OMTimes Magazine January B 2018 Edition

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December B 2018

Cover Story

Metaphysics

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82

Steven Wise - The NonHuman Rights Project

86

Health & Wellness 36 42 46

4 Tips for Good Colon Health Practicing Self-Care with the Help of Your Unconscious Winter Blues and Broken Bones

Spirituality 52

Four Steps to Finding Your Purpose

OM Living 60 64

5 Ways to Know if You Are an Empathetic or a Sympathetic Person Raw Water: Be Smart, Not Scared

Relationships 74

Stop Being A User And Open Your Heart To Others

Using Crystal Grids as Tools for Healing Ask Whitedove

Astrology & Numerology 92

2018 Is An 11 Master Year

Personal Growth 104 Free Yourself to Forgive 108 Embracing Anger as a Path To Peace

World Vision 114 Claiming Our Place in Troubled Times









Interview by Sandie Sedgbeer If successful, Steven Wise and his team could forever alter how animals in and out of captivity are regarded and treated. Steven Wise joins us to share some of the harrowing stories behind the headlines and explain why animals should be protected from abuse in all the same ways that humans are. Sandie Sedgbeer: Steven, you began your mission to gain rights for nonhuman animals in 1985, so a long time ago. What prompted that decision? Have you always been interested in animal rights? Steven Wise: I got interested in animal protection issues in 1980 when I read a book by the

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philosopher Peter Singer, Animal Liberation, in which he talked about how we treated nonhuman animals, how badly we treated them and how many were affected by our treatment, billions of them. And I realized when I was reading the book that there didn't appear to be any lawyers who were standing up in the interest of nonhuman animals. So, that was in 1980. I then worked as a lawyer with the Animal Legal Defense Fund till 1985, and I became its President. And, over those five years, as we were beginning to bring lawsuits, I realized that there was a serious problem. Not all nonhuman animals had always been and were still being treated as legal things, which meant that they lacked the capacity for any


sort of rights at all. They were essentially, the slaves of persons, and persons--at least most persons are human beings. And so, I realized that the only way in which the most, even the most fundamental interest in nonhuman animals could ever be protected would be if they were persons, which meant if they had the capacity for any legal rights. And so, in 1985, I decided that that's what I would spend really the rest of my life doing is trying to get legal personhood for nonhuman animals. And I realized that they had never had personhood. And for 2,000 years, they had been legal things. And I also knew that many human beings had been legal things, as well, we had all slowly become legal persons. And at that point, I thought it would take about 30 years of preparation before we'd be able to file the first lawsuits that had a reasonable chance of success. And indeed, I was a little bit pessimistic. It only took 28 years, 2013, instead of 2015. Sandie Sedgbeer: That's quite a commitment that you undertook there, knowing that it was gonna take three decades to do this. Steven Wise: Yes, and I knew it would because if you go back to 1985, there is no real animal rights movement. People don't think about animal rights. There are no law books. There's no one teaching any classes. There are no law review articles. There are no organizations. So, I realized that we're just gonna OMTIMES.COM

have to start teaching classes in law schools, which I began to do. And since then, I've taught at seven law schools, including Harvard Law School and Stanford Law School. I realized that we'd have to write law review articles, and I've written 22 of them. Books, I've written four of them. We'd have to have organizations. The one I began was the Nonhuman Rights Project. And we'd also have to wait for all the people working in this area to help make the world turn to a point where it would begin to become receptive to the kinds of arguments I wanted to make. So, I knew it was gonna take a long time and a lot of hard work, and it finally happened, and in 2013, we were ready to go, and the world was ready to hear it. Sandie Sedgbeer: To put this into context for me, how long is it since the courts have seen corporations as humans? Steven Wise: Well, the courts have viewed corporations as persons, but there's a difference between being a person and being human. So, a human is a taxonomic, a biological term. A person is simply a legal term of art that says it's an entity who has the capacity for any sort of a legal right. So, for example, in the last year, New Zealand has made a river, the Wanganui River, and two national parks persons. And so, the river and the national parks, have the same rights as you and I might have as persons. They can sue or be sued. There are certain things you can do


to them, you can't do to them, certain things that the parks and the river can do to you. In India, India has made a mosque a person, a Hindu idol a person, the Holy Books of the Sikh Religion, a person. And of course, in Argentina now, as of November 2016, a chimpanzee named Cecilia has been made a nonhuman person. So, a person is a term of art meaning that you have the capacity for the legal right as opposed to a thing, which means that you don't have the capacity for any kind of legal right. And being a human and being a person are not synonymous. So, as you can see, there are many nonhumans or even nonliving entities that have been persons, and there have even been many human beings who have not been persons, who've been things - slaves, sometimes women and children, yes. Sandie Sedgbeer: So, there is a precedent, you mentioned Cecilia; why not Tommy and Kiko and the other animals that you're representing? Steven Wise: Well, we have been--we filed four--we have been filing lawsuits on behalf of those four chimpanzees in New York, and we also filed our first lawsuit on behalf of three elephants in the state of Connecticut, Minnie, Beulah, and Karen. And so, we're beginning that fight there. The way we litigate our cases is that, before we go into a jurisdiction, we look to see what the values and principles are that constitute judges OMTIMES.COM

as the judges themselves say it and their opinions. And we then form our legal arguments in the exact same terms. So, we find that they value liberty and equality, autonomy, the idea that a being understands that she has a future that she can plan for, that can be a good or ill for her. And judges we've seen are very concerned in making sure that, right now at least, human beings, autonomous beings can live their lives as they choose autonomously. They care about equality. They care about reasoned judicial decision making. They don't want arbitrary decision making. And so, we frame our arguments in those ways. We have won pieces of many lawsuits. We have not yet been able to put them all together. For example, we have gotten standing, I believe, six times. These are the first “people� in the world to claim that we were not being injured by that lawsuit, somebody else was the chimpanzees or the elephants. And we demanded that the court give us standing, the Nonhuman Rights Project, to file on their behalf even though they were the ones being injured and we weren't. That had never been done before, so we succeeded there. In 2015, we succeeded in, for the first time, having a judge issue a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of the chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo, who were being held captive at Stony Brook University and is used for research. We forced Stony Brook University coming forward through


that habeas corpus to be forced to justify why they thought that they could enslave the chimpanzee or keep them captive for many reasons. We have not yet, like Cecilia, been able to persuade the court to then order them released and sent to a sanctuary. But, we feel that the courts are being pushed into a place where they have the choice of either following through and making their rulings adhere to the ideals of justice, of liberty and equality, reasoned decision making, autonomy that they normally use, or they can try to figure out some way of making all but only human beings persons and giving them rights. But, the problem is that that undermines their basic ideas of justice. And when you read some of the decisions of courts who have there have been two of them who simply dismissed our cases because they said only humans can have rights, and they don't say why only humans can have rights. It's just simply announced that our client's not human, so, therefore, they can't have rights. We've seen that sort of thing over the last 2 or 300 years, and it's always really painful. There was a time when Black people wanted rights, and the court said, well, you're not White. Well, what did that have to do with Black people not having right? Or, when women have sought rights, and the court said you're not a man. I mean, everyone understood that they weren't a man, but what does being a man have to do with being the only entity who can have rights? OMTIMES.COM

Gay people didn't have rights, and the courts would say, you're not heterosexual, you can't have certain rights. There's not--just because you're a man or you're White, or you're heterosexual, that doesn't mean that, if you're not White or you're female, or you're not a man, and you're not heterosexual, why shouldn’t you have rights, as well? And the fact that, to date, the courts have simply only dismissed our cases by using one sentence saying, I'm sorry, they're not humans, that's also a distinction without a difference. There's no rational reason, and there's no reason that harmonizes with their ideas of justice that would support such a decision. And so, eventually, the courts will begin to understand that in the United States and elsewhere, and then things are going to begin moving very quickly. But, there's kind of a period in which you have to give the judges time to get used to the fact that you're making these arguments and the fact that, for 2,000 years, no nonhuman ever has been a person. And so, judges tend to be a conservative voice, and they aren't about to say, oh, for the last 2,000 years, we've been making a mistake. It's going to take them a while to get used to it. But, we are extraordinarily persistent. Our legal arguments are actually extraordinarily good. And we bring in the facts about the nonhuman animals on whose behalf we sue, whether chimpanzees or orcas or elephants.


So, it's really just a matter of time and persistence, and we have plenty of both. Sandie Sedgbeer: 30 plus years, I mean, that's a very long time. What kept you going? Steven Wise: What kept me going was the knowledge that there are billions and billions of nonhuman animals who are being terribly exploited, who are being killed, who are being brutalized in ways that are almost impossible, for us to imagine. And so, I really understand that, and sometimes, I've gone out and seen that. And I'm a kind of historian, one of the four books I wrote The History of the Somerset Case, which was a 1772 London case in which slavery ended through--in England through the decision of Lord Mansfield, who was Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench. And so, I understand how social change works, and I understand how slavery ended, how women have rights and how children got rights. I spent years and years reading about these things. I realized that they start with people like me, people who decided something is wrong, something has to change. I'm going to, pour my life's energies into being, if I have to be the first person who is going to make that change because every change requires someone to begin making that change. I understood that that's what we were doing. And there was a certain goal that I had in mind, which is to get legal rights for nonhuman OMTIMES.COM

animals, and they need them. And I'm a lawyer. Why else am I a lawyer? What else could I be doing with my legal skills that would be, that much more important? Sandie Sedgbeer: Steven Wise, can you explain why recognition of nonhuman rights is the best and most lasting way to change nonhuman animals' lives for the better? What will change when you get there? Steven Wise: Well, it's hard to generalize. There are a million species of animals. I guess you and I are one of them. There are a million others. And they are extraordinarily diverse. So, there may be some nonhuman animals, who are never gonna get rats. I doubt beetles will get rights or crickets will get rights, at least not for hundreds and hundreds of years. I don't even know what kind of arguments could be used for them. But, many nonhuman animals should have legal rights of some kind like right now. For example, those beings who are autonomous and we can prove it--all four species of grade apes, all three species of elephants, orcas, perhaps African gray parrots and others who we haven't researched, they are autonomous beings. They can choose how to live their lives, and they live very complex emotional, cognitive and social lives. And so, gaining them the right to bodily liberty that we argue they should have and that a writ of habeas corpus protects, they should be immediately released from captivity. They should never be held in


