The Eden Magazine May 2020

May 2020

EDEN T h e

Magazine

VEDIC

& YOGIC MEDITATION

By Jayita

Bhattacharjee

EMILY SHAH Actress, Executive Producer, Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation Ambassador

YOUR FEMININE ENERGY PATHWAY

By Lisa Erickson

SOFIA MILOS From CSI Miami to Project Blue Book

FIJI:

The Pearl of the South Pacific

By Augusto Valverde

Table of Contents Your Feminine energy pathway

14

9

EMILY SHAH

36

14

YOUR FEMININE ENERGY PATHWAY

By Lisa Erickson

18

THE GOSPEL OF ST.JOHN

By Eliza Joslin Kendall

24

SOFIA MILOS

32

LOTUS LAUGHING

40 Lotus Laughing

32 44

By Marie-Celine Sinclair

36

WRITING MY DESTINY

By Heidi Fedor

40

THE SECRET POWER IN DOUBT DURING ADVERSITY & CRISIS

By Angela Dunning

44

INTO CHILD'S HEART

By Agnes Lui

50

VEDIC & YOGIC MEDITATION

By Jayita Bhattacharjee

54

HIDDEN END OF THE LINE

By Teresa M. Tucker

58

DR. CARDER STOUT

50

Cover Photo by Jessielyn Palumbo Makeup by: Angelica Alberti Hair by: Zullay Sevilla

10th Anniversary 62

FIJI: THE PEARL OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC

64

By Augusto Valverde

64

IMPLICATION OF A TRUSTED-SOURCE

By Michael White Ryan

72

THE PAUSE OF OUR TIMES

By Alexia Melocchi

80

72

WILDLIFE EXPERTS FIND HOPE AMONGST THE ASHES ON KANGARO ISLAND

82

QUARANTINE CRAZY?

By Phyllis King

86

ORIGINS & SUFFERING

24

By Jim Szana

90

OK, SO NOW WHAT?

By Joey Santos Jr.

80 82

98

EARTHX FILM VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY

Top 10 Tips on Therapies

90 98

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EDEN T

H

E

MAGAZINE

Since 2010

The Eden Magazine is a free online publication that focuses on spreading compassion to all Sentient Beings living in a healing and peaceful world FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MARYAM MORRISON EXECUTIVE EDITOR/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER DINA MORRONE COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER ALEXIA MELOCCHI BRAND AMBASSADOR MARIA ELENA INFANTINO CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SASHA GARY PHYLLIS KING JOE SANTOS, JR. ANGELA DUNNING NANCY E. YEAROUT MICHAEL WHITE RYAN MARCO NUNZIO ALATI JAYITA BHATTACHARJEE TARA-JENELLE WALSCH MARGARET TOMASZEWIC CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS + MAKEUP ARTIST EDWARD HAKOPIAN GRAPHICS & PHOTOGRAPHY GREG DOHERTY ISABELLE RUEN SHERI DETERMAN ARTIN MARDIROSIAN WEBSITE

www.theedenmagazine.com 325 N. Maple Dr. Po Box 5132 Beverly Hills, CA 90209 To purchase a copy visit us in www.theedenmagazine.com Eden Magazine is a non-profit monthly online magazine.

We aim to create a better environment where we live among other living beings in peace and harmony. We support artists that their work matches our criteria. If you would like to submit your artwork, article or/and your photography for our future issues please contact Maryam Morrison at; maryammorrison@theedenmagazine.com 4 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Please leave wool out of your wardrobe.

Photo: Michael Muller • Grooming: Saisha Beecham, with Cloutier Remix

Joaquin Phoenix

F OR

VEGAN WOOL SUIT BY BRAVE GENTLEMAN

5 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e December 2019

DINA MORRONE

Maryam Morrison

EDWARD HAKOPIAN

GREG DOHERTY

MARGARET TOMASZEWIC

MARIA ELENA INFANTINO

ALEXIA MELOCCHI

TARA-JENELLE WALSCH

ARTIN MARDIROSIAN

NANCY E. YEAROUT

SHERI DETERMAN

MICHAEL WHITE RYAN

ANGELA DUNNING

JAYITA BHATTACHARJEE

JOE SANTOS, JR.

SASHA GARY

MARCO NUNZIO ALATI

ISABELLE RUEN 6 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e February 2020

PHYLLIS KING

MEET OUR TEAM

Photo by ISABELLE RUEN

Discover the path to a peaceful life among other living beings. We are all made of vibration and light in the universe to manifest our energy around all livingness.

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Photo by: Nihar Photography

Emily Shah Actress, Executive Producer, Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation ambassador

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An Indian/American actress, Emily Shah, is the daughter of famed Bollywood producer Prashant Shah who's making a name for herself as an actress and dancer internationally. Next up, Emily stars in and executive produce the Indian film "Jungle Cry," which has a theatrical release internationally to the U.A.E., U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and India.

The Chicago-born, New Jersey raised actress, is influenced by her multi-cultural family background, her love of dance and travel, and her passion for theatre.

Emily grew up on set for her father's films and always felt an infatuation with both production and acting.

Emily had the privilege of theatre training throughout her youth, including Lee Strasberg's Institute of Film and Theater in New York and Los Angeles, Madumati's Dance & Acting Academy in Hindi for Bollywood, New York Film Academy, and Weist-Barron. She trained in ballet at the American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School and danced tap, jazz, and hip hop. When she was 13, she was selected for a dance troupe and eventually became a dance teacher for Stage Stars.

As a teenager, Emily started working in local pageants, commercials, and print work for Indian/American brands until she got a job on the set of "Jersey Boys" as an assistant to Clint Eastwood. Later on, she worked as an assistant on the feature films, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Monster Trucks," and "Fast & Furious 7." Emily graduated with a degree in Entertainment Media Management from California State University. She went on to grow her career in acting by working on national campaigns for Proactive, Sephora, Motorola, and T3. Emily is a UNICEF, Autism Awareness, and Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation ambassador and proudly works with various charities and nonprofit organizations involved with cancer, people with disabilities, and underprivileged individuals.

Photo by:Russell Baer Hair & Makeup by: Akiko Russell

As an actress fluent in Gujarati, English, and Hindi, Emily is building her career in both Bollywood and Hollywood alike. When she is not on set, you can find her watching her favorite sports team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Emily grew up playing soccer every day, so her passion for sports has only grown. She now exercises five to six days a week doing Pilates, kickboxing, and cycling, to name a few. Outside of sports and exercise, her other passion is food.

Photo by: Media Wales John Myers

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Photo by:Harjeet Singh Hair & Makeup by: Ash Kaur

Tell us about your role in “Jungle Cry.” I play the team's physio, Roshni Thakker. She becomes the boys’ mentor while also assisting the coach in the games.

She has her adversities that she overcomes with the help of the team.

How was your experience working with Clint Eastwood on the set of “Jersey Boys.”?

I was only 18 when I worked alongside Mr. Eastwood, and it's safe to say that he has as much energy as I did on set.

During lunch, he would sit with the crew and interact with every single cast and crew on set, including the extras. I learned so much from him, more than I could learn at any university.

change (that I have experienced myself ), is a sense of reverse racism. I have auditioned quite a bit in my career, and being that I am Indian, and can speak two Indian languages, I've auditioned for a lot of Indian roles. The one feedback that I have constantly received is that - I don't look Indian enough. Not only is that hurtful and disrespectful, but it's instilling this stereotype of what Indians SHOULD look like, and I hope I can help progress towards a less judgmental casting process.

How do you go about picking the roles you want to play in films?

I think it's important to support stories that portray strong, powerful women, and I love playing roles where women can hold their own, adding to the story without just merely being "the love interest."

Tell us about the good and bad experiences you had during your career.

Every career has its ebbs and flows, especially the entertainment industry. The most positive reward that's happened to me so far is the feedback I have received from Jungle Cry. It's touched a lot of people of all ages and backgrounds. It's certainly an accomplishment, and I hope that I can continue to create international content that people all over the world can relate to. However, something that needs to 11 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Tell us about your daily fitness routine.

I love to switch it up and take classes all over the city. With everything going on right now, everything is shut down, so I am working out at home. At the moment, I try to go on a 4-5 mile walk 2-3 times a week, cardio 3-4 times a week, and then weight training or boxing the rest of the days.

On my recovery days- I opt for an active recovery, so I will choose to swim or practice yoga.

Healthy eating and nutrition are part of your lifestyle.

Tel us about what you prefer to eat and what you avoid in your diet?

I eat mostly plant-based. A few times a month, I will try to incorporate eating white fish just for personal health reasons. I think everyone is different and should consult with their physician before making nutritional changes because it is a lifestyle choice. I have done a lot of research on plant-based diets, and I grew up as a vegetarian, so it was quite easy for me to cut out dairy. It was the best personal choice for me, and I feel stronger than ever!

What is next for you? Any Plans for the future?

My family's production company has a slate of projects, including international content that I intend to produce.

On the acting front, I am also attached to a project that has Andy Armstrong attached as the director! And I'm looking forward to getting back in front of the camera.

Are there any charities close to your heart?

The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation is a charity that I started working with when I was 15. They will always have a special place in my heart. Pediatric hospitals cater to very young kids, handing out princess toys or comic books, which isn't typically of interest to teenagers who are submitted. So this foundation comes in and sets up teen lounges with gaming systems, ping pong tables, and activities that do cater to middle school/ high school kids.

Photo by:Harjeet Singh Hair & Makeup by: Ash Kaur

I think it's important to support stories that portray strong, powerful women and I love playing roles where women can hold their own, adding to the story without just simply being "the love interest."

Photo by:Harjeet Singh Hair & Makeup by: Ash Kaur 12 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Photo by:Jessielyn Palumbo Makeup by: Angelica Alberti Hair by: Zullay Sevilla

Your Feminine Energy Pathway

By Lisa Erickson

The following is excerpted from Chakra Empowerment for Women: Self-Guided Techniques for Healing Trauma, Owning Your Power & Finding Overall Wellness published by Llewellyn Worldwide. It presents one of the twelve chakra ‘Empowerments’ offered in the book, Feminine Pathway, an energy tool particularly useful during life transits - both those brought on by circumstance and those tied to our reproductive life cycles, such as pregnancy, post-partum, perimenopause, menopause and post-hysterectomy.

Your feminine energy is exquisite and powerful. When it is fully activated, your inner beauty is fully on display. As women we are bombarded by outlandish ideas of beauty, all physically based. The kind of beauty I am talking about is a glow, a dynamism, a centeredness, and perhaps a charisma that emanates from a woman when she is in her feminine power. It is indefinable, and yet you know it – and are likely drawn to it when you see it. It has nothing to do with whether a woman has symmetrical cheek bones, a wrinkle-free forehead, toned abs, or even a bright aura (although feminine power certainly shines through our aura.) Her Feminine Pathway is alight, plain and simple.

The Feminine Pathway multi-chakra tool is a culminating Empowerment in that it utilizes all seven of the chakras we have been working with. It is also a culminating Women’s Energetics Empowerment, because it focuses primarily on the flow between our feminine or yin pathway chakras – the second/sacral, fourth/heart, and sixth/third eye. It is an Empowerment designed to support you during particular phases of your life – transition periods, and when you are working to manifest an idea. To use it in these ways, you will activate it daily for a few days, a few weeks, or a few months, depending on the phase.

Because the Feminine Pathway is based in Women’s Energetics, it is particularly useful during reproductive-related transitions – those tied to our cycles and phases, such as pregnancy, post-partum, perimenopause, menopause, and post-hysterectomy. It also has an upward and downward version. The upward pathway is associated with personal growth and spiritual development. Many spiritual traditions with practices based on the chakras focus on bringing the kundalini energy up from the root chakra to the crown to facilitate spiritual realization. The Feminine Pathway triggers this upward flow as it relates to personal change, and shifting into a new 14 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Photo by Joelvalve Ojas

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‘version’ of yourself. Whenever we undergo big transitions in our life – a new job, marriage, a new child, divorce, a move – we are called upon to adjust. We can dig our feet in and resist, or we can go with the flow and grow as a result. Often as we adjust, we will be asked to develop new skills or call upon parts of ourselves we hadn’t been aware of before. In a sense, we ‘upgrade’ almost like an upgraded software version of ourselves.

Your feminine energy is exquisite and powerful.

When it is fully activated, your inner beauty is fully on display.

As women we are bombarded by outlandish ideas of beauty, all physically based.

16 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

At other times we feel as if we are actually going backward. Facing a divorce, illness, or job loss certainly doesn’t feel like an upgrade. In terms of your day to day life, it may not be. But inwardly, any situation can foster personal insight, the development of new wisdom, the discovery of a new resources within yourself, and more.

It can become an inward turning point.

In this sense the upward variation of the Feminine Pathway can help support you in whatever type of transition you are experiencing – one you have chosen and are looking forward to, or one you have not and are suffering through.

While the upward Feminine Pathway is about transition, the downward version is about manifesting – specifically the kind of manifesting we do when we seek to make an idea we have reality. Think of planting a baby tree – you create a hole in the earth and plant the roots and support them with water until they take root. Whether your idea is for a business, a product, a book, a home, an event, or something more abstract, it starts in your head (or becomes conscious there) and needs to be brought down into reality, the earth. The downward Feminine Pathway supports you when you are in a phase of your life in which you are manifesting in this way.

Thus far our focus has been on single-chakra Empowerments, but the flow and balance between chakras is just as important. If one chakra is overdeveloped and another underdeveloped, or if you have blocks in one that keep energy from flowing, it impacts the entire flow – in other words, it impacts both your ability to bring about and process change (upward flow), and your ability to manifest an idea (downward flow.) You get stuck. The Fem-

inine Pathway is designed to help you get unstuck – to literally get your energy moving.

The Feminine Pathway also helps with stabilizing and balancing the flow between your chakras when they have been triggered into lots of movement on their own.

This happens when we are thrust into sudden change and are forced to adapt quickly.

Sometimes, too, such changes may trigger energetic instability - erratic bursts of energy in our energy body - and in this case the Feminine Pathway can help to smooth them. Perimenopause is an example of a time in our life when bursts like this can occur spontaneously, and the Feminine Pathway can help to stabilize us.

Lisa Erickson is an energy worker specializing in women's energetics and sexual trauma healing and author of Chakra Empowerment for Women: Self-Guided Techniques for Healing Trauma, Owning Your Power & Finding Overall Wellness from Llewellyn Publishing.

To purchase the book; www.amazon.com/ Chakra-Empowerment-WomenSelf-Guided-Techniques/dp/0738761400

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Photo by JAsmin Ne

THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN Simple steps towards spirituality.

New book streamlines the works of Rudolf Steiner Revisions and Commentaries

by Eliza Joslin Kendall

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A

re you drawn to your better angels? Overwhelmed by the language of the literature associated with spiritualism?

There is a new alternative. The newly released book, “THE GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN - Revisiting the Vision of Rudolf Steiner for the 21st Century: Our Participation in Earth's Evolution as the Planet of Love” is direct, concise and transformative. Cape Cod author Eliza Joslin Kendall walks you through the journey in her “Simply Steiner” series.

Steiner stated: The Gospel of St. John is not a book of instruction, but a force that can become active within our souls. Heralded and much respected, Rudolf Steiner was a brilliant late19th-century Austrian visionary whose astonishing spiritual perceptivity brought about the Waldorf Schools, architectural developments, biodynamic agriculture, and much more.

But, because the books and lectures that were based on his profoundly forward thinking were written down by others in German, and then translated into English, even dedicated Steinerians have often found his books difficult to understand.

Raised with Steiner’s ideas from a young age, Kendall is drawn to revealing his insights. “When I read Steiner,” she writes, “I just knew that I knew all that he was talking about, as if I had read it before. His writings resonated so deeply within me that I immediately felt called to take Steiner and his philosophy to the public in a way that can be taken in by the soul, not just the mind. I continue to feel that this is greatly needed. Especially in today’s world.”

Whatever your religious beliefs or background, Steiner’s Gospel of St. John via Eliza Joslin Kendall can help shift your perspective of yourself, the human community, and the planet.

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It is quite necessary that we remember that during the night, while sleeping, the human creature is, in reality, entirely different from the same creature during waking day-consciousness, for then his four members are assembled in a very different manner. When a person sleeps, the physical and ethereal bodies lie in bed. The astral body and ego, in a certain sense, are loosened from their connections with the physical and etheric bodies and are, in fact, outside of them.

The Mystics knew that The Gospel of St. John is a book of Life. From the 13th chapter onwards, The Gospel of St. John is not merely a narration of certain facts and happenings, but every sentence is a source of occult forces. It is not a question of knowing the actual sentences or of learning them by heart, but of really experiencing their meaning, in such a way that we become one with it. Each single sentence signifies, first and foremost, an inner experience.

Something happens in us when we sink ourselves into the words and let their magical content work upon us. Things light up in us which we did not know before, helping us to realize the tasks lying immediately ahead of us. To what has civilization been steering, especially during the last few centuries? Towards outer possessions; even the most strenuous demands made of the spiritual life have only been applied for the purpose of making the material life comfortable.

Similarly, all our inventions, all our progress in technical skill, theefforts of our greatest thinkers have only furnished us with the meansfor satisfying the needs of our senses. The invention of railways, thetelephone, the steam-engine, and so forth require the application of much spiritual power; and we use this power for the purpose of satisfyingour need for nourishment. When all is said and done, we employthe means provided by culture to the end that men may have theirpurely material wants through cleverly thought-out means.

The materialistically-inclined mind first created what it then itselfopposed. So you can see how in fact the materialistic standing in mankind arose; and how, because of it, the real and true understanding of religious documents has been lost. If Spiritual Science performs its task and points out what mysteries lie hidden behind the physical life, then it will be seen that these very mysteries have been described in the religious documents themselves.

What was sown as a seed in the realm

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of religion in the 14th and 15th centuries came to fruition in the 19th century in natural sciences. This brought with it the impossibility of reaching any understanding of The Gospel of St. John except by penetrating into its spiritual foundations.

If not understood, it will most certainly be underrated, because those who no longer understood it were sickened by a materialistic node of thought. Thus the very prologue to this Gospel becomes something very difficult for the theologians imbued by materialism.

Logos

For us to truly understand the Word or Logos that The Gospel of St. John brings to life, we must bring our hearts and souls to the process, not only our analytical observations. Then we will be able to let it penetrate us in the way that the eyewitnesses experienced.

The Gospel of St. John did not speak of religion in the simple way familiar to the people of that time, as did the other Gospels, but instead spoke of lofty philosophicalthings, of the Logos, of Life, of Light. The writer of The Gospel of St. John did not rely upon the same traditions as the writers of the other Gospels, but was influenced by Greek culture—specifically, the work of Philo Judaeus, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who lived in Alexandria who also spoke of the “Logos.”

To truly understand the first words of The Gospel of St. John—“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”—we must dip deeply into spiritual knowledge. According to Esoteric Christianity, everything leads back to the Word or the Logos, including the evolution of the human being and his relationship to the divine, which is concurrent with the evolution of our earthly planet. We may call the Earth evolution the evolution of the “I AM”—of the self-consciousness that developed, slowly and gradually, in the course of the evolution of the Earth’s humanity.

An evolutionary process lies behind what we can perceive with our senses. In sleep, the physical body and the ego of the human being separates from the etheric (or life) body and the astral body. The human physical body has passed through the process of evolution as our earthly planet has developed. We may call the Earth evolution the evolution of the “I AM”—of the self-consciousnessthat developed, slowly and gradually, in the course of the evolution of the Earth’s humanity. This is what The Gospel of St. John refers to, in speaking of the creation of pre-humanity in the far distant past—that, according to Esoteric Christianity, everything leads back to the Word or the Logos.

process of evolution in the course of the entire development of the earthly planet.

To those who have concerned themselves with this subject, it is already known that our Earth has passed through previous states of existence; and just as the human being has gone from one incarnation to another or, in other words, has passed through repeated Earth lives, so too has the Earth passed through other life states before it reached the condition in which we find it today.

The first words of The Gospel of St. John touch upon the deepest mysteries of the Word. This can be seen when we allow the truths of Spiritual Science which lie at their very foundation to pass before our souls.

