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Oliver Niño, also known as "The Spiritual Activator," is a Sacred Geometry and Energy Activation expert, thought leader, and celebrity spiritual advisor to stars such as Demi Moore, and Gwyneth Paltrow, Nina Dobrev. He has trained and certified healers from over 60+ countries. As founder and creator of the Geo Love Healing Methodology, Oliver has almost 2 million students online and an extensive celebrity clientele. He is on a mission to teach others how to clear, protect, and unblock their energy so they can attract more abundance, love, and purpose in their lives. Coming up in 2023, Oliver will be releasing his first book through Hay House publishing. As The Spiritual Activator, Oliver focuses on teaching people how to identify, activate, and master their spiritual gifts.
OMTimes | August 2022
He works on the entire energetic system, going straight to the root of the issue with one's aura, chakras, blood, organs, physical body, cellular level, DNA, gestational, generational, and karmic. As a result, his healing usually takes effect after one session rather than throughout a long period of time.
Niño’s teachings and energy activation sessions have profoundly impacted the lives of public figures like Nina Dobrev, Julianne Hough, Gwyneth Paltrow, Donna Karan, Demi Moore, and Gerard Butler personal development legends like Tony Robbins.
THE SPIRITUAL ACTIVATOR
Oliver Niño was born and raised in the Philippines by a Catholic family with supernatural gifts. His father channeled energy by using his tongue to communicate its sound frequency. His grandfather could channel the souls of dead relatives. And his mother would have premonitions in the form of dreams that would always come true. When he was seven, Oliver began having curious encounters too. Today, Oliver is on a fervent mission to teach others how to unblock their energy and identify, activate, and master their spiritual gifts. He has trained and certified healers from over 60 countries. Oliver Niño sat down with Sandie to share the extraordinary life events that led him to become a sacred geometry and energy activation expert, a thought leader, and a celebrity spiritual advisor.
OMTimes | August 2022
Sandie Sedgbeer: Tell us about your upbringing in Manila, the supernatural gifts your parents and grandfather had, and how that impacted you as a child. Oliver Niño: It was a very interesting childhood looking back. I grew up with a Catholic background, so you can't have anything to do with psychics and energy and all those different things.
But the Filipino culture itself had a lot of practices and superstitious beliefs. It was a clash. It was almost like what we talked about and what was done behind the scenes because it was part of the culture that no one talked about. So, for me, it was normal. If we were buying a new house or opening a new office, my mom would call in an Albularyo, who is like a medicine man who will clear the land and ask the spirits if it's okay and different things. So, I grew up in a household with that as an undertone. There was always mystical talk, and I could feel the energy, but I was also scared of seeing ghosts because of all the movies I saw. Some people can see them, but I was more of a "knower." It was never something I had to pay attention to; it was just happening naturally in the background, but I would just "know" what was happening.
OMTimes | August 2022
Sandie Sedgbeer: So, it was quite normal for you to have that in your background, but I imagine it wasn't something you thought you would grow up and begin diving deeper into.
Oliver Niño: No. I think of it as a happy accident. Logically, I know it was divinely guided, but I didn't take the normal path most healers take. Growing up, I didn't know what I wanted to be. My parents wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer, and I became an entrepreneur. So, before I got into healing and spirituality, I had success with online businesses and entrepreneurship. It was my first love and a passion of mine. So that was my life until I got "called," and the calling just got stronger. Eventually, it led me to a time and place where I had to choose––do I do what I could do well? Or do I answer a higher calling and go all in with my purpose work. And that's what I had to do because it was aligned at that moment. But, yeah, I started off kind of doing the opposite. I was already established, got the business, the freedom, and the abundance. And suddenly, I get a call. I try to avoid that call and not answer it for the longest time. But, still, it is how it works. It's just very potent, and it's powerful. Sandie Sedgbeer: Tell us about the moment you got that core. You were sitting in a vortex on a mountain in Sedona, and things started happening… Oliver Niño: Well, I think of it as God's universe, higher power, whatever the listeners resonate with. For me, there was a dangling carrot; back then, the dangling carrot was money and abundance. And I remember I tried everything possible to make more in my business back then, which was close to 20 years ago. But nothing would work.
OMTimes | August 2022
The Spiritual Activator
And a friend of mine said, 'You should see this energy healer. You might have abundance block.' Since I trusted her, I went. I remember walking into this octagonal house, and this guy is wearing all white, with mala beads and, music playing, & incense. It was all very new for me because I'd never seen an energy healer before. So, I was sitting there, probably for the most uncomfortable 30 minutes to an hour, with my eyes closed, thinking, 'Okay, is something magical going to happen?" And this guy is in front of me, waving some crystal wands, making sounds and sayings, and nothing's happening. The only thing I could hear was the sound of my stomach grumbling because I was so hungry. I was so skeptical, and while I was grateful and gracious, I thought it was a big waste of time.
energetically, were stuck in your body that tracks back to your childhood. I've removed them. So, in the next three to five weeks, you should see a big change in the flow of abundance.'
And then, towards the end, he said, 'You had an abundance of blocks that, .
I thought it was baloney. So, I went on with my life, and I didn't do anything different, I was just going on with normal day-to-day business stuff. And then, true enough, four weeks later, I saw I'd made more in a day than I did an entire year. And that's what opened my eyes to energy. I thought, there's something out there that I don't quite understand, but it works.
OMTimes | August 2022
The Spiritual Activator
But my mind and emotions weren't programmed for success, so, within two months, I had spent all of it. I wasn't used to that much abundance. So, I spent it all, paying bills and giving family members vacations. I just wasn't used to it, so I got rid of it. But it planted a seed that energy can move light years ahead of everything else. From then on, it was the dangling carrot. That was the beginning of my journey of wonder. I knew there was something out there that I didn't understand, but if it could get me results that quickly, I wanted to master it and dive deep. That was the beginning of an inception point. At first, it was freedom. When I got that, it was more–– it was the purpose. I went to Sedona not knowing anything about vortex points. I hired a tour guide, and I sat on top of a vortex. I was, and still am, afraid of heights, but for some reason, the fear went away when climbing; I just didn't think about it. I wasn't expecting anything because I didn't experience anything during my first clearing and healing. Then suddenly, I felt like an energy going through my body, which was quite an experience. A lot of things started coming up, memories, emotions, and a lot of purging. When I opened my eyes, I thought I saw things because I was seeing shapes, symbols, and colors. Thinking it was an illusion, I put my hand through them, but they were still there.
OMTimes | August 2022
Sandie Sedgbeer: So how did you go from that moment of receiving all this information and symbols - this download, so to speak - to become an expert in sacred geometry, a lecturer, a healer, and a teacher of millions. How did you make that transition? Oliver Niño: It wasn't easy. It took a long time, and I wanted to shove it to the side. When I got all that information, my friend told me, 'you're a healer.' Then in my sleep and in my waking moments, I started receiving prompts about what to do and when I tried things out on myself, I would see a difference. Then I got this nudge to try it out with close friends and family members, and they would get such amazing results from their lives. So, for ten years, I was what I would call a closet energy healer. On the outside, I'm a businessman who likes making deals, launching and managing businesses, and still, on the side, I was doing my purpose work and not charging for it. I was donating my time doing energy clearings and healings for people. I was fascinated by it, but it also helped me in some weird way. Doing the purpose work and helping other people helped me. The fact I was giving it back raised my vibration to where things were amazing. I was just doing it through word of mouth until I got called to do it on a higher level for more people and the world. So, of course, I fought that for a bit, but when my wife was pregnant with our son, I thought, 'this is a brandnew soul coming to the earth, and I'm the prime role model and example.'
I had worked with so many people then, and I knew many things that affected them later in life happened during childhood. So, I wanted to be the best example, to shine my full light, and be that example from my son's birth. So that kind of motivated me. I didn't know what it would look like, but I was going to jump into this fully because I'd been doing it anyway. I vowed to walk away from everything that I knew from the business, from all those things that were making good money and bringing in abundance but weren't fulfilling my soul and my being. It was the scariest thing I've ever had to do. But at that point, I'd been living my life through divine synchronicity and faith to where I knew that I would be fine even if I couldn't see the steps. I'm guided. It will work out. And here I am. Sandie Sedgbeer: Did you have to do training and research, especially the sacred geometry part, or was that information that was channeled? Oliver Niño: I would say 95% of it was channeled. I learned the grounding and crystals initially, and all this was just basic lingo of the field. Still, everything else came to me, and it was a process because the information would come to me, and I wouldn't know what it was, but I had friends and people around me who could see energy and things and would verify what I was seeing. So, I had a lot of feedback. The information would come to mean in dreams. I would try things out, and they would work. I would do .
OMTimes | August 2022
Healings and people would get better. I actually preferred receiving channeled information in that manner because I wanted to get it directly from the source. I wanted a direct connection. So that was my intention. A lot of the stuff I'm teaching people is not even out there, so it can't be googled. Sandie Sedgbeer: So, what are you actually teaching people? Are you teaching them how to use sacred geometry, move energy, and heal? Oliver Niño: It depends. Some people come to me and just want to work on themselves. They have a block in their relationships or physical body, or their kids are sick. They want to help their children or their loved ones. Or they feel this burning desire to serve the world, and they want to learn the methodology. So, when I'm teaching them, I'm doing activations and unblocking them. I'm removing whatever blocks are necessary for their highest good. And it can be blocks from their environment, from trauma, or from generational blocks that are passed on. And I look to see where the blocks are and how deep they are; they can be just in your mind, your heart, or your cellular level, to your organs and body. And it affects you physically. But part one is removing the biggest blocks that are holding them back. Because for me, the way I look at it is like when you've got these big blocks, it's like you're driving with an emergency brake on, you think you're going fast,
Oliver Niño
So, for me, it's twofold: removing the blocks and activating dormant spiritual gifts or just elevating them so that people can tap into their inner resources and move through life. And, from that point, they have a choice. So I have people who are chiropractors, doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, body experts, like a "Masseuse," or coaches who want to integrate this modality for their clientele. And some who want to be healers and to learn a modality. But a good majority of them come so they can learn the skills and They do it on themselves or their family members or loved ones. Sandie Sedgbeer: So, are you 'seeing' the blocks? Are you 'sensing' the blocks? Or are you 'feeling' the blocks?
but you don't really know how fast you can go because you've got this block weighing you down. So, after I work on the blocks, I activate their spiritual gifts because we all have them. We were born with these gifts; they were given to us so we could navigate life. And that is everything that we need to succeed, to thrive, to have abundance, to have happiness. But, still, for some reason, life happens, or we're afraid of it, or programming, and we turn our intuition and gifts off, or we tune it down, or they are dormant.
