OMTimes Magazine November A 2019 Edition

November A Issue

Sulwe

LUPITA NYONG’O

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CONTENTS HEALTH & HEALING

42

17 BEST FOODS FOR A MEN

48

ONE HEALTHY CHANGE LEADS TO ANOTHER

SPOTLIGHT

SPIRITUALITY

54

SPIRIT DOESN’T NEED A MOBILE PHONE

58

RAISING CONSCIOUSLY CONFIDENT KIDS USING ANCIENT WISDOM PRINCIPLES

62

GIVING YOURSELF UP IS LIFTING YOURSELF UP

LUPITA NYONG’O Sulwe - Brightness Is Just Who You Are

TRENDS HOW TO BECOME A BETTER YOGA INSTRUCTOR

METAPHYSICS

96 THE FIVE STEPS TO ANIMAL LESSONS 100 HOW SPACE CLEARING HELPS PLACES

WORLD VISION

AND PEOPLE THRIVE

106 THE METAPHYSICS OF SELF-POWER OMLIVING

70

DYING WITH GRACE

88

4 WAYS TO COMBAT COMPASSION FATIGUE

SEASONAL FALL HARVEST: HOW ABOUT SOME APPLE CIDER

PROSE & POETRY TO BOLDLY GO LIVING IN THE GAP

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THE 6 SLIPPERY STEPS TO END SUFFERING

& FOREVER Editor in Chief Publisher Managing Editor Article Layout Cover Designer Greek Edition: Social Media:

Liane Buck Christopher Buck Lisa Shaw Sean Keenan Vik Leigh Christos Archos Iryn Fernando

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L U P I T A

N Y O N G ’ O

Sulwe

NOVEMBER 2019

In this stunning debut picture book, Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.

Sulwe

BRIGHTNESS IS WHO YOU ARE

By Liane Buck

From Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.

Sulwe’s skin is the color of midnight. She’s darker than everyone in her family, and everyone at school. All she wants is to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister.

Then a magical journey through the night sky opens Sulwe’s eyes and changes everything.

Photo @ Simon and Shuster

OMTIMES MAGAZINE

|

What is colorism and why does actress Lupita Nyong’o say it is an offspring of “racism “ “I grew up feeling uncomfortable with my skin color because I felt that the world around me had clear skin,” said Mexican-Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o.

Lupita, who was the Oscar winner for her role in the film 12 Years a Slave, and it is one of the many facets of racism.

The term — coined by Afro-American and feminist writer Alice Walker — refers to a type of discrimination that privileges people with lighter skin within a group for that reason.

When I was in the second grade, one of my teachers said, “Where are you going to find a husband? How are you going to find someone darker than you?” I was mortified. I remember seeing a commercial where a woman goes for an interview and doesn’t get the job. Then she puts a cream on her face to lighten her skin, and she gets the job! This is the message: that dark skin is unacceptable. I definitely wasn’t hearing this from my immediate family – my mother never said anything to that effect – but the voices from the television are usually much louder than the voices of your parents.

Lupita Nyong’o

OMTIMES MAGAZINE

|

Sulwe is part of Lupita, who said she completely identifies with the little girl in the book: “She is myself when I was 5”.

When I decided to write my book for children called #Sulwe inspires me in the feelings and fantasies of this little girl. With this book, I want to show it as a mirror. And these are my reasons.

“It makes me feel uncomfortable with my own hair and wanting to have a different hair,” he said.

Before moving to the United States, the actress was raised in Kenya, where, according to her, she was a victim of “colorism.”

“You can experience colorism in a world that does not necessarily confront racism directly. This was my experience in Kenya.

We were a predominantly black society, but still the same as obeying the Eurocentric standards of beauty. And it affects how we see ourselves and others.”

European standards of beauty are something that plague the entire world – the idea that darker skin is not beautiful, that light skin is the key to success and love. Africa is no exception.

Lupita Nyong’o Lupita Amondi Nyong’o was born in Mexico City on March 1, 1983. She is a KenyanMexican actress.

The daughter of Kenyan politician Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o. She was raised in Kenya from the age of one.

OMTIMES MAGAZINE

Later in life, she attended college in the United States,earning a bachelor’s degree in film and theater studies from Hampshire College.

Lupita Nyong’o began her career in Hollywood as a production assistant. In 2008, she made her acting debut with the short film East River and subsequently returned to Kenya to star in the television series Shuga (2009–2012).

Also in 2009, she wrote, produced and directed the documentary In My Genes.

Lupita Nyong’o said that in Kenya she was not aware that she belonged to the black race. “It’s a complete idea, but the relationship with my color was separate from my relationship with my race,” she says.

However, that changed when she moved to the United States.

'Suddenly, the Black terminology started to mean things and behaviors I was not aware existed.'

But this is the reality of Lupita Nyong’o: A daughter of a prominent opposing political leader of Kenya, she grew up in Nairobi without ever knowing if her father would come home at night or be sent to jail without a trial or judgment.

After graduating from a film school in the United States, she returned to Africa to work as a production assistant in the ranks of The Constant Gardener, whose protagonist Ralph Fiennes urged her to perform. |NOVEMBER A EDITION

Sassy

Teen Magazine

Some years later, she claimed an Oscar as the best actress in her first serious role, in 12 years as a Slave and prepared to play the computerized persona Maz Kanata in Star Wars. This was a meteoric rise. As a vocal activist for the campaign #OscarsSoWhite – She was one of the few black women to win the golden statuette.

Lupita Nyong’o is the indispensable person to introduce and keep the debate about the diversity in the cinema. In this context, her film Queen of Katwe feels very timely: Yes, and despite being produced

by Walt Disney Pictures, don’t expect fairy tales and singing frogs.

The film is based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a girl from a neighborhood in Kampala, Uganda, who stands for her vocation as a prodigal teacher. Queen of Katwe is the colorful true story of a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda and her journey of discovery of her abilities.

The Beauty and the Message In Sulwe We don’t get to pick the genes we want.

There’s room in this world for beauty to be diverse. Lupita Nyong’o “Sulwe,” tells the story of a girl in East Africa and her feeling of discomfort over dark skin. In an article in The New York Times, Lupita said the book’s main character, a “dark-skinned girl,” embarks on an adventure that “awakens her sense of beauty.”

Lupita had spoken a few times about her racism and the difficulty she had when she was younger in accepting the color of her |NOVEMBER A EDITION skin.

OMTIMES MAGAZINE

|NOVEMBER A EDITION

BRIGHTNESS IS JUST WHOYOUARE

“I was very teased about my night-colored skin, and my only request to God was to wake up with lighter skin. I would wake up and get so excited to see the new skin that I refused to look at myself until I was. in front of a mirror because I wanted to see my face first.

Each morning, I experienced the same disappointment of staying as dark as the day before, “Lupita reported in the article.

Therefore, the protagonist of the book will learn that beauty can come in all colors.

“She learns things we learn as children and spend our whole lives trying to unlearn.

This is a story for little ones, but no matter how old you are, I hope it serves as an inspiration for everyone to walk happily on their own. Skin, “She wrote.

She wants children reading her book to rethink “what it means to be beautiful.”

Sulwe, whose name means star, has a midnight skin darker than anyone in his family or school. With this, the girl wants to look more like her mother and sister.

Then a magical journey in the night sky opens your eyes and changes everything.

The work is inspired by the actress’s own experience and brings a reflection on patterns and the importance of recognizing value and beauty in itself since childhood.

22

Sulwe, whose name means star, has a midnight skin darker than anyone in his family or school.

With this, the girl wants to look more like her

Social Changes Through Awareness Lupita Nyong’o is not unfamiliar with social

mother and sister.

themes, being more than a storyteller, she is

Then a magical journey in the night sky opens

creator, director, editor, and producer of the

also a filmmaker, having served as the

your eyes and changes everything.

award-winning feature documentary, In My

The work is inspired by the actress’s own

eight individual Kenyans who have one

experience and brings a reflection on patterns and

thing in common: they were born with

the importance of recognizing value and beauty in

albinism, a genetic condition that causes a

itself since childhood. Despite being elected the

lack of pigmentation.

Genes. The documentary follows

most beautiful woman in the world, Lupita revealed in interviews that she was not always

In many parts of Africa, including Kenya, it is

accepted. This is precisely why she decided to

a condition that marginalizes, stigmatizes,

write a book full of representativeness, an

and even endangers those who have it.

essential element for her to be able to transform the look on her body and color.

The intention of the actress with the publication is to bring black representation to this type of material, which usually uses the figure of white girls for the narrative.

“She is a black girl who goes on a big adventure and wakes up with a new perspective on her sense of Beauty. Sulwe finds lessons we learn as

Though highly visible in a society that is predominantly black, the reality of living with albinism is invisible to most.