And we must dip deeply into spiritual knowledge, if these first words of this Gospel are to appear to us in the right light.

We are now able to summarize that the writer of The Gospel of St. John pointed to the creation of prehumanity in the far distant past, and indicated that, according to Esoteric Christianity, everything leads back to the Word or the Logos. Thus, in a certain sense, we may call the Earth evolution the evolution of the “I AM,” the evolution of the self-consciousness developed, slowly and gradually, in the course of the evolution of the Earth’s humanity.

We need but briefly call to mind how the human being appears to us between the time of waking in the morning and the evening, when he again sinks into sleep.

We know that he is composed of a physical body, an etheric or life body, an astral body, and an ego. These four members of the human being are in close relationship only during the waking state.

There was a stage of our earthly evolution which we call the ancient Lemurian period. It is the earliest period of our life upon the Earth in which men appeared in the form they generally possess today. Then, for the first time, what we may call the incarnation of the ego, the true inner being of man, took place within the bodies, the astral, etheric, and physical bodies.

It is quite necessary that we remember that during the night, while sleeping, the human creature is, in reality, entirely different from the same creature during waking day-consciousness, for then his four members are assembled in a very different manner. When a person sleeps, the physical and ethereal bodies lie in bed. The astral body and ego, in a certain sense, are loosened from their connections with the physical and etheric bodies and are, in fact, outside of them.

The Lemurian Root-Race as a whole had not yet developed memory. Men were able to form conceptions of things and events; but these conceptions did not remain in memory, and in consequence men did not possess language. The Lemurian could communicate with his fellow men without the need of speech.

This intercourse consisted in a kind of “thought-reading.” The Lemurian immediately derived the power of his conceptions from the things that surrounded him. It flowed to him from the power of growth in plants, from the vital energy in animals. Thus did he understand plants and animals in their inner workings and life. The main object of the Lemurians was to develop the will and the power of conception. This was the ruling motive in the education of children.

We must understand the world outside in a spiritual, not in a purely spatial sense. Therefore during the night the human being is a creature consisting of two parts, one that remains lying in bed and another part which separates from the physical and etheric bodies.

During the night, from the moment of going to sleep to the moment of waking again in the morning, the physical and ethereal bodies lying in bed are completely abandoned by what fills them throughout the day, that is, the astral body and ego. They could not exist at all by themselves.

When we have the human physical body here before us, we should clearly understand that behind what we can see with the eyes and touch with our hands there is an evolutionary process. It has passed through the

After that came the Atlantean period, when humanity dwelt for the most part upon the ancient continent of Atlantis, a region forming today the bed of the Atlantic Ocean, and which sank beneath the waters through the great Atlantean flood. In the earliest part of the Atlantean cultural period, man possessed strong magical powers. With these powers, he mastered the forces of nature, and in a certain way was still able to see into the spiritual world. However, clairvoyance gradually faded because human beings were destined to found 21 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

the culture belonging to the Earth; to descend to Earth in the real sense. Thus at the end of Atlantis, there were two kinds of human beings within the peoples and races. Firstly, at the height of Atlantean culture there were seers, clairvoyants, and powerful magicians who worked by means of magical forces and were able to see into the spiritual world. Besides them were people who were preparing to be the founders of present humanity. They already had within them the rudiments of the faculties possessed by people today.

during the day. We should not simply compare this perceiving in the spiritual world with the present\ dreaming. The present dream state is only like a last stunted remnant of this ancient clairvoyance. However, the same images were perceived at that time as are perceived today in dreams, but they had a very real meaning. In ancient times the human being, living a very brief portion of the twenty-four hours in waking consciousness, saw the external, physical object very dimly as though wrapped in a mist.

In harmony with their inner natures, men have passed through successive incarnations during the post-Atlantean period right up to the present day.

The capacity to see physical objects developed very slowly. All that belonged to the soul and spirit was seen in the night, and evolution proceeded in such a way that slowly and gradually the human being immersed himself in his physical body for a longer and longer time during the day. Ever shorter grew the night, longer and longer lasted the day. The more he lived within his physical body, the morethe nightly clairvoyant images disappeared and the more did the present waking consciousness emerge.

From the standpoint of Spiritual Science, what does occultism call our “present existence”? It calls it a state of consciousness which the human being possesses from the morning when he awakes until the evening when he falls asleep. During that time, by means of outer physical senses, he sees the objects about him.

From the evening when he falls asleep until the morning when he awakens, he does not see the objects about him. Why is this so? Under our present evolutionary conditions, the astral body and the ego can make use of our physical organs for hearing and seeing in the physical world, and for observing physical things.

From the evening when we fall asleep, until the morning when we awaken, the astral body and ego are out of the physical world on the astral plane. They are detached from the physical eyes and ears and therefore are not able to observe what is about them.

The alternating state of waking by day and sleeping by night developed slowly and gradually. This was not yet the case in the ancient Lemurian period, when the human being for first time passed through a physical incarnation. At that time, the ego and astral body were within the physical body only for a very brief portion of the day, by no means as long a period as now.

Therefore, because the human being was outside of his physical body for a longer time and entered it only for a brief period in a waking state, life during the Lemurian period was very different from life as we experience it. Our state of unconsciousness during the night, when we are not merely in the act of dreaming, is a state that has developed slowly and gradually.

Day and night consciousness was very differently apportioned during the Lemurian period. At that time everyone still possessed a dull clairvoyant consciousness and during the night, when they were out of their physical body and in the spirit world, they perceived this spirit world around them, although not as clearly as we of the present see the physical objects about us

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However, we must not forget that true and genuine self-consciousness can only be attained by submersion in a physical body. Prior to this the human being did not feel himself as an independent entity,but as a part of divine spiritual being from whom he was descended. Still possessing a dull clairvoyance he felt himself a part of the divine spiritual-consciousness, part of a divine ego. He could not have said to himself “I AM,” but would have said, “God is” and “I am to Him.”

Eliza Joslin Kendall is a Certified Transformational Life Coach and Medium. She is also accredited in Energy Healing, as well as Mediation and Conflict Resolution.

Eliza helps clients to overcome self-destructive routines and make positive life choices.

An entrepreneur, wife, mother and grandmother, Kendall leverages her expansive human experience to help translate spiritualism into ways readers can take in and make practical use of.

For additional information about The Gospel of St. John - Revisiting the Vision of Rudolf Steiner for the 21st Century: Our Participation in Earth's Evolution as the Planet of Love,” visit: www.capecodspiritualcoach.com/books

S SOFIA Milos

S

ofia Milos is a Swiss-born Italian/Greek actress. Since moving to Los Angeles, Milos has appeared in numerous film and television roles. There was Yelina Salas, on "CSI: Miami," and Camorra Boss, Annalisa Zucca on "The Sopranos." Other television series she co-starred in, include, "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Friends," "ER," "Criminal Minds Beyond Borders," and "Chicago Justice." Milos also worked internationally (she speaks seven languages) on the Belgium series "Section De Recherche," the German series, "Tatort," and the Canadian TV drama, "The Border," for which Milos won a nomination at the Monte Carlo International Television Festival. Sofia starred in the feature film "Passionada," directed by Dan Ireland. Other feature films include "The Order," and "Give Me My Baby," to name a select few.

In 2020, Sofia joined the cast of Robert Zemeckis' highly rated UFO drama "Project Blue Book," as Daria, which can be seen on the History Channel.

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Photo by Manfred Baumann Make Up by Nelly Bauman

Please tell us why you wanted to become an actress?

I have been a working actress for 27 years. In essence, working as an actress, saved my life, my spirit, and it gave me the joy of living and of wanting to play this game called life. It gave me the courage to confront significant challenges. It taught me my strengths and helped me, in many ways, to going from a victim to a winner, giving me confidence in myself, among many other things. I grew up into the woman I am today, hand in hand, as I grew as a successful actress. And for that, with immense gratitude, I made it my mission to inspire through my work, as many people as I can reach worldwide.

You currently play a character named Daria, a mysterious, charming, and very powerful woman, tell us more about her?

Daria is a Russian spy, who runs clandestine operations in the U.S. overseeing assets in the field – most notably, Susie Miller, who is played by Ksenia Solo. A ruthless matriarch for the cause, Daria does not hesitate to dispose of those who pose a threat to her country's safety and will use any means necessary.

The series is based on the actual Project Blue Book, which was the code name for the classified U.S. Air Force effort to investigate UFO sightings in the United States from 1952-1969 when it was terminated. It's fascinating to know that in total, there were over 12,000 UFO sightings reported to Project Blue Book then, and 701 of these remained “unidentified.”

The first well-known UFO sighting occurred in 1947 near Mount Rainier, Washington, when someone saw nine high-speed objects. That and other sightings, including Roswell 1947, helped spark the official government inquiry.

One of the episodes I filmed in Vancouver was about the Roswell case, as well as Area 51.

Producer/Director Robert Zemeckis got the rights to produce this show for the History Channel, which is based on real

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events. The show's creators and writers also include David O Leary, Sean Jablonski, and Jack Rapke.

How was your experience working with director Pete Travis and this cast?

I had a great time working with this cast and crew and the different directors on the show. They were all wonderful and welcoming, and I loved shooting in beautiful Vancouver. I’m very grateful.

Tell us about how you were cast in the role? And what attracted you to this role?

I was actually in Rome when the call came. I was about to close on another deal that would have worked in Rome.

The casting director from L.A. asked if I could put something on tape, most likely to see what I look like now. So, I read anything available online about the show and the original Project Bluebook and looked at my character. I saw DARIA, back in the 1950’s, definitely in a Man's world, as a woman of courage, power, and unapologetically going after something with life or death importance to her and at all costs. That always makes it an excellent journey for me to play and live. I don't judge my character. Instead, I find and understand her righteousness and vulnerabilities. Her drive. Her reason and how I personally relate to that part. The morning after, I got the call that they offered me the recurring role in the Robert Zemeckis show PROJECT BLUEBOOK, and I accepted this project instead of the one that was offered to me in Rome. And I’m very happy I did. The show is now sold to 165 countries and the experience was wonderful. And I just found out I was invited back for at least one more episode in Season 3.

How do you feel about Extraterrestrial life?

I feel it would be presumptuous to assume there isn't life beyond what we are willing to see. I have not had any UFO encounters. But I do believe that our human bodies are just a vehicle for our soul, and consequentially, I must be open to believing that there are other living forms.

Set photos on Project Bluebook

Set photos on Project Bluebook

"I feel it would be presumptuous to assume there isn't life beyond what we are willing to see. I have not had any UFO encounters. But I do believe that our human bodies are just a vehicle for our soul, and consequentially, I must be open to believing that there are other living forms."

Photo by Cristina Bernes www.writingwithlight.camera

You are posting many quotes on social media. All are inspirational. How do you feel these quotes can help your fans?

In this day and age, where there are so much power and manipulation through media, causing anxiety and separation, I think it is important to use social media to share positive, encouraging motivating, loving energy. We all need that.

We need more hope, peace, and love in this world. People follow their favorite celebrities, mentors, and teachers they look up to on social media as Children do to their parents.

I feel we choose a job that comes with celebrity and popular-

ity as a side effect, and it is important, therefore, to lead by example. Lead with love and inspiration and motivation with an open heart. I do my best to do so.

I once thought my vulnerability was my weakness, only to learn it made me a better artist, and actress and gave me the ability to create a positive effect because it's from my heart to theirs hopefully. It gave me the courage and made me stronger, and I'm grateful for that every day. So when I have a thought that it's useful, I want to share it as it may help someone else at that moment.

"Keep your dreams alive!

Fight for what you believe in beyond & in spite of obstacles."

Photo by Cristina Bernes | www.writingwithlight.camera

"If you want the best the world has to offer, offer the world YOUR best with Gratitude for the opportunity."

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. It is not what you look at that matters, it's what YOU see."

What's challenging about bringing this kind of script to life?

Project Bluebook is a period piece, based in the 1950s, on a subject I wasn't familiar with per se, so there was some research to be done, of course. As well as looking into woman's looks, makeup, wardrobe, poise and grace of that era.

I generally find woman's behavior was more feminine all together then, and I got to feel, experience, and really enjoy that side of me. We had an amazing costume designer.

I think it’s very important for all of us to stay positive, not panic, meditate, exercise, and stay at cause and active. We need to take extraordinary care of our immune system with healthy food, vitamins, drinking lots of water and hot teas, of course, don't smoke or vape. This is definitely the time to stop if people haven't yet. Get some fresh air while keeping the recommended distance. And do what we need to do to stop the spread and resume our life’s social and business activites sooner than later.

Part of the preparation was also, of course, breaking down my character and my own personal choices that will drive me as this character to go after my purpose with power and poise, which was my choice. It's all the fun stuff we get to do in finding our character and bringing choices to the set and to the screen.

For man it will not be the same as before, but anytime we have had to start fresh in our own life, some great opportunities of growth have come out of it. And because of it we will be stronger than before if we took care of ourselves.

These are interesting times of great change and unity on a global level. Perhaps Mother Nature is teaching us a valuable lesson. While we reflect and look up into the sky, we have probably never seen the sky so blue and clear of smog.

What was your first acting acting role, and how do you see yourself differently from today?

My first role in a movie was as Kristen, a literature student, in a film called "Over The Line," with Lesley Ann Down in 1992!

Then in 1993-1994, I booked my first series regular role on a prime time sit-com on NBC, opposite Valerie Bertinelli, called "Cafe American." It was directed by multi Emmy winning director and producer James Burrows. What followed over the years, were many episodics, some movies, and other seven series regular roles. Some of them shortlived, some I signed on for 1, 2, 3, or 7 yrs as was the case with "CSI: Miami."

When a crisis comes into our lives, it makes us re-evaluate the choices we make. And I feel it is a unique opportunity to invest this time to refocus and find tune our goals and purpose. Reconnect with family and loved ones and continue to create, learn, and flourish and prosper.

Throughout the years, I have been committed to studying theater and scene study for 16 years, and I'm still a part of the Ivana Chubbuck theatre group family.

Consequently, I never returned to my home country of Italy but stayed here and became an American citizen. Today I have dual citizenship, and that's pretty much how I feel.

Italy will always be in my heart. My whole family is there and in Greece.

The actress Sofia, and the woman, Sofia, have grown up together, hand-in-hand in the land of the free. I'm older but wiser, stronger, more confident, more understanding, patient, and forgiving.

The world is currently facing a challenge from the Corona Virus, how do you feel about it, and how do you think each one of us should respond to this pandemic?

It’s been certainly an unprecedented turbulent global situation that brought everyone to a halt and will carry a lot of repercussions. Many difficult, but I'm hopeful that many will be good.

Set photos on Project Bluebook 29 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

When you are in front of the camera, how are you getting yourself ready to play your part?

Everything plays its part, starting from the makeup, the hair, the wardrobe, and all my choices and preparation.

As I become the character and can I feel like my character, I move and breathe as my character on set and bring my choices. If the producers and director love it, we shoot. It's a collaboration of a big team ultimately, and if everybody's doing their job, we get to create magic and tell stories for the small or big screen that will reach millions of people around the world.

If you could play any other character in PROJECT BLUEBOOK, who would it be?

I love all the characters honestly. They are so well written and played by a great group of fellow actors that I respect. That said, it would probably be Susie Miller.

Which director would you like to work with next?

Robert Zemeckis (Castaway, Forest Gump) is producing but isn't directing Project Bluebook, but it's under his guidance and approval, so that's pretty cool. I would do any project he'd like to direct me in.

I’ve had a list from the beginning of my career that included directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese. Then came Aaron Sorkin ( Molly’s Game), Steve Soderbergh ( Oceans Eleven), Paolo Sorrentino ( The Great Beauty ), Michael Mann ( Miami Vice), Guillermo Del Toro ( The Shape of Water), Rob Marshall ( Chicago), Chad Stahelski ( John Wick). I would love to work with them!

But there are so many others and also emerging directors I may not know yet. I would love to do more films as well as having my next T.V. Series.

The future has infinite possibilities.

"Life is a transformation and continuous evolution.

It's like a train that keeps moving. It stops for a moment, but it keeps going forward. Sometimes slow, sometimes fast, but it keeps going forward.

So we might as well enjoy the ride of our life and destiny and make it the best and most memorable voyage!

When we surround ourselves with people we love, and get rid of toxic, negative freeloaders and opportunists.

But also forgive and forget, quickly and don’t hold on to grudges and negative feelings. As they further rob us of energy and from living our best ride.

While on this train, patience, love, and understanding make the ride much smoother.

Along the way and the many stops, some people leave, and some new people will come on board, who will share the same destination and purpose as us, with whom it is worth sharing this marvelous journey and time of ours."

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Photo by Cristina Bernes www.writingwithlight.camera

Lotus Laughing

By Marie-Celine Sinclair At the break, the girls went up to Matthew and introduced themselves with the intention of finding out exactly what he knew about the 11:11. Suddenly, Matthew became of extreme interest and importance to Lillian. This was one of her life’s most poignant moments, one that could possibly bring some closure to the haunting mystery of the recurrences of the 11:11 numeric configuration. Lillian approached Matthew like a long lost friend. Matthew, or Matty to his mates, was a tall guy— well over six feet—with curly light brown hair whose locks fell around his shoulders. Handsome in a boyish way, his deep blue eyes drew you in, mesmerizing you by their brightness and intensity; you knew that Matty was a good man, an honest and true person. You knew that “sort” when you met them; they stood out like sparkling jewels. Consequently, Lillian was about to hang on every word he said.

“Please tell me absolutely everything you know about the 11:11, Matty, because for many years I’ve been left in the dark wondering why I had been inflicted with and haunted by this regular reoccurrence—this constant vision—in my life.”

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Photo by Brittany Bendabout

As many of our touchstones to greater knowledge were seeming to disappear, we would have to discover them within ourselves. Those with the awareness of the 11:11 were being called for leadership roles.

In his broad Southern US accent, Matty—from Phoenix, Arizona—had to admit that the best advice he could give Lillian was to buy a book that had been written on the subject. But in summary, he continued. “The 11:11 numeric configuration was about the second opening of the portals of consciousness. As many of our touchstones to greater knowledge were seeming to disappear, we would have to discover them within ourselves. Those with the awareness of the 11:11 were being called for leadership roles.”

“What!” This was all Lillian could muster up; she was stunned, truly stunned.

Dear reader, do you know what it’s like when you have an itch you can’t scratch, and then all of a sudden you get relief? Well, that was the moment when, for the first time, Lillian experienced some relief from the anxiety of not knowing why the 11:11 had continued to haunt her … but she needed to know more.

“So who wrote the book? Did you read it, Lil?” Zara enquired.

“Zara, you wouldn’t believe it,” Lillian responded, “but at that very point, Myriam called us all back to work and my mind and attention turned to the next fascinating piece of information and the following instructions that she gave. And then, it seemed all of a sudden, the course was over and Matthew was gone. I frantically asked Gita what he’d said the author’s name was—she couldn’t remember but advised I ask Myriam. Unfortunately, Myriam was surrounded by eager students wishing to further discuss elements of the course content with her; Gita wanted to get home to her pets, and it was an hour’s journey down the mountains, back to Ferncliff at its foothills.”

“I went to the Blue Mountains years ago, Lilli. What a gorgeous part of New South Wales. The Three Sisters rock formation was spectacular, and at particular times of the day, you could see why the range was called the Blue Mountains; it was because of the enveloping blue haze.

Due to the huge numbers of eucalyptus trees in that re-

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gion, large amounts of oil droplets are dispersed into the atmosphere and hence emit a blue hue. Interesting, hey?

But not a fraction as interesting as your tale. Sorry for interrupting—please continue. So did Matty tell you what you wanted to know?”

Mick, being an expert on flora, couldn’t help informing the other guests about one of the other influences of this quintessentially Australian native tree, the eucalypt.