captivity. And they should either be sent back into the wild, or if they can't, they should be sent to a proper sanctuary where they can live as autonomous life as possible. And if you have a right to bodily liberty, then you should not be captured in the first place. I once argued many nonhuman animals should have a right to bodily integrity, shouldn't be able to do what to a human being would be a battery, an unconsented to touching. You can't, can't kill them, slam them, shoot them. You basically have to leave them alone. So, those rights would be very important, for wild animals. There may be other kinds of rights that would be most appropriate for animals who we have domesticated. We think of cats or dogs especially who have become part of our family, and they may have certain kinds of rights because we have domesticated them and basically turned them into beings who both rely upon us and are in important ways, parts of our family and parts of our society. They may have different rights. Sandie Sedgbeer: Can you tell us a little bit about Tommy and Kiko; they're two of the chimpanzees that you filed for, please tell us a little bit about their stories, their histories. Steven Wise: Well, let's start with Tommy. I met Tommy. He was in a cage in a room in a warehouse-like structure on a piece of land in rural New York, in which people were selling used trailers. And he was by himself. He lived by himself. And, to OMTIMES.COM

have a chimpanzee be forced to live by himself, which is essentially being in solitary confinement, influences that chimpanzee the way it would be if you and I were forced to live by ourselves in a cage in solitary confinement. We are extremely social creatures, as are the chimpanzees. I've had the opportunity to spend some time with wild chimpanzees up in the Kibale Mountains in Uganda, and it's easy to see, how they live in what is called fission-fusion societies in which they have family units. They might have 10 of them or 20 of them or 30 of them that's in one place, and they live in a community just like you and I would. And so, just like one human being, they're forced into solitary, you are no human being. We are turned into something that is unnatural for us to be. Kiko was also living in a cage in a storefront in Niagara Falls, and Kiko actually had had a chimp, another chimpanzee with him, and we were going to file a lawsuit on his behalf, as well, but he died before we were able to even file the first lawsuit. So, he also is the only chimpanzee. There are other nonhuman primates around. There are some monkeys around, and they're living in their cages. Kiko also is partially deaf. Kiko was used in movies, and when Kiko didn't do what she was supposed to do, she was beaten on the head so badly that she's partially deaf. People who go to see films in which there are apes, whether they are


chimpanzees or gorillas or orangutans, don't for a second thing that those animals are doing what they're doing because they want to. They've been terrorized into it. They've been forced into it. The same thing with almost every kind of wild animal who's being forced to do something, say in a film or in a circus, those animals have been terrorized and beaten into submission. So, as you might imagine, neither Kiko nor Tommy have had any kind of a life that is fit, for a chimpanzee. And for elephants, certainly, who's an autonomous being, who are forced into that sort of a situation, you can imagine what was done to those beings to make them do that sort of thing. Sandie Sedgbeer: Now, tell me about Beulah, Karen, Minnie, a little bit about their stories. Steven Wise: Yes, two of them were actually captured from the wild in the 1980s. So, they've actually known a life of living free. And since then, for decades now, they have lived at the Commerford Zoo in Connecticut, in a small town in Connecticut, and they basically are part of a traveling circus. The elephants are put into trucks, and they're trucked all over northeastern parts of the United States. And they go to fairs. I actually went to see them as part of an investigation as to whether we were gonna file a lawsuit on their behalf. In fact, if you see the film Unlocking the Cage, the very last OMTIMES.COM

scene is a film of me watching them and photographing them. And what I saw was them having to stay the entire day indoors, and people just sit on their back, and they pay to have the elephants just walk around in circles hour after hour after hour. And that's their lives. They walk around in circles, for weeks, for months, for years, for decades. They've trucked around. It's a horrible, horrible life for an elephant. To enslave them in that way and, doom them to just being trucked around and walking around in circles with people sitting on their back is terrible. And we are going to do the best we can to free them, from their enslavement. They're slaves, and we're going to we're doing the best we can to win habeas corpus, to have them freed. And there's a wonderful elephant sanctuary called PAWS, or the Performing Animal Welfare Society, near Sacramento, California. They have agreed to take those three elephants and allow them to live the rest of their lives, with other elephants on many, many acres of land in California where the most important thing is these autonomous beings will be able to live an autonomous life, a life in which they can choose who their friends are going to be, what they're going to do, where they're going to be just like you, and I would want to do. Sandie Sedgbeer: Unlocking the Cage was first premiered in 2016 at the Sundance Film Festival, and it's been shown on HBO, and it's on


Netflix, BBC4, etc. What has the reaction been to that movie?

Sandie Sedgbeer: funded?

Steven Wise: It's been extraordinary. First of all, the filmmakers, Chris Hedgedus and D.A. Pennebaker, are, perhaps the two greatest living documentary filmmakers. D.A. Pennebaker's now 93 years old. He's one of the only documentary filmmakers to win an Academy Award for lifetime achievement. So, he's an extraordinary filmmaker and his wife, and fellow filmmaker Chris Hedgedus has been with him for probably 30, 40 years. She's also an extraordinary filmmaker. They're both Academy Award nominees for documentary films they've done.

Steven Wise: We are a 501C3, charitable organization. So, we are funded entirely by donations either through foundations or through individuals.

I had no idea, what the reaction would be. And actually, the first time I ever saw the film was at Sundance at a showing with 800 people. And when the film ended, to my astonishment, 800 people stood up and gave us a standing ovation. I was amazed. And then they did it again and again. I think they showed it five or six times at Sundance, and people kept giving us standing ovations. And now, we're all around the world. And so, across the world, I was just at a showing of it in Katmandu, Nepal just four weeks ago, and before that, I was in Helsinki a month before that. All over the world, people really are moved by it and are determined to join our work and do what they can to gain legal personhood and legal rights in nonhuman animals, as well.

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How are you

Sandie Sedgbeer: And I would imagine that Unlocking the Cage has helped, really educate the public and that, people are donating more to this? Steven Wise: Yes, we have found that Unlocking the Cage is a wonderful calling card for us so that people can see who we are. Sometimes, people think that animal rights folks must be inherently crazy in some way, and they can see that we are, very serious, well-prepared lawyers, which whatever the opposite of crazy is, that's us. And they can see how effective we are. So, that has been really helpful. Sandie Sedgbeer: You must have felt appalled by the latest actions of the Trump Administration to lift the ban on importing elephant trophies from Africa. Tell us what that means in real terms. Steven Wise: I can't really tell where we are on that. I think, first, they lifted the ban, and then I think there's been a, at least a temporary reinstatement of the ban while the Trump Administration reevaluates it. But, the Trump Administration at the federal level has done all sorts of things that simply reverse protections for nonhuman animals


that the Obama Administration had given. For example, you're allowed to shoot hibernating bears where you weren't allowed to do it during the Obama Administration. And it's actually something that we point out to people when we're trying to explain why we are unique and why what we're doing is so important. I think the Trump Administration has really demonstrated that for us, that when there are just simply protections or regulations that protect nonhuman animals, well, someone else can come in later on and just reverse them as the Trump Administration's doing. However, when there are rights, it's a lot harder to reverse those. As the Trump Administration's finding that out, as well, that they don't have too many problems making it easier to exploit and kill nonhuman animals, but they're having a real problem when they try to infringe upon legal rights, and the courts are stepping in and saying, no way, we're not letting you do that. And that's what we point out. For human beings, rights are extraordinarily important. Protections are not enough all by themselves. And the exact same thing is true for nonhuman beings, that it's rights that protect your fundamental interest and just for nonhuman beings the way they are for human beings. Sandie Sedgbeer: Now, the Nonhuman Rights Project is helping organizations, student clubs, and OMTIMES.COM

communities host public screenings of Unlocking the Cage. You're helping them with free onetime licenses for public screenings, helping draw in supporters in local areas to attend the screening. And you've provided a citizen action toolkit on your website, as well. What other ways can the public help you? Steven Wise: The public can help us by doing things like showing the film at film parties. Although we are the stars and the subjects of Unlocking the Cage, we don't own it, and when we show it, we have to pay for licenses, as well. So, we have purchased probably 100 to 200 licenses, and we do then allow people to show them for free after we've paid those. In the United States, and I'm not exactly sure this works now outside the United States, but if someone texts the word unlock, U-N-L-O-C-K, unlock to 52886, then assuming it works outside the United States, then something will pop up, and we will then start asking the questions, and we'll get you in our database, and we'll be talking to you about how you might support us depending on where you are. We love when people donate, and if you go to our website, which is nonhumanrights.org, we have a donate button. Sandie Sedgbeer: And it's great that you have the citizen action toolkits because you're making it so easy for people to be able to support you. Steven Wise: There are certainly a million ways of being able to change


the world. And one of them is through litigation, and others are through politics. And we try to work with people so they can help raise people's consciousness. Sandie Sedgbeer: When you first started out, it said that people used to bark at you in the courtroom, presumably colleagues, members of the public, I don't know. What happens when you enter a courtroom now? Steven Wise: We're treated with an enormous amount of respect now. The difference in the last 30 years is just extraordinary. If you bring yourself back to 1980, when I started this, nobody ever thought about what we do. No one ever heard really of even the idea of animal rights or animal protection. The idea of lawyers coming in and demanding that courts protect nonhuman animals was just something that no one had ever thought about. I teach in Barcelona in the masters’ degree and animal law program at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, those students go out into the EU, go out into Europe and begin bringing that kind of knowledge to bear on the work in all kinds of departments, within Europe. Sandie Sedgbeer: How far away do you think you are from, winning? Steven Wise: Well, it depends on how you define winning. It'd be like saying, well, how far are you from getting civil rights for humans? But, once it starts happening, then the dam is going to burst. OMTIMES.COM

And the reason it's going to burst then is that our arguments are in harmony with how--what judges say they believe in. The arguments that we're making for justice for nonhuman animals are the same ones for humans. And so, eventually, they're going to get it, and they're going to realize that, by ruling against us, they're actually undermining justice for humans, as well. Sandie Sedgbeer: Steven Wise, on behalf of everybody who cares about animal welfare, nonhuman animal rights, thank you. For more information about how you can bring the moving Unlocking the Cage to your town or raise awareness of the world's first elephant rights lawsuit and support the work of the Nonhuman Rights Project, visit www.nonhumanrights.org. I'm Sandie Sedgbeer. And if you'd like to be among the first to know about future guests and shows, you can sign up for my newsletter at sedgbeer.com






Health & Wellness Innovative new approaches to Healing as well as holistic methods for dealing with health issues and personal growth



4 Tips for Good Colon Health

1. Peristalsis: Peristalsis is the natural waves of contractions produced by the digestive tract to move food through the colon. There are many ways to stimulate peristalsis, but the most important way is through hydration.