Through her intimate portraits, Nyong’o enables us to see their challenges, humanity, and everyday triumphs. IN MY GENES is the eye-opening story of vision, violence and the value of human difference set in Kenya’s vibrant capital city, Nairobi, and her

children and spend our lives unlearning.

environs. Shot in 2006, before the news of

This is a story for the little ones, but no matter how

the film is both heartrending and

old, I hope it will inspire everyone to walk more

the rampant murders of albinos in Tanzania, invigorating in tone.

joyfully in their own skin, ”she wrote.

I come from a loving, supportive family, and my mother taught me that there are more valuable ways to achieve beauty than just through your external features. She was focused on compassion and respect, and those are the things that ended up translating to me as beauty. Lupita Nyong’o

OMTIMES

NOVEMBER A EDITION 2019

Albinism, the inherited genetic condition that causes little or no pigmentation in the eyes, skin, or hair, has been wrought with misunderstanding among many African communities, and Kenya is no exception.

Being a person with albinism comes with constant stares, stigma, stereotypes, and discrimination. Some common misconceptions are that children with albinism are products of affairs with white men, that the condition is contagious, affects the brain development of the individual and, most traditionally, that they are a curse or a bad omen.

While IN MY GENES addresses these misconceptions, this is not another “Oh-Poor-Africa” documentary. The stories are an affirmation of what individuals under great persecution can make of themselves and what they can then inspire and challenge in us. It is a film of such effortless intimacy, subtle glimpses, and honest examination. The images are unforgettable, and the stories resonate, reminding us of what it means to be human, what it means to love.

Sulwe, a Book from Lupita Nyong’o · Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 15, 2019) · Length: 48 pages · ISBN13: 9781534425361

OMTIMES

IN MY GENES celebrates the resilience and vibrancy of people who sorely stand out from the crowd and manage to teach the world a thing or two about transforming perceived weakness into strength in the process.

IN MY GENES celebrates the resilience and vibrancy of people who sorely stand out from the crowd and manage to teach the world a thing or two about transforming perceived weakness into strength in the process.

NOVEMBER A EDITION 2019

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

The Best Foods for A Men

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We compiled a list of 17 best foods for men that can help prevent and deter the main health conditions for males in diverse ages.

1. Lean Meat: Red meat is an important component in a men’s’ diet and can be good for you. Lean cuts

of beef (and even pork) are loaded with protein and is also one of the best sources of leucine, an amino acid that helps men build muscle. The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: lean beef, 1 oz (round, sirloin, flank, tenderloin, chuck, rump), and lean pork, 1 oz (boiled ham, turkey bacon, tenderloin, chops) once or twice a week.

2. Fish and Shellfish: as well as other types of seafood and fish are rich in zinc and omega 3 fatty acids.

Zinc is a critical mineral for heart, muscles, and the male reproductive system.

Zinc deficiency has shown to increase poor sperm quality as well as male infertility. Studies suggest two servings of fish per week (salmon or halibut) can lower your chances of dying from heart disease.

The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: 2 sardines, 2 oz shellfish (clams, crab, lobster, scallops, shrimp), 1/4 cup of tuna (canned in water), 1 oz fish (fresh or frozen, not breaded).

3. Soy Products: The strongest protection against prostate cancer is soy. This includes tofu, miso soup, and soymilk. According to a study of more than 40 nations, soy offers an excellent source of dietary fiber and protein. It is rich in vitamin B6 and important in building amino acids and forming neurotransmitters.

Soy is a rich source of isoflavones, the plant hormone that researchers believe could account for Asia’s low rate of heart disease. In recent clinical trials, men and women with high LDL (bad cholesterol) levels were able to reduce them by consuming soy over an extended period. The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: Tofu can be enjoyed as a meat substitute, one to two times per week. Do not consume soy if you have a dominant estrogen disorder.

4. Eggs: are a super source of lutein, protein, and iron, and that is from eating the whole egg. If you have high cholesterol, enjoy the egg whites. The Full Spectrum Omtimes.com

Diet rule of thumb: one whole Egg per serving or 3 egg whites.

5. High Fiber Cereal: Fiber ensures that the digestive system is working properly to expel waste and maintain good health throughout our lifetimes! It is another wellknown fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Fiber should, therefore, be incorporated into your daily breakfast to ensure that your system gets the best possible kick-start every single day. High fiber cereals are readily available, and just a bowlful can often give you more fiber than the rest of your daily meals put together.

6. Brown Rice: an excellent source of manganese, and a good source of the mineral’s selenium and magnesium.

The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary Omtimes.com

fiber and essential fatty acids.

7. Berries: The colorful pigments that give berries their beautiful blue and red hues are also good for your health. Berries contain phytochemicals and flavonoids that may help to prevent some forms of cancer. Cranberries and blueberries contain a substance that may prevent bladder infections.

A diet rich in blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and strawberries may help to reduce your risk of several types of cancers.

Blueberries and raspberries also contain lutein, which is important for healthy vision. Strawberries contain over 100 mg of vitamin C, almost as much as a cup of orange juice, as well as trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, folate, and potassium.

8. Avocado: is rich in monounsaturated fat, a “good� fat, which benefits the body. Avocados can benefit cholesterol when it replaces saturated or trans

fats in your diet. It can lower your “bad� cholesterol (LDL) as well as your overall total cholesterol level. The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: no more than 25%35% of your daily calories come from all types of fat. Olive oil and nuts also contain good fats. Enjoy 1/8 of an avocado per serving.

9. Tomatoes: rich in lycopene, tomatoes are a preventative food and are beneficial. Cooked tomatoes and tomato sauce are known to have the phytonutrient, lycopene, which has shown to fight off prostate cancer by 35 to 45 percent in those who eat it ten times or more a week. Proper absorption is key, and that includes lycopene with some goodfat, which tomato sauce has.

The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: Ten tablespoons of spaghetti sauce will do the trick as opposed to 164 raw tomatoes per week. A note on tomatoes: once a man has a problem with the prostate eliminate tomato and tomato products as they are too acid for

an environment where inflammation is present.

10. Vegetables in Every Color: because they are packed with phytochemicals, plant-based nutrients that boost immunity, cell health, and protect against cancer. Eat different colored vegetables helps you get the many different types of phytochemicals you need.

The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: Enjoy 7-9 servings of different colored vegetables per day. 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw is one serving size.

11. Whey Protein: Out of the many protein sources out there, whey protein is the ultimate. It comes from milk. During the process of turning milk into cheese, whey protein is separated out. It is found in powdered form, in milk and yogurt and is another source of leucine.

Leucine is a great musclebuilding amino acid. The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: Choose yogurt that is plain and/or low fat or fat-free. Greek yogurt is an even better choice. Yogurt Omtimes.com

is loaded with protein, potassium, and the good “friendly� bacteria that keep the gut healthy. Drink fatfree milk or light yogurt, about 8 oz per serving.

12. Bananas: is rich in potassium. Potassium is a critical component in muscle contractions and bone health, Bananas can also help regulate blood pressure.

The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: 3 medium size bananas are all you need to fulfill your daily dose of potassium. Bananas should not be eaten if you have a phlegm condition as it can aggravate this problem (sinus congestion, common cold, or expectorating phlegm.)

13. Tart Cherries: Cherry juice is an amazing remedy for soothing sore muscles.

The pigment in cherries and cherry juice mimics the effects of certain antiinflammatory drugs, without the side effects. The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: Eat up to 12 cherries in one serving.

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14. Ginger: like cherries, ginger has antiinflammatory properties that help the body recover when you push yourself too hard. Eating ginger regularly may help reduce exercise-related muscle injuries and pain from exercise or overexertion.

The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: Ginger can be enjoyed as a tea or supplemental tonic. Slice up a few slices and grate over salads or stir fry with meat or chicken.

15. Dark Chocolate: is a heart-smart food. It may improve blood flow and circulation. The flavanols in dark chocolate, studies suggest, may decrease levels of LDL or bad cholesterol, improve circulation, and regulate blood pressure. Men with poor blood flow are more likely to develop many illnesses, including poor sex drive, erectile dysfunction, andropause, depression, and poor muscle tone and function. The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: dark

chocolate, up to 1 oz per day instead of other sweets or sugars. More than this amount will cause weight gain. Mind your portions!

16. Nuts: are a great source of “good” quality fats and provide protein, fiber, and zinc. It also satisfies the urge for that crunchy, salty, savory midday snack.

Pistachios and walnuts stand out because they’re higher in plant sterols that can improve cholesterol levels and also tonify the kidneys.

A 1 oz. Serving of Brazil nuts has seven times the recommended daily value of selenium. The Full Spectrum Diet rule of thumb: just one handful will satisfy your daily requirement of a good fat snack. More than this amount will cause the scales to tip in the wrong direction.

Mind your portions!

17. Coffee: First, there’s the potential effect coffee has on type 2 diabetes risk.

Type 2 diabetes makes heart disease and stroke more likely. Coffee may counter several risk factors for heart

attack and stroke. Besides that, coffee has been linked to lower risks for heart rhythm disturbances (another heart attack and stroke risk factor) in men and women, and lower risk for strokes in women.