“Yes, you’re so right, Mick; that’s how they got their name. Anyway, back to Gita and me zooming back down the mountain. We left in a hurry, before night fell, bringing with it a predictable dense and almost impenetrable fog. But to be quite honest, I got much more than I’d bargained for out of my participation in the weekend course. Initially, my intention was to support my friend Gita; however, during this course, I finally learned that the 11:11 phenomenon actually did have substance. My experience wasn’t just something coincidental or merely imaginary or something that could simply be rationalized away.

It became very clear to me that my intuition—soul or whatever—had endeavored to wake me up through a physical manifestation; finally, and because my mind continued to be open, I received some degree of answer.

To an extent, I was satisfied, but ‘life’ had a different idea; I was to find out much more. You see, the book was to fall into my lap, so to speak, a couple of months later, by so-called sheer coincidence.”

As an exploration geologist, Jez was passionate about the discovery in both the physical and the esoteric domains.

As such, he was a frequent visitor to the theosophical society bookshops in the hope of discovering some spiritual gems that only avant-garde bookshops like those in Sydney would stock.

Being a quiet and sleepy Sunday, Lillian wanted to hang around at home, do some baking and a bit of gardening, and, of course, be surrounded by her beautiful family, including their pets. But Jez promised her and little Mitch lunch at their favorite spot on the water-front in the city if they’d accompany him to the bookshop that day. Given it was a gorgeous and sunny day, fish and chips by the water with an enjoyable glass of chardonnay seemed irresistible. Mitchey loved the thick double-dipped crispy wedges that this water-front café was famous for, not to mention their freshly squeezed orange juice dribbled over sweet orange ice crystals. United and joyful, the family set off for a day in the big city. By the time they finally arrived at the bookshop, Lillian and Mitch were tired—lunch was now awhile back.

“You know, I remember being rather irritable and grumbling all the way up the high street; I knew that we’d be in the bookshop for ages, as Jez always took his time in there. As toyshops were to kids, these theosophical bookshops were to Jez. He reminded me about our deal: lunch at my favorite spot, bookshop afterward. Deal? Deal!”

A fair player, Lillian did her best to be a person of her word; she had promised Jez, and now she had to shut it and put up, allowing her husband to enjoy himself. As such, she found a carpeted step in the shop to sit on, her boy on her lap.

“Shortly after, Mitchey ran off to join his daddy, so I sat there alone,” she told her guests, gesturing to Carlos to top up people’s drinks while she handed around the large antipasti plate. “It was then that I heard a voice in my head—probably my intuition—that told me to turn around and take the book from the shelf behind me. My dear friends, this is exactly how it occurred; please stay open to this.”

her memory, her eyes looking upward, gazing at nothing.

After a short space of time, she spoke.“ ‘To all those who have been continually seeing the 11:11 numeric configuration all around, you have been called.

Because of your heightened awareness, you have awakened your cellular memory and have been selected. You have a mission to fulfill this life. When you are fully in tune and in balance with your life, on all levels, you will discover what that life purpose is. Do not be afraid, for this has been written and you have been called.’ And that is my tall, but a true, tale from my past.”

Lillian turned around, and the first book that caught her attention was Solara’s 11:11 Inside the Doorway. Yes, that was the name of the author that she’d heard about only once, from Matthew those months ago.

Dear reader, can you remember a time when your adrenalin levels rose, when the neurochemicals flowed with swift intent into your bloodstream and your heartbeat rapidly, when you couldn’t think straight out of sheer delightful exhilaration and elation? You do? Yes, then you’ll know how Lillian must have felt at that moment.

Turning excitedly, Lillian tried to control her breath and calm her nerves. This was the moment she had been longing for; now she would be privy to some ancient truth, which was what her instincts told her.

“It was as though I had been granted access to an ancient text foretelling knowledge only reserved for certain students who had been called for some yet unknown reason.”

“Oh, Lillian, what did the book say? Please don’t keep us in suspense anymore!” some of her guests called out in unison. The moment stood still—no sound, no movement. Everybody froze as they realized that they too were now privy to this same ancient knowledge that was about to be revealed.

“Well, I don’t have the book here; it’s in storage. But to paraphrase, and from memory, this is what it said in the opening chapter.” Lillian looked pensive as she searched

A journal keeper, a researcher, a lover of writing and the aesthetic, an author and an English teacher, Julieann Alcorn, who writes under the pen name Marie-Celine Sinclair, is no stranger to the written word or tale-telling, from the factual to the mystical. Alcorn has received her Bachelor of Arts with a Diploma of Education and her Master of Arts in Visual Arts, and has completed Stage I and II of a Doctor of Philosophy. She has written two e-books and developed an 8-week program on developing stillness.

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Photo by Helen Thomas

Writing My Destiny

By Heidi Fedor

Growing up, our parents were always spouting rehashed clichéd advice. We rolled our eyes at their advice and walked away. Even today, my mother still says things to me that make me roll my eyes at her.

But even as old as some of this recycled advice is, that doesn’t make it any less true All my life I was told, “Sex is always better when you love one another” and “You will find that certain someone when you stop looking.” In my case, both statements were true. This is a story about finding, loving, losing, and eventually coping with the loss of the love of my life.

I was never lucky at love. By the time I reached thirty, I was sure love was never going to happen for me.

Everybody kept telling me the reason I was struggling was because I wanted it so badly. By age thirty-one, I decided that I just didn’t care anymore. But then, just like that, I met my soulmate. His name was Barry.

He was six feet tall, blonde, handsome, and had the most enigmatic blue eyes I had ever seen. He was also a smart guy with a kind heart. Barry was thirteen years older than me, but healthy and in such good shape that when my friends and family first met him, they couldn’t believe he was that much older than me.

For almost ten years, my life was finally happy. Barry was my world, and like the moon, my life revolved around him. He got me to break out of my comfort zone and try different things. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would take a three-day bike ride across West Virginia, go body surfing/boogie boarding for the first time, or even visit places like Italy or Hawaii. He taught me how to enjoy life.

My favorite dates with him didn’t require much money. We would go for long walks or bike rides and all we did was talk. In fact, out of all the amazing vacations over the years, the bike trip was my favorite.

We spent three days just talking and bonding with one another.

Then one day I discovered my cat Ashley had Lymphoma. Needless to say, I was devastated. After watching her deteriorate over the next three months,

I knew her time was coming. So, I waited until she was ready to say, “Goodbye.”

Sadly, that day had finally arrived. I called Barry crying, and he came to pick us up to take her to the vet for the last time. When the vet had administered the final shot, we threw our arms around each other and began to cry.

I remember thinking how lucky I was to have him in my life. But I also thought that I probably couldn’t handle it if he ever got Lymphoma. Exactly one year later, Barry was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL).

How can this happen? I wondered. Why would God finally send Barry to me, only to take him away from me just a few years later? Cancer wasn’t supposed to happened to Barry. He was the healthiest person that I ever knew.

I remember the day I found out about it. I have always known the expression, “my heart hit the floor” was just a metaphor. But I swear on that day, it felt like it literally did. But Barry was never one to give up.

He ended up seeing the best doctors from some of the best hospital around the county. His research, and information even got one of the local hospitals to change their protocol for treating NHL. But after a couple of relapses, it was decided the best course of action was a stem cell transplant. There was still the likely possibility that he could be cured.

So for one month, Barry was locked up in a hospital.

He was not allowed to leave the transplant floor and the procedure was hard on his body. But he was determined to beat cancer. He told me he wasn’t doing it for himself, he was doing it for us.

I would stay with him on the weekends. I could do that as long as I wore a special gown, mask, and gloves. If he felt pain, I would rub his feet. If he felt sorrow, I would hold his hand. And if he felt fear, I would hold him in my arms until he cried out all of his pain.

And if he needed a nurse, but they weren’t coming fast enough, I would go find them. I would tell them he needed help. I would never be that bold if it had been me who needed help, but it’s amazing what you will do for those you love. It’s easier to have self-confidence when it’s a loved one you’re sticking up for, as opposed to yourself.

Six months after the stem cell, Barry’s PET SCAN showed him to still be in remission from the Lymphoma. We were hoping it was over. However, the scan revealed that there was something on his colon. After a full biopsy it was revealed that he had stage 3c colon cancer. That meant it was on the verge of stage 4.

However, there still was a chance for a cure. After more chemo, Barry had been in remission for three months.

Things were starting to look as though he could beat this cancer as well. Unfortunately, after six months he discovered that he had relapsed. Not only that but he had a stage 4 Braf mutation. It is a rare, and possibly one of the deadliest forms of cancer.

The sad thing is Barry had a clean colonoscopy only a year and a half before the colon cancer was first discovered. Even when he was fighting Lymphoma, he still took care of himself. It’s just that this form of colon cancer was a rare kind that couldn’t be detected early by a colonoscopy.

Now for the kicker. Most of his oncologists agreed that the colon cancer was a secondary cancer he developed from all of the treatments he had for the Lymphoma. The chemo had weakened his immune system so much that it lost the ability to fight other cancer cells.

Just as I had to watch my cat Ashley deteriorate over a three-month period, I had to watch Barry go through the same thing over a three-year period. Even though he was a fighter and fought until the end, he sadly lost his battle on December 14, 2016.

The man who was my life, my lover, and my best friend was now gone. It was a pain I had to endure one day at a time. If I had to describe it, I would say it’s like a permanent scar on your heart. It will always be there, but it starts to fade over time.

For a year and a half, I could have cared less about dating. The very thought of ever engaging in sex with another man seemed repulsive to me. But as a living breathing womanin her mid-forties, certain carnal urges started to arise. What I needed was a healthy outlet.

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Soon I began going to beta writing sites and started reading stories about dark romance. Usually they were stories about a seductive villain who gets the heroine to give in to their sexual desires. Barry of course was never a villain. But the dark stories of love and romance was the outlet that I needed.

I became especially fascinated with dark erotica stories that focused on the sci-fi/fantasy genres. The only thing was, I wasn’t finding the exact story that I wanted to read. One thing I learned from Barry, if you need something that doesn’t exist, make it yourself. So for the next eight months I sat down and wrote three different novels. I wrote the exact stories that I wanted to read.

After posting my own stories on beta sites, I started getting positive feedback. It wasn’t until then that I realized the major accomplishment I had made. A friend of mine read them and liked them so much that he told me I should get them published.

Of all the lessons I learned from Barry, his death taught me one of the hardest lessons of all. Life is too short. When opportunity comes along, you must take advantage of it today because tomorrow might not be here, and regret is one of the saddest emotions of all.

Even if I do find another certain someone, Barry will always be in my heart, and I will always love him. I even put my love for him in writing. All three books have the same dedication, “For my beloved Barry, until God brings us together again!”

And I believe that to be true.

Heidi Fedor, who writes under the pen name Ann Drighton, wrote and published her three erotic fiction novels within the span of eight months including “Bride of the Dragon King.” She utilized writing as a form of therapy to deal with the grief of losing her fiancé to colon cancer in 2016. She currently resides in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and continues to write fiction stories. To learn more please visit, www.anndrighton.com.

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RECLAMING YOUR TRUE SELF

By Angela Dunning

The Secret Power in Doubt During Adversity and Crisis “Doubt and insecurity are indispensable components of a complete life.” ~Carl Jung

L

oss of our normal, daily life, whether through loss of mobility, ill health, an accident or trauma, loss of a loved one, relationship breakdown, loss or change of a job or career, or even loss our beloved home; all of these experiences can shake our faith in ourselves. And right now, the entire world is shaken to its core by uncertainty and doubt during the Covid Pandemic crisis. On an unprecedented level, everyone is feeling unsure, vulnerable and shaken by this invisible and pervasive potential threat.

During these times self-confidence can drop off us like rain drops falling off leaves, leaving us bare, naked and feeling vulnerable, unsure of ourselves and our place in the world suddenly.

Our ego quakes in the presence of such uncertainty and when the ground beneath our feet shakes and rocks like this; when cracks appear and we begin to fall, it is easy for our self-belief to also begin to crumble. It happens a little at a time and we may not even notice it’s happening at first, but, slowly and steadily, we start to feel less confident and sure of ourselves.

We enter the uncomfortable realm of doubt.

We can be so shaken at times that we lose all sight of who we are; what we are capable of, and what we have previously achieved and known.

We can find ourselves reverting or regressing sometimes back to the level of a helpless child, in dire need of others to look after us and comfort us, to tell us we ARE going to be okay.

Photo by Yuliya Kosolapova

Uncertainty and feeling unsure about ourselves and everything clouds our every waking moment. Our daily life is disrupted, our usual sleeping patterns, socialising, work life, everything goes to pot both in our outer world and in our inner terrain. We lose our balance.

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Yet, here’s the curious thing: In my experience, such periods of loss of self-belief and confidence turn out to be ultimately helpful. They can be hugely healing and essential for maturation and growth.

This is because they enable us to find a deeper sense of connection to our true or higher self while the ego is so shaken loose from its normal daily approach to life and all its coping mechanisms. A deeper and stronger faith begins to emerge as we ourselves re-emerge from the debris and loss, from the grief and the fear. A new born belief rises in us, one that couldn’t quite break through before when everything was so tightly held together.

The cracks in our certainty were necessary to let more light shine from within. Doubt lets more light in. As Jung also says of doubt: “Doubt is the crown of life because truth and error come together. Doubt is living, truth is sometimes death and stagnation.”

Shamans undergo tremendously frightening experiences when they are being initiated, where their ego loses all of its certainty and doubt prevails. This is an essential breaking down of the ego and descent into the unknown so that the individual can discover their highest-selves who will need to be strong enough to endure this new role and life.

So, like the initiated Shaman, our task during these times is to be able to endure the loss of self-faith and to remember that it WILL return. And, that we will be stronger and more vibrant than before.

This requires us to build our inner strength through learning how to fully inhabit our vulnerability. Not wishing it away; pretending it isn’t there, or covering it up with further falsity and charades. But rather, living and breathing each moment when we are quaking in our boots. Staying with our anxiety when we wake; holding our grieving hearts in our warm, soft arms, and gently rocking ourselves back to the only really solid foundation we possess: our inner truth.

There is true power in vulnerability and it takes great courage to turn towards our vulnerability and not away from it, as our culture would try to insist we do all of the time.

To swim against that tide alone takes tremendous courage and inner strength.

I have been through the fires of self-doubt and loss of faith in myself so many times I’ve lost count. Each time I thought I’d never recover, that I was regressing. And yet, precisely because of these regular baptisms of fire I developed a profound new level of self-belief, a much

stronger and more resilient sense of self, one that can withstand so many more of life’s shocks and bruises now. And, a faith in myself which has earned me a tremendous amount of insight into both my own struggles and those of others.

My experiences of reoccurring loss of belief in myself, my weakness as I saw it, turned out to be one of my greatest gifts. That which was lost over and over again, was not only re-found, but each time, reborn with heightened levels of self-trust and zest for life that made each descent into doubt SO very worth it and packed with meaning for me.

These crisis of self-faith, confidence and belief in myself were redemptive experiences, ultimately involving much healing and growth. And, while each experience was painful, now I can be grateful for these baptisms of fire as they forge a much stronger sense of self than I had ever envisaged possible.

As we continue with our world-wide lockdown, confined to our homes and away from wider society and activities which usually holds us firmly up, we are all being called to sit with our anxieties; our loss of confidence and the vulnerability that comes with such uncertain times. While we will all find our own ways to cope, let me leave you with a reminder of the main theme again: Within doubt is the kernel of new growth; of an expanded and deeper sense of self. That out of this darkness will come new light, and like all seeds, we just can’t yet see what it will look like and that’s okay.

Quotes: 1. Carl Jung, Letters Vol. II, Pages 163-174.

2. Carl Jung, Dream Analysis, Page 89.

Angela Dunning is a regular contributor to The Eden Magazine.

She is the author of The Horse Leads the Way: Honoring the True Role of the Horse in Equine Facilitated Practice, Angela writes regularly on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ thehorsestruth/and Patreon: www.patreon.com/angeladunning You can learn more about Angela and her work helping people and horses at: www.thehorsestruth.co.uk

41 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

Hi, Nina. You are the founder of “Lady Freethinker;” please tell us more about it and why you started this organization.

Lady Freethinker is a nonprofit media organization that gives a voice to the voiceless, with the goal of evolving into a more compassionate world for all species. We publish petitions urging decisionmakers to take action to protect animals from harm, conduct investigations into animal cruelty, and distribute news articles to build awareness and promote humane treatment of all creatures, big and small.

We also provide direct aid to rescuers on the ground saving animals’ lives, including those in the front lines of the dog and cat meat trade.

In the beginning, Lady Freethinker was just a blog.

I created it because, as a freelance journalist, I wrote a lot about what other publications wanted, but not enough on the issues I cared about most. Since then, we’ve grown into a 501(c)(3) organization with a team of writers, editors, investigators and campaign managers. With 1.5 million subscribers, we’re able to reach a wide audience and make a real impact.

I know how hard is to manage running an animal organization, how can you do it?

Well, it’s definitely a beyond-full-time job. It’s my life, from when I wake up in the morning to when I fall asleep at night. Is it hard? Absolutely. But I honestly don’t know what else I would do.

The most difficult part is viewing so many stories of terrible cruelty, all day long. But when I see the animals that our campaigns have helped, it makes every bit of it worthwhile. Like the faces of the dogs we’ve helped save from slaughter, or dogs once kept starving on chains who now have loving homes. Those animals wouldn’t be alive today if not for our work.

How would you describe “Lady Freethinker” to be apart from the others?

LFT provides a simple, direct way to help animals -no matter where you are. We strive to streamline our petitions to make it easy to speak out for animals with just a single click. Armed with those signatures, then does the outreach needed to effect meaningful change.

42 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

nina jackel

Founder of Lady Freethinker, a nonprofit media organization dedicated to exposing and stopping the suffering of animals, humans and the planet

The Eden magazine featured in March 2020 issue about the darkness behind dogfighting that you shared with us, please tell us how we can stop it, and how an individual can help?

Sadly, the dogfighting industry is rooted in neighborhoods across the world -- maybe even yours. There’s big money, which makes it hard to stop. I urge anyone who sees something suspicious -- such as dogs with scarred faces, multiple pit bulls left chained outside in barren conditions, or training equipment such as dog treadmills -- to contact law enforcement at once.

Dogfighters also commonly promote their trade on social media, and it’s important to report such posts to local authorities.

You were a journalist and decided to become an activist, why?

As someone who stopped eating meat at the age of 12, I’ve always cared deeply about animals. And a memory of a PETA ad I saw as a child, depicting a monkey electrocuted for medical research, will be forever ingrained in my brain. That shows how powerful media can be in informing people of what’s happening, and influencing the way others treat animals. Using my voice to speak out about what matters to me is extremely important, and I can’t think of a better way to do this than to be an activist.

Why did you pick the name “Lady Freethinker”?

To evolve to a more compassionate world, we need to first break out of the norms and institutions that hold us back from progress. Thinking freely, you’re able to look past what you always assumed and get closer to the truth. And that’s what I believe will ultimately enable us, as individuals, to make the world a better place -- refusing to accept things that hurt others just for the sake of doing what we’ve always done.

Tell us about the most difficult moment in LFT? For the first few years, LFT was self-funded.

I worked full time and then put every extra penny into building it. In 2017, I made the big leap --I quit my day job and devoted everything I had to making LFT succeed.

For about a month, it was extremely stress-

ful -- every day, I wrestled mentally over how much money I should let myself lose before calling it quits and going out to find another job. There was this cloud looming over my head, threatening to take away all that I dreamed of doing. But soon, something wonderful happened. The more I put into LFT, the more the organization grew, and soon it was clear that devoting myself fully to this was the best move I could have made with my life.

Around the world, we deal with so many various issues, from poverty to child trafficking and many more, why animal rights in your opinion should be one of our priority as well?

The rights of human and nonhuman animals are so tightly interwoven, to care about one is to care about the others. Data shows that often, the most vicious criminals started by harming animals and later moved on to humans -- so by protecting animals from harm, we protect everyone else, too.

And of course, animals don’t speak our language, so they can’t exactly go to the press and alert the world of their suffering. If people like me and you don’t stand up for them, who will?

How can we change people’s mind to concern for animal rights, and how this could impact the process?