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2. Hydration is often a cause of constipation. Hydration of the colon is key to making peristalsis happen naturally. It is the age-old story about a boat being stuck in a dry river bed. The captain pushed and pushed yet the boat did not move. That night, the tide came in, and by the next day, the boat simply floated down the river bed. (see Chinese Medicine below) 3. Bulk: The colon requires bulk for it to achieve healthy movement. Optimal intake of fiber is about 25-30 grams per day. The ideal combination of soluble fiber (psyllium husk) and insoluble fiber (flax oil, fiber) helps to absorb water and toxins and adds roughage to bulk up a stool and sweep away built up debris in the intestinal tract. 4. Lubrication is essential for the smooth flow of stool out of the intestines. Essential oils such as flaxseed oil, borage oil, and fish oil are ideal. Nutritional Advice Water and other liquids such as fruit and vegetable juices and clear soups are essential

in any healing process. Liquid helps keep the stool soft and easy to pass, so it’s important to drink enough fluids. 6-8 eight-ounce glasses per day are recommended. Try not to drink liquids that contain caffeine or alcohol. Although a little caffeine works well as a diuretic, excess caffeine, dependency on caffeine for a bowel movement, as well as alcohol tend to dry out your digestive system. Prunes are one of the best natural remedies for constipation! A simple handful of prunes will make all the difference. Today, prunes come in different flavors! You can find them infused with natural cherry, grape and apple essence! Apples contain naturallyoccurring chemical compounds known as phytochemicals, polyphenols, or flavonoids, some of which have been proven to have antioxidant activity that inhibits, or scavenges, the activity of free radicals in the body. Cell damage from free radicals can be a factor in certain cancers, heart disease, strokes, and other conditions such as diabetes and constipation.

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A diet combined with both insoluble fiber (the fiber that doesn’t dissolve in water) will keep most people regular. You get fiber from eating lots of vegetables, wheat bran, whole-grain bread and cereals, and fruit. Foods high in fiber are fruits such as apple peaches, raspberries, and tangerines. Vegetables such as acorn squash, raw broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, black-eyed peas, cooked zucchini, kidney beans and lima beans. Also cooked whole-grain cereal, cold (AllBran, Total, Bran Flakes), wholegrain cereal, hot (oatmeal, Wheatena) and whole-wheat or 7-grain bread. Juice Therapy is a great way to take advantage of the elimination and cleansing capacity of the organs. This cleansing capacity is greatly increased, and accumulated metabolic waste and toxins are quickly eliminated. It affords a physiological rest to the digestive and assimilation organs. After the juice fasting or juice therapy, the digestion of food and the utilization of Omtimes.com

nutrients is improved. Powdered psyllium is a quality source of supplemental fiber. Be sure to drink plenty of water. Otherwise, the fiber will form an obstructing mass, adding to your condition. Start with one rounded tablespoon of the powder stirred well into a glass of water or diluted juice. Acidophilus: The normal, healthy colon contains “friendly” bacteria (85% Lactobacillus and 15% coliform bacteria). It is the friendly bacterial flora found in yogurt and is essential to the digestive system. When these bacteria are not in the balance, then the person may experience bloating, flatulence, constipation, and malabsorption of nutrients. Acidophilus taken as a dietary supplement may help to detoxify and to rebuild a balanced intestinal flora. Acidophilus aids the digestion and helps to replace the “friendly” intestinal flora. The power of Green Whole Foods is essential for all day energy, greater focus under stress, sense of well-being, strengthened the immune system, fewer food cravings and


optimum synergistic balance of essential nutrients for total health. Green Whole Foods is a powder that contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, active enzymes, bioflavonoids, chlorophyll and other phytonutrients necessary for optimal cellular metabolism, repair, and protection! These ingredients contain the most powerful combination of nutrients ever known in any grain, herb or food. They contain almost all of the vitamins, minerals, proteins, and enzymes necessary for the human diet, plus chlorophyll. Spirulina Blue Green Algae: Spirulina possesses a complete protein richer than steak, abundant organically complex minerals, a wide variety of essential vitamins, and many beneficial enzymes. Spirulina is more than just food. As with Chlorella, it has been shown to be valuable with almost every aspect of health. These necessities are bio-available which means that they are easily assimilated throughout the digestive tract, giving instant access to vital nutrients. Because of algae’s high chlorophyll and high nutritional content, it is

an excellent part of a cleansing program. Chlorella Green Algae: Chlorella’s tough cell wall protects the valuable nucleus inside. When it is harvested, it is instantly dried, and the cell walls are gently cracked open. The nutrients inside retain full potency. Once in your body, the cracked open cells release their valuable nutrients. Because it is so easy to digest, your cells get the full benefit of this nutritional powerhouse. These necessities are bio-available which means that they are easily assimilated throughout the digestive tract, giving instant access to vital nutrients. The algae provide intestinal nourishment and have a soothing and healing effect on the mucous lining. It works to detoxify and purify our system. Barley Grass and Wheat Grass: Eating barley and wheat grass is like eating a plate of green vegetables. These cereal grasses, are harvested young and are ecologically grown in nutrient rich soil. They are approximately 25% protein and contains all the essential amino acids, concentrated vitamins, Omtimes.com


minerals, and fiber. They have been shown to increase our overall health by reducing intestinal putrefaction and maintaining healthy blood another important component of cleansing. Klamath Lake Blue Green Algae: This remarkable plant grows 100% organically in the Upper Klamath Lake in Oregon. Blue Green Algae has more protein and chlorophyll by weight than any other plant or animal on earth. Klamath Lake algae are considered to be the most nutrient rich of the algae. Lecithin: Lecithin is produced naturally and is one of the main substances that digest cholesterol in the human body. Lecithin supports the liver and aids in the metabolism of fat. Lecithin is used to strengthen the heart as it clears the blood vessels of cholesterol. It is also useful as part of a weight loss programs to help dissolve fat. Fiber (water-soluble), psyllium, seed husks, or oat bran are suggested. Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of fiber supplement at night before bed.

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Magnesium: The supplement magnesium has been found to aid in the management of symptoms. Taking 200-300 mg of magnesium 2 to 3 times daily has been shown to help. Omega-3: This fish oil has been shown in many studies, to reduce your bad cholesterol levels and reduce plaque buildup in your blood. By reducing your bad cholesterol, you are helping your body to fight off stress and relieve anxiety, tension and even prevent heart disease! Fish that are high in Omega-3 are excellent ways to help your blood stream. Psyllium Husks: A natural plant source of dietary fiber essential for the proper functioning of the digestive system. Fiber significantly lowers total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Add protein and carbohydrates to your diet: Incorporate protein into your diet. Protein helps to keep sugar levels stable. You can find protein in nuts, yogurt, beans, fish, chicken, tofu, and lentils.



Practicing Self-Care with the Help of Your Unconscious If you are feeling worn out, you might know you should relax, reduce your stressors, and get to bed earlier. So why don’t you do any of that? When you most need restoration, you once again find yourself wasting time with distractions: You mindlessly

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check mobile devices or watch TV. But what if you could replenish yourself and engage in self-care with the help of your unconscious? The key to changing your habits and feeling energized again may be to release emotions and beliefs that are no longer serving you. Letting go of the old can make room to bring in something new that will give you enthusiasm, hope, and motivation. Your energy might shift dramatically and lead to a feeling of revitalization as you begin a transformation process your unconscious is yearning for. When you ignore callings from within, you can start to feel bored, listless, and tired out. Your conscious mind may be ignoring a need to grieve or feel anger, or face the truth about your role in being overworked and too pressured. Not realizing this, you might seek distractions that ultimately leave you feeling even more drained. Self-care activities require time. You must replenish yourself emotionally, releasing what is no longer serving you and bringing in what will make you feel joyful and vitalized.