In a study of about 130,000 Kaiser Permanente health plan members, people who reported drinking 1-3 cups of coffee per day were 20% less likely to be hospitalized for abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) than nondrinkers, regardless of other risk factors.

A 2009 study from Finland and Sweden showed that out of 1,400 people followed for about 20 years, those who reported drinking 3-5 cups of coffee daily were 65% less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, compared with nondrinkers or occasional coffee drinkers.

Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac http://www.peacefulmind. com Therapies for healing mind, body, spirit

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One Healthy Change Leads to Another

By Carl Greer, PhD, PsyD

Are you resisting a change you know you should make?

Making changes in one area of your life might help you notice where else you need to make them. Very often, one healthy change leads to

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another because you create momentum and develop confidence. As you start to exercise more, you might start to catch yourself eating less of the junk foods that you used to eat mindlessly. Give up coffee for green tea and you might find yourself making other small changes such as stretching more often during the day.

Change is a part of life, and when we learn to make healthy changes, however small, we remind ourselves that a transformation process doesn’t have to be extremely difficult or deeply uncomfortable. In fact, it can be invigorating and lead to a greater sense of well-being.

Feeling fewer aches and pains as a result of changing your exercise habits, feeling more energized in the morning—these kinds of results can motivate you to make even more changes.

However, you might also want to reward yourself for having replaced some habits and following through on

your commitment to make your changes stick. That reward might be simply sitting and writing out a story of your transition from struggling with a problem to achieving success. Pay attention to how you feel as you write your story, acknowledging what you did. Let yourself feel proud of the success you achieved.

The confidence and pride you feel can be a very satisfying reward that motivates you to set a new goal and begin the process of transformation again.

Let’s say you begin to eat better, which then helps you to be less depressed, more confident, and ultimately, more assertive. That happens because you have set goals and worked hard to meet them. You may well start to feel excited about working toward goals you would never have set before.

Your desires, goals, and priorities can change over time. As you develop courage and confidence, you might

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find yourself dreaming bigger and setting goals for changing areas of your life you used to think you couldn’t possibly change. For example, you might come to believe you truly can rid yourself of some of your aches and pains related to aging or a physical condition.

Developing greater physical strength and stamina might not seem so hard to achieve after all. On the other hand, you might decide you no longer want to work quite so hard at improving your physical health and instead want to simply enjoy your body more, doing exercise that’s pleasurable rather than a chore.

As you think about one change you would like to make, set a small goal. It could be cutting out sugary beverages, meditating for five minutes three mornings a week, or writing down each night three things you are grateful for when it comes to your health and well-being.

Persist at achieving that goal even if you miss the mark a

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few times. Keep going until you finally achieve it. Then check in with how you feel.

Notice whether you have more confidence. Notice what you discovered about yourself. Give yourself credit for learning about how you went about getting back on track toward meeting the goal. Let yourself feel proud for having pushed yourself to meet your goal, however small it was. You have made one good change that stuck.

Now you can open yourself up to believing that this one good change will lead to another. What will your next change be? In this way, you can experience your ability to transform any aspect of your life and even change the story of your health.

Carl Greer, PhD, PsyD, is a practicing clinical psychologist, Jungian analyst and shamanic practitioner. He teaches at the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago and is on staff at the Replogle Center for Counseling and Well-Being. Learn more at CarlGreer.com.

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.

Spirit Doesn’t Need a Mobile Phone

By John Holland Are you tired of always rushing around? How are you handling your digitally driven life? I’ve noticed that everywhere I go, everyone has their eyes on their cell phones. We’re living in a new world where our digital devices are speeding up and maybe even taking control of our lives.

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I remember the days before email, before Facebook, and even before everyone, including young children, had mobile phones. My older friends remember having to handwrite letters and drop them in a mailbox to correspond with their family and friends. Then there was the dial-up landline telephone followed by the novelty of sending a fax. Now it’s the explosion of all things digital.

The net effects of all this instant communication is that we’re always rushing. There doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. We’ve become more impatient, more intolerant, and more about results than the journey getting there! These days, we want things done yesterday and expect things to just materialize or happen when we want them to.

I see how dependent we’ve become to our phones, especially when I’m at the movie theater. Seconds before the film starts, everyone takes one last glance before turning them off. The glow around the cinema says it all.

I’m not saying that the digital age doesn’t have its advantages. Over the years, I’ve had to learn to embrace technology myself. I’m proud to say that I Tweet and Instagram regularly, and I love connecting with all of you on my Facebook page and this newsletter.

Yet with a heavy heart, I believe that all this technology has surpassed our spirituality.

As a medium, I’ve long realized that Spirit is not bound or constrained by what we know as physical time, such as 60 minutes in each hour, 24 hours in each day, and so on. Time, clocks, and calendars—whether on our walls or on our mobile devices—are things we’ve created to keep our lives structured and in some type of working order.

In the Spirit World, the idea of time is totally different. It’s a popular misconception that the Spirit World is somehow part of our world. In reality, it’s the other way around. We are and always will be a part of theirs.

I may be a medium, but when it comes to spirit communication

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and receiving messages, I know I have to follow their rules. They have their own timing, their own agenda, and their own special way of getting a message to you unexpectedly, just when you need it. And they don’t need an iPhone or social media to come through!

Trust me when I say: When they want to reach out to someone here, they know exactly the time and place, and the perfect conditions for sending a message.

JOHN’S MESSAGE We so rarely take the time to pause long enough to become aware of the beautiful details around us, or take time to meditate, or even remembering that’s it’s okay to simply … breathe.

Just for today, let’s turn off our devices and listen to the world around us. Hear the birds chirping, the wind blowing, or the peaceful sound of silence.

Have a real conversation with the person next to you. And listen for messages from Spirit.

They’ve been patiently waiting to get your attention.

Live a Soul-filled life!

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The Magic Of Conscious Relationships Try Ascending Hearts.Com For Free

Raising Consciously Confident Kids using Ancient Wisdom Principles.

By Sarah Mane

There is a spectre haunting the world. Go to any dinner party, any gathering around the barbecue, any place where adults gather, and the

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conversation is just as likely to turn to the problem of children these days.

And the second, and more important question is, what to do about it?

They can’t spell, they can’t add up, their noses are buried in their electronic devices, they can’t speak in complete sentences. Worse, they have no resilience, no sense of proportion. Their grandfathers stormed the beaches of Normandy, they collapse if they don’t get the cinnamon sprinkles on their latte; robust debate was the meat and drink of a previous generation, now people find they can’t sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner with family.

So, what has gone wrong?

Much ink has been spilled on this question, but the basic answer is that people have forgotten who they truly are. They have lost connection with the limitless consciousness within. As a result, there is a rise in fear and insecurity in society.

Is this just another example of how each generation always thinks the next is weak and fragile? Do the anecdotal stories of young men who can’t get themselves off the couch, and young women crying when their boss corrects their spelling indicate something fundamental has gone wrong?

If it has, the first question is: What has happened?

Hence a bright, intelligent, capable young man or woman can go to pieces over something minor. They lack the depth of self-knowledge and the emotional literacy to deal with the normal ups and downs of life. Their confidence is egg-shell thin, and cracks at the smallest opposition. There has been a hollowing out from within.

So what can we do? Let’s look at a few suggestions from the ancient wisdom traditions.

Plato (the ancient Greek philosopher), tells us that children should be cured of self-will by three years old, and fear by six. He tells us that the

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natural discipline and guidance of the mother first, and then the father as well, will do this.

This implies that if there is no such focused intervention, then the child will be left in a state of weakness. They will be spoilt, wilful and inwardly anxious.

Another tradition says that children need love and discipline, both in a balanced measure, neither too much nor too little of either. If too much love is given, then the child becomes wilful and spoilt; and if too much discipline is applied, they become hard and resentful.

Young children are full of faith. So, said Shantananda Saraswatī, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath in the latter decades of the twentieth century. This means they will accept whatever the loving adults in their life – parents, teachers – present. So, he said, make sure the children receive rich, beautiful, useful, truthful information. But he also said that up to the age of ten, the basic principles of life should also be instilled. This

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is actually the more important part of a child’s education and upbringing.

What are these basic principles? Every culture expresses them in its own unique way, but they are common to all cultures: don’t lie; don’t steal; love your neighbour as yourself; reverence a power higher than yourself; live a life that is careful of your own needs but also those of others around you; hard work and diligence reap their own rewards; respect those who came before you; leave something beautiful for those who come after you.

These principles can be expressed in other ways, but all appeal to a fundamental reason, goodness, and common sense.

These basic guides for life need to be communicated with love and discipline to young children. This is enormously effective in building confidence, strength, courage, resilience, compassion, and the other

cardinal virtues in the young.

After ten-years-old young boys and girls are ready to start applying these principles to the problems and issues that life throws at them. They are still under the care and guidance of loving adults, but they must now begin to fall down and pick themselves up.