OMTimes | August 2022
Oliver Niño: Great question! Because people think the only way is to see them. I have clients that see the blocks in detail. When they describe them to you, it's like a movie! For me, not quite. I'm a feeler. I feel it. I can run my hands about a foot or two from their energetic body if they're in front of me, and I feel the blocks.
And I can do it they're remotely connected. When I feel it, information comes to me, so I'm a feeler-knower. There are different combinations in how people process energy and information. I've never been able to see. I get messages through dream form. Or that download throughout the day. But my wife is a complete seer. She sees the energy. She sees the energy entities and everything in between. It's funny because we would compare notes. I would feel stuff, and say, 'I feel this over there. 'And she'd be like, 'I saw that and this,' and it would match. But I would interpret that information through feeling. Sandie Sedgbeer: You've worked with a lot of Hollywood stars. Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, and many others. Is that a word-of-mouth thing that brought them to you? Oliver Niño: Yeah, it is typically like, somebody who's been following me for a while who I've helped, who I might not even know. I don't check any of the messages I get because there are so many. Sometimes people have been waiting, for six months and it's hard for my team to know who everyone is. But we would typically have somebody whose lives would change and they would refer us to people in the entertainment industry, and then we'd work with them. Some have found me through content on Instagram, where they see my video and resonate with it. But for the majority, it's word of mouth.
OMTimes | August 2022
If someone's life got rocked, they want to share it with someone near and dear to them. It's the same with many of our clients: They get a change in their lives. Next thing they're bringing their sister, their mom, their dad, we've had it to where entire family systems could come in because the people around them notice the change. Sandie Sedgbeer: You founded and created the Geo love healing methodology and got almost 2 million students online. Tell me about the method. How did you develop it and what, what does it consist of? Oliver Niño: Yes, much of it came from my experience of activating in those 10,000 sessions in the first ten years. Then the next close to ten years after that was refining it. But at first, it was a system of first being able to remove or identify energetic blocks in the body, remove them as frequently as needed, and go as deep as possible. Because typically, if somebody has a hard time attracting love, or if they attract a toxic or narcissistic love, that can be a block in the heart. That could be as simple as they were a kid in the playground, bullied at seven, and their hearts closed off. And when their heart is closed off, they start thinking the world's not safe; I am unlovable, I should be invisible. So now you've got the thought mixed with the emotions and trauma. So, it creates this frequency where it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and starts attracting more people and problems if you don't address it. It can be changed at any moment. And when it's changed, they find people that come to them lovingly, respect their time and honor them, and have fun, which works. So, I help people know how to do that for themselves. And at the same time, have the tools to deal with life.
OMTimes | August 2022
For example, if somebody's sensitive in crowded areas or the mall, teaching them how to shield and protect themselves and getting to a place where they raise their vibration enough to where they don't need to shield themselves because their vibration becomes their protection.
I would say the system is mastering energy, which is the invisible thing that affects everything.
OMTimes | August 2022
So, to complete mastery of energy, how to protect themselves, how to raise their vibrations, how to remove the blocks, how to do it for others, how to make an impact on your surroundings and everybody around you, and live a life empowered. Sandie Sedgbeer: So, when people are on your course and having these experiences, they're learning how to sense the energy, remove the blocks, et cetera? Is that the activation process, or does the activation come afterward, and how is the activation? I mean, you're known as the Spiritual activator, energy activator. How are you activating people? Oliver Niño: So, for me, it is two parts. It is removing the blocks, and it is activating their gifts. So, when I was doing one-on-one healings a long time ago, I never had to meet them. Typically, I'd do one healing. That's all it took. Because the way I work is I go to the root. I don't go to the branches of the fruit. I go to the one thing that if I work on this, it affects the hundred other things, and it's good. So, I never really needed to do 2, 3, 4, or 5 sessions. If they're different topics in different areas, sure. Some things were like layers of the onions for those that took divine time. So, I would do some, but my methodology has never been, "I'm working with somebody for an entire year, every week."
Sandie Sedgbeer: You provide a lot of videos, tips, tools, and techniques for people. In 2016, you launched the geo love healing program. Before we look at some tools, techniques, and tips you can offer us, tell us what this program is all about. Oliver Niño: This is an eight-week certification program for people who want to become their own healers. It's very in-depth, and they learn an entire methodology for doing that themselves. They go deep, get practice hours, and get to do healings on others and feedback and all that stuff. And towards the end, they get a certification. I do healings and activation on them as well. I don't do one-on-one, but I do it for this program. Sandie Sedgbeer: Is this an online course? Oliver Niño: Yes, it's online, but it's also something people can do in person. So, we have a completely virtual one where they get training every single week, homework, and practice for eight weeks. And then, in the middle of the program, we have a typical four-day event. If people can't do it live, they do it remotely. And that's when they get to experience the activation. They clear. I do it on them, and then they learn how to do the healings on others, with people in front of them, and remotely.
They get to do it, and they get to exchange notes, and 30 or 40% of the people in the room who come in there, they don' t think they' re healers, and hearing all the feedback and results blows their mind away because they' re like, is that really me? It is such a great experience watching people just step into the powerful things they knew how to do naturally when they were born. It changes everything for them. Because every single time somebody goes through that entire program almost like within 30 days or 90 days, we' d either get messages from their family members to thank us because they' re noticing a change in their husband or their wife or their sister or their daughter. And it's such a profound thing that they get to see this change. So it's a ripple effect. Sandie Sedgbeer: Do you think everybody can be a healer? Oliver Niño: I feel like we all have it within us. But it' s a matter of being willing to tap into it and do the work, to step into that. So, suppose you have the gift, okay, any gift––there are many gifts, healer, channeler, psychic, transmuter, or Akashic Records––I look at all gifts as frequency-based. And depending on your frequency, you can access a certain version of your gift. Let' s say someone is a transmuter, they walk through the world, and they can feel somebody' s energy and not know how to do what they' re doing. They can cleanse somebody' s energy unconsciously, and that person walks away feeling lighter.
OMTimes | August 2022
And the transmuter, depending on their frequency, might get tired if it' s a little bit lower. They might feel all the pain and trauma that person was feeling because they're transmitting it through their system. But if their frequency was higher, they wouldn' t feel a thing. It would happen fast, and it would be normal. The dormant (gifts) are the hard ones because they've got to choose them. They've got to be open to them. You can bring a horse to the water, but that's all you can do. And, for me, that's been a tough one in the past because I want to save and help everybody. I want to elevate everybody and realize that sometimes you can't. All you got to do is embody the best version of yourself and hope. It happens a lot that since they're connected to you, it also affects them by working on you. Sandie Sedgbeer: We hear much about empaths and highly sensitive people. I think everyone is an empath, but often they don't realize they are, or they may feel too much and suppress it. They dumb it down. But you have some tips to offer empaths to protect their energy. Oliver Niño: The thing with empaths is that there are always different versions of gifts. I've seen empaths who really are healers. Others are transmuters, but the first path for them is awakening. So, I see that there are times when somebody wakes up to their energetic ability, and we can never predict when our third eye will open. The third eye doesn't mean you see ghosts. But it can mean that, for some reason, you're sensing everybody's energy, and it's overwhelming. It can happen when you're in a crowded area when you're in your house, feel great, or go to a crowded area. You're like, what's going on? You're overwhelmed. You are thrown off your Zen. The thing with empaths is the point of overwhelm. This happened to me about ten years ago. I would be going through my day, and all of a sudden, I would have this anxiety about something, about health, bills, or something like that. I'm like, this is not mine.
OMTimes | August 2022
OMTimes | August 2022
Five minutes later, I'd get a call from my mom, and she was worried about her health or something. Or she was typing an email or a text. So, it happens once, and you think it's kind of odd. You feel their emotion, their frequency before it even happens. But then guess what if it keeps it happening repeatedly? Next thing, it's probably happened thousands of times where it becomes undeniable. Then you start thinking, wow, something is happening here. Invisible. I don't have to be in a crowded location, in a concert, or a mall in an airport, to feel overwhelmed. I had one girl who came to one of my workshops who would get so overwhelmed with everybody's energy in the grocery store that she would go home and a friend who have to finish her grocery shopping for her. That was her life for 15 years. I taught her how to do shields in my workshop, and when I heard from her 30 days later, she said: "Oliver, I did my first grocery store run in 15 years, and I felt nothing but calm." For some, it's bringing their power back to where they do shields to protect themselves. But ultimately, I would work more on vibration nowadays because it's a longer-term solution.