What if your unconscious could help you transform aspects of your life that are seemingly impossible to change? What if you let go of the denial that is keeping you from accessing the truth about what you need to do differently? You may be avoiding rest because the desire to radically change the story of your life is so intense and unsettling that you are keeping it hidden in your unconscious. You may think your opportunities are limited, but what if you are wrong, and your real problem is your fear of stepping out of your comfort zone? Unleashing the truth may free up energy from the unconscious mind that can restore and revitalize you. The unconscious can speak its wisdom to you and help you break through obstacles to change. When you reduce the intense chatter of the busy conscious mind, and sit alone quietly in meditation, you make space for wisdom and insights to arise. They come through symbols, sensations, and a feeling of knowing that can’t necessarily be explained logically. Your unconscious mind can help you shift energetically, Omtimes.com


releasing emotions and beliefs that no longer serve you and allowing peace and healing wisdom to replace them. Reduce your distractions and take time to simply be present in a place that doesn’t make demands on your attention—a spot in nature or in your home, away from stimulation and distractions. Close your eyes and intend to begin clearing the clutter in your life that has kept you from replenishing yourself. Ask Spirit or God to be your ally as you access the wisdom within. Focus on your breath, or a word, or the sound of birds and the wind. Let emotions arise and flow out of you. Let your unconscious communicate to you in sensations or symbols or words. Remain present, letting go of what you no longer want to hold on to. Pose the silent question, “What do I need to know to feel replenished?” Be patient as you wait for the answer to arise. When you feel ready, ask, “What should I release?” The answer may not be completely clear, but your unconscious knows you are opening up to its wisdom and is Omtimes.com

likely to answer your call. In your mind’s eye, you may see what you need to let go of. An internal voice may say, “Take away the noise that distracts you.” Your understanding of that noise may come to the surface of your awareness. Then, let your unconscious mind bring in the healing knowledge and energy you need by asking, “What should I bring in?” Your knowledge about what you need to do differently can become clearer, and you may feel an energetic shift as you make the exchange of old for new, of what no longer serves for what you most need right now. Even if words or symbols don’t appear, notice how it feels to be open to the possibility of healing and transformation. Pay attention to how you feel and to any insights that arise. Be patient, and if distractions appear, draw your attention back to the task at hand: opening up to inner resources, guided by Spirit. Be welcoming to the power of your unconscious to restore you and lead you to healing and transformation. When you intuit that it is time to


end this exercise, open your eyes. If symbols appeared, let them suggest their meaning to you. Use this technique more than once, being open to more layers being peeled back. In ten minutes here and twenty there, you can begin to replenish yourself with the help of your unconscious. You can also use other tools, such as Jungian and shamanic techniques found in my book Change Your Story, Change Your Life, to open up a channel for communication from your unconscious. Work with a therapist if you feel too unsettled and upset, but know that for most people, a slow and gentle opening to what you know deep inside opens up a path to positive transformation. Longings may surface that make you feel scared yet excited as you realize you can let go of the old and bring in the new. Your unconscious wants you to say no to “I can’t” and “It’s too late” and to say yes to “There are ways I can change my life.” Tune in and listen to it. What will you release? It may be tasks and commitments, extra possessions that weigh you

down, memories of failure, or beliefs about your inadequacy. What will you bring in? It could be a commitment to new habits, a sense of entitlement to get more rest, or a belief that opportunities will arise even if you aren’t working nonstop. Sadness about lost opportunities can become replaced with curiosity about what new ones may appear. Beliefs that it’s too late to change may be switched out for beliefs that something better is ahead—that is, if you follow through with action. Use your newfound energy to look for new opportunities, change your routine, and talk through your options with a friend or a therapist. Set goals big and small, and take steps to transform. Continue consulting your unconscious, and see how your life begins to change after you have replenished yourself by engaging in self-care with the help of your unconscious. Carl Greer, PhD, PsyD, is a practicing clinical psychologist, Jungian analyst and shamanic practitioner. He teaches at the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago and is on staff at the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being. Learn more at CarlGreer.com. Omtimes.com


Winter Blues and Broken Bones How to Make Sure Your Getting Enough of The Protective Power of Vitamin D3 By Kristin Grayce McGary LAc., MAc., CFMPÂŽ, CSTcert, CLP.

My family and I lived in a suburb of Chicago when I was a child. The weather was often overcast and gloomy. When it was sunny, my parents applied sunscreen. Unfortunately, when I was 10 years old I fell off a jungle gym and fractured my right arm. It

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wasn’t a big fall, I shouldn’t really have broken any bones, but looking back I suspect my vitamin D levels weren’t optimal. Vitamin D is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin”. It is produced in your skin in response to sunlight and is a vital organic compound supporting the absorption of calcium and protecting bone strength, supporting immune function, and regulating mood. Deficiencies in Vitamin D can lead to weakened bones, autoimmunity and conditions like osteoporosis, and mental illness such as Seasonal Affective Disorder, more commonly known as SAD.

• Autoimmune diseases such as Hoshimotos Thyroiditis, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis • Allergies There are two forms of Vitamin D; ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Of the two, Vitamin D3 is the preferred form for human consumption. Vitamin D3 is Good for Your Brain

• Muscle and bone pain

D3 helps regulate the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin, which is the essential neurotransmitter affecting a variety of cognitive functions including mood, decision-making, social behavior, impulsive behavior, and social decision-making. Many psychological disorders associated with brain chemistry and function, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, show low brain serotonin. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is positively impacted by combining light therapy with Vitamin D3.

• Broken bones

So how can you help your

Vitamin D-eficiency can also lead to: • Type 1 Diabetes • Cardiovascular disease including heart attack • High blood pressure • Cancers of colon, prostate, ovaries, esophagus, and lymphatic system.

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body get the right amount of protective Vitamin D? While sun exposure is helpful, it is often not enough. It is worth considering a daily dose of a good quality Vitamin D3 supplement. Obviously, dosing Vitamin D3 depends on your weight and current Vitamin D3 status. The first order of business would be to get tested and look at the data. Generally, children need less than adults. In my experience, most doctors order 25 dihydroxyvitamin D test but this is the inactive form and may not give you all the information. I suggest also getting your Calcitriol 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D blood levels checked and if required ask your doctor or holistic health care provider to recommend an appropriate dose of Vitamin D3 for supplementation. A healthy vitamin D blood level is about 45-75 ng/ml, depending on an individual’s unique biological needs. The Vitamin D Counsel recommends an average of 50 ng/ml. As part of my practice, I’ve learned to individualize things, some people do better with vitamin D levels that are 75ng/ Omtimes.com

ml, and others lower. People with known autoimmunity, autoimmune disease, immune dysfunction or those living in northern states should have their levels tested regularly. In order to work optimally, it is worth supporting Vitamin D3 supplementation with other important mineral cofactors that help the body to utilize D3 properly. In addition to the D3 supplementation I also suggest adding magnesium, boron and zinc. Here’s why: Magnesium is necessary for your body to make energy from the food you eat. It helps to control blood pressure, blood sugar levels and it keeps your heart beating regularly. The Vitamin D Council believes that the daily amounts of magnesium recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board aren’t enough to keep your body healthy and supplementation is recommended. Some research studies show that your body needs between 500 and 700 mg a day. Zinc is a mineral mainly found in the muscles and bones. It


helps the body perform many vital functions such as fighting infection, healing wounds, making new cells, facilitating the use of carbohydrates, fat and proteins in food, promoting strong growth and development especially in babies and young children through adolescence and helping with taste and smell. Zinc isn’t stored long-term in the body so it’s vital to eat foods that contain it or to supplement. Zinc helps vitamin D work in cells as well as strengthening bones. Oysters have a high concentration of zinc. (*If you are taking any medications that are intended to suppress your immune system consult your doctor before taking zinc.) Boron is a trace mineral needed in small amounts by the body. Fruits, leafy vegetables and nuts contain boron. It works with vitamin D to help bones use the minerals they need such as calcium. To reiterate, vitamin D3 plays a central role in a healthy mind and body which is

why a balanced diet and supplementation is vital. SUPPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS There are a few on the market that have a very healthy carrier oil called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) or olive oil. Look for this in your supplement. Avoid products that contain soy, cotton seed, rapeseed, and safflower oil. Some doctors believe an adult dose of 2000 IU/day is adequate, others promote 5000 IU/day, some individuals may temporarily need as much as 10,000 for a short period of time to help boost their levels. Bio Kristing Grayce McGary LAc., MAc., CFMP®, CSTcert, CLP is a highly sought-after health and lifestyle alchemist. She is renowned for reversing annoying and debilitating health conditions and helping people to live with clarity and vitality. Kristin Grayce is also a speaker and author of Ketogenic Cure; Heal Your Gut, Heal Your Life. www. KristinMcGary.com Omtimes.com



Simply Spiritual To perceive reality from a different perspective is to open oneself to the wonders and unlimited wealth of creation. Simply Spiritual offers the opportunity to visit new places, new methods, and different ways to perceive the vast human knowledge of our Universe.


FOUR STEPS IN FINDING YOUR PURPOSE By John Holland

As you go about your daily life, do you have moments where you feel disconnected from your true purpose? Do you sometimes wonder exactly what your purpose in life is all about?

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We’ve all had that nagging sense when you know it’s time to make a change and take a new direction in your life. You may have a vague sense of what your true path might look like, but equally, it’s totally okay if you don’t have any idea at all. Just follow your intuition. As young children, we tend to remain close to our true nature and are easily drawn to what we feel is intrinsically right and true for us. But as we grow, life circumstances and expectations of wellmeaning loved ones and society as a whole steer us to what is considered more practical and acceptable. As we move into adulthood, it’s not uncommon to have a sense of disconnection. It is then that we begin to question our path more often. Your life purpose doesn’t necessarily have to be your regular job or even something you’re paid to do, even though it can be possible. When someone begins to live their life in a way that’s closer to their true path, they’ll start to sense a deeper connection

with others, and as a result, they become more intuitively led to make choices that are more in line with why they’re on this earth. There are ways to begin to reveal your purpose by looking for clues in your life as it is now.

JOHN’S LESSON If you’re feeling prompted to explore what your true purpose might be, I encourage you to take some time this week to do some journaling. Begin by asking yourself a few questions, such as: When you were a child, what did you dream of doing when you grew up? What were you drawn to before you were encouraged to choose a more “practical” route? What do you enjoy doing so much now that you lose all track of time? Think about people who inspire you. Don’t simply look at the title of their job position. Look a little deeper. What do they bring to the world? If you could wake up tomorrow morning with the ability to Omtimes.com


go out and do anything, what would you choose to do? If you don’t know exactly what that would be, begin by taking a moment to imagine how you would like to feel as you go about your day. Write down everything that comes to mind as you ask yourself these questions. And, just as important, including what comes to your heart. Allow yourself to let go of any thoughts of impossibility. When you let yourself visualize your ideal life without boundaries, without the fear of criticism, without the fear of recrimination, without the fear of judgment, you’ll be able to open the door for your soul to show you what is possible and the boundless opportunities ahead of you. As you go through this process, take note of any common themes that emerge through your journaling. That may be a clue as to where you need to begin. Is there a class or volunteer situation where you can explore those thoughts

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further? Or perhaps an online community where you can converse with like-minded people? Every action - no matter how small - will bring some clarity. As you start to take action and explore a path that feels truer to you, you may start to notice situations that no longer seem to fit in your life, and you’ll have to make adjustments. Be open to recognize and appreciate clues along the way - even if its an experience that helps you realize those things that are no longer what you thought was your purpose! You won’t find answers overnight, but it is SO worth it! Take on the mindset of an adventurer and an explorer … and be open to the clues that your soul will place in front of you. Discovering your life purpose is more about the journey and less about the final destination. So, all I have to say in closing this Soul Inspirations is …. to enjoy the journey! Live a Soul-filled life!