I truly believe that most people are good at heart, and do not want to see animals suffer. The problem is that so much animal cruelty is hidden, we don’t even have the opportunity to help. Like Paul McCartney said, "If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian."

So the #1 thing is education. Expose what’s happening to animals every day, even though it’s hard to face, and inform people on how they can stop the abuse. Nobody is powerless in the fight against animal cruelty. Every single person can make a difference, from signing a petition to committing to Meatless Monday to calling your representative and urging them to pass stronger animal protection laws. My goal is to arm people with the facts and opportunities, and trust them to do the right thing.

Is your organization only focusing on Los Angeles, if not where else?

LFT is a truly global organization. With the beauty of technology, we can work in countries across the globe. We do a lot of campaigning against the dog and cat meat trade in Asia -- I visited S. Korea recently to help out a dog shelter and document a dog meat farm. And we conducted an undercover investigation in Chile that resulted in the strongest animal cruelty sentence ever acheived in the history of that nation.

How our readers can reach out to help?

Please sign up for our email newsletter at LadyFreethinker.org. We regularly send petitions and other simple actions so anyone can help save animals’ lives. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, too @ladyfreethinker. The more people get involved, the more animals we can help!

43 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

H

An excerpt from

Into Your Child’s

By Agnes Lui

eart

H

eart-centered parenting refers to connecting our own hearts to our children’s hearts. There we hear each other and truly connect with love. Through love, we feel how special we all are to one another.

Every child comes to earth in a unique package, with her own personality, mission and lessons to learn. The inner compass is in the heart. When we use our own inner compass, we activate our children’s. When we are connected heart to heart with them, they will then listen to us. Then, someday, they will listen to their own heart.

I have learned many lessons about how to get into a child’s heart.

One involves better communication. How can we say what we mean and mean what we say consistently? How can we better listen to children and get them to really pay attention to what we’re saying? What are some effective tools for communication?

44 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Photo by Janko Ferlič

Another lesson is that the foundation of a person’s character is built in the heart. If we want our children to possess good values and to develop strong character, we must reach their hearts. They don’t develop character through our endless lectures of “I told you so.” Rather, they learn through our heartfelt connection with them. They need us not only as role models, but also as gentle coaches. Strong character is built from our hearts to their hearts.

And one more very important lesson is the value of praying for our children. Praying comes from the heart, declaring our love and concern, regardless of what religion one belongs to— or even if one has no religion at all. I pray for my child. Not only that, when my son was in high school, we came together as a family to pray.

Effective Communication Words and actions are major tools of communication. I recall a common childhood chant: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” In truth, words hurt as much as actions. Abrasive words, over time, deeply bruise a person’s psyche as much as hitting a person with a stick wounds the body. The intention is the same: to hurt. The effect verbal abuse has is hard to diagnose in the victim, because it bears no physical scars, whereas physical abuse is easy to see. Thus, words matter at least as much as actions, because their effect is buried in the psyche.

Furthermore, unspoken gestures, tones of voice and innuendo are very much part of communication. You can say much without spoken words and you can hint at hostility indirectly, without confronting the real issue. The other person can observe 45 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

We have been wired and conditioned to say and do certain things in certain ways. We may even think this is an expression of love. We are not aware of those old destructive habits and how they affect other people. and feel the message from this kind of unspoken communication. Hostile tones, darting eyes or contorted facial expressions say a lot. Indirect and snippy comments are other ways to express hostility.

As a parent, I go by the motto: “Say what you mean and mean what you say, but don’t say it mean.” There are three parts to this motto: “say what you mean,” “mean what you say,” and “don’t say it mean.” These three parts, in order to be effective, must go together. They are like three horses pulling a wagon—they need to go the same direction.

If I say one thing, then do something contradictory, and do or say it in a mean way, the effect is lost. If I wish to go north, but my words go south and my actions go east, I won’t arrive at my destination. For example, if I want to teach good eating habits, I forbid my child to eat cookies before dinner. Then I eat cookies before dinner, myself, thinking that he is not watching. The next day, I bake more cookies. Then I use cookies as rewards/ punishment, saying that he can only have two cookies if he behaves well. What is the message? My child would battle with these questions: Is it right to eat or not to eat cookies before dinner? How am I supposed to behave?

What are the rules? Why can Mom eat cookies without rules? Why don’t Mom’s actions and words match?

We affect our children in subliminal ways through nonverbal actions and gestures, which our children have to interpret. We had a very smart gray and black striped cat named Tiger, who was my son’s special kitty. Tiger was the second of two cats and knew how to dominate an older black female. When he was just a kitten, he figured a way to attack the bigger cat. He would walk backward toward the black cat and then suddenly turn to attack her. A fight would ensue, and I would yell at Tiger. I then would pick him up and put him in the closet for a while to calm the situation. Over time, Tiger continued his attacks but afterward walked himself into the closet. He learned the procedure by heart, and I needed no words or actions.

I said what I meant and meant what I said consistently.

I probably acted mean, too. In retrospect, I wonder what else I could have said and done differently because I felt bad for Tiger, the self-punishing cat.

In my social work caseload, I worked with a seven-yearold boy who had behavioral problems at home and in school. He told me that his parents often said that he was a bad boy. In his young mind, a bad boy must misbehave 46 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

all the time. The communication was clear to him as to what he should do.

Effective and consistent communication poses challenges in finding the right words, right gestures and right actions that go together. We have been wired and conditioned to say and do certain things in certain ways. We may even think this is an expression of love. We are not aware of those old destructive habits and how they affect other people. Yelling at my six year old for not picking up his toys to the extent that it scared him scared me too. I then questioned not only “what” did I say but also “how” did I say it, all those emotional tones that I was not aware of.

To children, our words are like the promises that we make. We can keep promises or break them. When a child is two years old, we use promises to distract him.

“If you behave, I will buy you a toy.” We know that we won’t get to the toy store for many more days and hope that the whole incident will be forgotten. But if we make promises to a five year old, he will remember the promises and, over time, hold them in his heart. In my professional work with troubled families, I saw too many divorced parents making promises to show up for custody visits but never showing up. I remember seeing the painful faces of their children.

Even if we parents can’t see our contradictions and hypocrisy, our children do! Not only do they watch us, they also act out what they have observed. After a while, they know how to push our buttons: through the gaps in our communication.

The heart is the center from which to map out our words and actions. The wisdom of the heart has unity, with its ability to think, feel and speak cogently and act cohesively. Our heart will take us to the right next step, so that we can find the right words and take the most appropriate actions. Furthermore, heart-centered communication enables parents to feel and reflect more deeply, so that words, feelings and actions will express a common goal.

Agnes Lui received a master’s degree in social work from Boston College.

She worked at various child welfare agencies—where she matched volunteers to needy children and teens, where she worked with struggling immigrant families in a Chinese community, and where she did therapy with troubled and abusive families. To learn more about Lui and her book, please visit her website www.intoyourchildsheart.com.

Have you seen Gretchen?!

Missing since 11/11/2016 Please contact us

info@theedenmagazine.com

47 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e April 2020

Beauty

Life Elements Long-running, CBD Brand Shines

Light on What CBD Means in 2020 www. lifeelements.com When it comes to your health, CBD skincare brand Life Elements understands that what you put ON your body is just as important as what you put IN it. They’ve spent the last 14 years creating, formulating, and manufacturing their own award-winning products, and are now taking on the task of helping consumers navigate the increasingly murky waters surrounding what makes an effective CBD product.

“We’re seeing a flood of products hiding substandard ingredients behind fabulous packaging, especially in bath bombs,” said Life Elements founder Martha Van Inwegen.

“One red flag I see is the use of CBD isolate vs Broad Spectrum CBD. CBD isolate does not provide full plant efficacy, and many bath bombs don't even use water soluble powder.. they use CBD oil, which is not water soluble!”

Retailers are taking note, too. As Beauty Independent noted, Sephora recently tightened their requirements that “cannabis beauty brands use CBD from hemp grown in the United States, include only full- or broad-spectrum CBD, test CBD three times, make available a certificate of analysis to verify CBD content, and adhere to its clean beauty guidelines.”

At Life Elements they only use water soluble, broad-spectrum CBD powder that still includes the important synergistic ingredients found in hemp, making it much more effective. They then individually dose each bath bomb to ensure it’s at the stated potency so users get the full complement of anti-inflammatory, relaxation and skin nourishing benefits.

They’ve also ensured their bath bombs are made with no harsh chemicals, colorants, foaming agents, or synthetic fragrances (all of which can contribute to Urinary Tract Infections) so you can keep your PH balanced and your towels stain free. Doses range from 50-250mg per bath bomb.

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Similarly, their Ache & Pain Relief stick does not rely on just the CBD but consists of proprietary formulations that include other time-tested anti-inflammatory and synergistic ingredients, such as camphor, arnica, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and more, to boost the efficacy of the CBD and relieve pain faster and at comparable prices.

Together, they’d make tinctures and medicine in the kitchen.From the get-go, She was fascinated by the synergy of ingredients. She has become a product alchemist out of sheer practice and curiosity, fueled by the magic of helping others.She also went through a wild child phase where she spent quite a bit of time on the back of motorcycles, but that’s for another day.

Martha grew up in Mexico, in a town where having shoes was a luxury and medicine was often unavailable. Some of her earliest and strongest memories are hanging onto her Grandmother’s apron, following her everywhere, as she began to learn how to make herbal salves and tinctures. Martha would go into the hills to collect flowers with her Grandfather and into the garden to collectherbs with her Grandmother.

49 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e April 2020

Photos by Andrea Piacquadio 50 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

The repetition of the mantra creates a disconnection from the thoughts that invade our minds, so you fall into space between your thoughts. The mantra can be viewed as a tool that assists in meditative practice. They can be seen as the words packed with the power of the ancient times which have very refined intentions that assist us as we are on a journey to find our lost connection to the spirit which is the source, the fount of everything in the universe.

VEDIC &

Yogic Meditation

By Jayita Bhattacharjee

Mantra Meditation (OM Meditation)…. A mantra is a syllable or word that is repeated in order to have your mind focused. It should not be thought of as an affirmation that convinces yourself of something. There is a vibration associated with the sound and meaning which makes an initiation into it a necessity. Mantras are used in Hindu traditions, Buddhist traditions, Sikhism, Jainism, and Taoism. Some people call Mantra meditation… ”OM Meditation”. A more devoted practice of Mantras is called “Japa” and consists of the repetition of sacred sounds with love. IT is usually practiced with the spine in an erect posture, and closed eyes.

The practitioner then keeps on repeating the Mantra in his mind, silently over and over again. Sometimes the breathing is coordinated with it. The Mantra is whispered softly and lightly as an aid to concentration. The mantra repetition produces a mental vibration that takes the mind into profound levels of awareness. As you meditate further and further, the mantra gradually becomes so theoretical and blurred, until you finally land into the field of pure awareness from which the vibration emerged.

What are Mantras? Mantra is a Sanskrit word which is derived from two roots: man (“man” mind or to think) and trai (means to protect or to free from, or instrument/tool).

So, mantras are looked upon as tools of the mind or tools to free the mind. Mantras derive their value mostly from their sound quality. Some of them are short, one-syllable mantras others are long and composed of many words. IT allows the mind to become calm and centered and works just like focusing on your breath or any other meditation object. Secondly, a mantra can be viewed as a tool for transforming consciousness. The idea is that every sound, every vibration has a certain quality to it, and can create different states of mind and consciousness when they are repeated for a long period of time.

There is a transformative power of sound. Sound is vibration and all the cells in your body are vibrating. Everything in the universe is vibrating and each has its own rhythm.

Your thoughts and feelings are indeed vibrations in your body and your consciousness. Sound patterns have an impact on the water in the body, and the hormones secretion, behavior, cognition, and psychological well- being. From this perspective, your mind and psyche become a collection of patterns with each vibrating at its own frequency, speed and volume. The discovery of yogis of yore is that by sustaining a particular sound vibration for a long time, the mind and body can be truly transformed. It can also change your emotional state, e.g. overcoming pain and anxiety, uplifting your moods. And you can gradually access a deeper state of consciousness, and the mind can be well controlled so you can go into samadhi (a state of transcendent union, the highest state of meditation). Sound has the power to induce and evoke moods, thoughts, and emotions and hence emerges the power of programming a specific sound into your mind, by a thousand repetitions.

Thus, Mantra Meditation purifies, pacifies and transforms the mind and heart. Thus, Mantra as a toll and instrument of the mind can create profound changes in the body and psyche and produce transformed states of consciousness.

It is the method of rotation of consciousness around a particular sound, which is amplified for a maximum effect. Many people find it easier to focus on a mantra than with the breathing. Its usefulness comes when the mind is racing with many thoughts, as its mantra meditation demands continual attention.

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With the inclusion of mantra, it gets easier to integrate your meditative state into your daily life. Mantra replaces thinking. Paying full attention to the mantra leaves no room for disturbance by any other thoughts, memories or sensations. Being able to string the ending of one mantra repetition to the beginning of next helps us to remain in that beautiful state for the duration of that meditation. A mantra replaces thousand different thoughts by one thought which offers peace and awareness and allows you to gather your scattered attention that is spread all over the place.

With the recitation of mantra, you unify it and thus you ultimately empower yourself. It overrides the constant mental warbling which is the predominant form of conscious thinking for the majority. The faster repetition of mantra creates gamma waves in the brain. The slow repetition of it creates theta waves.

Yoga Meditation… Several types of meditation are taught in the yogic type.

Yoga means union and its goal is spiritual purification and self-knowledge.

Classical yoga divides it into rules of conduct (yamas and niyamas), physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), contemplative practices followed in meditation( pratyahara, dharana, Dhyana, samadhi). Till to date, the yoga tradition is most ancient meditation tradition on earth and the one that has the widest variety of practices.

The most universal Yoga Meditation is the Third Eye meditation. Others involve focusing on a chakra, repeating a mantra, visualization of light, or gazing meditation. Third Eye Meditation…

The attention focuses on the sacred spot located between the eyebrows. It is redirected to this point to silence the mind.

With time, the “silent gaps” between thoughts get wider and deeper. The third eye is also called the Ajna Chakra.

Chakra Meditation: In this practice, the focus is on one of the seven chakras of the body. Chakras denote the centers of energy. The focus is placed on them by some visualization and by chanting a special mantra for each chakra which are (lam, vam, ram, yam, ham, om).

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Kriya Yoga: It is a collective group of energization, breathing and meditation exercises taught by the father of Yoga, Paramahansa Yogananda.

Sound meditation: It focuses on sound.

It begins with a meditation on external sounds such as ambient music which is very soothing for the spirit where the attention is mainly on hearing to still and collect the mind. With time, you evolve to hear the internal sounds of body and mind and finally, you hear the ultimate sound which is a sound without vibration which manifests as OM. Tantra: Bring a union between the mind and the senses in the interior space in the spiritual heart. With the perception of one object, all the other objects are perceived as empty and then you can focus on that emptiness. Focus on the space which exists between two thoughts. Then fixate your attention which is inside the skull and close your eyes. Meditate on any delightful feeling.

Follow this with the meditation on a feeling of pain. Be in the reality which exists between pain and pleasure. Meditate on the void inside one’s body that gradually extends in all directions. Concentrate on a well that has no bottom, or as standing in a very high place. Then pay attention to the Anahata or heart chakra sound. Then give your ears to a musical instrument as it slowly dies away. Contemplate on the universe or one’s own body as it is filled with bliss.

Focus on the fact that the universe is Typically, it is done on the heart chakra, third completely void. Contemplate that the same consciousness exists in all the bodeye, and crown chakra. ies.

Gazing Meditation: (Trataka) You fix your gaze on an external object which can be a candle, im- Pranayama: It is breathing regulation. age or a symbol (yantra). It is performed with It is a practice to still the mind and to eyes open and then with eyes closed to master prepare it for meditation. The simplest the concentration and visualization powers of form of Pranayama is 4-4-4-4. It dethe mind. After the eyes are closed, one needs to notes breathing in counting up to 4, have the image of the object in the mind’s eye. holding for 4 seconds, breathing out for 4 seconds, and holding empty for 4 Kundalini Meditation: It focuses on the awak- seconds. You breathe through your nose ening of the kundalini energy that lies dormant and let your abdomen be the one that on the base of the spine. This meditation also moves but not the chest. You go through focuses on the development of several psychic some cycles like this. This breathing regcenters in the body and ultimately awareness ulation balances the moods and calms down the body and it can be done anyand enlightenment. where.

A mantra in Yoga: In the tradition of Yoga, mantra repetition is connected with the breathing, visualizations, contemplations and chakras. Chakras: In certain lineages, there is the practice of mantra recitation keeping the mind focused on specific chakras.

Repeat the seed-sound of each chakra. Root Chakra (LAM) “lum”, Sacral Chakra (VAM) “vum”, Solar Plexus chakra (RAM)”rum”, Heart Chakra, (YAM) “yum”, Throat Chakra (HAM)”hum”, Third Eye Chakra (OM), Crown Chakra (silence). It is called Chakra Mantra Dharana.

Pranayama Breathing: In some Yogic schools, there is also the practice of synchronizing the mantra with specific breathing patterns. E.g. A-HAM mantra…

I AM… Repeating A upon inhalation and HAM upon exhalation. SO-HAM mantra: Repeating “SO” upon inhalation and “HAM” upon exhalation, while moving your attention and breathing up and down your spine.

SOHAM-HAMSA: Inhale through the left nostril as you repeat “so”, then exhale through your right nostril as you repeat “ham”. On your way back, now do the following: Inhale through your right nostril repeating…..”ham” and exhale through your left nostril repeating “sa”. That is one entire cycle.

Practice a minimum of ten cycles. Some of the most well- known mantras from the Hindu as well as the Buddhist traditions: Om, so-ham, om namah shivaya, om mani padme hum, rama, yam, hum. With the furthering of the practice, you may see that the mantra keeps continuing by itself, much like the humming of the mind. But a time comes when the mantra may even disappear, and you are left in tranquil serenity.

A mantra in Bhakti Yoga: In the Yoga of devotion, the mantra that is used is the name of the divine in the form and aspect you prefer.

Transcendental Meditation: It is a specific form of Mantra Meditation which was introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India and the West. It involves the use of a mantra and is practiced for 15-20 minutes twice per day while being seated with the eyes closed. The mantra is given to the practitioner based on age and gender. They are not meaningless sounds, but they are Tantric names of Hindu deities.

Self-Inquiry and ” I am” Meditation…. It finds to find the answer to the “Who am I?” It very much culminates with the intimate knowledge of our true self, our true being. Your sense of I or ego is the core of your universe. In some form or other, it is there behind all your thoughts, emotions, memory and perceptions. Yet we are unclear about what this…”I”

is, about who we truly are in essence, and we get into confusion with our body and mind. It’s a shrouded mystery in our lives. With self-inquiry, the question” Who am I” is inquired within yourself. You engage in this questioning simply as an instrument to fixate your focus on the subjective feeling of ”I” or “ I am”.

You become one with it as you go deeper and deeper into it. It then gives you a revelation of your true ”I”, your authentic self as pure consciousness, limitless and boundless. This is not an intellectual pursuit, but an inquiry to guide the attention to the central element of your perception and experience: the ”I”.

This is a pure subjective feeling of existing without any images or concepts attached to it. Whenever thoughts and feelings arise, you inquire yourself: “To whom does this arise?” or “Who is aware of fear, pain, anger or any other feelings?” the answer will be” It is me”. And then you begin to inquire” Who am I?” to guide the attention back to the subjective feeling of self, of presence. It is a pure existence that is free from any object or choice, objectless and choiceless. You focus your mind on your feeling of being, the non-verbal” I am” which is radiant within you. It has no association with anything you perceive. With all the other types of meditation, the” I”(yourself ) is focusing on some object, internal or external, physical or mental. In self-inquiry meditation, the “I” is focusing on itself, the subject. It becomes the attention turned towards its source.

Jayita Bhattacharjee was born in Calcutta, India and later on pursued education from University of Houston in Economics, she had chosen her career as a trustee and teacher.

Her Indian residence is in the vicinity of the famous Belurmath. Currently, she is settled in Tampa, Florida. Her love for writing on a journey of heart and soul was hidden all within.