These are the simple ways to give the next generation the tools and the platform on which they can build a life that is unique to themselves is a credit to their parents and teachers and is a source of strength and even wisdom to others.

Let’s take this even further.

While the basic principles of life must be imparted, and the child cured of self-will and fear, there are also a few basic life-lessons that are extremely useful. One is that things don’t always go your way, you don’t always win, things don’t always come easily. If a nervous mother is fearful of her child’s unhappiness and seeks to remove all challenge, all painful experiences from

her child’s life, she will produce a weak-willed fragile adult.

A human being has a physical body, of course, but he or she also has a mental, emotional and a spiritual dimension to their being. Challenging each of these levels in the right way – physical exercise, mental problem solving, emotional tests, and even spiritual training, all build strength.

Were these essentially simple prescriptions to be implemented in an intelligent and consistent way, then the barbecue conversation might begin to turn on how strong, resilient, and admirable the next generation is.

Sarah Mane has been studying Sanskrit since she was a teenager. Today she teaches practical self-awareness, philosophy, meditation, and Sanskrit to both children and adults. She also coaches individual clients and business professionals all over the world.

Conscious Confidence is her first book from Findhorn Press.

For more about Sarah go to www.sarahmane.com

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Giving Yourself Up Is Lifting Yourself Up

By Guy Finley

The gradual realization that you never need again try to find yourself through your thoughts about yourself is like one day happily realizing that hitting yourself over the head was the cause and

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not the cure for your daily headaches.

To your grateful amazement, you discover that the inner pounding you so wished would go away finally came to a stop when you stopped pounding. This startling realization brings you to a crucial moment in your quest for self-newness. And you must be resolute. As you begin to suspend your habitual involvement with yourself -- which you must do to let something new happen -- you begin to notice an altogether different kind of disturbing feeling starting to rise up within you.

You would never have believed it, but there it is right in front of your inner eyes. You are actually beginning to worry about what is going to happen to you without your worry!

Nothing doing!

You instantly catch and drop this fake feeling along with the rest of the inner impostors who want you to believe that

there might not be life without suffering. And yet, even with all of this clear to your innereyes, you are still tempted for a moment to drop your innervigilance.

Anything seems better than this increasing self-uncertainty.

Don’t mistake these feelings of fear for friends. Listen instead to what the Truth is trying to tell you.

Have no concern whatsoever over where these feelings of unknowing will lead you.

The seemingly intelligent self-concern over your rising feelings of vulnerability is nothing but another false identity. Suspend it as well.

Deny its re-entrance into your life.

This total suspension of self allows the present moment to flood in unfiltered and uncolored. Something genuinely new is happening, and you know it. This newness is your true home. Within it you are safe and out of the reach and grip of familiar but

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fierce self-creating thoughts and feelings.

Persist with this higher kind of self-suspension for as long as it takes until slowly, but surely, you feel the weighted drag of your habitual self less and less.

As you grow lighter in spirit, you will see that this Newness you have fought for is who you really are. Here lies your True Nature.

It was there all along -- as the strong, unshakable shelter of a deep mountainside cave that you were at first afraid to enter when caught off guard by a fierce storm. To your everlasting delight, you find within this special kind of newness true refuge. In its strength yours is renewed.

All is well. The storms can no longer reach you.

Here is a special exercise that can help you to start letting go of yourself. Every time you catch yourself just about to take a swim in the old habitual river of thoughts and feelings, practice self-suspension.

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Here’s how. Don’t let the current of the past dictate the direction of the present moment. Have your own life right now. You are not your thoughts and feelings. Dare to live without each painful identity that calls for you to embrace it and to do its bidding. Let something new happen each moment by letting these old, habitual sensations go their way unobstructed. Stay out of them.

Work at this special selfsuspension and inner alertness until the day you find this newness you once had to struggle to endure is now something you could not endure living without!

Guy Finley is the best-selling author of more than 45 books and audio programs on selfrealization. He is the founder and director of Life of Learning Foundation, a nonprofit center for spiritual development located in southern Oregon where he gives talks four times each week. For more visit http:// www.GuyFinley.org/

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OM Living For those living a more Conscious Lifestyle

Dying with Grace

by Kay Reynolds Dying is never a subject we want to discuss, but it is important for us to ease any fears for those ready to transition. As a family member, watching the deterioration and not being able to find the right words to bring comfort, it can be even more daunting. There are things we can do to

ease any fears our loved one may have, and to make the transition a little easier.

Dying with Grace We’ve all been there. Sitting in a hospital, knowing our loved one will be gone soon, is difficult. We struggle to find the right words, but nothing comes. We wonder if there are any words, we can say to make this better.

Mediums are confronted with this reality daily and find themselves helping those in need. People turn to us because they believe we know or at least have an idea of what waits for us all when we leave this world. We know there is no death, at least not for the spirit or soul. The body is the only thing we leave behind.

Our true essence, or the soul, returns to the spirit world.

People often seek us out to help them find words to help their loved ones. We are often asked to talk about the afterlife, to reassure them they won’t be alone when they die, and they will be met with the most amazing unconditional love. Everyone deserves to die with grace.

A medium friend, named Catherine, comforted her own mother, who was very afraid of what would happen when she died. She simply explained to her mom she would have one last breath here, and the next moment, she would be surrounded by an incredible feeling of love and peace. She explained how her own spirit would immediately recognize all who were there to greet her and she would be free to speak and free to move at last. Her physical restriction here would not go with her.

Catherine went through great strides to make this as comfortable for her mom and the family as possible. In the last week, they gathered around their mother and reminisced about all their family travels, shenanigans, and fun times.

They laughed, they sung favorite songs, and they took turns holding their mom’s hand.

They talked about how wonderful it will be for her to meet the family in the spirit world, how they knew she’d being playing cards with granddad, and hugging baby Mary.

They knew she may not be able to hear them. They knew Omtimes.com

she could not speak, but they did it anyway, just in case she could. They wanted the last memory of their mom to be a celebration of her life, and if she could hear them, they knew her last memory would be with grace.

When mediums work with families and bring their loved ones through to speak with them, the stories of their transitions are all very similar.

Most spirit communicators want their loved ones to know one or more of the following.

As her body began to shut down, Catherine could feel the spirit world coming into her mother’s room. The spirit family gathered all around her. It was standing room only.

She could feel her father, her grandparents, and the sister she never met. They were all there. They had watched the celebration of life taking place over the last few days. Now, it was time to welcome her mother home.

They made it! This alone brings great comfort to the family.

She leaned over and whispered, “They are all here now waiting to give you a big hug. When you are ready, let go and fly.”

It is important for us to make this process as comfortable as possible for those ready to transition. Those in the spirit world have taught us a thing or two on what is important just before death. We can take their stories to help those here has an easier transition.

Within thirty minutes of her mom’s passing, she was communicating with her. Her mom was so excited to see the love of her life, her family, and the daughter who had left this world so many years ago. The first thing she said was it is just like you told me. They are all here.

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I was aware of you being in the room, and your voice, your touch brought me comfort.

Thank you!

They have been reunited with friends, family, and even pets who passed before them.

Most importantly, they want them to know they have not gone anywhere. They are still around the family.

Reassure them, there will be someone there to greet them.

Talk to your loved one even if

you’re not sure they can hear you. Reminisce about the good times and celebrate the life they lived.

Hold their hand. Let them know you are there.

Remember to take care of yourself, too.

Reach out to professions such as hospice. They deal with this every day. They can answer your questions and will be there for you.

Saying goodbye is one of the most difficult things we go through. Not all situations are the same, so it’s important to find what works for you and your family. For Catherine, knowing her mom was overjoyed reuniting with family, and knowing she is only a thought away brought her comfort. She finds peace in knowing years of suffering in a crippled body is over for her mom, and the family did all they could to help her die with grace.

Kay Reynolds B. Ed, M.Ed, ABA is a retired teacher, a full-time medium, spiritual consultant, teacher of mediumship, writer, and speaker. You can find her at www.kayreynolds.org

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Tired of Playing it Small?

Step into your Extraordinary + Abundant Career with Spiritual Life Coach Certification by Sophie Frabotta

Now Certifying Spiritual Seekers into Spiritual Life Coaches Join the 3-Day weekend healing retreat and 16 weeks of online + Interactive Training March 5 – 8, 2020 in West Palm Beach, FL

How to Become a Better Yoga Instructor

by Rachelle Wilber

Being a yoga instructor can be a rewarding experience for both you and your students. Doing everything that you can to become the best teacher possible will help you develop a steadier clientele and gain more trust and respect from your students. Here are a few tips for becoming a better yoga instructor.

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Personalize Each Student’s Experience Everyone is different, and you’ll want to offer instructions that are suitable for people of various ages and body types. Even if you teach large groups of people at a time, you can still offer everyone lessons that are more on a personal level by demonstrating yoga poses that are suitable for beginners and show other poses that are appropriate for advanced students. Offering one-on-one sessions will make customizing students’ yoga sessions even easier.