OMTimes | August 2022
Sandie: Sedgbeer: What is your ultimate goal? Oliver Niño: So, my wife and I have the same ultimate goal, which is to raise the consciousness and the frequency of the entire planet to love and pure potential. Because I feel that if people knew their gifts, if they accepted them, if they knew how to release their blocked energy and they could do it for themselves, it would affect those around them and then we'd live in such a different place. Right? Sandie Sedgbeer: Oliver Niño, So, thank you for talking to us today. For more information about Oliver Nino's work, visit spiritualactivator.com
Follow Oliver Niño on Social media
“Every painful and traumatic experience you’ve ever had since you were a child had a tremendous energetic impact on you and it’s still affecting you, and holding you back…” OMTimes | August 2022
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Health & Wellness Innovative new approaches to Healing as well as holistic methods for dealing with health issues and personal growth
How Chiropractors Help Your Body Function Better
I
by Rachelle Wilber
f you are like millions of other
discomfort is your top priority. To do
people, you deal with some
so, you may want to explore working
sort of pain daily. Whether it is
with a chiropractor. An alternative
headaches, backaches, neck pain,
medical treatment that has become
or shoulders that always seem to
more mainstream in recent years,
be hurting, getting relief from your
chiropractic care can offer numerous
OM TIMES | August 2022
benefits. To find out if it will work for
yourself more pain-free than you've
you, consider how it can help your
been in years.
body function better.
LESS RELIANCE ON PAIN RELIEVERS
EASING BACK PAIN When you start having back pain that just won't go away, your first thoughts
If you don't want to take opioids
may be that you will need to undergo
to manage your pain, undergoing
surgery or get steroid injections
regular chiropractic care can mean
frequently. However, if you suffer from
far less reliance on opioids and other
chronic lower back pain, a chiropractor
pain relievers. Since a chiropractor
may be able to help. Along with spinal
can perform various chiropractic
manipulation, your chiropractor can
adjustments on your neck, spine, and
suggest various exercises you can do
other parts of your body, you may find
to strengthen your back muscles and
OM TIMES | August 2022
can also help you learn more about
treat tension headaches and other
yoga, tai chi, and progressive muscle
headaches that originate in your
relaxation.
neck. For many people, having six to eight sessions with a chiropractor
HELP ELIMINATE HEADACHES
and follow-up sessions every three months makes a tremendous difference in how they feel.
Whether it's from stress on the job or at home, tension headaches may be commonplace for you almost daily.
BETTER ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Consider chiropractic care if you've tried aspirin and every other OTC
Whether you are a weekend warrior
headache reliever to no avail. Using
or perhaps someone who takes
cervical and upper thoracic spinal
athletic competition much more
manipulation, a chiropractor can
seriously, putting your body in the
OM TIMES | August 2022
capable hands can lead to better athletic performance. Through spinal manipulations, a chiropractor can give your joints increased mobility, reduce the pain you may have following workouts or games, and help decrease the amounts of inflammation and tissue restriction your muscles may experience.
Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California, area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her bachelor's degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she
If you are seeking ways to help your body feel better that are non-invasive and may provide immediate results, relying on the skills of a chiropractor may be just what the doctor ordered.
isn't on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping at the beach or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter: @RachelleWilber.
OM TIMES | August 2022
Why Being a Chai-Aholic is Great by Dr. Paul Haider
OM TIMES | August 2022
D
id you know that Chai Tea
in concert for healing. In Traditional
has many health benefits?
Chinese Medicine, most herbs
Chai Tea has many more
are taken as teas because of that
health benefits than coffee
intertwined connection of the mind,
because many wonderful herbs in Chai
body, and spirit. Some Chinese Teas
Tea will benefit the body in powerful
are not great tasting, but the brain
ways. Here are just a few ways that
must connect to the taste of each
Chai Tea can benefit healing.
herb, thus bringing about a threefold process of healing.
And if someone is going to be hooked on anything. Chai Tea is great!
Chai Tea also contains:
Chai Tea contains black tea, and some
Cinnamon – Cinnamon is very
also contain green tea. Both have
important for lowering cholesterol
powerful polyphenols that prevent
and lower blood sugar levels. Plus, it's
diseases such as cardiovascular disease
a great antioxidant, thus preventing
and strokes and help to prevent
disease, and even a good anti-
diabetes and even cancer. In fact, a
inflammatory agent that helps with
new study showed that black tea is
arthritis and the cycle of chronic
very good at preventing and repairing
inflammation, which starts lots of
DNA damage.
different diseases. Also, cinnamon seems to help with PMS and
Why tea? Drinking any herbal tea
Alzheimer's Disease, and studies show
is great because, as in Ayurvedic
that it protects the stomach from
Medicine from India, which is
bacteria causing ulcers.
thousands of years old, every herb that we take should be tasted and
Ginger – Ginger is common in Chai Tea
smelled in order to have the best effect
and will help relax the stomach and
on the body. We do this using our
soothe away GI distress. Ginger works
taste buds and the olfactory region
great for motion sickness and helps
of our brain. These two important
with sweating and nausea. Ginger is
areas interconnect in our brain to
very important for preventing colon
bring about a selection of nerves
cancer because it boosts our immune
and meridians that work together
system, and in studies, ginger prevents
OM TIMES | August 2022
the development of colon and ovarian
away GI gas and even heartburn.
cancer. In addition, ginger is a great
Cardamom also works for headaches
anti-inflammatory agent helping
and works well for preventing
prevent arthritis by getting rid of
heatstroke. And Cardamom is one
cytokines and chemokines.
of the few herbs that work to detox the body of caffeine. And Cardamom
Cardamom – Cardamom is a powerful
works wonders for asthma and other
antioxidant helping to eliminate free
respiratory problems by increasing
radicals in our body that promote
blood flow to the lungs. Plus,
disease. Cardamom is also a good
Cardamom boosts our energy level
antispasmodic herb helping to soothe
and improves our mood.
OM TIMES | August 2022
Black Pepper — Black pepper is
Vitamins A and C that help to prevent
very common in Chai Tea, giving it a
cardiovascular disease, strokes, and
little spice. Black pepper helps with
cancer. And anise is full of B Vitamins
indigestion and flatulence, detoxes
for good mood and vitality and lots
the body, gets rid of excess fluids, and
of copper, which are very important
helps with nasal and lung congestion.
for promoting the formation of red blood cells. And anise also contains
Fennel and Anise - Anise is a great
potassium for fluid regulation and
herb for calming the GI tract and
good heart contractions. And fennel
killing foreign bacteria. Plus, it also
seeds help bind bile acids, thus
contains powerful antioxidants such as
helping to lower cholesterol.
OM TIMES | August 2022
OM TIMES | August 2022
Caraway - Caraway seeds are
And there are more great herbs and
sometimes used in Chai Tea and
spices in Chai Tea.
are great for soothing the stomach, helping to get rid of nausea and
Chai Tea is also usually made with
indigestion. In addition, caraway
milk, soy milk, almond milk, or any
wonders to freshen breath and
other kind of milk, honey, stevia, or
contains lots of great minerals,
any other sweetener. Thus, we also get
electrolytes, B vitamins, and great
protein benefits from many of these
antioxidants, helping to prevent
great kinds of milk. Along with a boost
degenerative disease. And these seeds
of energy from the honey, plus the
have a very soothing, relaxing, calming
great allergy-preventing capabilities of
effect on the body, making them great
honey.
for stress and anxiety. Lots of people are switching from Cloves - Lots of chai tea contains
coffee to Chai Tea because of all the
cloves, and because of that, chai tea
great health benefits associated with
contains a powerful anti-inflammatory
Chai Tea. A warm cup of Chai Tea is
agent that helps with arthritis. The first
great in the morning, or a frozen Chai
step towards the creation of disease, in
Tea on hot days.
general, is inflammation, and when a person drinks chai tea with cloves, they
Try some Chai Tea, and it's one of the
reduce their risk of coming down with
few good things to be hooked on.
the disease. PS - I admit, "I am a Chia Tea Aholic Nutmeg - Nutmeg is common in chai
I'm Hooked."
tea, and nutmeg is a great pain reliever and helps with aches and pains. Also,
Dr. Paul Haider – Master Herbalist
nutmeg is a great antibacterial agent
and Spiritual Teacher for over 25
and helps prevent tooth decay. And
years, helping people recover and
nutmeg contains myristicin which
feel healthy. You can also find
protects the brain from dementia
Dr. Haider on FB under Dr. Paul
and Alzheimer's disease, plus nutmeg
Haider, Healing Herbs, and at
strengthens our liver and increases
www.paulhaider.com – feel free to
blood circulation throughout our body.
connect with him any time.
OM TIMES | August 2022
Different and Easy Ways to Cope with Stress by Brooke Chaplan
OM TIMES | August 2022
I
n today's world, it's almost
disappear. This can be anything from
impossible for you and everyone
joining a gym and getting a workout
else not to feel stressed out to
before or after work, walking around
some degree. Whether dealing
your neighborhood, lifting weights,
with the pandemic, inflation, world
or anything else you will enjoy. By
events, or things like a demanding
exercising several times per week for
boss at your job or problems with
only 15-20 minutes, you will release
family members, you were learning
endorphins that help to balance your
how to cope with stress in a healthy
body's nervous system. When this
manner can make a tremendous
occurs, blood circulation increases,
difference in your day-to-day living.
helping to rid your body of stress
So if you're searching for ways to cope
hormones.
with the stress in your life, these four strategies will have you feeling better
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
in no time.