OMTimes Magazine Relax… Let your worries drift away into the moment… OMTimes is a free publication and can be delivered right to your inbox… Subscribe at: Free OMTimes Subscription Visit our website at: www.omtimes.com



OM Living For those living a more Conscious Lifestyle



5 Ways to know if you are an Empathetic or Sympathetic person By Cathedral of the Soul

It is very common in everyday life to say that a particular person was sympathetic to us or that he had a lot of empathy as if they both had similar meanings. But are empathy and sympathy even the same? Omtimes.com


By evaluating our attitudes, we can know if we have more sympathy or empathy for the other. We present here, five tips that can help you identify whether you are an empathetic or sympathetic person: “All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.” –Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me Evaluate your perspective on the other person Being nice, sweet or sympathetic is different from being empathetic! Although sympathy and empathy are words that have a vague relation, their meanings they are entirely different. Empathy refers to a connection with the other, where it is possible. It means to understand the emotions of others, to see how the others see and feel. Sympathy refers to having a kind of affection for someone, even

without knowing this person more earnestly. Recognize Your Emotions Knowing what the other person is feeling and recognizing their emotions is an important point to identify if you are being an empathetic or sympathetic person. In empathy, you create a connection with the other person, which enables you to put yourself in the other’s place. In sympathy, you look outside the situation without engaging the feeling or what happens to the other. This is not to say that you feel absolutely nothing about what the other person is feeling, but you tend to have superficial feelings about it. There is, to a certain degree, a disconnect. Know how to respect others’ opinions It is critical to reflect on our ability to understand the other person. When we are empathic, it does not

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mean that we agree with the view of the other person, but we seek to respect and understand it in the best way, without any judgment. When we are nice, we tend to get closer to each other because of what we have in common, which can make it distant for those with different positions and opinions. Assess your willingness to help A desire to help the other is always an important factor in identifying whether we are empathetic or sympathetic. Typically, in empathy, we can put ourselves in the same perspective as the other person, so that we can feel their pain and help them overcome it: “There is not you and me, there is only Us.� In sympathy, we see things with a certain emotional detachment, without being too moved by what the other is feeling or going through.

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Knowing how to communicate and express yourself with others It is vital for us to be able to tell each other that we recognize their emotions. Empathic people do it more naturally, always seeking to say words that convey affection, calmness, and comfort. But the nice ones avoid saying anything that demonstrates a greater involvement with the situation. Cathedral of the Soul intends to undertake the challenge of creating a multidimensional healing space that is dedicated those who seek to enrich, enlighten and heal themselves while serving and assisting in the healing of others. Cathedral of the Soul is one of the many spiritual outreaches of Humanity Healing International, a registered 501-C3 nonprofit with Church status. https://cathedralofthesoul.org



RAW WATER CARLY NUDAY, PHD.

AUTHOR: WATER CODES


R A W

W A T E R :

B E

S M A R T ,

N O T

S C A R E D

Raw Water: Be Smart, Not Scared "Raw water" has been making a lot of headlines lately. From being touted as a Silicon Valley trend, to being slammed for supposed safety concerns, the reporting on the topic has been biased and inaccurate at best. As an independent researcher of water physics, I wanted to share my perspective with two very basic points.

IFirst, the "raw water" or "off-the-grid" water trend is

And just as farmers have a responsibility to ensure

reflective of a market drive for Spring-to-Cup water,

that their food going from farm-to-table is clean and

in the same way, there has been a drive for Farm-to-

free of bacteria like e.coli or fertilizers unfit for

Table food. People recognize the inherent value of

consumption, so too should raw water users have a

food (and in this case water) that is unprocessed, for

responsibility to test their water to standards of

a variety of reasons - some scientific, some ethical,

purity.

and some just personal preference.Â

O M T I M E S . C O M


for the stupid choices of a few individuals, nor do we say that people cannot grow their own food because someone didn't store their eggs properly, or ate fruit sprayed with toxic pesticides not certified for use on edible plants.

And they do - the company who first coined and trademarked the term raw water, Tourmaline Spring, meets their responsibility to their consumers through regular testing, with purity levels exceeding state standards and garnering them both state approval and high praise from water quality analysts. Just as individuals partaking in their own farm-to-table efforts are responsible for their own endeavors (whether eating spoiled meat, or the risks associated with drinking unpasteurized milk or juices, bacteria on vegetables, or inedible fertilizers and pesticides on harvested produce), so too are those individuals who choose to harvest their own water responsible for their own safety in ensuring it's fit for human consumption. We don't attack farmers

Secondly, the idea that all tap water is safe, or that events like the Flint Water Crisis is a one-off, as one journalist implied, is inaccurate. In the San Francisco Bay area, half of the schools have been found to have lead contamination - with one faucet at San Francisco International High School registering lead at 5,600 parts per billion, well over the EPA's limit of 15 ppb.(1) It's not just lead. There are concerns over contamination from pesticides or disinfecting agents causing cancer clusters to pop up in South Carolina. And, a recent report of nearly 50,000 public water systems in the US revealed that between 2010 and 2015, more than 22,000 utilities were providing water through public systems containing radium, a radioactive cancer-causing element. Public water utilities in 27 states had water exceeding the EPA's legal limits for radium, and it is estimated 38% of Americans are drinking tap water with this radioactive element that far exceeds the safety levels set in 2006 by California's state scientists. (2) These types of reports demonstrate evidence to the contrary for


proponents of tap water safety. Add to that valid concerns over fluoride, which has been removed in several cities such as San Jose and Portland by voted legislation, and you've got more than enough reason to be concerned over the quality and safety of your tap water. It's driven the market for things like Brita filters or reverse osmosis systems, to remove the unwanted substances from our tap water - much in the same way the market has demanded more organic food options. Eating or growing organic doesn’t mean you don't consider food safety in storage and preparation, nor are you any more protected from bacteria like e.coli or salmonella, which affect over 3 million people with food poisoning every year. People are meant to be responsible themselves. The push behind the negative press over raw water seems to be coming primarily from the biggest heads in the bottled beverage industry. Their push is likely not driven by a desire for public protection - these are, after all, the same people who largely contributed to our current child and adult diabetes and obesity epidemics, according to studies by places like the Institute of Medicine, the Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology, and just common sense. Maybe it's because they recognize the same trend in water that is happening in organic foods and GMO labeling efforts - which has cost industry giants who profit from

cheap, processed, unhealthy, and disease-inducing food billions of dollars, and significant market share. Implying a need for water treatment processing in raw or spring-to-cup water companies, or portraying what they stand for as "dangerous" is ludicrous and ignorant. People who desire to harvest their own food, or water, are responsible for their own choices - not the industry forerunners who are already responsible and proactive in protecting their consumers. Should we inform people of the risks and how to check for potability or purify harvested water? Yes, just as we do with extended wilderness trips or survivalist training, and just as we do with farmers and e.coli or bad eggs. Should we require testing for water sold on the market? Absolutely, and the leading company has already set a standard. But should we force unnecessary processing and treatment at the cost of the consumer, and allow the government to tell people they cannot collect their own water? Absolutely NOT. But that's where the rhetoric is trying to go, and that is a lot more dangerous than a few idiots drinking polluted or contaminated water, which happens on camping trips regularly by people who didn't apply this knowledge properly. Wells and rainwater catches are not demonized, and individuals who utilize them are responsible for ensuring their own safety and it's potability. And as of yet, not one of


these journalists have shown anyone in this trend who got ill from harvesting water or drinking from raw water sources. Does it happen? Like the occasional campers, probably but not very often, and most of the people partaking are educated enough about what they're doing, much like the hobby chicken farmer. People are always going to desire spring-to-cup options, just as they desire farm-to-table food. This isn't about public protection; it's about market share, and a drive to redirect the conversation to attack a small industry. A small industry with several of the players doing a good thing, and providing a safe and naturally pure option for consumers. We can educate consumers, while at the same time being grateful for pioneers like Tourmaline Spring - who have set the

standard for testing and purity while answering market demand - rather than attacking them, or others, who search out or prefer spring-to-cup water.

Sources: 1. https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2017/11/3 0/high-levels-of-lead-detected-in-tapwater-at-some-san-francisco-schools/ 2.http://www.newsweek.com/radioacti ve-water-can-cause-cancer-plagueshalf-americans-says-environmental778248?amp=1 Carly Nuday, PhD. Author: Water Codes Senior Research Director: Water, Inc. Water researcher, author, and advocate, http://theuniverseofwater.com


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THE GAME CHANGERS A New Brand of visionaries, innovators and leaders that changed how we look and Participate in the world.





Relationships The interconnectiveness among all human beings and, consequently, the relationships among us are the focus of this section. The dynamics of the web of connections we make is one of the most prominent aspects of human existence: how we interlace with each other’s existence in a meaningful way.


Stop Being A User And Open Your Heart To Others By Marcia Sirota, MD. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of making connections. We all really need them, but it seems that people are more disconnected than they’ve ever been. Recently, I had a conversation with the psychotherapist Megan Bruneau, for my Ruthless Compassion podcast. She’s also noticed how people are more lonely and alienated these days. In her practice, Ms. Bruneau has

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observed how disconnection and isolation lead to problems such as depression, anxiety, even psychosis. She recommended that we make more of an effort to connect with each other on a daily basis. Sadly, our consumerist society has resulted in people increasingly seeing each other as objects to exploit and take advantage of, when all we really need is to connect with one another. More and more, people are being reduced to one basic function: as a source of money, social status, political or career advancement, or sex. In our society, it’s not uncommon that one person befriends another because they believe that this “friend” will benefit them socially, financially or politically. It’s not uncommon for a man to date a woman to make him look good to his associates, or a woman to use a man for financial security or social status. Recent research tells us that it’s only through love and compassion that we find real happiness.