Continue Your Education There is always more to learn about yoga and taking continuing education courses will allow you to learn new information and develop new skills that will help you in your teaching endeavor. You can also check out the various yoga teacher training courses that teach different styles of yoga that might be unfamiliar to you. When you complete any course, you can proudly

display the certificate that you’re awarded on the wall of your yoga studio to show off your credibility.

Devise an Easy Payment System No one likes to go through a lot of hassle when trying to make a class payment, and you’ll make your students’ lives easier by setting up a payment system that’s simple and not confusing to use. You may choose to charge clients on a per-session basis or offer package deals that include a series of classes for a flat fee. If you allow students to pay online, you’ll want to use an online payment system that’s secure and reliable and doesn’t involve a lot of extra steps just to submit payment.

Observe Other Instructors You can learn a lot by simply observing the ways other yoga instructors conduct their sessions. These instructors can offer you different perspectives on how to teach that may benefit you.

Attending a drop-in class at

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another studio will allow you to see how another instructor teaches and observe his or her strengths and weaknesses.

You can also watch videos online that include classes taught by a variety of instructors.

There are many ways to enhance the way that you teach yoga. By acquiring all the right information and making the right changes, you’ll be on your way to becoming the best yoga instructor imaginable.

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 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 and Facebook: @ RachelleWilber;

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FA L L H A RV EST How About Some Apple Cider?

I worked at Hill & Dale Farm in Putney, Vermont, in the late l960s. Every fall, we made real apple cider- not the kind you reach for on your market shelves. I say “real’ because we mixed a variety of apples like Northern Spy, McIntosh, Cortland, Baldwin, Delicious, and wild apples, never using

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more than 25 percent of the wild ones because it would be too tangy. Besides the fact that the apples were organic, the cider had both a sweet and tart taste as well as body and richness most cider is lacking today. Most super-market pasteurized cider comes from McIntosh apples, which is okay if you like the taste of apple juice, but it just doesn’t have the lift of “real” cider. Many small farms make their cider, and it’s quite good.

The old apple cider mill was a two-stage process: first grinding the apples by hand in a cast-iron hopper and teeth.

After the fruit was crushed into the pomace or mash, it was pressed by a screw-type mechanism, the outside made of wood and the screw or auger made of iron. You would turn the crank by hand, which would press the mash into cider.

Animals have once used to power the crusher.

Modern electric presses are usually more efficient in the amount of juice pressed per gallon. The apples are washed and then go through a hopper where they are shredded by a metal roller with sharp blades.

The resulting mash drops onto a heavy-duty cloth whose ends are folded between slated wooden or plastic racks. The mash is then pressed by a hydraulic piston and the result in sweet cider.

The last pressings of cider are the finest. For the best cider, pump the hydraulic press down a little harder but not too hard.

Just like the old Maxwell House commercial: “Good to the Last Drop.” The last pressings took place in November. The root cellar was cool by then, and you can store the apple cider in glass jugs, leaving a little room at the top. The cider stored in the glass jugs would last until Easter if stored properly.

When the sun begins to climb higher in the sky at Easter, the root cellar warms up, and the cider turns into vinegar.

You can also store cider in a refrigerator in glass jugs or freeze it in plastic containers, making sure again to leave a little space at the top. The cider of today is not stored for any length of time but pressed close to the time you buy it because apples can be stored much easier than in the past.

Not that long ago many Omtimes.com

Vermont farms made cider in late fall, storing it in large wooden kegs, with an airlock to allow the cider to ferment into hard cider. Much of the time, the hard cider was siphoned off into ceramic jugs, the kind you see at antique shops.

Cider in those days was pretty much all hard, and when it turned again, you had vinegar, which had many uses on Vermont farms. For example, during haying season, a good drink to cool off with was “Haymakers Switchel,� a combination of apple cider vinegar, honey, and water. Maple Syrup could be substituted for honey. Many people today make a daily drink of vinegar and water; they believe it improves their health.

It won’t be long before the last honkers (Canadian Geese) will have passed overhead, and the cider we made has turned and settled in the oak barrel in the cellar. Now we can settle down for a while before we are getting on with the other autumn chores. Bottoms up and have a good rest.

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Ron Krupp, teacher, writer, entrepreneur, and community organizer has been farming and gardening in Vermont for more than thirty years.

He has a master’s degree in teaching from Antioch University and a master’s degree in agriculture from the University of Vermont. He studied biodynamic gardening and farming at Emerson College, U.K. In the 80’s he edited The Green Mountain Farmer. In the mid 90’s he had a garden column in The Vermont Times and a garden commentary show on Vermont Public Radio. He is a frequent guest for features on the Vermont Public Broadcasting System and does garden and farm commentaries. His book The Woodchuck’s Guide to Gardening is going into its tenth printing revised 2013 with over 20,000 books sold).

His second book titled Lifting the Yoke: Local Solutions to America’s Farm and Food Crisis is in its second printing.

He is working on a third book titled The Woodchuck Returns to Gardening

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4 Ways to Combat Compassion Fatigue by Michelle Alberigi McKenzie

Compassion Fatigue is huge in the animal welfare and veterinary communities. Signs can be depression, anger, anxiety, sadness, and more.

People who work in shelters and rescues often say it’s the hardest job they ever had. But they stay there because the Omtimes.com

animals need them. They are passionate about their work, but there’s only so much help they can offer as an individual.

And the heartbreak that they experience becomes what is known as Compassion Fatigue.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the first study that examined veterinarian mortality rates in America. The results were grim: the suicide rate among veterinarians is between 2 to 3.5 times higher than the national average.

The animal welfare community (sanctuaries, rescue groups, shelters) represent another area of concern. The stress of animal work can affect morale and how they view their job.

Psychotherapist J. Eric Gentry told the Sacramento Bee: “Animal care professionals are some of the most painsaturated people I have ever worked with. The very thing that makes them great at their work, their empathy and dedication and love for animals, makes them vulnerable.”

Signs of compassion fatigue can include: • Depression • Sudden outbursts of anger • Feeling cynical or numb to what’s happening around you • Feeling isolated from family and friends • Exhaustion • Difficulty sleeping, just to name a few.

4 techniques that can be hugely effective for combating this syndrome though.

1. Talk about experiences with someone we trust, and in enough detail to connect emotionally with them again.

2. Learning mindfulness is proving extremely useful for people who suffer from compassion fatigue. Research shows that mindfulness reduces activity in the amygdala--that part of the brain that reacts to fear and anxiety.

Mindfulness increases empathy and serenity among animal caregivers. Mindfulness emphasizes staying in the

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present moment, being nonjudgmental, and striving toward an attitude of acceptance.

Research abounds on the benefits of mindfulness with: • Improvement in depression, anxiety, and coping skills • Significant decrease in stress.

• Improved self-compassion, serenity and empathy 3. Journaling about our feelings can be extremely helpful when feeling stressed, anxious, and fearful. Therapy journaling can improve mental health and is also an excellent method of self-discovery for overcoming challenges, changes and hardships, healing wounds, relationships, and illnesses. And getting insight into what you want and who you are.

4. Spending time in nature: Forest bathing is spending time in the forest exploring.

Nope, no jumping into the stream, instead of bathing our

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senses in all there is to explore in the forest–what we see, hear, smell, touch, taste. It’s even better when done using Mindfulness!

A substance called phytoncides is produced by trees to protect them from insects and germs.

Also helpful for people, this essential oil even helps increase our ‘killer cells’ that fight off cancer. People report lower blood pressure and an overall feeling of well-being even a week after they’ve spent time doing forest bathing. There’s a lot of mindfulness in forest bathing too.

And to all the animal welfare people reading this, are you ready to once again love the work you loved?

Michelle McKenzie is a certified intuitive life coach and Reiki master/teacher.

She teaches Animal Reiki, Mindfulness, Journal therapy, and nature therapy. You can learn more or contact her at www.MyPurposePath.com

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Metaphysics

Discover Your ConnectionThe Five Steps to Animal Lessons

By Danielle MacKinnon

Animal Lessons is a system intended to help you harness that which the animals in your life are teaching you. The system is both practical and fluid, and it can be broken down into a few simple steps that I’ll outline for you here. These easy steps will show you how to gain a solid Omtimes.com

understanding of how animals (whether domesticated, wild, farm, or other) are acting as your mentors, therapists, trainers, and gurus every day.

One of the main tenets of this program is developing and holding a newfound awareness of yourself, but this awareness requires solid groundwork from which to grow.

The Five Steps to Animal Lessons To get you primed here’s a very brief outline of the steps.

Step 1: Determine How Your Animal Is Helping You The first step is very logical: determine how an animal is helping you grow, evolve, change, learn, or become a master. Your pet (or any animal you feel a special connection to) already knows this and is seeing it through, but your experience of this animal probably hasn’t made you aware of that yet.