EXERCISE REGULARLY
It may be hard for you to sleep when you're stressed out and have plenty of things on your mind. However,
Once you incorporate regular exercise
suppose you get less than seven hours
into your life, stress can start to
of sleep each night. In that case, the
OM TIMES | August 2022
stress takes an added toll on your body
the non-full spectrum so that you can
and mind, resulting in more incredible
get the full benefits of CBD. There are
difficulty concentrating, more aches
other ways, such as meditation or yoga
and pains, and a greater chance of
before bedtime, that can also help you
becoming depressed. To help with
get enough sleep.
this, you can try full-spectrum CBD gummies, which are becoming more
BOND WITH A PET
popular for managing sleep. There or different CBD supplements. Some
Yes, having a pet in your life can do
even focus on stress without putting
wonders for how you feel. Since dogs,
you to sleep. Full-spectrum is also
cats, and other types of pets provide
highly recommended compared to
you with unconditional love no matter
OM TIMES | August 2022
the circumstances, bonding with your
your mindset and send stress packing.
pet will assure you of always having at
This can involve playing a musical
least one friend who will be there for
instrument, playing golf or other
you no matter what happens.
sports, gardening, arts and crafts, or anything else you would enjoy.
PURSUE A HOBBY
Using these tips to reduce stress will Whether it's an activity you haven't
likely lead to a lower heart rate, more
been involved in within quite a while
optimism about what lies ahead in
or something new that you've always
your life, and other positive benefits
wanted to try, carving out some time in
that will put a smile back on your
your life to have a hobby can improve
face.
OM TIMES | August 2022
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.
How To Restore Your Soul by Melvin D. Nix
Are You Feeling Fragmented?
when you've made decisions based
Feeling Separated From Yourself?
upon fear rather than confidence?
D
Are you genuinely happy with who o you often experience
you see staring back at you when you
emotions of emptiness,
look in the mirror? If you're familiar
rejection, and isolation?
with any of these feelings, it's time for
Have there been times
you to reconnect.
OM TIMES | August 2022
We've all experienced moments during
and a lack of self-confidence. Who
our lives where we've spoken up only
you are as an original person full of
to have our voices silenced, and our
intelligence, curiosity, and creativity,
opinion dismissed. As a youth, you may
gets watered down into a hybrid of
have wanted to participate in sports,
who you are? Let's look at what the
the arts, or academics. You shared
soul is and how it's affected by external
your desires with family or friends who
influences.
ultimately found a good reason for you to give up and pursue something else.
THE LAYERS OF YOUR SOUL
Yet, every moment you were denied self-expression, a part of your soul was
The soul is the part of your conscious
depleted.
mind composed of your will, intellect, and emotions. It governs who you
BEING DETACHED
believe you are, and it contains the limitations defined for you by yourself
Our lives are a summation of our
or others. The soul is also the seat of
experiences, environment, and family
the imagination, which gives us the
dynamics. In many cases, most people
ability to mentally construct our future
aren't operating from a sense of their
and see possibilities.
personality but an adapted one. We come into the world without a filter,
Your soul also works in tandem with
so we don't see anything wrong with
your spirit to produce your life, like a
how we express our emotions, desires,
seed planted into soil. The thoughts
or opinions. However, as time goes
you have are like seeds. When you
on, societal expectations begin to
begin to accept a repetitive thinking
frame who we are and how we think
course, your conscious mind allows the
and respond. Once this conditioning
seed of thought to be planted within
occurs, we either adapt to fit in or
the subconscious mind. Once those
become ostracized.
seeds of thought are sown into your subconscious mind, you will begin
The problem with adapting is that your
to talk, think and act in alignment
soul gets divided, becoming detached
with those thoughts. Your soul is then
from your core. Being detached leads
restructured to fit within your newly
to indecisiveness, codependency,
established thought patterns.
OM TIMES | August 2022
ёYour thought patterns trigger all
feel comfortable speaking your truth
of the emotions and feelings which
about the matter, or did you tuck your
you experience. So putting all of
feelings away because you believed
this into context, our will, intellect,
your voice wouldn't make a difference?
and emotions have likely been
Each time you stop yourself from
programmed by our upbringing and
trusting your gut and moving in
not intentionally designed by you. In
the right direction, your soul gets
essence, parts of you are unexplored,
fragmented.
have never been given expression, and You develop a behavior of dampening
have been repressed.
the voice of your inner guidance,
HOW OUR SOUL GETS FRAGMENTED
and you learn to distrust. Instead of utilizing your innate leadership abilities, you rely on a fear-based
Many of us are living on autopilot and
mindset and cut yourself short.
not realizing it. Think of the times you
Afterward, you kick yourself and
disagreed with someone. Did you
wish that you would have responded
OM TIMES | August 2022
differently. Ultimately this pattern of
bumped into your genius in times of
behavior leads to low self-esteem,
desperation. You've had moments
feelings of resentment, and bitterness.
of power when it seemed like all was failing, and you rose to the challenge
Feelings of envy, anger, and
and conquered. The good news is that
competition start to flood your mind
you can restore your soul, reintegrate
because you know deep within
your inner faculties and live from a
yourself that you have more to offer
place of authenticity.
the world, but you never let yourself out of the invisible prison which always seems to hold you captive. The failure to show up as your authentic self
REMOVING BLOCKS SO YOUR SOUL'S ESSENCE CAN FLOW
always leads to an internal struggle because you know that you've been
To begin restoring your soul, let's look
living a life of compromise. You
at what restoration means. The word
instinctively know that you are more
restore means to build up again, re-
than capable of greatness. You have
establish, and bring back to a former
OM TIMES | August 2022
OM TIMES | August 2022
and better state. Have you ever paused
truth, and it will be liberating. Any
enough to consider that you aren't
investments made to restore your life
operating from your best state?
by reclaiming your soul will reward you with unimaginable dividends, and
Restoring your soul is a process of
you will enjoy learning about who you
revisiting old wounds and recovering
"actually" are in the process.
your power from that moment. Traumatic situations get stored within your body and lock in emotional
HOW TO PUT YOURSELF BACK TOGETHER
responses, creating internal blocks. Once you discover the areas where
Now that you understand the
you have blocks and remove them,
importance of your soul, let's look at
healing and restoration can flow.
the restoration process.
Restoring your soul allows you to facilitate inner healing and a way to
REDEFINE YOUR BELIEFS
reshape your beliefs about yourself in an empowering way. You will
The next time you experience a
discover areas of your life where you
negative situation, take a moment
accepted false beliefs prohibiting your
to reflect on what was occurring in
life. Clearing emotional blocks and
your mind, what emotions you were
wounds will open up your heart to the
experiencing, and what actions you
beautiful person you are and reveal the
took. Then, ask yourself a series of
wonderful opportunities that life has
questions about the event. More
available to you.
than likely, you handled the situation from a reactionary standpoint rather
Imagine the quality of your life once
than intention. The reaction occurred
you've reconnected to your true
simply by the chain reaction of beliefs
nature. Think of how enriching your
you carried triggered by the event.
life will become once you remove the limits of your soul and you can
Once you identify those beliefs, ask
be present in the world as a fully
yourself questions about the belief
integrated person. Once you begin
system to see where it came from.
to change erroneous beliefs, you will
For example, a parent may have told
sharpen your eyes and ears to the
you that working hard is the only
OM TIMES | August 2022
way to succeed in life. So you have
consciousness. Once you examine if
developed a pattern of killing yourself
this belief is true and where it came
as you chase success. Meanwhile, your
from, you will notice what has been
neighbor down the street makes more
shaping your mindset, and you can
money, takes more vacations, and
course-correct it.
seems happier than you.
REOPEN YOUR HEART
It makes life seem unfair that there are successful people who aren't as
The majority of inner wounds stem
hardworking. Erroneous beliefs must
from matters of the heart. Never
be uprooted like weeds in a garden so
receiving love from your mother,
that they can no longer grow in your
having your heart broken, or feeling
OM TIMES | August 2022
betrayed by a friend is the most
you to uncover your originality. Think
devastating. We associate love with
about what truly makes you happy.
a variety of people and interrelated
What motivates you? What have
circumstances. Once our hearts have
you always desired that you believed
been wounded, it makes us question
you could never obtain in your life?
everything about our self-worth and
Once you've found answers to these
esteem. These experiences will cause
questions, begin to write a life script
you to close your heart and interfere
that matches the story that reflects
with expressing or receiving love. You
the real you. Surround yourself with
can't be responsible for other people's
people, places, and things that remind
actions, but you can establish healthy
you of your script. Begin to allow
boundaries that remove those blocked
thoughts, emotions, and desires to
areas to begin to love and value
build within your heart and accept
yourself. Then you'll be able to love
that you deserve to have them.
others in the best way. Being authentically you is your
REWRITE YOUR NARRATIVE
birthright! Your voice is needed, and your opinions matter. The world needs your gifts, talents, and ideas.
What would you tell me if I were to ask
So, restore your soul and reclaim your
you who you are? Would you tell me
power!
about your upbringing, education, or occupation? Notice how none of these
Melvin D Nix is a spiritual teacher,
have anything to do with WHO you
author, and inspirational speaker.
are. When you think of your life and
He currently hosts a broadcast
where you have dreamed of being,
called "Putting On The Pneu
does it match? Are the goals and
You" (pronounced New You). He
aspirations you are striving for even
teaches how to apply universal
your own?
spiritual concepts and principles in an easy-to-understand format
To restore your soul means discovering
so that anyone can apply them
who you are, how you feel, and how
and see tangible results in their
you want to live. You must begin a
daily lives. Visit pneuyou.com for
process of self-discovery that will allow
information.
OM TIMES | August 2022
Breaking the Bondage of “Me” and “Mine”
I
by Shuddhaanandaa Brahmachari
n my last article, “Ignorance:
afflictions as the root of all pains in
The Root of All Suffering,” we
life: Avidya(ignorance), Asmita (ego),
discussed the first of Rishi
Raga (attachment), Devesha (aversion),
Patanjali’s Five Afflictions
and Abhinivesha (fear of death).
(Pancha Kleshas) of Mind. Patanjali,
Humanity has lost its vision due to this
who showed the world the path
clouded state of mind brought about
of Yoga, talks about these five
by these five afflictions. Therefore,
OM TIMES | August 2022
understanding them as the most
there would be no step down
significant aspect of Yoga can help
f rom the absolute state of pure
us find our way through our current
consciousness that results in all
jungle state of mind.
the creations or manifestations of this glorious universe and cosmos.