Relationships based more on personal gain than mutual affection have always been part of our world, but it all seems more blatant these days. And, sadly, these types of exploitative arrangements encourage everyone else to keep seeing other people as helpful objects to make use of, rather than as delightful individuals to share and connect with. In his book, Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill, Matthieu Ricard, the French writer, a Buddhist monk and “happiest man in the world” talks about why so many people are deeply unhappy today. Ricard says that in part, it’s because they “instrumentalize” one-another. This is another way of saying that people too often see each other as objects to use, instead of opening their hearts to one-another and enjoying being together. Ricard would like us to make more of an effort to access our empathy and compassion for other people. He says that loving and caring about others are the only real ways Omtimes.com


to create happiness. Recent research tells us that it’s only through love and compassion that we find real happiness. In her new audiobook, The Science of Compassion, the health psychologist Kelly McGonigal describes how doing for others changes our physiology, improves our mood and deepens our sense of connection. Studies show that being generous makes us happy while being selfish or insensitive toward others increases our loneliness and unhappiness. Using others, no matter what we gain from these transactions, leaves us even more miserable than we were before. Connecting to other people and being kind to them raises our levels of endorphins -- the chemicals that cause us to feel happy and improve our overall well-being. It boosts our oxytocin, the bonding hormone. So, the more we connect, the more we want to connect. Loneliness and disconnection, including acts of greed or selfishness, will increase our levels of the stress hormone, Omtimes.com

cortisol, which promotes anxiety and depression, causes us to keep weight on and lowers our ability to fight off infections, heart disease, and cancer. People these days use each other to boost their selfworth. They maneuver to be the “top dog” and get everyone in the group to do things their way. They show off their flashy possessions or brag about their exploits. They compete with one another for who’s the most wealthy, attractive or successful. They post endless pictures on social media, demonstrating how great they are, but all of this is just making them more lonely, alienated and sad. When we’re disconnected, we become isolated and miserable. And when we’re miserable, we isolate ourselves further. Conveniently, society offers us an alternative to creating meaningful connections: we can be a consumer. We’re actively encouraged (by businesses that offer goods or services) to overeat, drink excessively, gamble or medicate ourselves to fill up our emptiness and soothe our feelings of alienation.


We’re constantly encouraged to go shopping. Advertisers promise us that having more “stuff” will compensate for the loneliness and distress we’re feeling. Unfortunately, all this consuming just creates a vicious circle of more misery and alienation, more attempts at using people and things to try and feel better, and more unhappiness and emptiness. Using people or things isn’t a valid solution to our feelings of loneliness, emptiness, and alienation. More of the wrong solution doesn’t become the right solution. Consuming things -- or other people -- has never made anyone happy. That’s why someone who uses other people or things to fill the void is compelled to keep on being a user. It never feels like enough. If we’re suffering from disconnection, the only answer is to connect. When we’re disconnected, we’re unable to value other people or respect their lives. Being rude, selfish or hurtful is easy. We become, in a sense, “antisocial.”

Feeling disconnected makes it easier to behave badly toward others, and a vicious circle is created because our bad behavior will end up pushing people away. When these people get angry or withdraw from us, it will reinforce our sense of alienation and encourage us to be that much more antisocial. The more disconnected we feel, the more insensitive and self-centered we become, the more isolated we become and the more alienated and empty we feel. Instead of a vicious circle of increasing disconnection and turning to consuming to compensate, we can begin to create a positive spiral of empathy, compassion, and growing connection. More of the wrong solution doesn’t become the right solution. The answer to our loneliness, emptiness, and unhappiness isn’t to exploit more people or consume more things. The answer is to open our hearts, love more, care more and try to connect more. That’s what we need most, right now, as individuals and as a society. Omtimes.com





Metaphysics


Using Crystal Grids as Tools for Healing By Shakti world Throughout the years, we came to know that the Earth Crystalline Grid is the energetic grid that surrounds our planet, as a protective web of light. This Crystalline Grid reflects and amplifies our ascending levels of consciousness.

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It is a crystalline “light� matrix that was anchored in 1992, five years after the Harmonic Convergence. This Grid is the web that keeps us connected with ourselves and with the consciousness of this planet. You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer. –Thich Nhat Hanh The crystal grids and mandalas are geometric patterns of energetically arranged stones with a specific intent, they can be constructed on a personal level and on a universal global scale or more. They are often used to enlarge, concentrate and prolong a treatment with energy work, such as Reiki. Many grids are built with the healing intention in focus, but we can equally say that there are as many uses for Grids as they are Sacred Geometry combination patterns. Some grids are simple circles; others

are based on sacred geometry as the flower of life, the Merkabah, or any other symbol. Without a doubt, a healing grid can magnify the energy transmission and intensify the healing vibrations, mainly when it is associated with the right combination of the stones, geometric pattern, colors and sometimes even use scents to facilitate the healing. The Use of grids for therapeutic healing is not something new in the history of mankind, and we even there to say that it has been a regular practice through diverse schools of wisdom since antiquity. The grids can be massive structures placed on the floor. Examples of this type of grid are Stonehenge, labyrinths and Native American medicine wheels. Grids can also be placed on a person during a healing session. Specific Crystal grids are inherently built to serve as a support system during rites of passage, Initiation and other spiritual, ceremonial events. In Modern days, many new age practitioners develop their grids on their sacred altars.

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We should not forget to mention that the Grids are not only powerful generators, and can be used to construct force fields of protection, for defense, as a neutral zone, but they can also facilitate the building of vortex of attraction, for manifestation or even with broad cleansing purposes. A grid can be the physical representation of a specific vibration one may try to emulate. Also, A well-built grid can function as a sigil of the four elements used in any alchemical procedure. The grid spirals the energy into its matrix and proceeds to distribute it through the different energy treads, amplifying and expanding its reach. While building your crystal grid, one can’t forget to affirm the critical part the Crystals play in every individual Grid according to with their assigned functionality. Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound

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together. All things connect. –Chief Seattle There are several auxiliary tools we would recommend that can not only facilitate but also improve dramatically the reach of each of the vibrational frequencies intended to be created for your Spiritual practice.

The crystal grids dedicated to healing the Earth. The creation of a crystal grid begins with the intention of using the elements of Mother Earth to focus energy on healing. Allowing your creative intuition to guide you, use crystals, stones, or other symbols and other objects to generate a useful energy network to Mother Earth as it re-aligns your own energy grid. These small grids usually end up being a work of art that is both functionally and delightfully beautiful. Those who are drawn to make them often receive guidance, even when they are not entirely and consciously aware of it. When building these small healing


grids in Nature, we highly recommend the use of triskelion symbol as that we observed that the rings increase the energy of network of small grids. There is no right or wrong way to make a crystal grid. Some people place small networks directly on the floor or on a table. Most are set on board, brick, or cloth. Clay, glass, wood, and stone are good natural bases for a grid. Crystals, rocks and other objects can be placed directly on the surface of the base, or the bottom can be filled with sand, earth, small stones or other natural material. Grids are often made of transparent quartz crystals alone because of the ability of quartz crystals to amplify energy. Other networks use a combination of quartz and other stones and crystals, and some cannot use quartz at all. When initially we came across the idea of ​​creating ocean grids to help heal the Earth & rivers and oceans, we were surprised by the things we found. Even the smallest piece of wood and sand dollars saved from

a trip to the beach; seashells, mother of pearls, can serve as grounding elements and intentional prop to facilitate the construction of this energetic matrix platform. Use what you have. We encourage you to make your own small grid, to make a place sacred, to manifest a rightful intention, or to dedicate them to the Earth and or its oceans and sentient beings. The process of making grids is soothing, healing and regenerative; It is one of the most curative attitudes the open our souls to be part of one of the most significant natural flow of healing blessings. They can become an asset to any home or garden; honor the earth, and they improve the environment in which they are placed. Somehow, making them bring out the creative spirit in everyone. (1) A triskelion or triskele is a motif consisting of a triple spiral exhibiting rotational symmetry. The spiral design can be based on interlocking Archimedean spirals, or represent three bent human legs.

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WHITEDOVE

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Celebrity Psychic & Spiritual Medium Michelle Whitedove is an expert in her field and she has been featured on HBO, Bravo, Lifetime TV and interviewed by Matt Lauer on the Today Show. You can ASK Whitedove too, just email her here


Dear Michelle, I’m about to go into retirement after a long career with the same company and I’m going to downsize into a condo too. I’m at a crossroads and I’m not sure what’s next at this juncture in life. Any suggestions?

Dear Michelle, Years ago, I remember you talking about a coming infertility epidemic. Now I see fertility specialists everywhere. What’s going on, my daughter is challenged with conception. Your Student in Spring Hill

Dearest, Dearest, Just as Winter is a time for hibernation and reflection; the seasons of our lives change too. This is the time to pause and take stock. You’ve worked a job for years, now it’s time to create a new life for yourself – it’s more than a new chapter because your life is transforming. Through prayer and meditation, open your heart and mind and consider the legacy that you want to leave. Spiritually speaking, as an elder you have a body of wisdom to share: traditions, culture and history to tell. It’s time to pass on your wisdom and experiences to others, be of service and with a grateful heart, enjoy life. With age comes a sense of grace; this time is far too valuable to waste. Walk in prayerful faith and the path will appear.

Dearest, Dearest, For eons, souls have wanted to come to this world to live, laugh, love, learn lessons and to create. More recently and from this point forward, God has been restricting the amount of souls entering this realm because we are over populated and there’s a great imbalance of darkness verses light.