Looking at the moments captured in love and pain, joy and grief, the hidden tragedies of life... it was a calling of her soul to write.

Her books "The Ecstatic Dance of Life', " Sacred Sanctuary", " Light of Consciousness", "Dewdrops of Compassion" are meant to shed light on what guides a person to respond to the mystical voice hidden inside, to soar in a boundless expansion with the limitless freedom of spirit."It is in the deepest joy that I write with every breath of mine."

53 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Hidden End of the Line Photo by Masaaki Komori

Teresa M. Tucker

54 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e April 2020

Teresa M. Tucker, who writes fiction under the pen name “Tessa Tucker,” and her family’s lives revolve around words.

With her husband and many family members being deaf, everyone signs American Sign Language (ASL) and, when her children became interested in reading books like “The Maze Runner,” Tucker began coming up with stories her kids and their friends would enjoy, while leaving out adult situations and language.

In “Hidden End of the Line,” Tucker presents a thrilling teen fiction about a whiz kid who has been kidnapped and is trapped on a speeding train. He must overcome a force field and monsters to protect his secrets and make it out alive.

“This book offers hope and inspiration for teens struggling

with depression, their faith, or being labeled for their mistakes,” Tucker said. “It is a clean read for teens, which captures their attention and interest, without the adult experiences some teen novels include.”

Tucker’s latest novel stands out as one of the few novels to highlight a deaf character. She includes ASL in her book and explanations of the language, while providing a relatable character living with the challenges of being deaf.

“We let others paint us a certain way,” Tucker said. “When we learn to not buy into labels or let others change the way we think about ourselves, then we can see the true picture of ourselves.”

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The constant rumble of the wheels filled the air. The wind whipped around them.

Justin grew nauseous at the dizzying height. The teen’s stomach swirled. Bile rose. Head spun. The hot poker burned Justin’s left side below the ribs on his pale skin where his shirt lifted.

“Ugh,” Justin screamed. Burning pain seared through him. He let out a terrible scream.

“Look at the tracks and switches,” Red yelled, “Justin hurry, there isn’t much time. Look at the train tracks!” Red’s eyes darted between the distant end of the train car and Justin’s face. “Hurry. Look!

What can you make out?” The heavier boy didn’t let up on the railroad whiz.

Justin clenched his teeth and felt his left leg spasming. He couldn’t even open his eyes, let alone lift his body to get a view of the layout of the tracks as Red wanted.

But he still sensed the great distance to the ground, not to mention the deadly speed. Justin froze, terrified of heights.

R

ed Pinned Justin to the top of the speeding train. Justin lay on his back pressed down. The hot metal roof burned the skin on his right cheek and right arm. He felt the weight of Red on top of him, breath like onions. His eyes watered.

The roof stretched only eight and a half feet wide. They struggled, like wrestlers, only on more limited space. Red shoved the right side of Justin’s head into the roof. Justin’s ears rang and all he could think was how much his head hurt as if a vice was crushing it. He knew Red was strong enough to kill him. Sweat ran down his copper-colored bangs. He shut his eyes as the salty sweat burned them. The height above the blurry ground made Justin dizzy. His vision blurred as his whole head ached. The copper-haired teen closed his eyes to avoid seeing the distant sunbaked ground far below.

Sweat dripped from both teens.

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The train rushed on with the two teens still on top. Finally, Justin fixed his eyes on Red’s face. It was the only spot not swirling. Again, Red’s attention was divided between watching the end of the roof and the boy he pinned down. Justin watched as Red bit his lip. A tiny drop of scarlet trickled down on to the pale boy’s chin. He’s afraid of something.

Adrenaline pumping, Justin’s throat thundered, “No, not for one like you!”

He spits the words out at Red. With anger and adrenaline coursing through him, Justin pushed against Red trying to flip him, but Red had all of his weight on him. Red, eyes steeled and focused, still looked at Justin’s face.

The train traveled southwest, climbing slightly in elevation. The boys rolled a quarter turn and both planted their palms on the hot roof, ignoring the hot surface. Red had dropped the hot poker in the process.

An old road ran along the left side of the train. Then, Red could see a great canyon,

which the Colorado River ran through.

The great canyon had tertiary canyons off of it. From a bird’s eye view, the plateau looked like an arrowhead with notched edges. The train came near to an edge which dropped off a thousand feet into a canyon directly to the left of the road.

Red looked down and saw a trail crisscrossing the tertiary canyon. Now, he could no longer see it as the train speed on. Justin and Red continued to struggle on the roof, like wrestlers, Red still dominating Justin.

Red punched the same spot on Justin’s side where the poker burn was he had given the railroad whiz to get him to climb the ladder onto the roof.

Justin’s eyes bolted wide open and he let out a short scream, while a distant sound also reached their ears. Could it be an echo from the scream? A thin high screak from the backside of the train car reached their ears. There was nothing out here on this “island in the sky,” on this high plateau. Probably a bird, Justin thought. The train continued to slowly rise in elevation through a secluded grassy pasture.

The verdant pasture grew in his mind and Justin went to his happy spot, remembering his family’s pasture at home.

He loved the evenings, when the sun just set, casting a golden shower of light on the serene pasture. His soft horse, Sky under him. He would pet the soft luxurious dark brown coat on her neck.

He loved how her neigh sounded as if to say, “Ah, that’s the right spot. Don’t stop.” The irrigated pasture ground and grass cushioned the steps of her prancing hooves. He chewed on mustard grass and smacked his tongue against his lips, enjoying the sour taste. The smell of grass drew his attention. The cat lurked in the grass and held a field mouse in its mouth.

The soft mooing of the cows in the distant corral brought home memories of his parents’ ranch. Squawks of the mockingbirds on the hurricane fence around the yard echoed. Penned in the yard, the dogs wouldn’t bother them. Justin rode for hours in the pasture before this— before the nightmare on the train.

Higher on this mesa the two teens rolled. Justin could see the canyon now, not three yards on their left. Since the train had been traveling straight before he couldn’t tell that the train rode on a trestle now over the end of a tertiary canyon. He averted his eyes from the ground, his body trembling. Red’s mouth dropped open as he looked down a thousand feet below to the old trail at the bottom of this canyon.

The train descended into a small eroded bowl. Ugh. Justin felt his stomach rise into his throat. Now, Justin could see an approaching white and red sandstone arch spanning the locomotive. The arch was almost over them, with only two feet of clearance.

“Duck!” Justin yelled up at Red and dropped his head and hands flat against the scalding roof.

Justin watched the arch against the sky as he pancaked himself to the train roof sped under it.

Exhausted, Justin continued to lay flat on his back looking up at the sky. It looked like the train was flying in the air over the canyon from this view. He wondered why Red hadn’t gone back to wrestling him. Did Red ignore the warning to duck? Maybe this battle of will and fear ended with the arch taking out Red. Then, he felt hands on his knees and Red between his legs. The pressure of Red’s pink and freckled hands increased on Justin’s tan arms. Once again, Red pinned him. Red in his cut-off biker jacket, biceps bulging was too strong for Justin. He wondered how this was going to end.

Was Red going to beat him up, throw him off the roof, get them both knocked out by the next arch or tunnel?

Again, Justin focused on Red’s face to avoid looking at the height.

The sound was louder this second time, more metallic and closer. It registered with Justin— The sound was being made by The Screakers. Scrrreak, Tap, Tap, Tap. Scrrreak, Tap, Tap, Tap. Justin swallowed. They’re coming.

They cast glances down toward the front sides of the train car. It was blurry as the train sped under them.

Justin felt dizzy from the height and speed. I never liked heights. Wonder if I would break my legs falling from here down there? he thought, looking left and right for the source of the terrifying sound. He couldn’t jump.

The hot pain drove Justin to open his eyes. As he did, he caught the fearful look in Red’s wild eyes.

“You’re crazy Clyde!” Justin screamed into his face.

“Don’t call me that name!” Red spat at him.

“You snake! You’re lying about Vanessa!” Justin yelled, struggling.

“Jealous, aren’t ya?!” Red gloated, putting more pressure on Justin.

“You’re lying, that she’s your girlfriend. We’ve been together for the last three years.” Justin said as loudly as he could, trying to be heard above the chuffing of the locomotive.

“And how long have you been away on this train, huh?” Red questioned.

“Only four days,” Justin answered.

“A lot of lovemaking can happen in four days,” Red said with a sly grin.

“Liar!” Justin shouted as he tried to free his right hand from under Red’s left knee and his left hand from under Red’s right hand.

Soon the Screakers would get to them. Justin didn’t have time to contemplate, which he would rather face.

Red lifted the hot poker above Justin’s chest. Focusing just on his attacker, Justin used his athletic legs and kicked Red. Red slid toward the front of the train car.

The biker rolled partially off the front side but grabbed onto the ladder, white-knuckled. The hot poker, where was it? Justin looked. Nothing. Then, they heard what they dreaded, Scrrreak, Tap, Tap, Tap.

Teresa M. Tucker has a master’s degree in Education, a bachelor’s degree in Social Science, and is currently pursuing her master’s in History. She writes young adult fiction and history books, while raising her two teens. Her other published works include: “Altonian Summit” and “Silent Depth,” the first two books in her “Altonian” series, and “Indomitable Deaf Victorians.” Her fiction pen name is “Tessa Tucker” and her history works are under “ T. Michelle Tucker.” Her husband and many family members are deaf, and her entire family signs ASL. They currently live in Lehi, Utah.

To learn more about the author and her book, visit: www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/800276-hidden-end-of-the-line.

57 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

DR. CARDER STOUT

AUTHOR OF LOST IN GHOST TOWN: A MEMOIR OF ADDICTION, REDEMPTION AND HOPE IN UNLIKELY PLACES

Dr. Carder Stout, Ph.D. is a Los Angeles-based psychologist who specializes in depth psychology—the process of uncovering hidden, self-destructive tendencies—and treats anxiety, depression, addiction and trauma.

Stout is the producer of three award-winning independent films, which opened doors to meeting, and eventually treating, celebrities in the entertainment industry. Stout, himself an addict, has been in recovery for almost 15 years and describes his grueling experience with drugs and alcohol in his memoir, Lost in Ghost Town. In addition to his practice and his philanthropic work, Stout is a frequent con­ tributor to Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle website Goop and has written for musician Alanis Moris­sette’s health and wellness website, Alanis.com, and the Huffington Post.

He has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, Spectrum News1 SoCal, ABC News/ WJLA-TV, Leonard Lopate at Large, Newsmax-TV, Larry King, Good Day LA and Us Weekly. A graduate from Trinity College with a BA in creative writing, Stout earned a master’s degree in New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara. For more information, visit CarderStout.com

Hello Dr. Stout, please tell us about your work and how your work is different than other therapists?

I am a depth psychologist which is not a typical orientation that most therapists practice.

My work focuses on an attempt to uncover what is going on below the surface. So much of how we think and behave is governed by a belief system we have built over a lifetime of experiences. We store the memories of these life events in the unconscious and are not even aware of how they adversely affect our moods. I help my patients explore the origins of these uncomfortable feelings by leading them into the unconscious part of psyche. This helps them gain a better understanding of themselves and assists in their departure from old patterns of thinking that are impeding their growth.

You talked about how the dream is a powerful way to connect to the unconscious, please tell us more about it.

Dream analysis is a direct window to the unconscious. I believe that dreams are a communication from the soul. I think of the soul as our most authentic, loving and divine nature that guides our intuition and helps us grow. Many people dismiss dreams as not being relevant, but I would say the opposite. Dreams are vital, important and laden with messages that are designed to help us heal and evolve. The language of dreams is a mystery to most people but I have devoted many years to deciphering the rudiments of this language. I find it fascinating.

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Your goal is to elevate the patient’s level of happiness and love, how a person can achieve this using your method, and how one can restore the balance to increase compassion in his/her life Yes, my intention is always to facilitate happiness and increase the capacity to experience love. This always begins with developing a better relationship with ourselves. I believe that letting go of the past through a deep sense of forgiveness is crucial. We have the ability to forgive ourselves and others for everything that has occurred in our lives. There is a spiritual component to my work and I try to reintroduce my patients with the best parts of themselves that they may have forgotten. One must truly live themself before they can give real love to another.

opinion does one chooses this path?

No one ever chooses addiction. Addiction chooses them.

Much like anxiety, grief or anger, addiction shows up un all of us at some point. Some experience it with drugs and alcohol while others have an obsession with food, love, sex, work, exercise or their smart phone. The most important thing to remember with addiction is that it does not have to dominate your life. It is impermanent and if treated correctly will fade into the background, as it has done with me.

In your opinion how addiction can impact one life, and how the recovery is possible?

Recovery is absolutely possible. I am sober now for over fourteen years and I have been addicted to almost everything. Addiction is no longer a factor in my life and I am certain that everyone who struggles with it can find their way out. Addiction rips through families like a wrecking ball and does not discriminate race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation or gender. It is a destructive force that needs to be respected, understood and ultimately treated with love. The more it is ignored, the stronger it gets, so as a culture we must learn as a culture to embrace addiction, not demonize it. Most people I know have some sort of addictive tendency in their lives. Addiction is a part of us, a powerful part, but we have the ability to overcome it with the right attitude.

Before you choose to become a therapist you worked as a producer in the film industry, please tell us why you felt being a therapist is important to help others.

I always wanted to be a storyteller and my years as a producer was an attempt to do this on the big screen. As a therapist I am now invited to hear the stories of others and I am so grateful to hear their tales of bravery and sadness. My intention is to offer insight that will help to shape the emerging story of my patient’s lives. What could be more important?

Tell us about your book “ Lost in Ghost Town” It is the story of my life, really. The present tense of the book takes place in 2003 when I was hopelessly addicted to cocaine and living in Venice, CA. It was there that I became the driver for a former gang member and the story revolves around the unlikely friendship that ensues between us.

Although we were involved in nefarious activities (selling drugs) it was his love and kindness that empowered me to finally believe in myself again. The book also takes a look at my childhood and the struggles I encountered as a boy.

Addiction harms anyone's life at any time, why in your

Is there any charity close to your heart and why?

The Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization will always be close to my heart. I have mentored many adolescents over the years and believe that lending your time and energy to the younger generation has incredible value.

Would you like to share with our readers, about one incident that changed your life.

The birth of both my children has forever changed the man I am today. They offer me so much love, laughter and wisdom. Without it, I would be lost.

To purchase in Amazon:

www.amazon.com/Lost-Ghost-Town-Addiction-Redemption/ dp/0757323545/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1587673469&sr=8-1-fkmr1 59 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Travel

Fiji: T

he

By Augusto Valverde

60 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Pearl of the South Pacific

When you travel the world for a living capturing the best experiences on camera for a world travel show with the help of the top luxury brands, one can get quite used to the extraordinary becoming almost, at the risk of sounding ungrateful, seemingly normal. However, there is nothing normal about Fiji.

In fact, these three hundred and thirty-three islands peppered over turquoise water in the South Pacific are quite extraordinary and for reasons that at first glance you wouldn’t imagine. Being the host and producer of Global Child, the travel show where we explore the top adventure and luxury experience as we also give back, has allowed me to work with over thirty-six five star hotels across more than twenty-one countries staying at and doing incredible things. Anything from glacier trekking in Argentina, falconry in Ireland, or safaris in Tanzania… but no place has made my heart beat faster than Fiji. Before we dive into the experience, we must acknowledge that just as important as choosing the best destination, it’s equally important to know what activities to enjoy once you’re there. So Bula Vinaka! Like the Hawaiian word aloha, bula has a variety of meanings and uses: its literal meaning is "life," and when used as a greeting it implies wishes for continued good health I don’t know about you but, previous to visiting Fiji it seemed to concoct that same imagery in my mind as did Maldives, Bora Bora, Tahiti, and most exotic “beach” destinations. The sand, the crystalline ocean, the happy poster couple with their idyllic two children playing in the waves. What struck me the most as I landed in the main Island called Nadi, was the combination of lagoons, rivers, and mountains covered with lush greenery so thick you couldn’t spot the ground. Fijians have been ranked multiple times as the happiest people on earth and at first glance it makes sense: they live in paradise! However, a significant portion of the population practiced cannibalism as recently as a hundred years ago. Interestingly enough, with the arrival of Christianity, this deeply

grateful and spiritual nation now is as welcoming as they come. We began our adventure in Nadi where we explored the wonderful Sigatoka sand dunes, your own Arabian-like slice of dessert. After we indulged in an incredible Speed Boat ride through the pristine inner island as local fishermen hauled in their dinner and children waved as we passed. Quite a day as we reached The Pearl of Fiji Resort for some traditional dances and the largest lobster I’d ever seen in my entire life! It’s the very first time I can say we were unable to finish the lobster and oh did we try to devour it! Speaking about devouring…

One of Fiji’s top experiences is underwater at one of their multiple marine national parks, some of them featuring the very best shark diving in the world. I guess that's why they call Fiji the Pearl of the South Pacific because as you know one must dive to extract those little beautiful treasures. Personally, I’ve always had a natural fear of sharks and I’d only scuba dived four very basic times. However, a friend of mine told me that we cannot be fearful and happy at the same time, so I decided to face my greatest fear with the help of Bequa Adventure Divers who invited me to dive with over thirty bull sharks, cage-free at a depth of thirty meters. I don’t get more intense than that. Fortunately, they sent a marine biologist with me and I figured it would make for great TV, either way, the adventure turned out. I’ve discovered that in Fiji, luxury is often mixed with adventure. There are many great pools and beaches, and no worries the shark diving is specific to one marine park in a specific area where they congregate far from the coast!

After our briefing which made me feel as if I was in a real-life action flick, I jumped into the water after my cameraman. No way I was going first! Fiji and this shark dive made my heart skip a beat. It happens in a blur… descending into the deeper blue, your guide in front and a beautiful myriad of bubbles float past you the opposite direction as if they know something you don’t. Then you see them, gliding ever so menacingly gracefully a few feet away..

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You take your position by the coral at the very bottom and you try to stay still and remain calm. I didn’t know that thrashing or erratic quick movements attract sharks, so there I was, petrified and happy to be so. Then the joy of the moment began to reveal itself to me. Perhaps it was the fear starting to dissipate. Every fear we hold, some rational some not, are like little cages in our hearts that occupy precious emotional real-estate. Once we open those boxes and face our fears, there is more space in us for confidence because the less fearful we are, the more joyful we become! After that experience, we decided to do some good while there and we donated to their @MyFijiShark project that conserves ocean life and we sponsored a shark!

children and locals signing for us and adorning our necks with flowers. We dined like kings as the orange dipped sun transformed into wild shades of pink as it took a nap into the calm ocean waters. Luxury isn’t always directly correlated to pricing or to locations. True luxury goes hand in hand with the creation of priceless memories that we'll treasure for the rest of our lives. Raiwasa created many such memories for us.

We woke up to take in a sunset that seemed to be photoshopped by angels. We paddle boarded onto a small yacht and set off to snorkel one of the many reefs that are near-by.

We found an empty beach and had lunch under the shade of a palm tree as the breezes’ song played as a soothing backdrop. On our way back we spotted some giant man rays and simply leaped off the boat to swim with our winged ocean friends. Fiji was indeed magical.

Finally, since our travel show Global Child combines luxury with giving back, we stopped by the local hospital and supported the Loloma Foundation which provides free medical care to those who cannot afford it by giving them a donation. Patrick Janin, the creator of Raiwasa believes that when we give to the local community, by both donating and employing them, while acknowledging their local customs, it allows having a wonderful sense of home for the guests and staff.

After the adrenaline-filled Nadi experience, we jumped on a Fiji Airways flight to the “garden island” of Taveuni. They say only about 5% of tourists that visit Fiji end up in Taveuni and it’s still one of the very best kept secrets. We stayed at what my estimation has been the most luxurious hotel experience I’ve ever encountered. Raiwasa is your resort complete with its staff of 12+ people well… just for you! Award-winning chef, massage therapists, and the works! It’s a living postcard. My new friend and owner of Raiwasa, Patrick Janin told me how he traveled around the world for a couple of years with his family and he bottled the best experiences without the cardboard feel of some other luxury concepts.

