvest 25% of the income generated from selling forest products in forest development and to divide the remainder equally between socioeconomic development and community welfare. Largely because of these efforts, forests across the Nepalese Lesser Himalaya have improved remarkably over the past 30 years in both extent—forest cover grew from roughly 29% in 1994 to 45% in 2011—and condition [Hobley et al., 2013; Gao et al., 2023].

More than 80% of the total streamflow emanating each year from the Himalayan mountain chain derives from rain falling in the Lesser Himalaya. “

A substantial trend of (mostly younger) people migrating from rural upland areas to seek potentially more lucrative or stable employment in regional semiurban and urban centers (e.g., Dehradun and Haridwar in India and Pokhara and Kathmandu in Nepal), as well as farther abroad (e.g., Southeast Asia and the Middle East), has also contributed to the regreening of the Lesser Himalaya. In addition to a lack of such nonfarm employment opportunities in upland rural areas, migrants frequently report that their decisions to leave relate to decreased land productivity, increased crop raiding by wild animals (especially monkeys, deer, and wild boar) as forests recover, and increased occurrence of natural hazards such as landslides and droughts [Upadhyay et al., 2021].

The continued migration is driving shortages in the agricultural labor force of the Lesser Himalaya and thus a massive underutilization and abandonment of upland agricultural fields. To date, more than one third of all agricultural land in the Nepalese Middle Mountains has been abandoned. A similar migratory trend in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, immediately west of Nepal, has caused the complete abandonment of nearly 750 villages over the past decade, while in hundreds of others only a few (mostly older) inhabitants remain [Upadhyay et al., 2021]. These trends are expected to continue, likely with major implications for the region’s food production.

Another result of the shifting demographics has been the emergence of a remittance economy. Some 57% of Nep-

alese households receive remittances from family members who have moved away, and about 25% of households have at least one member living abroad. In areas with a significant remittance economy, residents are depending less on forests as a direct source of subsistence livelihoods. This change has caused a shift in the perceived social value of forests. Supplying high-quality water to urban centers, both for consumption in the towns themselves and to support expanding commercial vegetable cultivation in peri-urban areas, is considered increasingly important.

Nonetheless, residents remaining in rural upland areas still need daily water supplies. Nearly 80% of Nepal’s 14.4 million hill and mountain dwellers depend directly on spring water for drinking, feeding livestock, irrigating rice fields, and other uses. Springs also help to maintain water levels in fishponds and headwater streams [Sharma et al., 2016].

Growing Pressure on Water Resources

Because of the strongly seasonal character of the regional climate, spring- and streambased water supplies are not constant throughout the year. In many areas, more than 80% of annual precipitation is delivered during the monsoon season—usually between June and September—rendering water at a premium through the drier parts of the year [Bookhagen and Burbank, 2010]. Increasing urban water demands in recent years have intensified the effects of natural dry-season decreases in water supply.

Photo byZeber/ AdobeStock

To make matters worse, discharges of spring water across the region have been declining for decades. Higher temperatures and more erratic rainfall caused by climate change, disruptions to hillslope hydrological flow patterns from extensive road building, and advanced soil degradation (e.g., by grazing cattle or repeated litter harvesting) are frequently mentioned as potential causes of this trend [Sharma et al., 2016]. Locally, reforestation with fast-growing pines and pine invasion after forest fires might also contribute, as might changes in groundwater flow patterns caused by earthquakes and local lowering of the groundwater table due to excessive extraction from deep wells.

Key Unknowns as Water Problems Intensify

Attendees of the Pokhara symposium identified several key contributors to and uncertainties regarding the region’s water supply problems. In addition to increased urban demand for water and declining spring discharges, another contributor is declining streamflow from several rain-fed Lesser Himalayan catchments.

Substantial spatial and year-to-year variability in precipitation and streamflow across the Lesser Himalaya in Nepal and Uttarakhand has so far hampered clear determinations of the causes of these declines. However, some combination of changes in seasonal rainfall patterns, increasing temperatures, and further increases in evapotranspiration caused by increasing forest areas and densities is likely to

blame.

The Lesser Himalaya also faces a shortage of in-depth studies quantifying key components of the hillslope hydrological cycle, notably vegetation water use and runoff generation during the monsoon. This absence has complicated efforts to parameterize models that would help to distinguish effects of climate change from effects of land cover change (e.g., reforestation) on streamflow.

Discrepancies between precipitation amounts measured at local stations and those inferred from remotely sensed data are common in complex mountainous terrain where spatial variability is typically high. Together with large differences among remotely sensed evapotranspiration estimates, these discrepancies have added further uncertainty to estimates of streamflow patterns and trends at regional to national scales.