Determining how your animal is helping you is one of the most important aspects, as things with our animals aren’t always as they seem. I’ve worked with people who thought their animal was helping them shift

in one area of their life, only to delve deeper and discover the learning was actually focused in a different, more profound direction.

Step 2: Determine the Lesson Once you’ve figured out how your animal is helping you, the natural question that pops up is Why? This is the second step—figuring that out. Why do you need help in this area? What do you need to learn? What belief is this animal helping you change?

We’ll use my fun technique with your chosen animal (and yes, it may make you feel a little crazy sometimes) to aid you in developing a new kind of awareness of yourself, including identifying what beliefs the animal in your life is helping you change. It’s through this awareness that you’ll next start identifying how you’re avoiding learning this deep lesson. The better your understanding of the belief your animal is helping you change, the more awareness you’ll achieve and the easier the process will be.

Knowledge is the key here.

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Step 3: Find Your workarounds People seem to have the most fun when they reach step 3 in the process. It takes into account the learning and growth you’ve now experienced and helps you (with your animal’s continued support and assistance) delve more deeply into your awareness, fine-tuning your tools to discover the next layer of this work with your animal.

Here you get to discover those automated behavior patterns that are covering up your negative beliefs. This step is the reason so many people have had great successes through this system. It’s not about forcing yourself to make changes; it’s about mastering something within by changing an underlying negative belief (under the watchful and supportive eye of your chosen animal) in order to clearly and definitively begin experiencing internal and external growth.

Let me be very clear: this has nothing to do with willpower.

It’s about the results that begin to occur as you learn the lesson your animal has been diligently working on teaching you.

Finally, your dog isn’t peeing

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in the house as much, or your horse is getting along better with his stall mate than he was a couple weeks ago, or the pig you’ve grown to love is letting go of her anxiety and playing with the other pigs.

Step 4: The DecisionMaking Process In this phase of the process, you’ll be asked to become your own little fortune-teller.

But don’t worry, this isn’t as hard as it might sound, and it certainly doesn’t require any psychic abilities. You’ll simply use what you’ve learned about yourself and the special animal in your life to cull out moments that you can use for your new decision-making process. This is an exciting step in the process because it’s a very active one.

Most of what you’ve been doing thus far in the process is about observing, and now you’ll be asked to put your new observation skills to work.

Step 5: Mastery The fifth and final step is also exciting because it relates directly to subtle changes that are now happening within. Your deeply held negative beliefs about yourself—beliefs that

are patently untrue (everyone deserves support and is worthy of love, but many people struggle to believe this, for example)—have been getting chipped away bit by bit through the Animal Lesson work. Here, you finally begin experiencing your life through a positive filter, instead of the old negative one, because the work you’ve done with this important animal has shown you a different reality.

As a result, your decisionmaking processes are different, the animal you’re working with is behaving differently, your environment is different, and how you feel about yourself is different. All these changes result in new, desired experiences in your life. This part of the process is not just about noticing the changes that have occurred—it’s about living them. The transformations can be so deep that they just feel regular. Since there is no “push” or “force” to the changes (they have occurred within rather than through willpower), they have become the norm.

This system is not challenging.

In fact, many people and their animal teachers successfully move through it in just a few

weeks. Personally, I like that.

I’m all for making things simple, easy, fun, and, yes … fast, while also improving the lives of the animals, I do dearly love.

So, if you’re ready to get going now, let’s move into the details on how animals are really achieving these amazing results with humans around the world.

Danielle MacKinnon (Boston, MA) is a highly gifted intuitive and coach who has appeared on TV and radio around the world. She’s also an esteemed faculty member at the Omega Institute, the Kripalu Center, and many other globally recognized teaching and wellness institutions. Her school, the Danielle MacKinnon School of Animal Communication, has given the field of animal communication more global visibility than ever before. Each year Danielle leads thousands of people through their challenges and into a world of miraculous possibility. Visit her online at www.DanielleMacKinnon.com.

The Article is an excerpt from Danielle McKinnon new book Animal Lessons Discovering Your Spiritual Connection with Animals, published with permission.

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How Space Clearing Helps Places and People Thrive

By Robyn M Fritz

Creating Healthy, Balanced Spaces through Space Clearing Living Intuitively main title for this two-part series is “How Space Clearing Helps Places and People Thrive.”

Then each of the two articles has its own title.

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Abstract: Throughout history, we have tried to be comfortable in our spaces at home and at work, using rituals and techniques like space clearing. A new way of space clearing consults with both people and their spaces to mesh the needs and wants of both sides. In Part 1 of this two-part series I discuss how space clearing works and why this new way matters. In Part 2 I’ll offer a case study that revealed how a luxury yacht and its new owners used space clearing to create a business that satisfies both parties.

If you’re interested in creating the healthiest, most balanced spaces to live and work in, consider space clearing. The energetic, or the vibrational, equivalent of dusting and vacuuming, space clearing will improve your spaces’ energetic flow by removing blocks that keep them, and us, from thriving.

Space clearing becomes even more powerful when people tap their innate intuitive and healing abilities

to actually consult with their spaces to mesh the needs and wants of both sides. This is a new modality called Space Cooperating, which I pioneered in Seattle, Washington.

Stuck Energy and Our Spaces Everything on the planet, human and otherwise, has distinct energy, or ‘vibration.’

When the vibrations are balanced, people and spaces feel comfortable and healthy. When vibrations are unbalanced, problems arise.

What gets vibrations out of balance? Daily life, from our emotions and activities to the world around us, including our animals, possessions, other people—and our spaces.

That is, as we go about our day, little bits and pieces of our personal vibrations spin-off and are left behind in the places we visit, where they mingle with bits from everyone else’s vibration, including the spaces themselves. That means we and our spaces are constantly

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bombarded by stuck energy, which keeps us, and them, from being our best.

both people and their spaces to mesh the needs and wants of both sides.

What do we do about stuck energy? We clear it, which helps the vibrations get balanced.

It begins with the clients defining their goals. That could include design/build, remodel, buy/sell, launching a business, improving team productivity and performance, soothing emotionally charged spaces like medical and care facilities, acknowledging change (marriages, divorces, graduations, deaths), clearing EMFs, removing stuck energy from previous tenants or owners, and resolving paranormal activities.

How Space Clearing Works Space clearing involves rituals, tools, and techniques to shift the vibrations of space, depending on the practitioner.

Energy workers who use Reiki and other energetic modalities will forcefully shift the energy of space, so it feels good to them.

However, this imposes the energy worker’s idea of balance on a space. While it can provide temporary relief to people weighed down by hectic schedules, it can create a dense barrier like sensory deprivation and block the healthy flow of energy.

Space Cooperating: Bringing People and Spaces Together Space Cooperating is space clearing that partners with

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The next step is where Space Cooperating is unique: the practitioner has an intuitive conversation with space itself, telling it what its humans need and want and asking what it needs and wants in return. The spaces are often delighted to share their feelings and opinions.

Then comes the actual clearing session, where the client and space negotiate change, and the actual energy clearing occurs. The

result? Both sides are heard, and changes are rapid and effective.

I know you’re probably thinking: Wait, we can communicate with our spaces? Yes, because, like everything else, spaces are alive. They have souls, emotions, responsibilities, and free choice. Supporting their soul growth, and having them support ours, is why we’re sharing the planet. We humans just haven’t thought of it like that in centuries.

What happens? In short, the energy that is stuck in space moves. Creativity and production increase.

Homes that have been on the market for a long time suddenly start calling a new family to them—and sell.

Businesses find new ways to come together to promote both the company and its employees.

In one memorable case, I was working with a single, childless homeowner who had just purchased the home of her dreams. The

stickler? The home wanted to experience a human family. To compromise, the house asked for a cat, and the owner offered boxers, a dog breed she fostered.

They agreed on the dogs, so happily ever after, right?

Yes, but with a twist: within a few months, the owner became the neighborhood babysitter, something she never would have considered before knowing the house’s desire for children. They both enjoyed their new roles— and a bond deepened by understanding.

Robyn M Fritz MA MBA CHt hosts the OM Times radio show, “The Practical Intuitive: Mind Body Spirit for the Real World.” An intuitive and spiritual consultant and certified past life regression specialist, she is an award-winning author whose next book is “The Afterlife Is a Party: What People and Animals Teach Us About Love, Reincarnation, and the Other Side.” Find her at RobynFritz.com.

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The Metaphysics of Self-Power

Power is a broad reference to the ability to effect change or exert control over people, subjects, or objects. Selfpower or self-empowerment is the ability to “enlighten,” “enhance” and “educate” yourself to become a better human being.

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This is one of the highest forms of spiritual consciousness we can give ourselves. Improving our way of communicating, appreciating, and honoring who we are, gives us special gifts such as gratitude, selfesteem, and a sense of being grounded.

As empowered beings, we have the opportunity to remind ourselves of our selflessness, our humanity, and our endless source of energy we can tap into. Here you can discover the building blocks of self-power. Refuse to be the victim.