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There were groups of blue ray/indigo children and the crystal children that came in, born with a mission to shake up our manmade systems and to make a positive impact on this world. But many of them were taken off course by being medicated with psychotropic drugs for ADD and ADHD attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. These drugs affect the mind, emotions, behavior and the chemical make-up of the brain. I’d say about 25% of these children escaped diagnosis and are working towards their life’s mission


Right now, due to the state of chaos on our planet there’s a lesser amount of souls that want to spend a lifetime here and God is strictly limiting the souls allowed. From this point, the beginning of 2018; infertility will be at a new all-time high. But here is the good news: there’s one last group of babies that are being born, they are Star Children. This group is the last hope for humanity as we have known it. These souls are unique, even their DNA is different. These are advanced souls that have come from across the galaxies and have spent time on more enlightened stars and planets. They are coming now to help humanity. I pray that they will be successful. Dear Michelle, My family member is sick. And I’ve been wondering about alternate therapies since conventional ones aren’t working. I’m beginning to think it’s all in his head. Well I can tell you this – all illness begins in our head. Our bodies radiate a healthy frequency from within our own energy field or auric field. Illness is a dis-ease within the body, and the vibration of negative emotions, negative actions, words and thoughts are usually the cause. Connect with Whitedove Omtimes.com

For example: when a hypochondriac focuses their negative thoughts on a perceived health issue, with constant focus and harboring negative thought patterns many times an illness will manifest. That is the power of our mind. We can vibrationally cause disease. But this also tells us that we can vibrationally heal too. Firstly, it’s important to delete the negative emotions and mind chatter that are connected to the dis-ease of the body. Louise Hay wrote the ground-breaking book YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE. She connected specific illness to patterns of negative thought. She even gives healing affirmations for each illness to restore vitality to the energy field. Vibrational healing is very important, as a health intuitive I see disease even as it begins to manifest in the aura, before it becomes a physical issue.




Astrology & Numerology




Figure 1 Caption: "Portal" painting by Greer Jonas

The Global Year of the Master 11. Thus, in the first two weeks, we have observed all the women at the Golden Globes wearing black and making a statement of solidarity to change women's rights and be treated fairly. And the president of the United States making statements that stir and offend the emotions and dignity of its people as well as other countries. He too is a catalyst for shaking us all up. (I promise this will not be a

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political commentary, but written as an observer of the chaos that is going on in this country.) What is in store for you in 2018? According to 2018 numerology, this global year is a "portal" for all of us. The master 11 is the energy of divine inspiration, leadership, and new beginnings. It is a time of tapping into the wisdom that comes from our intuition and the connection to our higher power, beyond our intellect. When we do this, we have a clear channel to discover the truth and to make


a difference in our lives and others.

found on the internet from Variety?

Something new is happening. Do you feel it? In mastery, an eleven vibration can shift what has been the norm because you are tapping into the universal collective of light and intelligence. You are connecting with the divine knowledge from the source of all things.

This might be nice in a box about Oprah.

2018 Numerology – A Portal The new doorway is the opportunity to step through our conceived failures, our judgmental insecurities, our “it’s too late” thought forms and open to a very new experience of potential beyond what we have ever experienced. Of course, we have to do the work. It means we have to look at what we have been putting up with, in our relationships, our careers, and ourselves. Have we limited our full potential because of fear of how others will react? Have we limited our own power because of a belief system that we have taken on or have heard from others? (Om Question: are you allowed to use this pix of Oprah that I

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“What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.” —Oprah Winfrey (Quote is taken from Oprah’s acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the Golden Globes on Sunday, January 7, 2018) Are you Ready to Walk Through the Portal? What a wild ride we had during 2017 — all levels were affected: our politics, our environment, our emotions, and our belief systems. We have been moved to keep our eyes wide open and aware. 2018 promises to be a time to take action and to make a difference in your life, your relationships and in the world. It is indeed a time of letting go, speaking our truths, and enjoying the ride. (omtimes note: this is interesting information but if you need to cut, go ahead and


cut this section about the Yin and Yang 11/2 is the Divine Union of the Yin and Yang 11 (double ones) is the energy of action, the yang. Two (2) is the feminine and intuitive energy of the yin— sensitivity, and relationship. When we tap into the 11/2, we can learn about balance and duality. There are two contrasting elements to form one whole. Like the duality of light and dark, stillness and movement, without one, there is no other. So, in the global year of 11/2, the direction is more precise. It had to happen... our world and our systems have been breaking down. Systems are breaking down. It is a wakeup call, and we are invited to keep our eyes wide open. If we stay awake, we can deal with the masculine/feminine energy within us — not diminishing either, or making one more potent than the other. (Caption: Yin Yang Symbol It is not about relinquishing our power or dimming our light. By fearlessly facing the truth, we can break the patterns from old dynamics OMTimes.com

that do not serve the people we love or us.

(Om Times, I think this piece should go to a separate page. Can you do that? If you would like to use this Ganesh pix.. (remover of all obstacles) Caption of Ganesh: "Ganesh" from painting by Greer Jonas Remover of all Obstacles. What is your Personal Year Theme in 2018? All of us have the specific personal year 2018 theme based on your birthday. The global year of 2018 will influence our personal year in a huge way. (See info on the Global Year of 2018 above for details) (if this is on a separate page, link the global 2018 article.) By using the formula below, you can find the specific theme that you will experience during 2018 according to numerology. It is a perfect time to set new intentions and goals. Find Your Personal Year in 2018


To calculate, add the month and day of birth to the current year.

what you will encounter this year. What are you willing to let go of?

So if your birthday were April 1, it would be calculated as so:

1 – Year of new beginnings and innovative ideas. You might attract a new job or a vibrant relationship. Challenge: fear of taking the next step.

4+1+2+0+1+8=16. 1+6=7 REMEMBER: if your personal year calculates to a master number 11 or 22, do not reduce. So, if your birthday is April 1, your personal year is a 7. The seven-year is an inner journey – a spiritual time of connecting inside of self to seek the truth. Perhaps exploring the unknown and embracing your nonconformity. With this theme, the 11 will help you push through your shyness and explore something new in your life. Personal Year Themes Here are brief descriptions of the theme you will find in your 2018 personal year. How will you embrace your life and lessons every day with a unique approach? Tap into your intuition and let go of old patterns that are not working. Once you have calculated your personal year, check out the definitions below and discover OMTimes.com

2 – Connecting in relationships of all forms – romantic, business, social and self. Challenge: caring too much what others think. 3 – Year of creativity and selfexpression in every form – art, music, speaking, writing. Challenge: fear of sharing your voice. 4 – Year of the builder, the organizer, a great time to get something done. Challenge: feeling bogged down by all the work you are doing or feeling overwhelmed. 5 – Year of fun, increased social life, travel, and energy. Being out there in the world with people. Challenge: feeling a loss of freedom, overwhelm, or too much on your plate. 6 – Year of all matters of the heart. Dealing with family, loved ones, community,


relationships. This could be a time of marriage, birth or rebirth. Challenge: experiencing loss, feeling overburdened or taking on too much responsibility. 7 – Year of spirituality and connection with inner self, year of unique thoughts and actions. Challenge: feeling unsociable, withdrawn, fear of speaking your truth. 8 – Year of abundance, leadership, and manifestation. A great time to achieve your dreams. Challenge: Being too self-consumed. Feeling overburdened. Instead of being the leader, feeling oppressed, or the victim. 9 – Year of transformation, transition, and completion. A time to examine your life and see what new path to take. Challenge: Will you look at the lessons of what you have been putting up with and decide to change the direction of your life? 11/2 – the Master year of inspired ideas and actions. These ideas can influence and inspire others and may deal with your relationships (2). Don’t leave yourself out of the OMTimes.com

equation! Challenge: Having many dreams but not acting on them. (Being in a master 11 personal year in the global year of 11 will be doubly robust for you. Try not to get too overwhelmed:) 22/4 – Year of mastery in relationships (2) and building (4). This is a time to connect with others profoundly and make a difference. A great time to achieve a project with others. Challenge: Taking on a project without asking for help. Taking it all on and caretaking others. Greer Jonas as an artist, teacher and intuitive numerologist for over 30 years. She gives numerology readings through Skype, phone and in person in NYC and CT. Contact her for an appointment, get a class schedule or ask questions about your personal year at greerdjonas@gmail.com. Numerology site: www.numerology4yoursoul.co m and art site: www.greerjonas.com


FINDING LOVE In Trying Times, Count on the Conscious Relationship Expertise Of Ascending Hearts Dating

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We grow as individuals as we face challenges and overcome life’s obstacles. This section is dedicated to helping you chart your course

Personal Growth & Development


Free Yourself to Forgive By Guy Finley

It is impossible to change the relationship we have with the world around us without changing the relationship we have in ourselves, with ourselves. This is the secret teaching of the ages.

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Our task, if we want to be free human beings -- if we want a life in which we no longer carry around with us “what he did,” “what she didn’t do,” “what never worked out” -begins with discovering that there can be no real freedom for us until we understand the nature of the tyranny of the past that still lives within us. And one of the main areas of this unchallenged dictatorship that still holds us captive is our inability to forgive.

-- are unconsciously revisited by a part of us that actually wants that dark visitation. Why? Because this familiar pain confirms, in a very strong fashion, our certainty of who we are by re-creating what once happened to us in life. Something in our own mind actively recollects what it does from our past, regardless of how it wrecks the present moment for us. To be punished by any past presence is to be a prisoner of your own past.

Do you know people -- maybe who aren’t even alive anymore -- that you haven’t been able to forgive? Are there certain events in your life you just can’t release? You should know by now that what you can’t release isn’t the person or the condition that you see as being the source of your pain. What seems to be “stuck” isn’t an old situation you can’t release; it’s a thought.

There is freedom in realizing -- seeing the truth of the fact -- that whatever is holding you captive right now has no right to do so. None! The split second that you see you’re a captive of your own mind, you have the freedom to challenge it because now you are starting to think toward your own negative states instead of thinking from them.