Although annual precipitation totals do not appear to have changed substantially in recent decades, the number of rainy days (during both the monsoon and winter) has declined since the 1990s, implying an intensification of rains when they do fall. The increased occurrence of large and intense rain events—especially in the western Himalaya—increases flooding and landslide risks [Upadhyay et al., 2021]. Conversely, droughts in the far eastern and central parts of the mountain chain have become more frequent and severe since 2005 [Varikoden et al., 2015; Bagale et al., 2021].

Photo by Shrish Shrestha

Forests across the Nepalese Lesser Himalaya have improved remarkably over the past 30 years in both extent and condition. “

Cooperating to Renew Forest Hydrological Research

The combination of intensifying monsoon rains, drying winters, increasing temperatures causing greater evaporative losses, and rapid urbanization poses a serious threat to the stability of water resources and economic development in the Lesser Himalaya. Forest restoration, both active through judicious tree planting and passive via natural regeneration, can mitigate some of this threat by promoting infiltration and retention of intense monsoon rains and, in time, boosting groundwater recharge [Qazi et al., 2017]. Restoration also protects against soil erosion and provides a host of other ecosystem products and services that help to sustain the livelihoods of local communities [Birch et al., 2014].

However, a more holistic approach to understanding and addressing emerging forest-water issues in the Lesser Himalaya is needed. This approach requires renewed forest hydrological field studies through multidisciplinary collaborations to shed light on important nuances and unknowns.

The group is supporting the call for new data collection by installing instruments in a representative recovering hill forest “springshed” near Pokhara and in a mature tropical hardwood forest in the Siwalik foothills near Hetauda. Field measurements at the two sites are anticipated to commence in 2024 and will mark the establishment of Nepal’s first forested critical zone observatories. These observatories are intended not only to provide sustained measurements but also to serve as training grounds for students, helping build out local capacity to study and manage forest-water issues.

The meeting also spurred engaging discussions about possible joint research projects among partnering organizations on the consequences of specific forestry measures for water resources and livelihoods. Examples of such research include studying the effects of different tree species (notably broad-leaved versus coniferous) on overall forest water use and the impact of litter harvesting intensity on surface runoff generation and conducting integrated modeling of how forest management and land use change affect rural livelihoods.

Boosting such research, as well as graduate-level education about watershed ecosystem management, is key to developing local knowledge about what can be achieved hydrologically through forest management and forestation. These steps will help meet the growing challenge of ensuring adequate water supplies for rural and urban areas of the Lesser Himalaya while at the same time preserving viable ecosystems and adapting to climate change.

Acknowledgments

The Nepal symposium was hosted by the Institute of Forestry of Tribhuvan University in Pokhara in collaboration with the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST) in China and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) in the United States. It was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China–United Nations Environment Programme (NSFC-UNEP) International Joint Research Project (42061144004; principal investigator: Lu Hao, NUIST) and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Project on Coupling Human and Nature Systems (ICER-2108238; principal investigator: Conghe Song, UNC).

For example, scientists have agreed that adding forest to the degraded landscape generally decreases the total volume of water yielded as streamflow because of the associated increase in vegetation water use. However, the effects of planting trees on groundwater recharge, which feeds spring discharges and stream base flows, are less clear. The net effect can be positive or negative, depending on the trade-off between the change in amounts of water evaporated by the vegetation and the change in amounts of water infiltrating into the soil after forestation. As such, the net effect of the widespread “greening up” of the Lesser Himalaya (notably in Nepal) on dry-season spring and stream discharges is expected to vary spatially depending on local climatic, soil, and hydrogeological conditions.

Attendees at the Pokhara meeting called for the collection of on-site water flow measurements in the Lesser Himalaya, including in several of the most prevalent but understudied forest types, such as the Shorea-dominated forests of the foothills and lowlands and the oakand Schima– and Castanopsis-dominated midmontane forests. Such measurements will help parameterize hydrological models to assess changes in spring discharges and streamflow resulting from climate change versus those from changes in forests.

Another outcome of the meeting has been the formation of a new partnership nicknamed the “four harmonious friends” after the famous Buddhist parable of the same name, which describes how four different animals each contribute their specific skills to reach a common goal. (The name reflects the four individuals who came up with the idea for the partnership, which has since expanded to include additional contributors and organizations.)

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This article was originally published by EOS, It is republished here as part of The Eden Magazine’s partnership with Covering Climate Now a global journalistic collaboration to strengthen the covering of the climate story.