Our five days ended up being some of the best of our lives.

Taveuni has so much nature to explore; be sure to visit the Bouma National Park for the best hikes. The Tavoro Waterfalls are a must-see and be sure to take the small fishing boat tour to the seldom-visited north edge of the park where you’ll see Waterfalls that cascade from a full-blown forest into a turquoise ocean lined with reefs and dramatic ridges. Insane. Afterward, we trekked for an hour to one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the world. The water is fresh, it was literally virginally empty as if waiting for it to be photographed by us. It even has rocks that allow you to sit above the water and yes, you can jump from the edge for those adrenaline junkies that will do anything for the best content.

We returned to Raiwasa and were received by a troop of 62 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Fiji is unlike another place on earth. Having explored Nadi and Teveuni was only the start, now we only had another 331 islands left and an equal amount of reasons to return.

They say no man is an island, but if I were one… I’d choose to be just like Fiji! Bula!

Augusto Valverde, host and executive producer of Global Child “travel with a purpose”. @globalchildtv You can see Global Child on Amazon Prime and major airlines like American Airlines and Iberia world-wide.

Augusto Valverde is the creator and host of the Amazon Prime show,Global Child.

He mixes travel destinations and Influencer stories to inspire people and give back through life lessons, charity, and positivity. The series plays inflight on American Airlines, Delta and British Airways, showcasing destinations 5 star accommodations across the world.

It's just you and him and the camera. Each episode is an uplifting life lesson unwrapped through laughter and adventure as we bring back the human element to a genuine travel experience. to watch each episode; www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07K81YXQM?ie=UTF8&language=de_DE

63 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e April 2020

LANGUAGE OF SPACE

By Michael White Ryan

64 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

IMPLICATIONS OF

A Trusted-Source

It’s everywhere you go, in conversations, in NY top-selling books, conference training full of words saying nothing, especially from our larger than life, the Silver-Back motivational speaker, “you don’t know what you don’t know”. Following a “trusted-source” has allowed repetition to maintain an uninterrupted trajectory headed down a deadened tributary, masquerading as growth. Do we live to achieve? Is it in our best interest? Who knew, why it’s the twenty-percent minority that has a voice, unheard!

As long as we as a nation remain Result-Focused, we remain blind to, actions unseen consequences. Information and knowledge acquired today are supposed to give us safe secure independence, allowing us to explore new horizons, personal-self expansion and mankind’s grand future, buildable on past foundations. Did we ever take the time, undertake any exploration, to fully know if our existing foundations were solid? Did we ever time-out, observe, grasp which path we are now, still headed down? Look outwards, listen, turn a full three-sixty, obvious is obvious!

Strange as this may sound, Thank YourLucky-Stars for these constant moving time-changes, they have brought us to the forefront, face to face, hopefully with mind-eyes wide open, “you don’t know what you do know that blinds us to our surrounding reality”. A language revelation, a learned path excludes one from their full potential. Absolutely sends shivers down my spine, how about you?

For example, a T-shirt design consisting of a pair of angel wings, similar to a pair of hands held up, to the all above. The wings are two floating singularities sepa-

rated by a gap. Symbolism is a powerful language. It’s the old “There’s a Hole in my Bucket Dear Liza” song. The wings collect all that is on offer, while the gap signifies loss. Universal opportunities flow in and constantly flow out. If this were a symbol for a business, no matter how successful, loss and success remain constant, there is no real change, only shifts! Now, imagine, what else this symbol communicates?

Remaining in existence, the concept of thinking we knew anything, has imprisoned the self, costing mankind, never to leave a diaper-stage mindset. Did our, with good intentions, “out of the box- mindset”, shift us from one corner to another position in the square? After we patted ourselves on the back, we still remained squared. Misdirection went wow, this so-called “out of the box” thinking is creativity. Was it a step in evolution, or a sideways delusion?

We may presume creativity, resulting in some form of success in one area of life. If so, then observe the happenings in other areas of one’s existence over time. There is no escaping the square box mindset, until one represents, lives, experiences, one’s opposites? Balance is a word of power. Unfortunately, we imprison words for hidden reasons, one being social acceptability. Words will never be bound by their man-made definitions.

Mono-Mindset a 2D way of existence, is still now deciding all of mankind’s future, In a multi-dimensional world this could now be the new definition of crazy!

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When you are free to explore your ideas, regardless of who how what, you may think you are, know the possibilities in-this-reality, your reality, are absolutely endless. Notice how, you already know the word “free”, has a million connotations. In today’s scenario, let us now-together, explore. Think in this way. You are free to access, utilize all your past resources, that have previously overcome and presented you with many past-successes. Hello, past, “you are so beautiful, right now I am in need of your help”.

Be-Free and explore this idea. Say, “I have been successful, therefore I am capable, knowing now, I am successful in my future”, da daa! And I am not talking about hope, I am talking real turkey-stuffing, yeah baby.

We engage these Freewill concepts, to breathe assumptions of authority, of one’s own existence. On the upside, it’s a good thing really, how else would we find a space to escape our personalities and conscious mindsets.

Now be-free to function, own our inner “trusted-source”.

Today, it’s not consciousness that waits for you to catch up! Understand, its spontaneous awareness that is laying down the path least explored, where a much different life awaits. Adventure, excitement, scary stuff and many a good time abound at the end of silence tunes. What are the consequences of doing, following what successful persons have previously done in the past?

Will you be rewarded, all your hearts la di da desires, and even more blah blah.

As a defined human, have you uncovered your natural function? Is your authenticity different to mine, and if so, choose what aspects within the self, are needed to merge, for awareness to discover your authentic human existence? Are you capable of being a “self-trusted-source”? Can you, rely on you to make a decision, with authority? We humans constantly seek acceptance as solutions, due to the false decisions we make of ourselves.

The danger insight, radical change rising coffee first red flowers deligh The social giant informs the ways of the worldcrowd. Thus closing down, leaving behind all messages delivered from one’s own “trusted-source”. Poisons of Blame, Faults and Reasoning’s, overshadow one’s personal realities, now existing in an out-of-sight-zone. What is known and what one understands, are worlds apart. Decisions expressed within either of these three realms will always be subjected to all prescribed aspects of possible failure. Thus we validate any and all self-confessed reasons, why one may fail again and again.

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To the rescue, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, darn, it’s Freewill. Does it even exist? Remember, highly educated persons, like to claim intelligence by placing word-labels on something fingers-crossed they don’t know, yet hopefully exist. Freewill, as of now, has not been proven, yet we have thrown many life-ring meanings, attached to the term.

We engage these Freewill concepts, to breathe assumptions of authority, of one’s own existence.

On the upside, it’s a good thing really, how else would we find a space to escape our personalities and conscious mindsets. Now be-free to function, own our inner “trusted-source”.

Everyone misses out on something in life, it’s the nature of the beast. Clinging, getting hung up on an experience falsely presented, robs one of personal value and throws one out of now time, back into a physical emotional “past state of beingness”, that benefits no one, especially the self.

It’s an unmentionable disease delivering a present life, in ruins.

Every day, you BE in respect, hold your head up high. Look forward, “the implications”, be mindful of, “own one’s trusted-source”. Be open, your new portal path includes you-everything-possible, a natural state of being. What say you…

It’s a nice day, to start again

Michael White Ryan is a co-founder with his wife Pamela Edwards of Language of Space.

They are leaders in sustainable business growth via PerformanceDesign and Performance Code.

Sustainable design encompasses both Western and Easternphilosophies including advanced Feng Shui principles, Environmental Design, Buildings, Alternative Health, Business Advisory Consultants and 20 plus years as entrepreneurs.

Recognized in the top 100 globally and are Americas Leading Feng Shui Business Consultants.They are on faculty at CEO Space International one of the oldest business organizations in America today, currently operate in 7 countries and reside in Australia. www.languageofspace.com

Photo by SOHAM BANERJEE 68 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Awakening What is awakening? Is it happening right now? I do believe that it is. Right now people throughout the world are becoming more consciously aware spiritually more than ever. Its a boost in our vibrational energies.

I participated in a global meditation at the precise moment of the Jupiter/Pluto conjunction at 745PM PST on April 4, 2020. It was so powerful to join together with so many people around the world at the exact time and follow a guided meditation to heal the world. I was absolutely buzzing of energy. The Pink Super moon which occurred in April was the biggest and brightest Super moon closest to the earth and it was all about rebirth, releasing what no longer serves you and preparing us for new realities. All of this happening during the darkest time of the global pandemic in quarantine.

Although the world is going through a difficult time in history there is a massive growth in meditation in the western world. Back in the 70’s it was the hippie thing to do and had massive growth and popularity. Now its more mainstream than ever, and people are still meditating to reduce stress and anxiety. It is connecting them to their true source. Some unconsciously knowing that this is occurring but will be revealed to them as they begin to connect more deeply with themselves. I taught my nieces and nephews how to meditate young and we did it all together as a family during a difficult time. My nephew is 10 and he says, “Aunt Sasha can we meditate now?” He has loved it since he was 7. That is how the younger generation is changing and they are already spiritually aware.

People are connecting more into nature and wanting to be apart of it. Did you know just walking barefoot in nature connects you to the healing energy of the planet?

Earthing also knew as grounding connects the Earth's surface electrons and transfers that energy into the body.

The healing benefits are reducing the inflammation in the body, reducing pain, you will sleep better and have more energy in the body. I love going on my beach walks, kicking off my flip flops, put my feet in the sand and

connect to the earth. There is no better feeling.

I have whole new respect for growing your own food. I see the importance of being able to feed yourself more than ever after being in quarantine.

My company has our Tower Garden that actually fits inside an apartment, a small balcony for city life and of course it’s easy to grow outdoors too. I used to think this was a luxury item. However, now I think it is a necessity for families to be able to feed themselves fresh food grown at home. They are amazing for the environment as they reduce CO2 on the planet and use less water to grow. Some fresh produce was hard to find in the grocery store for people. It was plentiful here in California but if I have the ability to grow my own, from now on I will.

People are more conscious about what they put in their bodies and about the quality of the food. If the soil isn’t nutrient-dense than it is not as healthy either. Lack of food sources in the future could be the next shortage as we have recently witnessed.

The world is going through a transformation and ascension. As we let go of what no longer serves us in the darkest time of our lives we will connect more to the light. We are connecting together globally through a pandemic, as we are all connected, we are human beings. Connected to the energy of the Universe, and Universal energy runs through us all. The next five to ten years will be the most transformative and I am so excited to bear witness with you all. Buckle up!

Sasha Gary is an actress, writer, and Transformation Life Coachat www.balancedbellasonline.com is a 16 week online health program for women that shows you how to implement small sustainable changes one by one to help you with whole food nutrition, self-love and a conscious movement. Sasha is a yogi of 25 years, a crystal healer, and an avid sound bowl meditation participant and lives in Venice California!

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One Minute Meditation

Photo by Hiroko Yoshii

Take this moment to close your eyes and consider the following possibility...

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路 AVOID THINGS THAT MAKE YOU UNHAPPY. 路 DO MORE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY 路 Eat Healthier Foods 路 Avoid Regrets

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Photo by Miraclecatcher photography

THE PAUSE OF OUR TIMES

By Alexia Melocchi

A

conversation on gratitude and stillness with Author, Healer and Philanthropist Micaela Bellopede Olivera.

As I write this piece, we are in the fourth week of our quarantine time in California.

The PAUSE button has been pushed on most of our Planet as we are keeping a safe distance from one another, but perhaps more united than ever in spirit.

In a search for ways to increase my inner peace in these troubling times, I have started devouring books that would bring me back to a state of gratitude and that is when I discovered Author, Healer and Philanthropist Micaela Bellopede Olivera.

A fellow Italian, I had the pleasure of meeting Micaela at an event of one of the Community Clubs I am President of. Micaela is the author of the book "Happiness is not a Destination: 50 Countries. 50 Years. 50 Lessons". Last week I engaged in a truly inspiring conversation about energy balancing and finding meaning in charitable work.

Micaela, lately I attended a speaker summit where I was told that the "pause between the word" is more important than the word itself.

How does translate into becoming more present to life's moments?

The pause is a spiritual practice and it's something that I do all the time now. Prior to my spiritual growth, I used to always speak fast and I was so focused on delivering my prepared ideas that I was not paying enough attention to the audiences' emotions and facial expressions. Now, for example, I have people get up and dance in the middle of a presentation. By doing something interactive and kinesthetic you are naturally are inclined to receive, have fun,

talk to your neighbor, and share with others.

What is the biggest lesson the world needs to hear right now?

The universe is telling everyone to pause and reflect. The Energy Boost tells the idea of wherever we've been trying to steal energy from other people it's coming back to us right now. During this time people need to introspect on what they are addicted to. Besides drugs, alcohol, people are extremely addicted to validation and social media. For example, right now users on Facebook are craving attention and happiness through their followers and these people need to realize that they're only searching for the missing piece inside of themselves. One thing I found, was that likes on social media give users a small hit of dopamine. And because we can't go out, we look for that emotional trigger online.

How do you think people can feel that they're being seen and heard in real life?

Bring it back to real human interaction I don't like Twitter for example, because I found that on the app everyone is talking (posting their opinions) but no one is listening. Coming from an Italian background where everyone is speaking at the same time, overlapping each other with what they say, I seeing the same scenario playing out on our Social Media. Everyone is posting but it makes wonder who's listening to any of our posts or tweets. In these times I am reminded to slow down and hold space for what other people are going through. But I also look for the pause inside my mental chatter. I ask myself if I can hear my voice? Can I hear god? Can I hear my intuition? Can I listen to the people around me without reaction, defense, or anger? Every day, I ask myself what are people trying to tell me? I believe right now people need to understand they need to stop and listen themselves.

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How do you go about doing that?

You just have to take the time to be reflective and wonder where you have toxified your life, body, relationship. Ask yourself in mediation: How can I get back in balance with the universe?

One of my spiritual teachers taught me that it doesn't matter how successful you are in the world if there is no peace in your home with the people closest to you, you will go "upstairs" at the end of your life and they'll send you right back.

Do you find yourself ultra-sensitive to other people's energies in this time of crisis and how do you shield yourself from the negative energy?

Recently one of my friends and coaching clients was concerned about her mom going to work since she doesn't want her getting sick. Similarly, everyone else is worried and wants to protect themselves. Empaths are more aware of protecting their energy. There was a time when I couldn't handle being around certain energy and I just had to walk away and cut the chord.

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Another way to keep yourself balanced is to be in nature. I spend most of my day outside, walking on grass and sand, as I have a yard and am close to the Ocean. I think of it like this, the bigger the tree the stronger the roots the deeper the roots to the God – Higher Source the fewer things are going to affect you. The virus doesn't affect me because it's a frequency game but I understand that as long as I maintain my frequency high enough these things won't live in my realm. To others who have no idea how energy affects you then I tell them that if someone feels toxic then there's a reason for that and you need to learn how to protect yourself, love yourself, and surround yourself with nicer people.

Depending on how you're feeling you can decide on what you're going to expose your ears and your eyes too. Protect your ears from what you hear and other people say and protect your eyes from what you see and read.

Are all these lessons found in your book?

I spent most of my teaching years in languages (Italian, Spanish, English, Symbology, tarot). At a young age, I found out that I have a gift to translate something that's profound or complicated and makes it very simple. My book is filled with pearls, gems, and secrets of energy.

Each chapter has one lesson from my travels. I wanted to write it for people who don't know any of this. I've been to many places where people don't know what the law of attraction is. What the world needs right now is for people who are very spiritual to talk to those who have no idea. I retired from teaching because I wanted to have a global platform where I can teach. Even if I have people spread information and talk about the lessons in my book to their friends, I feel like I have done my job and served my purpose. We don't have to fix everyone, we just need enough people to stop bad from happening and spread good in the word themselves.

A lot of people think that one person can't make a difference, and I firmly believe that one person can change the destiny of another. And that is a miracle itself.

I know you are involved in several charities and you are serving In your community, can you tell me about your Miracle Catcher Foundation?

When my best friend died suddenly, I felt the urge to travel to Africa. I visited an orphanage because I was thinking of adopting it. When I was there I fell in love with the family, school, and children and decided to adopt all the children at the Good Hope school. I'm still the "mom" of that school and continue to support them throughout my lifetime. After that, I realized I had a knack for fundraising since I threw events and had a lot of connections as a teacher. The first big fundraiser took place in San Diego and I invited all the artists I knew to donate for these children in Uganda, many of them orphaned through Aids. I am trying to share the message that wealth is dierent things for those children, who can be helped even by having the necessary school supplies so they can get an education.

My life is full of everyday miracles, including having a child past the age of 50, so my Miracle Catcher Foundation became a platform for people to catch miracles in the world by publicly bringing to attention and electing role models for our yearly Award of Recognition.

A lot of people think that one person can't make a difference, and I firmly believe that one person can change the destiny of another. And that is a miracle itself.

Alexia Melocchi is an accomplished film producer and world wide distribution executive and the partner of Beverly Hills based LITTLE STUDIO FILMS. Alexia Melocchi has an experience of more than twenty years in Hollywood and has produced 11 award wining movies and 3 documentaries that were shot by merging film makers that she has personally discovered and mentored.

She also acquires on behalf of her international distributor clients films and television shows from all over the world for release in the Middle East, Italy, Greece, Spain, Canada, South America and Germany.

She attends all major film festivals in the USA and abroad and has been often invited as an expert panelist on the Film Business for high profile film and television conventions.Alexia is fluent in five languages and is the proud mama to 3 rescue cats. She supports environmental and animal causes , meditates daily, and is an avid reader of spiritual and self helps books.

IG @lexybella @LttleStudioFlms www.littlestudiofilms.com 75 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

High Road to Humanity

By Nancy Yearout

Unconditional Love Part Two

Milly did not stay at the law firm long after Robert left. With him gone there was no position for her. Her sister had gotten a job at one of the factories that were taking women, so Milly applied right away and got in. She had worked there for about a month when she began to feel sick in the morning before work. It did not take her long to realize that she may be pregnant.

had told her to do when she was in a situation and did not know the answer. Her mother would say,” pray on it and you will get your answer” This was the first time that she had a genuine conversation with the man upstairs about her life. It often takes a situation like this to give us the wake-up call that maybe there is a higher power that we can count on to help us if we believe.

She was young, but she had cousins with babies and they talked of morning sickness when they were with children. She had gained weight and had missed a period. The realization set in that she was pregnant with Roberts's child and he had gone off to war.

There are many families who abide by the laws that the Lord gave us in the Bible. They are taught to live by these guidelines. It was breaking the moral code that their family lived by, to have a child out of wedlock. Milly cursed God for his rules and his laws. None of this made any sense to her, this was real life and real love. She loved Robert and the child growing inside of her. She could not help there was a war on.

Milly wrote to Robert immediately telling him of her condition. She also let him know that she may leave town with the money she saved from working and asked for his advice. She told him that her parents would surely ask her to leave their home if they found out that she was with child. Daddy always said if you get pregnant out of wedlock don’t come looking for my blessing. Milly knew her parents would view this situation as scandalous.

Milly had no idea what to do or who to turn to, so she prayed.

This is not something she did often but it is what her mother

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Her belly grew larger and still no reply to her letter. She would have to tell her parents about her condition. Their reaction was as she thought it would be of disappointment and anger.

She would have to leave and move to another town where she was not known. She was sure she could tell people the baby’s father went off to war and there would be no questions asked.

The same day she told her parents about her pregnancy is the day that Robert’s letter arrived. She ran from the mailbox to her room to read it.

Photo by Debby Hudson

Dear Milly, I received your letter yesterday and was elated to hear from you, as it’s the first mail delivery we have received here in some weeks. I must be honest and say that I was shocked to hear the news about the pregnancy. Regardless of the situation, this is happy news for me as this is a child made with love. My only regret is that I am not there for you.