THE SECOND AFFLICTION: EGO, OR ASMITA
This is the positive side of the story, that because we have avidya, we have this world, our body, our mind,
The second klesha, or affliction that
our thoughts, and all the beauty of
Patanjali talks about, is Asmita,
continual celebrative creations.
derived f rom the Sanskrit root of ashm, meaning “I am.” Asmita,
Then, Asmita, being born out of
or ego, is born the moment our
avidya, even though it can prove
undivided pure consciousness falls
problematic on the surface as “ego,”
from its pure state, and we forget
has a great role to play in our lives.
(avidya) our true divine nature.
Just imagine the world without
Maya or illusion takes over in the
egotistical persons! So the urge
form of a veil or mask, covering the
to create, prove, excel, innovate,
face of our pure consciousness, and
prosper, and play all comes from
as a result, Asmita, or ego, is born.
that one source, the shadow self that is Asmita, or ego.
THE NEED FOR EGO OR ASMITA
THE DOWNSIDE OF EGO IS PAIN
Asmita is vast and needs a lot of meditative contemplation. In
What is the downside of ego? Self-
its grossest form, it is just the
respect and self-esteem are positive
ego, which always tries to catch
parts of a strong character. But ego
attention, find recognition, be
is not. Watch the difference. While
appreciated, and be loved. But
one lifts us, the other destroys us.
let us not underestimate the
How do we know it is ego working?
need for Asmita for the entire
When we are craving attention
creative process. Imagine if there
and recognition, even when we do
is no avidya (self-forgetfulness);
charity or help those in need. We do
OM TIMES | August 2022
“good,” but our tricky minds may be
mind and intellect. The body-mind
silently fishing for compliments. If we
identified Soul creates his or her
are not appreciated, we may become
own opinions, ideas, thoughts,
depressed! We do so much good. But
philosophies, beliefs, and concepts
earn so little! Ego cannot earn! It can
as if they are possessions. The
only spend.
deep bondage of “me” and “mine” spreads its branches all over; the
Ego is a separate identity from the
identification, which started with
state of absolute purity. With ego,
the body and mind, now extends
the pure Soul now identifies with the
to everything the person starts
body and thinks, “I am this body.”
to possess, own, and control. The
The identifications deepen with the
pains follow.
OM TIMES | August 2022
BREAKING FROM THE BONDAGE OF MINE AND ME
Millenniums have passed; civilizations have come and gone, and so much has happened, yet the relevance of Patanjali’s insights is
Ego thrives on problems. It takes its
beyond question. Once we know
food to survive problems and stress.
the cause of pain in our lives, it
The more we struggle to remove all
becomes easy. Then we can work
problems, the more problems cling to
with focused attention to heal
us. To have a peaceful life, we need to
our pains for good. With Asmita
stop fanning the ego and its cravings.
or ego, we must accept it as it is.
Ego creates and sustains problems
Then through prayer, mindfulness,
through its survival instincts!
and meditation, we begin to
Therefore, we need to be watchful
consciously move f rom an ego-
of our thoughts and words. They are
centered life to a soul-centered life,
creating our destiny every moment.
for only soul-centered life can uplift
We empower our thoughts and
us to calm and peace, for that is
words and win without ego winning
what Soul is all about!
by watching, screening, and distilling. As we empower ourselves, we see the
Bodhi (Shuddhaanandaa
dormant potentials of our real self-
Brahmachari, India) is a
manifest, and we become dynamic
globally acclaimed spiritual
outside and calm and passive inside.
teacher with 40 years of
Any identity we create for the world
meditation experience,
is from our ego-self, our shadow-
author, and visionary social
self. Our true identity is hidden in
advocate; he founded Lokenath
the recess of our hearts. How can we
Divine Life Mission serving
be happy with our shadow identity?
thousands of poverty-stricken
How long can we be happy to wear a
individuals. Received Lifetime
mask called personality? When will
Achievement Award, House of
we shed the false persona and know
Lords, UK, 2015. Author: Living
that we are the children of eternal
with My Himalayan Master.
light, that we have come to this
YouTube Channel: Bodhi
transient world only to dive within to
Shuddhaanandaa.
know who we truly are?
www.courseinmindfulness.com OM TIMES | August 2022
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
How to Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance
W
by Lauren Laporte
hen there is no
in our life, although it provides us
balance between
with resources for a decent living. The
your personal life
ambitious ones tend to work hard to
and your work, you
achieve promotions with an intention
might feel exhausted and fatigued
to settle down after a couple of years.
and even as if you were alone, without
However, sometimes they get caught
seeing friends and family often
up in a life that is dull, work-oriented,
enough. People forget that work
and non-satisfactory. Let's see what we
shouldn't be the most important thing
can do to make a relationship between
OM TIMES | August 2022
private and professional life well
Organize your time so that you can
balanced for our welfare.
prepare food and avoid junk food. When it comes to mental health, don't
MAKE ROOM FOR SELF-CARE
ignore the signs of stress or anxiety. If you feel like that, you can start
This means you should detach yourself
meditating a couple of minutes a day
from work during your free time. Try
or doing any other activity detached
not to take work home with you, and
from work that can do you well. Even
if by any chance you're working from
exercising can serve this, since it will
home, organize a space for work, and
boost your energy, other than giving
don't cross the line when you are
you a great shape.
not working. Self-care means that you should not neglect your mental
NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS
and physical health, eating habits, or exercise routine. Many people forget
How often have you canceled
to eat well while at work because they
a friends' gathering because you had
are too busy. Don't fall into that trap.
work to do? If that ever happened,
OM TIMES | August 2022
you might consider slowing down and meeting with some friends before it
FIND A JOB YOU ENJOY
is too late. People are social beings,
Understandably, many people do
and keeping yourself far away from
something they don't enjoy that much.
friends and family can make you feel
However, if you truly hate your job,
isolated, harming your mental health.
your days can be miserable. Consider
But, on the other hand, these people
starting your own business to finally
can help you cope better with some
do something you like if this is the
harsh moments, and if not, it is still a
case. It can be anything from starting
positive thing to do since you will enjoy
a blog to knitting. It depends on you,
some good moments and nurture the
your interests, and your talents. Let's
friendship.
say you like knitting. It is a nice talent OM TIMES | August 2022
that can allow you to start a fashion business. It can start as a hobby if you
SET SOME BOUNDARIES
are unwilling to give up everything
Prevent work burnout, which includes
and pursue a dream. Eventually, it can
work overload, little control overwork,
expand if you put time and effort into
or even discrepancy between job
developing the business. In this case,
requirements and personal values.
a web of suppliers and carriers can
If you work too much and exceed
make the job easier for you, so you only
your limits, you will become less
have to take care of the design. For
productive. The same goes if the
example, a women's knitwear supplier
companies' policies are too rigid,
is a partner to consider for a business
so nobody can ever relax, or if the
like this one.
micromanagement has a bad approach to the employees. Instead,
TAKE A VACATION
learn how to value yourself, don't allow exploitation, try to get along
Going on vacation doesn't count if
with your coworkers, and if there
you're going to look for new emails
is someone who bothers you, be
now and then and think about the
assertive and don't let it affect you
work. Vacations are the best way to
personally.
unplug from work. Ironically, according to the State of American vacation, 55%
Balance is one of the most important
of people leave some days of their
things in almost every aspect of our
vacations unused, and hundreds of
lives. We should be moderate in
thousands of days go to waste. The
everything to achieve mental stability
truth is that you don't benefit from not
and overall welfare. Apply this rule
taking a vacation. Although you might
to your work, and don't let it stand
be overwhelmed if you find some
in having a fulfilled personal life and
backlog after reincorporating, it is still
stable mental and physical health.
better to detach and spend a week
Don't give up on stuff you're talented
or two in someplace you like than
for and if there is something you
constantly spending your time in the
would like to do, give it a try because
same office day after day. A backlog
if you achieve working something you
might not affect you after you come
love, you will rarely feel stressed and
back refreshed and energized.
anxious at work.
OM TIMES | August 2022
Reiki, Stones, and Crystals, Oh My! By OMTimes
R
eiki is much more than just
Perfect in their nature, stones and
healing, Harmonization,
crystals need no extra means to balance
and balance techniques.
themselves. Nevertheless, when used by
The benefits of Reiki go
us or come into contact with charged
far beyond its application to people,
environments, they need to be cleaned,
animals, and environments. This
purified and energized again.
technique can be used in food, plants, and even to clean and improve the
In this way, we believe that through
energies of stones and crystals.
Reiki, we have an effective means of
OM TIMES | August 2022
restoring this original energy and
From cleaning to programming, it is
making this vibrational quality even
up to the Reiki practitioner to decide
more subtle.
the best time to apply.
Reiki can never and will never
Most people prefer to use the
belong to just one person or one
technique after the crystal has been
organization. Reiki is the spiritual
cleaned and energized, but this is a
heritage of all humanity.
personal matter.