Change Creates Power If we choose to focus our attention on the negative around us, we will be that negativity. If we choose to focus our attention on doing what we can’t do, we will surely not do the things we can.

If we choose to focus our attention on being a victim, we will remain a victim. To empower your spirit and create your true self, you

must change your thoughts and the feelings around them.

Change is inevitable. Our lives are made up of the building blocks of change.

Change creates the person we must grow to be. Change happens for a reason to That reason is to allow us possibilities we may not have seen in the first place.

This can be traumatic, or it can be less so.

The single most important point you can make about change is that in most cases it’s not what faces you.

That’s the problem; it’s how you react to it. How do you react is determined by how you perceive a change? The Chinese word for crisis is “weiji.” Two characters that separately mean danger and opportunity. Every problem we encounter in life can be viewed that way. It is a chance to show that we can handle it. Changing the way, you think, can change a life of stress and discomfort to a life of challenge and excitement.

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Change shows itself in many forms. The move to a different career, by choice or not, the loss of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, the move to a new home or simply the change in the weather and how we feel.

It is important to embrace the transition. Struggling, kicking and screaming, and dragging your heels will only prolong trying to control the uncontrollable. Learn to recognize strengths you may have overlooked. Embrace optimism and reform your old belief system. Honor the new you, which you are transforming into.

Here are ten ways to embrace change: 1. Often, in any situation, we must take the quiet time to be with ourselves to observe this change. How is it going to affect me? Better yet, how am I going to let it affect me? What am I going to do to get through this?

Allow the answers to come to you in your quiet time.

2. Take everything one

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day at a time. Sometimes situations can become overwhelming when looking at the big picture. Again, take your quiet time to observe the moment. Allow yourself to take all the time, take all the space, and to grasp the change.

3. Breathe. Deep breathing allows us to open our chest and expand. It clears our minds and bodies of toxins and should be used as a tool for change. Allow the breath to cleanse you and make room for change.

Make room for something different.

4. Support. We are always put at ease when we have support behind us. In these vulnerable moments, we can find strength in others.

If you have a good friend, a family member, a loved one, or a community group that you can turn to, do so. Be sure that this support comes from a positive, unbiased source. Otherwise, it can be more damaging than good. Rest assured, there have been others who have

gone through what you are experiencing right now. See if you can take away with you some of their positive pearls of wisdom.

5. Love Yourself. You are the true source of your own happiness. You have to live within yourself. You have to be at peace within yourself.

Only you can do that. Only you can make that happen.

We each have our own way of being with ourselves, but there is only one way to be at ease with your soul. That is to love yourself, always.

6. Our Belief System is one of the major factors that can get us through situations or can cause our life to crumble around us. I do believe that there is a lot of innate goodness and balancing our minds do subconsciously to get us through hard times. The other portion of this is how we “program� ourselves to deal with any given situation.

7. Let go of the Ego. Embracing peace of mind, optimism, the ability to forgive, and a sense of

humor are all good ways to allow the ego to step aside and make room for some humble pie.

8. Allow Emotional Release.

Identifying, expressing, experiencing, and accepting all of our feelings is your doorway to accepting all changes in your life.9.

Be Flexible. You have a rigid, mindset about work, relationships, kids or your lifestyle. Life will bring us challenges we do not see coming. It is important to be able to adjust and learn as we grow. Our adaptability needs a sense of willingness to let go. By lowering our expectations, it reveals an openness to accept.

10. There Is No Security in something irrelevant or no longer has meaning. When we let go of the familiar, we have the power to embrace the new. Embrace it.

Crystals Associated with our Power Center The Solar Plexus Chakra represents Fire, Ego identity, oriented to self-definition.

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This chakra is known as the power chakra, located in the solar plexus. It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. When healthy, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power.

The color of this chakra is yellow. Yellow is very good for getting in touch with your power and to build confidence. It is your center of will.

Consider these 5 stones when working with self-power: Amber: Amber can add stability to your life...

Helpful in clearing up depression and bringing about a positive mental state. Useful as memory assistance, which makes it a good stone for studying.

Amber is used for past life work, divination, and scrying. It aligns mental and emotional bodies via its deep orange and yellow color. Amber is an Aura cleanser. It assists in bringing

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our higher vibrations in order, dispersing negative energy and clears the surrounding environment.

Amber is the stone, which brings about altruism and great wisdom. Amber is known to attract luck, calm energies, attract love, inspire change and improve wisdom.

Citrine: Considered the merchant stone, citrine is very versatile and is used for mental and emotional clarity, problem-solving, memory issues, will power, optimism, confidence, and self-discipline. It reduces anxiety, fear, and depression.

An energizing and highly beneficial crystal, citrine absorbs, transmutes, grounds and dissolves negative energy, which makes it a very protective stone. Citrine crystals are invigorating and positive.

They can surround and fill anyone with its brilliant color, energizing every aspect of life.

Tiger’s Eye: Used historically

for bringing more luck into your life. This stone is most recognized for attracting money, psychic protection, courage, confidence, willpower, clear thinking and speaking to show us the personal power in life that we have. Very versatile for the Yellow/Solar Plexus Chakra, Third Eye Chakra, and Crown Chakra. The root of our intuition is from our Solar Plexus. The “gut feeling” is what’s considered the root, while our Third Eye receives the vision. Tiger’s Eye works on our mental plane by amplifying thinking and manifesting what you think about. It helps separate thoughts from feelings, more centered, less emotional.

Yellow Sapphire: This aluminum oxide corundum stone is found in several beautiful colors (except red) from blue, green, pink, purple to clear. It is related to a ruby due to its mineral makeup. Sapphires are known as the stone of prophetic wisdom. They

have a long-standing use in history. It is a stone of strength and gives great will power. These stones lessen tension and align the mental, physical, and spiritual planes. They can be an important stone for people with spiritual confusion or depression, those involved in situations out of their control, and anyone with concentration problems.

Yellow Jasper: Yellow Jasper can be used at the Solar Plexus Chakra and represents Fire, Ego identity, and is oriented to selfdefinition. This stone can be used to reduce travel sickness. Yellow is very good for getting in touch with your power and to build confidence. It is your center of will. Yellow stones are considered projecting stones and are used to strengthen consciousness and courage.

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac, http://www.peacefulmind. com Therapies for healing mind, body, spirit

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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.

To Boldly Go

On March 9, 2015, pilot Andre Borschberg lifted his experimental aircraft Solar Impulse 2 from the Abu Dhabi runway. His bold plan: to fly a fully solar-powered airplane around the entire globe without using a drop of fossil fuel.

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In the stirring documentary The Impossible Flight, we ride the roller coaster of challenges and triumphs that characterized Solar Impulse 2’s epic journey.

While the inventors planned to make the trip in twelve legs at an airspeed of 45 miles per hour, the fragile craft was continually thwarted by rough weather and equipment malfunctions.

The toughest moment came when the lightweight vessel was set to fly its longest leg over the Pacific Ocean from Japan to Hawaii—a grueling 5-day trek through adverse weather systems. The pilot had to sit in a fixed position for almost the entire trip, except occasional 20-minute power naps. As the flight neared the midway point of no return, the team’s onground meteorologists and engineers sadly concluded that the weather ahead was too dangerous, and feverishly urged the pilot to turn back.

But the pilot refused. “I have a very good feeling we can do it,” he replied and pressed on. After two more harrowing days threading the needle between storms, Borschberg

landed safely in Honolulu. SI2 later went on to return to its starting point, 504 days after its departure.

Two different people live in your mind: One is an engineer calculating odds and risks according to known science.

The other is the voice of passion, intention, and spirit, prone to take leaps of faith beyond known science. Both are important. Science helps us understand and maneuver the world we know. Our sense of vision and adventure propels us to go beyond the world we know, into more exciting dimensions. The engineer measures probabilities.

The spirit is motivated by possibilities. We must honor the engineers who designed that brilliant aircraft that could break records; but if it were up to the engineers alone, the airplane would have turned back, and the records would not have been broken.

Something within the pilot said, “I can and I will,” which ultimately achieved the goal.

The journey to success is like a train ride powered by a steam engine. The tracks guide the train to its chosen destination.

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The steam propels the train forward. The tracks represent the earthy calculations to stay goal-focused. The steam is the passion for reaching the goal. If you have tracks but no steam, the train will not get anywhere.

If you have steam but no tracks, the train will bounce around helter-skelter and crash or do damage. To reach your goal, you need steam and tracks.

It is said, “the purpose of life is not to arrive safely at death.”

Some people spend their lives playing it safe, never launching out into new, exciting, and possibly dangerous territory.

In the process they squash and lose their passion; each year they become a little less alive. Benjamin Franklin said, “Most people die at age 25, but they are not buried until age 75.” Franklin was one of a small group of people who founded a nation on the radical idea that citizens could make choices for themselves rather than letting a monarch control their lives. While we now take democracy for granted, at that time every country was ruled by a king, emperor, or czar.