I have stayed awake all night considering our options and have a plan that has already been set into motion. I have sent word to my friend Sid from the law firm to Deed the Lakehouse over to you. I asked Sid to leave the key under the back-door mat so that you can get in. He will leave the papers for you to sign in the house. Once you have signed them call Sid at the firm and he will come by and pick up the paperwork and notarize the Deed to the cabin. He will file the paperwork and deliver the Deed to you at the lake house. He has also been instructed to give you money that I have put away in case of an emergency from my safety deposit box. This is for your living expenses and doctor fees. I am sure Sid will do these things on my behalf as we are boyhood friends and confidants.

I cannot express to you how much I miss you and love you. I

long to see you and hold you in my arms again. We will marry soon my love.

Yours forever, Robert Milly was shocked and relieved by Roberts's gracious gift of the cabin. She would gather her things and asked her sister Judy to take her out to the lake house. She could trust her sister with her secret. Her sister Judy agreed. The next morning was a Saturday, it was moving day for Milly. She and Judy loaded up the truck. Milly told her parents that she loved them and that she would be staying at a lake house outside of town. That is all she said. Nobody needed to know her secret, that the lake house was hers.

Upon their arrival at the cabin, Milly recalled the last time she was there with Robert. It was if he was here with her in spirit as he loved the lake house so much. She settled in quickly with her sister's help. Sid had left the paperwork as Robert had promised. He came by and she signed the documents, the house was hers. Sid could see she was with child and assured Milly if she needed anything to please let him know.

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Milly was happy, she had a beautiful home at the lake, a baby on the way and a man who loved her. Maybe her prayers had been answered. She could not have orchestrated a better scenario for herself unit Robert returned. For the first time in her life, Milly had faith in something bigger than herself. She believed in the power of God and his unconditional love.

It was the Spring of 1943 and the war raged on, as did life back at home. Milly gave birth to a healthy baby boy on March 25th, she named him Gregory Robert. The news of the baby’s arrival spread fast. Milly’s parents came to see their new Grandson along with her sister Judy. Roberts's family came too which made the day complete for Milly. It was nice to have both families here with Robert away.

Milly sent a letter to Robert as soon as his son was born. She had not heard from him in a couple of weeks and was awaiting his letter. Living at the lake was wonderful for Milly and the baby. This would be the perfect place for little Gregory to grow up.

Milly was known as the single mom on the lake as the chatter of where her husband was becoming the local gossip. Milly knew how they all felt, even the mailman was rude to her while delivering her mail. Why were the people at the lake so quick to judgment? They had no idea what her story was. Milly had made one friend Miss Grace who lived a couple of houses down.

She was an older lady who also lived alone. She had befriended Milly and little Gregory.

It was a Saturday midmorning when Sidney pulled up in his shiny car to see Milly. She could see him pull into her driveway from the window. She smiled as it was nice to see a friendly face and confidant who knew her secret. Sid looked down at the ground as he walked up the steps to the house. Can we go in Milly and sit down a moment, he said, “I have come with news concerning our Robert.” Milly sat down on the chair holding Gregory while she listened to what Sid had to say. The family received word late yesterday that Robert had been killed in action. Her mind seemed to drift after that first sentence. Milly began to cry. Sid gave her a hug and tried to comfort her. Sid continued to say that his body will be flown home and a funeral service with military honors will be held then. He was shaken up by the news as this was his childhood friend. He told her to let him know if there was anything he could do for her and Gregory. He told Milly that their secret would always be safe with him. Milly was distraught but tried to hold herself together for her son. She had lost Robert but had gained a son and she honored the home that Robert had left them.

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Milly worked at the factory with her sister Judy for many years. Her neighbor Grace kept a close watch on Gregory to help Milly and her son. She enjoyed the boy's company as life could get quiet for her at times, just as Milly appreciated Graces' friendship.

Being an unwed mother in the late 1940s-1950s was not accepted by our society. Grace realized how cruel people could be when she was not accepted in the local church. The people stared at her like she should not be there, and the minister’s wife turned her head when she saw Milly leaving Sunday service.

This is when Milly knew she must focus on unconditional love for her son and something else that Robert had said to her once in conversation. He told her that it did not matter what others think of you but to always love yourself. God loves his children unconditionally no matter what happens in your life, just as we love our children unconditionally, we must love ourselves the same way. When people are rude to you remember it has to do with their issues, not yours.

Milly remembered Roberts's words of wisdom when the people shunned her for being a single mom. She held her head high, for within herself she held selflove and self-respect. She realized that her prayers had been answered just not in the way she had imagined that they would be. She had a nice life with her son in the lake. She felt blessed.

When Gregory was old enough Milly let Gregory know that his father loved him very much. She explained that he had gone off to war to serve his country and had not returned. She told her son that a part of your father is still here with us in spirit. She confided in Gregory that his father’s dream was to build this cabin on the lake. Therefore, this house is special, it is a part of him and your legacy.

Milly’s parents along with some cousins began driving out to the lake to visit her and Gregory on the weekends. Grandpa and Gregory became the best fishermen on the lake! This made Milly smile as she knew that fishing with his Grandfather was Roberts's fondest boyhood dream. Greg grew up with an enormous amount of love in his life. Milly taught him about respect and self-love and about faith in the Lord. Although Greg grew up happy, he expressed to me how he disliked the fact that his mother had to do everything alone. He felt like he had to take care of her. As Greg told me their story he reflected on his younger days growing up on the lake with his mother. He could not have asked for a better upbringing, but he wished his mom would have remarried. She needed love in her life too, but she never did.

Greg is now married with children of his own. He shared how important he felt it was that he was there for his own wife. He goes to all the kid’s events and supports his wife in all her endeavors. What happened to my mother taught me to never judge another person as you never know their true story. These important lessons have molded him to play an active role in his children’s lives and as his wife Chris told me, to be a doting husband.

Greg attributes his solid marriage and happy family life to his mother. I make mistakes in life as we all do, Greg told me, but I had a good solid foundation built on unconditional love from a wonderful mentor.

A New Mindset: Love yourself and honor yourself through your thoughts and your words. The more you love and value yourself the more others around you will honor and value you also. The energy of love is strong and everlasting.

Don’t Judge! What may be right for one person may not be right for another person? We are all different but we all have one need in common and that need is love. Love is naturally inside of us and is given freely. We all have a choice to love others unconditionally in this life or to abuse the power. Spiritual love is authentic open and transparent. Ego love has conditions attached to it, there is no transparency or openness, there are secrets. We must stop the ego love and change our thinking to spiritual love.

"Every act of love and kindness raises the vibration here on our planet." ~Author unknown Based on Edgar Cayce astrology reading, Venus “Love.” What a word. Eskimos, it is said, distinguish two hundred different kinds of snow, each with its own name. Perhaps we should take a cue from them and cash in on our word “love,” replacing it with dozens of more specific concepts. It would still baffle us, inspire us. Give us sleepless nights—but at least we might be able to communicate with each other more clearly. The love of an infant feels for his or her mother…the consuming, volatile love of our teen years… the affection between old friends…the quiet affinity between those who have been well-married for decades: why do we put them all under the dominion of the same syllable? They’re certainly different human experiences. Love evolves. Our capacity to feel the emotion takes on new resonances as we mature, and it drops old resonances.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. it does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always preserves.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease: where there are tongues, they will be stilled: where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now, we see only the reflection in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

-1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Nancy Yearout is an Psychic Reader, Intuitive Life Coach, Author and Inspirational Speaker.

Her religious and spiritual work has enabled her to help many people to live the life they desire!

Nancy feels inspired to share the wisdom and the messages she receives with others.

Her real-life experiences are shared each week on her Radio Show/Podcast, High Road to Humanity where insightful, spiritual guests share their story.

This is Nancy’s way of each sharing new insight about raising the vibration and consciousness for all of us to create a healthy, Loving and kinder people as well as a safe harmonious place to live.

My Credentials: Sales Coordinator for General Motors Corporation, Sales Manager for multiple, Owner and Qualifying Broker of The Harville Estates Real Estate & Development LLC, Owner of Energy Girl Publishing LLC., Author of, Wake Up! The Universe Is Speaking to You, Author of Monthly Contributor to Eden Magazine, Motivational/Inspirational Speaker, Intuitive Personal Coach Intuitive card reader, Energy Healer, Radio Host/Podcast High Road to Humanity.

Today she is happily married to the love of her life.

Nancy Yearout Hosts a Radio Show/ Podcast every week on Toginet radio and iTunes called High Road to Humanity.

Visit her website www.NancyYearout.com or her Podcast www.Highroadtohumanity.com 79 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2020

Wildlife Experts Find Hope Amongst the Ashes on Kangaroo Island The Lead South Australia

garoo Island Land for Wildlife is working with landowners and National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia to monitor the threatened species.

Signs that rare bird and marsupial colonies are surviving the aftermath of horrific bushfires are emerging with the help of sensor cameras, water pumps and specialist ecologists.

Sightings of tiny dunnarts using motion-sensing cameras are particularly heartening after fears habitat destruction would decimate the threatened nocturnal marsupials already only numbering between 300 and 500.

About 50 motion-sensing cameras are set up in 10 of the larger unburnt patches of parkland and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy has funded a catproof fence around one dunnart population on private land on the west coast of Kangaroo Island.

Early work to use aeration pumps to mimic water movement and improve circulation also appears to have helped save the only platypus habitat on the island in the burned Rocky River region of the Flinders Chase National Park.

The rare duck-billed semi-aquatic mammals survived the fire that destroyed vegetation along with the nearby visitor centre, housing and campground.

Fires burned about 200,000 hectares of land, almost half the island, and especially the protected areas in which dunnarts are found.

Fears ash and soil runoff from land denuded of vegetation would rob their pond of oxygen were quickly addressed.

South Australia’s chief ecologist at the Department for Environment and Water Dr Dan Rogers said specialist advice from some of the world’s leading experts in the rare species was helping.

“We installed the pumps before two days of rain, a lot of ash went into the pond but the platypus survived that with the pumps providing benefits,” Dr Rogers said.

“Prof Chris Dickman, he knows more about dunnarts generally than anyone else in the world, he was on the phone to us talking us through the biggest risk during the fire and immediately after,” Dr Rogers said.

He said volunteer support and donations from around the world to protect wildlife had been overwhelming, even famed actors like Jamie Foxx in the United States fundraised for Kangaroo Island wildlife.

“After the fire the dunnarts that survived were being found in relatively high densities in unburnt patches and we thought they would be honey pots for the remaining cats on the island… we tried to reduce the risk from the cats.”

“Some of these species people around the world have never even heard about and suddenly people are donating to help them, the profile of threatened species throughout the bushfires has been remarkable,” Dr Rogers said.

Now, the mouse-like creatures that have a pouch like a kangaroo for their babies and are related to quolls and Tasmanian devils, are looking safer.

“There are many species on Kangaroo Island found elsewhere in the country but because they have been isolated they have their own unique forms.”

“They have got a lot of fight for their size,” Dr. Rogers said.

Dr Rogers said COVID-19 had not disrupted the remote work at this stage but would be continually reassessed as guidelines came into play, with the main issue being people travelling to and from the island.

More than 90 per cent of the dunnart’s habitat was burned and the non-governmental organisation Kan-

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One of the most heart-warming images for Dr Rogers occurred during a walk through the charred and lifeless fire ground a few weeks ago.

“An echidna comes trundling around out there just getting on with its business,” he said.

It was particularly positive to see the endangered short-beaked echidna was still surviving on the blackened grounds where there was little sign of life.

Dr Rogers said despite the creatures being slow moving they were resourceful, many burrowed underground or sheltered under logs to survive the flames – their favourite food, termites and ants, seemed to have survived in a similar fashion.

Signs that rare bird and marsupial colonies are surviving the aftermath of horrific bushfires are emerging with the help of sensor cameras, water pumps and specialist ecologists.

Careful monitoring of the island’s many rare birds is also continuing.

“We found Kangaroo Island Emu-wren in a patch of unburned vegetation, that number went down from 20 to six in a week, we thought if we don’t move them these birds will all be gone in a month,” Dr Rogers said.

Adelaide Zoo and Birdlife Australia moved the birds to a larger patch “and we think they are doing OK now”.

“Those Mallee habitats are well adapted to fires in a general sense, but we are concerned about the scale of this fire,” Dr Rogers said.

There was an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 of the unique echidnas living on the island before the fire but about 50 per cent of their habitat was burned.

Other work is underway with assessment surveys of native animals and a longer-term Wildlife and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Plan.

This special subspecies has longer, thinner and paler coloured spines than echidnas found elsewhere on mainland Australia.

“Typically, native vegetation springs back well,” Dr Rogers said.

Kangaroo Island is also home to an important population of koalas that because of their isolation have remained free of the Chlamydia infection plaguing mainland populations.

Before the bushfires there was an estimated 50,000 of the iconic creatures living on the island but now early estimations put that figure at between 5000 and 10,000.

Much work has been done to support the Chlamydia-free population in a partnership between Kangaroo Island’s Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Adelaide’s Cleland Wildlife Park.

About 30 rescued koalas are now at Cleland near the state’s capital city of Adelaide to prevent them from starving and to help build a disease-free population on mainland South Australia.

“It is pretty amazing to see how the country was starting to green up, the Yakkas are sprouting up again, they have large, underground tubers.

“Their flower spikes are coming up over the next few months which is so important for honeyeaters (birds) and butterflies that rely on their nectar and pollen, and bees, they will pretty much be the only thing flowering on that landscape.” sources: News leads from South Australia

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Abundance Corner

Photo by Mike Palmowski

By Phyllis King

Quarantine Crazy?

11 Tips for Survival

T

he number one thing I notice my clients doing right now is trying to act normally. I appreciate the presence of mind that wants to refrain from hysteria and panic.

There is nothing normal about what is happening right now. There’s an elephant in the room no one wants to address.

Our lives have been taken over by the government. But for essential workers, we are on house arrest.

It is completely normal to feel out of sorts, to have mood swings, and to feel a bit lost. In a period of about 72 hours, most of us were taken from our "full speed ahead" lifestyle and thrust into a lifestyle that mirrors the pace of a tortoise. Add into that the restrictions to move freely in our lives, and it’s no small task to find a sweet spot where you can feel calm and comfortable. It's a daily pursuit.

If you have been less than disciplined training your mind to observe your thoughts, rather than respond to each one, you are really getting a run for your money right now. All your schmutz is coming to the surface. To help manage the schmutz I created 11 tips to help smooth out the uncomfortable rhythm of life right now. Uncomfortable doesn't have to be negative. Rather, think unfamiliar.

These are my suggestions: 1. Lessen the Expectations You Have of Yourself and For Yourself. You are contending with a silent pressure 24/7. You are expected to conform. If you do not many feel they or a loved one may be in peril. That is a very stressful reality. Rather than try to "push" through, as you begin each day take your emotional temperature.

Perhaps yesterday you were 98.6. You were able to do everything you normally do. Today, you may be less than 98.6. Honor your new number. If you must move slower, do. Few people are moving at the same pace they were three weeks ago. One day you may be happy as can be.

Then next day you may be punching holes in the walls.

That is the effect these types of restrictions impose.

2. Look for Good News. Believe it or not there is a lot of good news out there contrary to what mainstream media is putting out for daily consumption. For instance, did you see the article about the Ozone layer repairing itself?

Wow! How good is that? As of the date of drafting this article, according to the WorldOMeter, in the U.S. alone, 48,513 people have recovered from the virus. My point? Focus on the good. Stay away from scary, negative, anxiety creating news.

3. Create a New Routine that Gives Structure and Familiarity. Even if we don't have the same routine we had a month ago, we can create a new temporary routine which will provide a sense of comfort, stability and normalcy. Set new goals, and a new to do list.

7. Eat well. Now more than ever it is important to feed your body well. The temptation may be to “junkfood” yourself out. That will only make you feel worse when you are confined, and outdoor time is limited. It lessens your mental acuity.

8. Stay connected. Be in touch with friends, and family, and learn how to use video communications. Seeing is an improvement to hearing. It’s helpful to “see” you are not alone. Either way connect to your social network.

9. Get creative with your hair. I'm wearing barrettes right now. I haven't worn barrettes since I was 25. Without a hair cut in three months I have to make it work. Have fun with it. Why not?

10. Pull out the guitar, open up the piano, pull out the karaoke machine, set up the easel, pull out the Wii and do a dance party, etc.

Express yourself without words. Nothing heals and helps you release like the energy of sound, or expression that requires no language. You don’t have to be a virtuoso. Let it out like you are one.

11. Give yourself a break. What we are all going through is tough. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t even have to try to be perfect. Getting through is the only goal.

Remember: We will get through this. You will get through this. There’s an old saying “all good things must come to an end.” It’s also true for hard things. Hard things will also come to an end.

4. Make your bed before you leave your bedroom in the morning. It provides order and sets the stage for a positive day.

Known as the Common Sense Psychic (tm), Phyllis King has worked with tens of thousands of people in 25 countries.

5. Create order in your living space before you do anything else. It's helpful when we are trying to adjust to abnormal circumstances to see an orderly space. Too much "stuff" will cause us to tune out and feel overwhelmed.

The goal is to find a way to feel connected to our life despite the restrictions we face. Connectedness causes calm to set in. A clear space helps that goal.

She is known for her practical and down to earth approach. She has been featured on, ABC, CBS and NBC TV, radio programs across the country, and has been published in over 70 print and online publications.

6. Exercise first thing in the day if you can. Do exercise at some point in your day. If you do self-care first, you will have a better mindset for the rest of the day. You will likely make better choices and metabolize the stress of your situation more successfully.

She has four books, including Bouncing Back, Thriving in Changing Times, with Dr. Wayne Dyer. Her latest book The Energy of Abundance is available in bookstores now. Phyllis holds a B.A. in Sociology. www.phyllisking.com

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Photo by Sharon McCutcheon

Origins & Suffering

By Jim Szana

Humans have pondered the meaning of our existence for years, philosophizing on existential questions such as “do my choices and actions matter?” and “what’s happened in the world that has caused so much suffering?”.

Author Jim Szana connects those questions to biblical answers in “Origins and Suffering,” an imaginative retelling of the story of Genesis filled with reflections on the meaning of life.

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ong before our universe or anything else existed, God was there. That is the first mystery. God created creatures (think angels, a higher level of beauty, power, and intelligence) thatcould interact with their Creator, each other, and themselvesvia self-thought and ideas. Every being possessed its own dignity, and none of them wanted to be anything other than what it was. The ultimate team!

Cooperation at its highest level!

All things functioned in harmony, and the universe was alive,just as I am alive and function with cells, bones, and a mindthat can express itself. The wonder of life was how content andloving it was. Intelligence and order were found everywhere,along with a sense of one being a part of creation. There wasjoy and appreciation of others and everything that existed. ife was good.

Photo by Greg Rakozy

It was always like waking in the morning with the sun peeking in the room, feeling well rested, innocent as a baby, full of energy, and thankful for the beauty of life. There was stuff to do, but embedded in those waking moments was likely a routine of a cup of tea, coffee, or orange juice.

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tree with breathtaking natural scenery pulsating with life. Perhaps there was a cozy corner with a peaceful view. The fragrance of freshness was everywhere.

Thankfulness for being alive and being part of it all was not only thought of but expressed. Like the birds still do, some ofthose creatures could sing in four-part harmony to express the gladness of their being. Friends and companions were everywhere. Fellow creatures abounded, and each being was thankful for its existence.

Everything hummed together inunity and love.

A highlight of life was what we call “corporate worship.” There was a joining together of all creation in praise and enthusiasm directed toward their Creator.

Various creatures performed public adoration in creative and artful ways. All enjoyed each other and thanked the Creator who made everything possible.

No one actually saw this omniscient power of the universe, but two beings were very close to the throne room. They presented new ideas and wonders that were transmitted from the Unseen One, giving a fuller meaning of life, possibilities, and happiness to everyone.

Photo by GJoshua Earle

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These two top generals were of corresponding rank, similar in power and intellect. They appeared as equals. They sang together like no others and were clearly leaders that cooperated in every aspect of life in paradise.

One of those top generals was the highest-created being, and his counterpart was God manifested in a way that appeared equivalent and resembling the other.

The Creator’s character is totally loving, and He has been trying to demonstrate His loving character so we will be able to use our free will, choosing to play the game of life in the best possible way.