– Dr. Mikao Usui When deciding the best time to
HOW TO ENERGIZE MY CRYSTALS USING REIKI?
apply Reiki, simply tune into the energy and place your hands over the crystal. Then use the Cho-Ku-
Reiki energy can be applied at any
Rei symbol for a minimum of three
stage of crystal preparation.
minutes. OM TIMES | August 2022
In the end, give thanks to the power and availability of the entire Crystal
THE ENERGY FREQUENCY OF CRYSTALS AND REIKI
Nation. You probably know that Reiki and Remember that if you don't have
crystals work with energies of subtle
much time to dedicate to this
fields. However, in this case, Reiki is
energizing process, you can apply the
not intended to change the energy
technique for just one minute. Even
frequency of the crystals. Instead, the
if it's only a short time, it's still better
primary purpose would be to amplify
than not doing it.
and facilitate the process. The purpose of energizing a stone or
Reiki's Healing system is based on
crystal with this technique is only to
a profound understanding of the
improve its energetic quality.
construct of the Universe. Therefore, all the processes taking place inside
The idea here is to make use of the
and around us are controlled by the
technique or a symbol to change the
matter of the highest order – the
energetic quality, connecting the Reiki
energy that has Consciousness – Ki.
practitioner's own energy to the work
– Katya Ki
with the crystals. OM TIMES | August 2022
Reiki principles represent the mystical aspect of the art of managing vital energy. They are a guide for our spiritual path. – Katya Ki
THE BENEFITS OF USING REIKI ON CRYSTALS AND STONES As you know, Reiki is an energy that vibrates at a very high frequency. So, when it is applied, the energies tend to become more subtle. The technique is able to increase the vibratory pattern, cleaning and energetically reactivating, causing the energy of a crystal to flow with more balance and harmony.
crystals through the Cho-Ku-Rei symbol.
There are no formal restrictions on the crystal to be infused with Reiki.
THE POWER OF CHO-KU-REI
In general, the application using the Cho-Ku-Rei symbol is recommended,
This Powerful Symbol, Cho-Ku-
but the most important thing is that
Rei, represents protection and
the Reiki practitioner is vibrating in the
transmutation. Its name means Light.
frequency of unconditional love.
It is a power source that allows us to have a connection with the universal
Love is the most powerful force in the
flow of energy (Life Force).
Universe—in this way, the energy can flow faster and more effectively.
Your Reiki Power is like an aura, a glow, and you are radiating out…
Even people who do not practice
no darkness can penetrate you.
Reiki can apply the technique to their
– Hawayo Takata
OM TIMES | August 2022
Cats as Amazing Spiritual Beings!
T
Cats are Energy healers and spiritually sensitive
he cat does not relate to
existing) secret impulses of aggression,
the appearance of a man.
the cat knows. And it defends itself
He sees beyond, inside,
from the cuddle. His relationship is
and out. It relates to the
with what is hidden, kept, and not
essence. If the affectionate gesture is
even we want, know, or can see.
fearful or replaces unacceptable (but
Therefore, when an act of surrender
OM TIMES | August 2022
appears in him, of getting on his lap
Usually, a cat will choose a person
or manifestation of affection, it is very
because of their vibrational field
true, which cannot be disdained.
because, as spiritual animals, they choose someone that matches
It is a gesture of trust that honors
their f requencies.
whoever receives it, as it means People think they adopt the cat,
judgment.
but the cat chooses its owners. The Cats' purring creates a sound vibration that can vary from 20 to
“I believe cats to be spirits come
140 Hz, which coincidentally is the
to earth. A cat, I am sure, could
frequency used to treat various types
walk on a cloud without coming
of illnesses.
through.” ― Jules Verne
“I love cats because I enjoy my CATS AS SPIRITUAL GUIDES:
home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.” ― Jean Cocteau
Spiritual guides are entities that receive the charge to inspire,
As soon as you create an emotional
educate and guide us throughout
connection with a cat, he will share the
all life's paths, supporting and
healing vibrations, even if you don't
assisting our evolutionary process.
notice it. Our guides can vary f rom But, without a doubt, after a while, a
Ascended masters to someone
cat can transform the entire energetic
who acquired wisdom and
vibration of an environment.
became a Master in certain areas and life passages.
A cat that enters a house for the first time will purify its owners' energy
A cat can be one of the many
and aura, and then, their energy
spiritual assistants we gather
transmissions can start changing
during life, as they care for
the frequency and vibration of their
our f requencies and general
physical bodies.
wellbeing. OM TIMES | August 2022
OM TIMES | August 2022
“What greater gift than the love
They are very sensitive, not only to
of a cat.”
f requencies but also to tones of
― Charles Dickens
voices and even smells.
CATS HAVE SPIRITUAL SIGHT
CATS AS DREAM EMISSARIES:
Spirits are everywhere, but we
Every time you dream of a cat, it will
cannot always notice their presence,
bring you an important message,
let alone interact with them.
And even an answer for your immediate problems. The fact is
But cats can do that and much
that independently of what the
more. For example, it is not
dream is, they will have some
uncommon for a cat to look at a
relevance, so it will be best to pay
space and observe that there is
attention to it.
'something" there. BLACK CATS ARE A MORE They do that because they analyze
SENSIBLE TYPE OF CATS
the energy and observe their “There are no ordinary cats.”
behavior and attitude.
― Colette “There are two means of refuge from the misery of life — music
They also announce good Luck and
and cats.”
Prosperity.
― Albert Schweitzer • In Scotland, the black cat CATS HAVE IDENTIFIED INTUITION
appearing at your door is a sign of Prosperity.
Depending on the vibrational frequency of the person, a cat can approach it right away or can keep itself at a distance. It is not uncommon for a cat to hide with
• In Japan, black cats are regarded as a good omen. • In Asia, whoever has a black cat is considered a fortunate person. • In Italy, if you hear a black cat
someone strange comes into the
sneeze, you will have a period of
house.
Luck and joy. OM TIMES | August 2022
Metaphysics
How to Remember Our Past Lives
W
by Eli Bliliuos
hen there is no
friends and family often enough.
balance between
People forget that work shouldn't be
your personal life and
the most important thing in our life,
your work, you might
although it provides us with resources
feel exhausted and fatigued and even
for a decent living. The ambitious
as if you were alone, without seeing
ones tend to work hard to achieve
OM TIMES | August 2022
promotions with an intention to settle
trance. The most significant past life
down after a couple of years. However,
memories will be remembered in
sometimes they get caught up in a life
almost all cases. The past lives that
that is dull, work-oriented, and non-
are directly related to our current
satisfactory. Let's see what we can do
incarnation, and can help us now, will
to make a relationship between private
come to the surface.
and professional life well balanced for our welfare.
LIMITING RELATIONSHIPS
Many religions, including Hinduism,
Most of us have had the experience
Buddhism, and Judaism, subscribe
of being drawn to someone when we
to reincarnation and approximately
first meet them. Alternatively, some
one-third of all adult Americans
people we don't trust intuitively or
believe in past lives. The idea is that
constantly butt heads with. Past life
we repeatedly incarnate to address
memories can shed light on why
karma and learn and grow as souls
we feel the way we do about certain
from experience. There are different
people. It is common for past life
ways to know about our past lives, but
regression clients to identify the
hypnosis is only one way to remember
characters in their memories as past,
them firsthand. A past life regression is
or current family members, friends,
needed to remember our past lives.
and romantic partners. For example, a client who always felt uncomfortable
HYPNOSIS TO EXPLORE PAST LIFE MEMORIES
with a family member learned that this person had wronged her in a different life. Immediately after the session,
The unconscious mind store all our
she felt differently about this family
memories and experiences. The
member, having understood that that
memories can be from both in this
was then, and this is now.
life and past lives. Hypnotic trance enables clients to remember past
PHOBIAS
lives by accessing the unconscious mind. A hypnotist specializing in
In some cases, fears and phobias are
past life regression can help guide
triggered by past life experiences. For
their patients into a relaxed hypnotic
example, one client could not leave
OM TIMES | August 2022
her house during a thunderstorm. During a past life regression, she
SOULMATES
learned that she was killed in battle
There are many other things that can
during a thunderstorm. Once she
be learned during a past life session.
understood the source of her fear,
Soulmates can be identified, and
she overcame it completely. In
hidden talents can be uncovered.
another case, a client who feared
For example, someone who was a
heights overcame his fear after he
musician in a past life may find it
realized he had been pushed off
easier to learn a new instrument in
a cliff in a past life. A skilled past
their current incarnation. Some people
life regression hypnotist will not
learn that they have incarnated with
only help you to remember past
the same soul over and over, primarily
lives but reframe, or let go of, the
as a spouse. Regardless of gender, they
negative experiences that are
are intuitively drawn to one another
impacting you now.
because they are soulmates. OM TIMES | August 2022
THE ULTIMATE REALIZATION Eli Bliliuos, the founder of For most people, remembering past
the NYC Hypnosis Center,
lives helps them accept and understand
has facilitated thousands of
that death is not the end. We all make,
regressions and considers past life
what we perceive as mistakes, but we
and life between lives regression
have many opportunities to learn and
to be his calling in life. He was
grow as we reincarnate. Those who fear
trained by the Michael Newton
dying almost always have a different
Institute and Dr. Brian Weiss.
and positive perspective after the
To learn more about past life
regression. One common theme is that
regression, click here. In addition,
clients remember their past lives, which
Eli facilitates sessions in New York,
will help them understand something
Florida, and online. Click here to
about their current life. Clients get what
visit his Facebook Page.
they need most. OM TIMES | August 2022
Personal Growth & Development We grow as individuals as we face challenges and overcome life’s obstacles. This section is dedicated to helping you chart your course.