Over and over again, certain negative images -- crammed full of the conflict felt in the moment of their creation

Forgiveness comes with realizing that whenever you start thinking about someone or something from the past, you have literally been

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lured into the “presence” of that past event. And in that moment, there can be no forgiveness because the “you” living it out (again!) can’t forgive anything any more than an image in a pond can make clear the waters in which it is being reflected. Seeing this as being true effectively ends not just the wrong relationship you have with your own mind in that moment, but it also ends the feeling that someone else is to blame for your pain. We cannot let go of any pain without letting go of the self in which this pain lives on. If you want to have real forgiveness, it begins with giving yourself up each and every time some past presence presses its will upon you. Use the will of this new understanding to lay down your “self” when you see that it is needed. Do this, and I promise you that who gets up won’t be the same “you” that laid down your life. Something new will rise where you once were, and it will be free from

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the past... which means you will be free to forgive. (Excerpted from “Freedom to Forgive: The Power to Put the Past Behind You,” by Guy Finley) Guy Finley is the best-selling author of more than 40 books and audio albums on selfrealization, including “The Secret of Letting Go,” “The Essential Laws of Fearless Living,” and his brand-new book “The Secret of Your Immortal Self.” He is the founder and director of Life of Learning Foundation, a nonprofit center for self-study located in southern Oregon where he gives talks four times each week. Guy is a faculty member at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York and is a regular expert contributor to Beliefnet and the Huffington Post. For more information and to download Guy’s Free 60-minute MP3 seminar “Five Simple Steps to Make Yourself Fearless,” visit http://www. GuyFinley.org


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Embracing Anger as a Path To Peace by Crystal Presence

Abstract: Embracing anger as an ally. How we can use our anger as part of the process of finding peace in ourselves and in the world.

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Anger is rising as we make an enormous shift in human consciousness. If we look outside of ourselves to find the resolution we feel angry that we are not able to control how others think, feel and behave. If we try to hold back the anger we create an internal war within ourselves. It is easy to forget that anger is an ally that alerts us to when we need to make a change, a change that can lead us to a path of peace.

guides us in our aliveness? What if we listened to its signals at “point easy� when our anger is still frustration or annoyance? What if acknowledge when we hold back and turn our anger into resentment and upheaval with ourselves and others? What if we stop festering anger into self-hate and directing it toward others? What if we remember that we can only love and accept others as much we are loving and accepting ourselves?

We know that change starts with each of us. We know we need to change our perspective on to how to communicate and behave with others in the world. The question is how do we use anger in a safe and constructive way? Some say to control the anger and some say express it. Some say learn to forgive, think positive and meditate. Some think that anger leading to violence is an inevitable part of the human experience.

What if we use our anger in the following constructive ways?

What if we embraced our anger as an ally? What if we embraced it as a signal that

(1) Acknowledge the nature of the addictive culture we live in. A culture that promotes work addiction, drugs, movies and violence as a way to avoid and deal with our emotions. An example is the unhealthy ideal of masculinity boys have often been taught to live up to. An ideal tells men that real men should do everything on their own, not cry and express their anger through violence.

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(2) Cultivate the ability to express our feelings in a safe and nurturing place. Try out this exercise… • Find an appropriate place to express the word hate just like it sounds. • Think of someone that triggers our anger. • Notice what happens when we express the haaaaaa part of hate (sounding like hay… exaggerate it) all the way down your throat and down to the end of our spine. • Explore hitting some pillows or holding our hand over our mouth as we express. • Open our jaws wide and end the sound with an abrupt “te” as we blow the air out. • Notice how movement and vibration loosens control and opens a new pathway. • If we express long enough (depending on how much we have held back) we can find ourselves bursting into

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tears wondering how we could have done or said what we did. • We open to love, compassion, changing beliefs and allowing something new to happen. (3) Distinguish the difference between toxic and healthy anger. Healthy anger is a desire to make a change. It also alerts us when we need to have healthier boundaries. Toxic anger is when we choose to use our anger to destroy ourselves and others. (4) Discover the difference between discerning and judging. Discerning is observation of ourselves or others. Judgement is deciding that there is something inherently wrong and bad with what we see. (5) Cultivate the ability to see from different perspectives and different levels of consciousness. Learn how people differ in their values and different ways of resolving anger and conflict.


Don Edward Beck, author of Spiral Dynamics, describes an evolutionary model that is supporting responsible leadership for peace around the world. It is a great way to bring understanding and compassion into the dynamic interaction between people and culture. (6) Be willing to admit that we do not have all the answers. (7) Stay connected to our source and internal guidance system. Remember that all beings are all connected with the same universal intelligence.

and desire for a better world. (11) Assume that people are good at heart. All humans have a life that has been shaped in many different ways. Learn to understand where they are coming from and let them know that they are being heard. (12) Cultivate the ability to have a peaceful argument. Let people know how you feel and how you came to your conclusion. About the Author

(9) Understand that perturbation is necessary for evolution. There is a natural time of unrest and chaos as we breakdown the old and breakthrough to the new.

Crystal is a certified expansion guide, coach, author and facilitator of the five day live event called Freedom at the Core. Her passion is creating a safe, fun and nurturing space for people to discover what stands between any holding back and the freedom they desire.

(10) Be open to change our minds, beliefs and values. Through conversation and reaching out to others we can learn about their humanness

www.CrystalPresenceOnline.com www.facebook.com/ crystalpresenceonline www.facebook.com/ crystalpresence

(8) Trust the process.

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When you look at the view of Earth from space, you are immediately in awe of what you do see: the incredible beauty of Creation. It is not until you look closer that you realize what you do not see. You do not see lines partitioning countries. You do not see separation between races. You do not see division between religions. You do not see the walls people build to isolate themselves from each other. There is only One Planet. There is only One Humanity. This section is dedicated to introducing thoughts and ideas to foster a greater understanding of Humanity’s interdependence.


World Vision


Claiming Our Place in Troubled Times By Robyn M Fritz MA MBA CHt

In these chaotic times, we are electing how we define ourselves: as way-followers, who cling to outdated mindsets and institutions, or as way-showers, who are creating a worldwide community that chooses strength in diversity. We begin by first finding our “true self,� which helps us compassionately engage others.

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Every generation has a defining moment, something they choose that says, “That is how they’ll remember us.” There were the extreme challenges, like the Great Depression and World War II, and the triumphs, like the Renaissance and the Space Age. As we define ourselves, what will we choose: what defeated us or what built us? What Our Chaotic Times Mean In the last few years, community worldwide has been shattered by escalating violence compounded by bewildering divisiveness that mars our daily lives. In our families and social circles, we’ve been shocked when the previously mild-mannered lash out: “If you criticize my president I’m walking out.” Sadly, this theme reverberates worldwide: “They don’t believe what I believe, and I refuse to connect.” What is going on? Of course the age-old quandary, fear versus love: choosing between embracing lack and disharmony or

embracing connection and living full out. Throughout history, that struggle has historically played out in divisiveness. We are human, it’s a given. But this new divisiveness is signaling an epoch change, our defining moment. The fear-full cling to what they believe makes them worthy: an outdated patriarchal worldview and its religious and cultural institutions. As these icons buckle, and world citizenship rises up, fear struggles for relevance, while those who are ready to grow into something new are mystified and unbalanced by the chaos. What do we do? We create new leaders. Choosing Who We Are and Who Leads Us How do we select leadership? Will we continue to defer to a nation-state or will we come home to ourselves? This is a worldwide choice pitting religion, race, politics, and borders—the things that divide us—against common humanity. The struggle can Omtimes.com


lead to a more significant decision, defining whether we stick to the old and remain increasingly isolated and bitter way-followers, or choose to be our own leaders treading uncertain roads to a new unity as way-showers. The choice is stark and straightforward: Who are we? The answer is simpler yet: We are one. The problem that stymies us: How does “one” become our way of life? That, too, is simple. We start by honoring what shamanic insight calls our “true self”— our eternal, individual soul that grows, learns and forms a complete whole, body and soul, strengths and weaknesses, viewpoints, needs, and desires. We individually choose to be our own “sovereign being, our own sovereign nation,” which gives us the strength to be compassionate, aware, able to negotiate differences, and open to change. The next step is unity: whether individual or nationwide, sovereignty demands consensus. We live in society

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because we’re hard-wired for it. The challenge is creating a community that supports and nurtures by honoring all, acknowledging diversity, and requiring thoughtful participation.

How We Create Community Here’s how we do that, starting with our homes, at our holiday gatherings, and expanding into our neighborhoods, cities, states, and countries. We breathe. Deep, measured breaths help us find our true self, which calms and centers us, reminding us that life is imperfect and in flux, and that’s okay. We engage. We calmly say, “Let’s talk, let’s learn how to create community,” because it’s okay to disagree, it means we are thinking. But successful engagement means to defer judgment, listen compassionately, ask questions, be open-minded. It means finding common ground by understanding what others fear and believe—and why—


then build consensus. We evolve. Listening is hard right now, but that’s our growth opportunity. We stay balanced by grounding into ourselves and into all the elements—earth, air, fire, water, spirit. We gather in supportive communities; release what no longer serves, from relationships to thought patterns; and hold love to inspire others and invigorate ourselves. As we grieve for the suffering and celebrate gains, from fellowship to understanding, we embrace the power to create. We choose. We must know ourselves: what we believe and why. We study history, plan for the future, and consider our differences—because that’s where consensus lies. Moving towards world citizenship is a rocky road, dissolving nation-states into a diverse community that loves, grows, disagrees, walks away, and comes back again. Will we be the way-followers, who refuse change and wither in fear? Or will we be the way-

showers, honoring others as souls in bodies struggling to grow and serve, sometimes to triumph and sometimes to fail, always to rise again? Will we be the isolated? Or will we be the 22,000 in Las Vegas, the Londoners, the Barcelonans, the world citizens who carry on with strength, resilience, and determination? Clearly, the majority has already chosen: we are way-showers. We are many who rise, love and create a diverse community that chooses acceptance. Because we are one. © 2017 Robyn M Fritz Robyn M Fritz MA MBA CHt is an intuitive and spiritual consultant and certified past life regression specialist with an international practice based in Seattle, Washington. An OM Times Expert and awardwinning author, teacher, and speaker, she hosts “The Practical Intuitive: Mind Body Spirit for the Real World” each Monday at 2 pm PST on OM Times Radio. Find her services at RobynFritz.com.

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December B 2018 Contributors Writers Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac. Carl Greer, PhD, PsyD Carly Nuday, PhD. Cathedral of the Soul Crystal Presence Greer Jonas Guy Finley John Holland Kristin Grayce McGary, LAc., Mac. Marcia Sirota, MD. Michelle Whitedove Robyn M Fritz Sandie Sedgbeer Shakti World

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