The Creator did not display Himself as the king but took the form of a co-regent. The Creator lived in His paradise creation as one of them.

Actually that is all He could have done because God is so much more than anything He can reveal to His creation. God will always be a mystery.

The highest created being, Lucifer or Light Bearer, did not know that his co-regent was in fact his Creator-God in the likeness of Lucifer.

God is meekness, humility, and love, and He is always willing to share.

Tranquility existed. There was rhythm, melody, and harmony. Music is a remnant of paradise before chaos entered the scene, and music will be there when the chaos is ended. But why did things change? No answer can be given, another mystery.

Something occurred in the very atmosphere of complete freedom that altered all of creation.

Original pleasure would be changed. God’s character would be challenged.

Our Creator always meets us at our level. We cannot reach up to His level. That is true today for all earthlings. The Creator comes down to where we are in order for us to choose to follow Him. It has always been that way. If all He did were blow us away with His overpowering magnificence, I doubt we could truly love Him and realize His compassion for us.

In paradise, the Creator-God appeared as a being very much the same as Lucifer. I refer to this co-regent as Michael the Archangel. Together they functioned as the captains of the ship of paradise.

All others loved to do their bidding. Paradise

was organized with cooperation being the key element. Even our chaotic world cannot exist without organization. Usually there has been a king in charge. Most of our leaders are elected by the people, our legislative branches of government, and president. Even our mayors and county officials are elected to represent the people.

Every game we play has rules, and in many sports, there are umpires, referees, and now official booth reviews. The purpose of the rules is so the game will be played fairly. In our physical world, there is Newton’s law of gravity. We may not like the law of gravity, but it is for real.

We cannot see gravity, and it does not need to be written down to be true. Personalities, those entities that are capable of interacting with each other, themselves, and their Creator, operate within boundaries. All of society has rules that enhance the level of society. We usually refer to universal principles as moral law. Stealing and murder are two examples of morality in every culture. The organization and codes of society exist to enhance the quality of life, not to restrict it. Morality and gravity just are, and they apply equally to us as earthlings.

The Creator’s character is totally loving, and He has been trying to demonstrate His loving character so we will be able to use our free will, choosing to play the game of life in the best possible way.

A Vietnam vet, jazz musician and clinical dentist, Jim Szana’s passion for trying to understand the life’s fundamental questions in the creation of this book.

Along with music, he has lifelong interests in history, ethics and theology. He is passionate about the healing power of this subject matter and hopes to reach people of all faiths (including no faith) and situations with this book. To learn more, please visit: www.jimszanaauthor.com.

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THE WAY I SEE IT

By Joe Santos, Jr.

Ok,So Now What?

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his is week eight for me. The second I heard rumblings of a rapidly spreading virus out there, I "locked down" immediately! Call me "paranoid" ( I don't need to be scared twice ) but, I'd rather be safe than sorry. So here I am two months in, healthy, safe and sane, and life as we knew it, is still in limbo. But, I do see why. Getting something like this under control is a process to understand, calculate, and cure. It's not the first time, and it definitely won't be the last time things like this have occurred. I trust Science. I trust the Scientists. The Specialists, Doctors, Nurses, EMT's and Healthcare workers out there in the 'trenches,' tirelessly putting themselves and their loved ones at risk saving lives, finding treatments, creating comfort.

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Bless them and their efforts. Support them. Praise them. But they can only do their best when they are able. There is still so much needed and so much yet to determine in order to conquer. I fear our "inexperienced, un-compassionate," "leaders," I fear the False Prophets in our Churches, Mosques, and Synagogues, …., and most of all, I fear our society. Are we willing to sacrifice some of life's pleasures in order to ensure its' longevity? Our future? The children? Our planet??

It's beyond comprehension that some act so recklessly, insisting on opening schools, businesses, and venues before we have fully grasped the power of this situation and find the solution to eradicate it. Is it so urgent to open Tattoo Parlors? Spa Salons? Are they that imperative? I get it. Vanity is huge for many. But really?

That huge??? So you can look good with tubes coming out of your chest, hooked up to an apparatus, because now unable to breathe on your own, confined to ICU with no contact with loved ones? To die all by yourself because of impatience and boredom??? Seriously, learn how to do your own makeup and hair. It may save your life and someone else’s!!! Follow the guidelines! Human Nature has two faces! One side, so cavalier, hiding fear and helplessness while displaying insensitivity, selfishness, anger, and despair. The other truth. Extending kindness, hope, compassion, determination, responsibility, purpose, and salvation. In these times, we must find and display the latter and only the latter. It will determine our emergence and the world's outcome. I love my life. I love my friends and family. I love my planet. The sky, air, mountains, ocean, trees, animals, and everything God created for us to reflect. I've always known my responsibility to it. I'm proud of that. We all should be. Why does it have to take something like this to remind us? And does it really? There are still so many who simply "just don't care." Or again, is that merely the other face we see? No time to sort that out right now. There is too much at risk! This is a sign. A bright red "LIGHT UP THE SKY' sign! In the few short months since this Pandemic has arrived, it has taken countless lives, challenged us all, and has shown us what we need to do in order to heal ourselves. So far, there is only a handful or two listening and acting upon it. The biggest example of "healing' is coming directly from our planet. Pollution is down, and air is cleaner, oceans are cleaner, forests are blooming. This in only a few short months after a century or two of constant damaging. Hint yet? The earth is healing itself, and now we are killing ourselves by not listening and respecting our silence. God is silence. He speaks loudest in quiet. We need to listen to that and only that if we want a future. Sadly, yesterday is now gone. We all screwed that up. Own it. We ALL Screwed that up!!! But we can fix tomorrow. Right now, today. This is not a "race'

thing, A "gay" thing, or at this point, even a "political" thing. It's way too late for politics. This is a Spiritual thing. It's time to MAN UP, WOMAN UP! Come together. Money will find us again if that's a desperation or a motivation. Put that aside for a minute. Without ourselves, our health, our convictions, commitment to what is right, and honest, then what does it matter?

What is our legacy? And who are we leaving it to when there is no-one left to inherit it? The world is healing.

We need to follow suit. If and when we get through this, we must remember this lesson we've been given.

Slow down, respect, and appreciate. I look at this as a blessing. Some time to not make excuses for "time." A time to take a good look within and reacquaint myself with me and what matters most. A time to unplug. So, if we are lucky enough for another shot at this thing called life? We start living it right and happily enjoying our “Peace and Blessings”.

Joey Santos Jr. was raised in NYC, Malibu, and West Hollywood Hills.

He is son to Film & Television Actor Joe Santos. His Mother, Mary, was a former Showgirl who became a "stay at home Mom," and a wonderful cook who loved hosting lavish parties in their homes. Joey's Grandfather is World-Renowned Latin Singer Daniel Santos, and his Grandmother Rose was a Business Woman who owned Nightclubs in NYC, Havana, Miami, and LA. She also started a Record Label and a Film Studio. Early on, Joey worked as an actor. He had a recurring role in NYPD Blue's, as Officer Aiello, and also performed on stage doing live theater. He then embarked on a singing career, recorded a couple of CDs, and performed in various venues throughout the US. His ultimate passion, however, was the result of following in both his Grandmother's and Mother's footsteps. He became a Restauranteur (Co-owned the El Mocambo in LA, Owner and Chef of JoJo's Americana Supper-club in Saugatuck, and JoJo's Juke Joint in West Hollywood). This experience would lead Joey to embark on his own very successful private business of catering/hosting events for the Hollywood elite. For the past four years, he as been Private Chef to Brad Pitt. Since 2016, Joey writes a monthly column, "The Way I See It " for The Eden Magazine.

He is teaming up with life-long friend ( Literary Agent ) Alan Nevins, to develop a PodCast called, "Two Guys From Hollywood" where they will talk about everything you always "didn't want to know!!"

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5

By Lavandaia & Marco Nunzio Alati

Steps to Transform our

"Limbo"

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our months of this 2020 have gone by and we are still globally experiencing a true limbo of sorts, a limbo that has no time nor space; we are confined in our homes, facing ourselves and our current reality. A reality that for many feels like the same broken record every day, for many a reality that keeps evolving and expanding with new explorations and discoveries. For many a reality of fear, for others a true re-birth. And as Spring comes into full bloom, we are being asked in 2020 to finally choose the train we want to board. Will our trip on Earth be that of fear, or one of hope and Love?

Right now, it is imperative to realize that we are the co-creators, and it is our true duty and obligation to create the highest and most beautiful version of Earth. How do we do this, you may ask? How do we tap into the greatest manifesting power, allowing harmony and prosperity in our personal Universe?

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The first step is awareness: recognizing the “storm” of what is happening around us is an important requisite. It does not matter if you believe that a pandemic is occurring, or if you believe it’s just a game of a handful of people, trying to control us by instilling fear and uncertainty in our minds. It does not matter if you believe it is a God-given opportunity to pause our doings, dive into our beings and resurrect in a new humanity. More than our subjective point of view what is essential is to recognize and acknowledge that the storm is here and within us.

After awareness, the second step is to drop the significance of it. We cannot forget that anything that happens outside, is just the mirror of our inner states – collectively and individually- therefore no matter what you believe the “storm” is about, we need to point that finger right back to us, claim our co-creative power and turn our reality upside down. So, it does not matter what is happening outside of us, it only matters how we RESPOND to what is happening, and that will determine the timeline and the quantum Earth we will be tuning into. It has never been more important than it is now to stay in the center, in the eye of the storm, in that place of stillness and neutrality, in a space of calmness, in a state of zero points, a knowingness that allows us to remember our God giving gifts.

The third step is embracing our darkness. In order for us to claim our light, that exquisite unlimited potential, we need to first recognize our own fear, our state of frustration, confusion, and uncertainty. We need to acknowledge its presence, hold space for it without denying it or pushing it away. This will allow us to detect the belief system which triggers that fear so that we can make peace with it, let it go and then move our consciousness to a higher state and mood. So, we must see the darkness, the fear within, yet remaining in a neutral point, and embracing all the beauty which is surrounding us.

The fourth step is using discernment. After being aware of the storm, embracing our darkness and returning to a neutral state of centeredness – right in the “eye of the storm” – it is essential to access our divinely guided capability of understanding. Understanding not only through logic but intuition and deep heart, the direction we need to take and the intention we want to embrace in that specific instant.

There is absolutely NO judgment here. This is quite different in what we consider “good” or “bad”; discernment is a true state of equilibrium, where we learn to become our own tuning forks and we simply get to know what we are the vibrational match of. There is constant

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training and practice in discernment, which is a subtle line, a whisper that is here for us to consciously choose the reality we want to dwell in.

And lastly, but certainly never least is sharing. Please let’s remember to share. We are entering into the Era of Aquarius where pure love needs to be expressed within a community. If we have baked a divine, delicious cake and forty people want to try it, we need to cut the cake in forty pieces. Sharing is an incredible key for us to continue not only to give but to receive. As we participate in the giving of each piece of cake, there is gratitude in that who receives, thus we receive as well. Let’s share our dreams, our deep feelings, let’s share our sorrow and our blessings. It’s time for us to be in service, express the fullness of our talents and share them with our surroundings.

It’s time for us to unapologetically become the highest version of ourselves. As we do this, we have the opportunity to transform our limbo into a powerful seed that we can nurture, grow and plant into the heart of a new flourishing Earth.

After graduation in Industrial Biotechnology, Marco played a key role in international research projects in Canada, Austria and Spain. He stumbled upon the Reconnection by mere chance and it enlightened him in ways he hadn't realized he needed. Three months after that unique experience, he left his job in biotechnology and embarked on his journey to become a full time Reconnective Healing Practitioner, and one of the two Italian Mentors and Teaching Assistants of Eric Pearl’s direct Team. He is currently living in Los Angeles and collaborating with a number of independent scientific studies that are exploring Reconnective Healing and its extraordinary benefits.

For info contact: marco.alati@gmail.com 323-617-2289 “Description” is all in the eyes of that who is experiencing, thus “description” of “who” becomes irrelevant. And the truth is, that describing Lavandaia using “words” is like trying to catch a fragrance. Scent cannot be caught, it can only be enjoyed and discovered through the experience itself. Who Lavandaia “is” is her mission, Giving clarity and divine knowledge to those who are willing to move forward in life and explore how to express their highest self.

For more information visit www.lavandaia.org, or contact us at paola.seed@gmail.com

EnvironmentallyFocused Film Festival

MOSSVILLE: THE GREAT GREEN WAL

Unveiled Virtual Programming launching on 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

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he Dallas, Texas-based environmentally focused film festival, EarthxFilm was one of many film festivals that was forced to adapt and innovate this year due to the restrictions put into place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A film festival known as one of the fastest growing environmental fests as part of the larger Earthx event in Dallas, instead went “virtual” – with an impressive lineup of programming presented online celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, including 36 features and shorts; virtual options for XR experiences; various filmmaker, youth leader livestreams, Q&A’s, panels, live music, dance, and EarthxFilmYouth programming.

Kicking off with Music on April 17, EarthxFilm presented the bulk of its programming, including Brett Falentine’s FIRE ON THE HILL: THE COWBOYS OF SOUTH CENTRAL L.A., Alexander John Glustrom’s MOSSVILLE: WHEN GREAT TREES FALL, David Byars’ PUBLIC TRUST, and Deia Schlosberg’s THE STORY OF PLASTIC on April 22-26.

Another notable addition to the 2020 EarthxFilm festival was the move to support its filmmakers financially with screening fees and online donations collected for the films and filmmakers participating in the virtual film festival presentation. Film festivals nationwide have grappled with the question of what hey could do to further support filmmakers in a concrete way and putting money in their pockets is about as direct and as concrete a benefit as you can get.

Cash prizes totaling $20,000 were also awarded to filmmakers and the environmental organizations and efforts that the winning films explore at a live-streamed awards ceremony on Sunday, April 26. Additionally, the 2020 Youth Film Competition, a Planet911 Challenge developed in collaboration with Instagram and Creative Visions, awarded up to $5,000 in cash and prizes.

“It has been a labor of love to curate the offerings we have the privilege of presenting at this year’s EarthxFilm film festival as we mark a half century of Earth Day,” said Michael Cain, Co-Founder and President of EarthxFilm. “So many of the stories we share about conservation, climate change, and the heroes working to protect our planet are a testament to the triumph of the spirit, and our collective hope for the future.” David Holbrooke, EarthxFilm Artistic Director adds “We can’t think of a better time than now to gather (at a distance) and experience those stories, highlighting the difference we can play.”

Notable virtual attendees for the festival participating in panels, intros, Q/As and musical performances will include EarthxFilm alumni Louie Psihoyos (RACING EXTINCTION, THE GAME CHANGERS), Danni Washington, Jeff Orlowski (CHASING CORAL), Leilani Münter (RACING EXTINCTION), Slater Jewell-Kenker (YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE),

Judith Helfand (COOKED), and Danni Washington. They joined filmmakers, music artists, and film subjects from this year’s film presentations, including Matthew Modine (RIPPLE EFFECT), N’Dambi and Classic Roots (TURNING TABLES), and other notables including Dereck and Beverly Joubert (OKAVANGO: RIVER OF DREAMS).

MOSSVILLE: WHEN GREAT TREES FALL

THE STORY OF PLASTIC

CHASING GHOSTS

This year’s festival started off with EARTHXDANCE, a live-streamed DJ set featuring Classic Roots, a Toronto-based music producer and performer. Classic Roots developed his renowned original sound through the integration of traditional Anishinaabe drumming and singing with the unique sound of techno/house, highlighting the intersection of urban and indigenous cultures. His performance began with a screening of Chrisann Hessing’s documentary short TURNING TABLES about his music and influence.

Highlights of this year’s documentary features included; Brett Falentine’s FIRE ON THE HILL: THE COWBOYS OF SOUTH CENTRAL L.A., a multiple award winner on the film festival circuit about South Central L.A.’s urban cowboy culture and how a mysterious fire in 2012 nearly wrecked it all; Alexander John Glustrom’s MOSSVILLE: WHEN GREAT TREES FALL, about a small town in Louisiana where a giant chemical plant displaced its longtime African-American residents; David Byars’ PUBLIC TRUST, narrated by Robert Redford, which weaves together an assortment of stories connected by the indefatigable journalist, Hal Herring, who works tirelessly to shine a light on the chicanery involved with America’s public lands; and Deia Schlosberg’s THE STORY OF PLASTIC, which looks at the scope and scale of the single-use plastic scourge and how plastic has taken over the world, to a very harmful effect.

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In addition to the documentary feature and short screenings, EarthxFilm also presented various XR experiences through EarthXR. “The magic of EarthxFilm and EarthXR has always been in how we can leverage art, music, stories, and media to help audiences holistically connect with the world around us,” added Tiffany Kieran, Director of Interactive Programming for EarthXR. “Our 2020 festival still delivered this same multi-sensory experience despite our current physical restrictions, potentially bringing together an even broader audience to learn and be inspired toward climate action.”

Highlights of this year’s EarthXR program included Adrien Moisson’s WILD IMMERSION endorsed by Jane Goodall; PIVOT FOR THE PLANET – How the XR industry was prepared to lead on virtual festivals with Sarah Steel, Global Content Partnerships Lead –Google/You Tube and Kris Severson, Director of Global Content Partnerships at HTCVive/VR for Impact; VIRTUAL DIVING FOR CONSERVATION with Google Earth/Underwater Earth with Christophe Bailhache, Sophie Ansel, and Lorna Perry, all of Underwater Earth; A PREDICAMENT OF PANDEMICS with Ulrico Grech-Cumbo and Damien Mander, founder and CEO of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation and GHOST FLEET+THE OUTLAW OCEAN documenting the intersection of environmental justice and human rights with Ian Urbina, bestselling

author of The Outlaw Ocean, Lucas Gath, co-director of GHOST FLEET VR, and Niki Joo, trafficking specialist of Mosaic Family Services.

Throughout the festival, EarthxFilm also featured youth friendly offerings showing films appropriate for youth and educator audiences that can be incorporated into distance learning curriculum for Earth Month. EarthxFilm announced the winners and showcased the top 25 films from the Planet911 Challenge, which in collaboration with Creative Visions and Instagram, asked youth from around the world to show how or why they will protect the planet.

But that wasn’t all when it came to programming for youth engagement. EarthxFilm created a new video series, EarthxFilmYouth Reports, which will showcase youth climate activists, environmental experts and young planet heroes.

Anchors age 10-22 will interview guests, moderate panels and hold town hall discussions with other environmentally aware young people. Panels included youth from March For Science, Earth Guardians and One Up Action. Films were also complemented by work from EarthxFilmYouth’s team of Planet911 reporters, including interviews with directors and PSAs. For more information on EarthxFilm, EarthXR and EarthxFilmYouth, please go to www.earthxfilm.org.

SACRED STRIDES

ABOUT EarthxFilm EarthxFilm showcases films and emerging media that explore conservation, climate change, and the environment while honoring the heroes working to protect our planet.

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Our mission is to turn awareness into action through art and media. We achieve our goals by partnering with top environmental, film, and entertainment organizations across the globe.

A Cat Cafe Experience

www.crumbsandwhiskers.com

Adopted: 800 | Saved from euthanasia: 1,710 | Amount donated to charity: $24.5K

WE HELP RESCUE & FIND HOMES FOR HOMELESS CATS

Thank you for

10 years supporting us

Sofia Milos

"Life is a transformation and continuous evolution.

It's like a train that keeps moving. It stops for a moment, but it keeps going forward.

Sometimes slow, sometimes fast, but it keeps going forward.

So we might as well enjoy the ride of our life and destiny and make it the best and most memorable voyage!

When we surround ourselves with people we love, and get rid of toxic, negative freeloaders and opportunists. But also forgive and forget, quickly and don’t hold on to grudges and negative feelings. As they further rob us of energy and from living our best ride.

While on this train, patience, love, and understanding make the ride much smoother.

Along the way and the many stops, some people leave, and some new people will come on board, who will share the same destination and purpose as us, with whom it is worth sharing this marvelous journey and time of ours. " ~Sofia Milos

Photo by Cristina Bernes www.writingwithlight.camera