The Purpose of Empathy
T
By Judi Lynch
here has been a lot of
Those who study empathy say it
‘buzz’ the last few years in
is acquired both by nature and by
spirituality circles about
nurture. The ability to understand
being an empath. We write
what someone else is feeling and then
about it, discuss how to define it, how
offer support is a skill that many of
to process it, identify it, live with it and
us enhance as we evolve through life.
understand it. What is the real purpose
As children we see examples of great
of empathy in regard to our humanity?
empathy, along with those of shocking apathy, in others around us. We begin
The world is in great need of a big hug
to recognize the difference between
of empathy. We are all stronger, wiser
people who care. Those who are
and better when we can unite in Spirit
sensitive to our needs and those who
and common goals for our future.
disregard our feelings entirely. Some
OM TIMES | August 2022
of us are born incredibly sensitive and
are empathic will reach out to support
feel every emotion through the energy
others and help. It doesn’t have to
that surrounds everything. We often
mean that they absorb another’s
seek comfort in quiet places, away
sorrow and then hold on to it. It is also
from conflict and people who are loud
a skill we use to remember how to stay
and argumentative. Others who are
grounded in our own energy fields
less sensitive may love to argue, seek
when we are comforting someone else
out those who are weaker, criticize
as well. We can feel, care and assist
everyone around them. They too can
while still maintaining our emotional
learn empathy after several years of life
and spiritual balance. Our words and
experience and knowledge.
actions can help another in their healing process when we can relate
Empathy keeps our humanity
to their experience and share that we
alive. It is the ability to care about
have gone through it as well.
and understand each other. Social interaction depends on empathy
Knowing that we are seen, felt and
and common ground to operate in a
heard helps us see others too. It builds
forward, positive manner. People who
our capacity for empathy when we
OM TIMES | August 2022
hold space for another person. As
Characteristics of an empathetic
children, we may test the boundaries
person include being a great listener,
of empathy because we are learning
checking on loved ones regularly,
how and why it matters. Many of us
difficulty saying no and setting
are taught that we should treat others
boundaries, feeling drained in social
as we wish to be treated and until we
situations. It’s important to remember
experience both empathy and cruelty
to set boundaries to avoid getting
by others, do we fully understand why.
overwhelmed by feelings.
There are several different types of
People who lack empathy tend to
empathy. Firstly, understanding how
have little care for those in unfortunate
another person feels, physically feeling
circumstances, usually blaming the
their pain and knowing they are in
victim for their situation. When they
pain just by being near them, sharing
are faced with the same challenges
their existence. People who are
they tend to blame everyone else
highly empathic attract others who
but themselves. They are unable to
are seeking validation and support.
identify with the pain of others who
OM TIMES | August 2022
are different from them or who they
other. We have been consciously
consider below them in status. In the
learning since we incarnated here how
most severe cases, they intentionally
to live healthier, wiser and stronger
hurt others mentally or even physically
through empathy, sowing the future of
in order to take control, feeling entitled
humanity.
to do so. Many empaths learn to read these types of energies, avoiding
Judi Lynch is a psychic medium,
their presence whenever possible or
intuitive counselor, healing channel
have methods of shielding other’s
and author. She is president of the
intentions and negativity.
Crystal Healing Foundation, Inc. a 501(c) spiritual charity and writer
The world is in great need of a big
for OM Times Magazine. She has
hug of empathy. We are all stronger,
authored two books, Friends with
wiser and better when we can unite
Lights and Conscious Ascension
in Spirit and common goals for our
and has read for clients all over the
future. We have survived as human
world. To learn more or contact for
beings because we cared for each
a session see judilynch.com
OM TIMES | August 2022
Balancing Healthy Boundaries
L
by Ginger McBride
earn how to set healthy
Our self-care comes in many forms
boundaries that balance life
and shapes. On certain days it
in four easy steps to help us
may be yoga, working out, eating
thrive and progress!
healthy, and on other days it OM TIMES | August 2022
could mean resting, laughing with
traits, and needs. What is it going
friends, or finding time to enjoy
to take for us to thrive and be
the good things in this life. What
happy?
we define as self-care varies from person to person, which makes
Life can be demanding at times.
it all the more essential when we
We are constantly racing to
need to uphold our boundaries
keep up. A good bit of us is busy
for our own needs. We cannot
f rom when we wake up until
expect people to read our minds.
we fall asleep. There is always
It’s our responsibility to take care
something to do or needs to be
of ourselves, peace, and happiness
done. We toss in f riends, family,
first. Taking time for ourselves is
and relationships, and suddenly
not a selfish act and is essential to
most of our time is accounted for.
thriving in a busy world.
So when do we rest or replenish what we find essential? Through
Self-discovery is critical here. If
perseverance, we make it happen.
we don’t dive in deep to discover
We find the time for us, or more
who we are, finding what we need
likely, we make it. We notice
will be more challenging. This
that we are happier, more lively,
is just one piece of the puzzle.
and less stressed when we do
Even though we have been with
this. These are qualities that can
ourselves f rom the first moment,
benefit our lives in all other areas.
we are constantly discovering new
We can not pour f rom an empty
attributes, details, and changes
cup, but we can practice our
within us. Life can be a rollercoaster
self-awareness when running on
of educational experiences. We
empty.
can choose our responses to life’s stimuli, whether positive or
Once we know what is needed
otherwise. We often hear that we
for our self-care, the next step is
are trying to find ourselves, but
communicating this as kindly as
we are digging deep to see who
possible. This can be tough for
we were the whole time. We may
some, especially those who have
discover details such as habits,
a habit of putting everyone else
behaviors, responses, personality
first. While this is a noble idea,
OM TIMES | August 2022
we might find ourselves wavering
balance. Set aside time, whether
from exhaustion and stress when we
by day, week, or month. Notice the
continuously do this.
changes that occur and what has brought them on. Then, next time we
This is about replenishing our needs
are feeling stressed, we can use it as
to continue to thrive and progress
a tool for our replenishment.
in this life and not about being excessive. This is the fine line that we
A healthy balance for managing our
walk. In a few words, it is all about
lifestyle will always be needed. It
OM TIMES | August 2022
definitely comes with its own set of
Ginger McBride is a wellness
challenges. We may have to decrease
writer, certified health
time in other areas in order to do
coach, wellness expert, and
this. But, things worth having are
entrepreneur. She uses her
generally worth fighting for. So, let’s
knowledge in the health and
get to know ourselves and what we
wellness field to help others
need, communicate this to loved
with their health, inspiring them
ones, and practice it. It will be well
to reach their goals through
worth it in the end!
motivation and education! OM TIMES | August 2022
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
Creating Solutions to the Climate Crisis
C
By Darshan Goswami, M.S., P.E., Pittsburgh, PA, USA
limate change is one of the
climate tipping points are now
most challenging threats
imminent. Climate change could
humanity has ever faced –
cause significant disruptions to
but there are solutions.
ecosystems, society, and economies,
The Climate crisis is real and
potentially making large areas of the
happening now. The crisis is
Earth uninhabitable.
accelerating more rapidly than most scientists anticipated, and many of
The climate crisis is driven by
them are deeply concerned that
emissions of greenhouse gases, the
OM TIMES | August 2022
main contributor to the warming
are still rising. If it continues at the
temperatures. Every additional delay
current rate, global warming will likely
in action will result in worsening
increase Earth's temperature by 1.5°C
consequences of global warming,
between 2030 and 2050. [1]
including more extreme weather events, higher temperature extremes,
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CRISES
and a higher risk of fire, droughts, and flooding.
The impact of climate change can be seen in the massive raging wildfires
Fortunately, the crisis is solvable. There
in California and Turkey. Through the
are plenty of well-understood solutions
surging of global temperatures and
to the climate crisis. We now need the
heatwaves of 49ºC in Canada and
leadership and the courage to change
Morocco; devastating flash floods
course.
in Japan, Europe, the US, India, and China; rapid melting of glaciers; rising
WHAT IS CLIMATE CRISIS?
ocean temperatures; widespread mega-drought; increased respiratory
Climate change is a modification of
diseases; and mass forced human
the global climate over a long period.
displacement that is affecting every
During the past few centuries, humans
living being on Earth. Recent scientific
have released more greenhouse
reports show that the climate crisis is
gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the
only getting more severe and that we
atmosphere, increasing the Earth's
are not prepared for the worsening
temperature and contributing to a
impacts.
serious climate crisis. At least 97% of published climate experts agree that
These impacts specifically affect the
global warming is real and caused
planet's poorest countries and low-
by human activities. The release of
income communities, which face
harmful gases from burning fossil
higher risks of death and displacement
fuels (coal, oil, gas) is the main cause.
from the climate crisis. In addition,
Due to past emissions, the planet has
the record-breaking heat waves are
already heated about 1.2°C, and the
rippling across the planet, bringing
temperature is certain to increase
death and destruction in their wake.
further because greenhouse gas levels
Refusing to address the climate
OM TIMES | August 2022
crisis will cause significant economic
by 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by
damage and global supply chain
2050. In addition, we must transform
interruptions.
businesses to rely on low-carbon energy sources such as hydrogen and
WHAT CAN WE DO?
electricity generated from solar and wind to meet these targets. Because
Many scientists have called for urgent
the climate is already changing,
international action, citing cutting
we also need to adapt. Adaptation
carbon emissions as the only long-
involves preparing for the effects of the
term solution for avoiding the impacts
climate crisis, such as extreme weather
of the climate crisis. We need to focus
events, rising sea levels, and food
on two things to address the climate
insecurity.
crisis: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation involves decreasing the
CLIMATE CRISIS SOLUTIONS
concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by reducing
Greenhouse gases are released when
emissions. If we want to limit warming
oil, coal, and other fossil fuels are
to 1.5℃, we must cut global emissions
burned for energy—the energy we
OM TIMES | August 2022
use to power our homes, cars, and
of the climate crisis. We must
economy. Using less fossil fuel can
gradually phase out fossil fuels
curb our contribution to the climate
and transfer our energy sources to
crisis. Scientists also urge the slashing
clean technologies like solar, wind,
of pollutants, stabilizing the human
biomass, hydro, tidal wave, and
population, and switching to plant-
geothermal. Costs for wind and
based diets.
solar have come down between 60% and 80% since 2010, and battery
Here are 12 promising solutions to
costs have come down 85% in the
tackle the climate crisis and put the
same period. By 2030, the cost of
world on a path to zero emissions by
electricity produced from renewable
2050.
resources will be about half of that generated from coal and gas.
1. Expedite the Deployment of Renewable Energy (RE)
2. Cut Emissions
Renewable energy is the cheapest
To avoid the worst consequences
and safest option to avert the effects
of the climate crisis, we need to
OM TIMES | August 2022
reach "net zero" carbon emissions by
3. Carbon Pricing
2050. We must no longer build fossil fuel inf rastructure, phase out carbon-
To protect our health and well-being
intensive assets, and eliminate fossil
and move beyond fossil fuels, we
fuel subsidies to achieve this goal.
need carbon pollution. Economists
The scale of these changes requires
believe that carbon pricing is the
significant international cooperation.
most effective way to reduce carbon
OM TIMES | August 2022
emissions. Carbon pricing makes
states, industries, utilities, and
polluting more expensive and
other stakeholders to promote
more affordable solutions like clean
energy efficiency investments
energy and electric vehicles (E.V.s).
in the economy, industry, transportation, buildings, and
4. Develop National Renewable
appliances.
Energy Policy 7. Develop Energy Storage Each country must Enact and deploy a comprehensive new
We are already seeing incredible
energy roadmap with innovative RE
progress in energy storage,
policies — such as 40% by 2030 and
battery technology, fuel cells and
100% by 2050 — to create demand,
hydrogen generation/storage, and
new industries and innovation, and
smarter and more flexible energy
a new wave of green jobs.
grids. With newer and better technologies and evolving energy
5. Decarbonize the Electricity
and climate policies, renewed
System and Electrify Everything
investment in energy storage could set the stage for a major transition to renewables.
Expedite a move to electrify transportation by encouraging expanded use of E.V.s and plug-
8. Stop Deforestation and Plant
in hybrids and deploying solar-
Trees
powered E.V. charging stations worldwide. In addition, facilitate the
Cutting forests is a chief contributor
public transportation system of the
to climate change because forests
future with "zero-emission" battery-
and trees are carbon reservoirs.
powered electric buses in all major
While they absorb CO2 from the air
cities.
for photosynthesis, the carbon is released back into the atmosphere
6. Energy Efficiency
whenever they are burned or cleared. Therefore, controlling
To reduce the long-term energy
logging and planting new trees can
demand, it is imperative to engage
offset greenhouse gas emissions.
OM TIMES | August 2022
9. Plant-Based Diet and
products contribute to 15% of
consumption
global greenhouse emissions and threaten human health and
One of the best ways for us
environmental sustainability.
to stop the climate crisis is by
Moreover, animal farming
reducing our meat consumption
significantly contributes to
or by going fully vegan. Animal
deforestation and land use.
OM TIMES | August 2022
10. Work with Governments to
Women with more years of
Take Bold Climate Action
education have fewer, healthier children and actively manage their
Work with government leaders
reproductive health, and therefore
worldwide to set aggressive goals
a lower carbon footprint.
[2]
for climate solutions that create jobs, protect people, and cut
Climate change poses existential
pollution. In addition, governments
threats to humanity. Today's
worldwide need to adopt climate
climate crisis can be averted
action plans that comply with
by radically reducing carbon
international standards.
emissions f rom fossil fuels and other greenhouse gases. First,
11. Protect Oceans
however, all countries must live up to the commitments of the Paris
Oceans absorb large amounts
Agreement.
of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which helps to keep
Some scientists have found that
our climate stable. But many are
we may have already reached
overfished, used for oil and gas
irreversible climate destabilization.
drilling, or threatened by deep-sea
Climate change could render a
mining. So protecting oceans and
significant portion of the Earth
marine life is key to protecting the
uninhabitable, creating increased
environment from climate crises.
social, economic, and political crises in the very near future if left
12. Educate Girls
unchecked.
Education is the most powerful
Decisive actions and policy
tool for breaking the cycle of
changes are needed to effectively
international poverty while
combat climate crises and ensure
mitigating emissions by curbing
the planet's health. While real
population growth. Educating girls
solutions will require global action,
is one of the most cost-effective,
each of us can make small changes
high-impact ways for every nation
in our day-to-day lives to lower our
to fight rising temperatures.
impact on the environment. OM TIMES | August 2022
I believe that the threats posed by
everywhere must tackle the climate
the climate crisis can be solved with
crisis by making massive investments
technologies and the science that
in large-scale renewable energy
already exists. Moreover, the above
projects. Through a powerful
solutions are favorable for creating
combination of informed policy
millions of jobs, protecting the health
and personal choices, we must
of our communities, and fostering
ensure that the planet is safe and
a stronger, cleaner, more equitable
inhabitable for ourselves and future
economy.
generations. If we do not take action now, the damage f rom climate
To transition to a 100% clean energy
change could be much greater and
economy by 2050, policymakers
longer-lasting.
OM TIMES | August 2022
References:
Skeptical Science (2017). The 97% consensus on global warming. https://skepticalscience. com/global-warming-scientific-consensusin... Brookings: Why is girls' education important for climate action?
at Pittsburgh's United States Department of Energy (DOE). He is a registered professional electrical engineer with a passion and commitment to promoting, developing, and
Darshan Goswami, MS, PE,
deploying renewable energy
has more than 40 years of
resources and the hydrogen
experience in the energy field.
economy. The author
He worked as a Project Manager
supports India Foundation for
for Renewable Energy, Micro-
Children Education and Care,
grid, and Smart Grid projects
Inc. (www.ifcare.org).
OM TIMES | August 2022
Books
THREE PILGRIMAGES FOLLOWING GEESE, STARS, AND HUNCHES ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
BEEBE BAHRAMI
El
Camino
When long-time trekker, writer, and anthropologist Beebe Bahrami made her first full 500-mile hike on the Camino de Santiago, via the Way of Saint James, across southern France and northern Spain, she met French and Spanish pilgrims who told her that the Camino was more than a Christian pilgrimage. They explained that it was also a great leyline, a path of earth energy that could transform one by walking. They added that under the 1,200-year-old Christian pilgrimage road, a more ancient, preChristian initiatory path could take one deeper into spiritual experience and consciousness. A person engaged it by looking for signs along the way. Signs? Many, she learned, but that the most potent were those associated with the goose.
Omtimes.com
Ancient Leylines The leyline idea made sense to her, for she was already feeling it as she stepped along, an uncanny hum from the earth that seemed to support her every step. But signs and geese? What did this have to do with pilgrimage, let alone spiritual initiation? She dismissed it as a wonky idea, dropped it quickly on the trail, and forgot about it. But the goose would not leave her alone. It appeared as Bahrami walked, in village and landscape feature names, on medieval churches and monasteries, and most unusually, as a part of a massive inlaid stone board game, the Game of the Goose, in the Plaza de Santiago, the Spanish name for Saint James, in the Riojan city of Logroño. Omtimes.com
A popular European children’s game similar to Snakes and Ladders, in Logroño Bahrami, learned that the Game of the Goose was intentionally set there by city planners and with the church’s blessings to serve as a metaphor for the pilgrimage, as well as for life. She learned that the goose was seen as a creature of luck. But what else did the goose mean beyond luck, signs, and children’s game? What really led it to become associated with spiritual initiation, pilgrimage, and the Camino? No one seemed able to give her a straight answer, but by now, she was intrigued.
It took Bahrami three returns on three more through-treks on pilgrim paths in southwestern France and northern Spain to unearth the answers, ones that were rooted in ancient, preChristian times and that had survived to the present in the seemingly innocuous form of the goose. As Bahrami pursued the mystery of the goose, part skeptic, and part seeker, she encountered wise and humorous locals, quirky and questing pilgrims, and unusual evidence in stones, local stories, and practices that revealed that the way of the wild goose was indeed a real and vibrant pathway, a parallel universe to the Christian Camino de Santiago.
Omtimes.com
She discovered that though the medieval Camino was officially dedicated to Saint James the Greater, older native goddesses and gods still dwelled under the surface and continued to influence the way. Most stunning, she found that the goose was very likely an ancient Eurasian earth-centered mother goddess who took many forms, but the goose was among her most prominent forms or association. Ideas about the goose were crumbs, clues, and survivors of an older spirituality, ones that even found their way into stories of Mother Goose. n all this, what Bahrami did not anticipate was that the outer goose adventure would take on an inner twist; that way of the wild goose would pull her into her own initiatory journey.
I She began as a curious bumbling trekker and ended a seeker on a full-blown medieval adventure in modern times.
This three-part, the outer and inner adventure of The Way of the Wild Goose is a travel narrative about wild nature, ancient roads, and mysterious lore that tells a modern story of initiation, challenge, trail magic, and deep personal transformation. Something of a cross between Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, and Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, The Way of the Wild Goose is a travel narrative and a detective story unearthing an old mystery and unfurling with it a magnetically alive and meaningful long walk on the ancient roads in France and Spain..
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Beebe Bahrami is an award-winning travel writer and anthropologist known for her travel narratives, memoirs, and guidebooks. Her most recent book, Moon Camino de Santiago (Avalon Travel/Hachette, 2019), firmly established her as an expert on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes in southern France and northern Spain. She has dedicated three decades to unearthing the mysteries, lore, and many-sensory experiences of this massive and ancient network of roads that are all destined for the northwest of Iberia. Bahrami is also known for her essays and articles on travel, archaeology, outdoors and adventure, food, and wine, and spiritual and cross-cultural themes.
A Colorado native based in southern New Jersey, Bahrami extends her idea of home on regular visits, seminomadic treks, explorations, and excavations in southwestern France and northern Spain, one of Europe’s most ancient, deeply traversed, wild, and culturally rich landscapes. Ever since she first stepped onto the Camino de Santiago in 1995, she knew she had found her place in the world and has delved deeply into these ancient paths and places across France and Spain.
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