It took a huge leap of faith to establish the first modern

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democracy. The founding fathers considered their project a great experiment. They dared to boldly go.

Thomas Jefferson penned the first draft of the Declaration of Independence when he was just 30 years of age. He could have said, “I’m too young, too inexperienced. This project is bigger than me.” But the vision of a free nation was greater than his personal doubts. He pushed on and initiated one of the most important documents in human history.

When the Wright Brothers flew the first airplane at Kitty Hawk in 1904, the distance of that flight was shorter than the wingspan of a modern 747 jumbo jet. If you had told anyone that year that a man would walk on the moon only 65 years later, less than one lifetime, you would have been called crazy. But passion moves people to do things that reason would never approve.

At this moment you have the vision to do something you have never done before. You have a book, song, relationship, seminar, or business calling to you from your womb of creativity. A voice within you

shouts, “You can and must do this!” while another chides, “Turn back before it’s too late.”

When making your choice, you stand at the same midway point where the pilot of Solar Impulse 2 found himself in that historic journey. That project encountered tremendous adversity, but its innovators persevered until the dream became a reality.

So will you persevere until you fulfill your destiny? Somehow, somewhen, you will look back on your adventure and recognize it was spirit-guided.

At that point the engineer and the visionary within you will give each other an exuberant high-five and congratulate each other, “Well done!”

Alan Cohen is the bestselling author of A Course in Miracles Made Easy. Join Alan and musician Karen Drucker in Hawaii, December 1-6, for an extraordinary retreat, “A Course in Miracles: the Easy Path.” For more information about this program, Alan’s Holistic Life Coach Training beginning January 1, his books and videos, free daily inspirational quotes, online courses, and weekly radio show, visit www.alancohen.com.

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“If it were easy, everyone would do it.”

Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own Yes, it is easy to suffer. And everyone is doing it. Hence the 10 Easy Steps. It’s easy to suffer, while the opposite –

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not suffering – is not so easy: happiness is fleeting, joy elusive, and love comes and goes like the seasons. But Suffering is your one steadfast friend. It is always there for you, easy-like, always standing by your side, ready to be there with you, for you, and about you. Look around – do you see a door? You can always shut it on your foot, and you will suffer. So easy. Can’t get to a door? There’s always that insult or the memory of that moment in high school where you were embarrassed, humiliated, defeated. Take your mind there. Suffering is just a few neurons away, waiting to deliver the goods.

But maybe you’ve had enough.

You’re done. It’s time to break the addictions of pleasure/ pain, have/have-not, rich/ poor. Time to break the habit of suffering. For those of you ready for the next stage of life, here are the 6 Slippery Steps to End (or at least greatly diminished) Suffering.

But before we dive in, the most important thing to know

at this point is: it’s not easy. If it were easy to end suffering, don’t you think everyone would do it? I mean, I would!

There must be some reason why everyone has not put suffering behind them. One could say, “because it’s hard” or “difficult to achieve” or “the deck is stacked against us.” But I’m going to call it like it is: the process is hard because it’s slippery. It’s slippery because the steps to get out of suffering appear relatively easy to understand and do, and yet they are hard to implement. Like “Stay in the present – don’t think about the past or the future.”

The concept is immediately understandable and within your power to implement. But if you don’t do it right, you may completely stop planning for the future. (I’m not hungry now – why go to the store?)

You might stop reflecting on past actions that caused catastrophic results and fail to learn from past “mistakes” and again slip into suffering.

I’m calling them slippery

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because most of these steps are subtle, tricky, paradoxical.

For example: what is the difference between nonattachment and not giving a shit? I’m also calling them slippery because the steps cannot be attained by using will power and simply muscling through it.

Will power is an important element to be sure. But if you’ve chosen to “love your neighbor as yourself,” the will power can just get in the way.

Even neighborly love can be a slip and slide as your neighbor beats his wife and you send them loving thoughts instead of calling 911.

The road is slippery. You slip, you fall, you suffer. You suffer trying not to suffer. You get back up, try again. And again.

And again.

Each of the ways to avoid or lessen suffering has pitfalls, roadblocks and banana peels, which is why everyone is not doing it even though teachers, elders, wisdom holders and the like have been laying out the path for millennia. Few make it all the way home

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because they’ve slipped off the path somewhere along the line.

So, not easy, often not obvious (except when it is), difficult to remember when you get that phone call in the middle of the night, and it’s usually contrary to what the rest of the world is engaged in, but let’s get out on the ice and learn some balance.

And Here They Are – The 6 Slippery Steps • Attachment (Desire) • Medicine (External Substances) • Time • Judgment • Forgiveness • Surrender These steps are dual-purpose – they help before “Shit Happens” so you simply don’t suffer, or they then help after something happened to lessen the misery. In other words, by practicing them you either don’t suffer, or suffer less.

In a perfect, you, all of these steps are part of your life (worldview) and practiced (balanced) to perfection and

all the Shit that Happens just rolls off you like water off a duck’s back. Great. Until then, get ready. You’re gonna get thrown in the ocean, and then the steps are real lifesavers.

Of course, these six “steps” aren’t really steps. Steps are sequential, one after another, leading to where you want to go. There are steps to baking a cake and steps to the second floor. These slippery steps are more like a mandala, or a misery-go-round. Every situation calls for bringing forward a different step, and that step often morphs into another one, with the order always changing.

Are there more than six steps?

Of course. Every system counts them differently. Buddha’s path out of suffering is the eightfold path. But the fact that there are multiple techniques to end suffering shows that there is no one size fits all strategy, and life is learning to navigate what happens when IT – that unexpected, decidedly unpleasant event – happens and take the steps necessary

to move on.

Even though they are slippery, they are well worth the trouble.

William Arntz began his professional career as a research laser physicist, developing wave optics simulators for the high energy lasing systems that became the “Star Wars” strategic defense system.

He then left the scientific world and spent 20 years studying with two spiritual teachers. During that time, he wrote the system management software product, AutoSys, and sold the company for millions.

Following his lifelong passion for filmmaking, he used the proceeds from that to produce, direct and write the film What the BLEEP Do We Know!? Incorporating his scientific background, spiritual training, and a desire to make people laugh and think. The article above is an excerpt from Chapter 13: How to Suffer: in 10 easy steps... Published with Permission.

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When you look at the view of Earth from space, you are immediately in awe of what you do see: the incredible beauty of Creation. It is not until you look closer that you realize what you do not see.

You do not see lines partitioning countries.

You do not see separation between races.

You do not see division between religions.

You do not see the walls people build to isolate themselves from each other.

There is only One Planet. There is only One Humanity.

This section is dedicated to introducing thoughts and ideas to foster a greater understanding of Humanity’s interdependence.

World Vision

Living in the Gap It is the writer’s privilege to help one endure by lifting up his heart. —William Faulkner When I was thirty, I traveled to London for the first time to visit a friend in grad school. I immediately felt the history in the old buildings and streets.

On my second day there, we

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took the Underground from Victoria Station. As our train arrived, I realized that the space between the platform and the train was much greater than in the States. I looked at the edge of the platform. And there, etched in the concrete, was the phrase, “Mind the Gap.” The phrase instantly seemed an instruction from the gods.

Mind the gap between stillness and motion. Mind the gap between who we are and who we hope to be. Mind the gap between what’s visible and what’s not. Mind the gap between inner life and outer life. The phrase has stayed with me ever since—for our search for meaning depends on how we mind the gap and how we enter the spaces between things. While a tree is all leaves, the life of the tree is in the spaces filled with wind between the leaves. And while we are the sum of our actions and words, the life of who we are is in the spaces filled with Spirit between our actions and words.

In time, minding the gap leads

to entering the gap, which leads to living in the spaces between what is known and what remains unknown. The gap between the details of the world is where we find the invisible energy that holds everything together.

On my return from that first trip to London, I became a student of the gap between what we intend and what we discover. Over the years, I stopped visiting the spaces between things and started living there. That is, I started meeting the world from the inside of life rather than darting from one external circumstance to another. What I’ve learned from this is that the heart is the perceptual organ that braids the unseeable with the seeable.

The heart is the instrument that connects us to the enormous foundation that remains out of view. And so, by minding the gap and living in the gap, we help each other endure, as William Faulkner says, by lifting each other’s heart.

We enter this process of connection and endurance by Omtimes.com

being faithful to the details around us, giving them our wholehearted attention until they point to the life-force between them, the way two strokes in a Sumi painting compel us to enter the charged space between them.

By its very nature, what lives underneath the physical world is hard to name. Trying to point to all that matters led me to this poem, which, like all poems, points to the spaces between the words:

Wordless Dancer There is a dancer who sways beneath all I know. She can’t be summoned, only followed. I have been her apprentice for years. She has led me to you and to poetry and to the soft truth inside suffering. If pressed, I’d say she shimmers before I sing and thunders when I cry. She turns every why into how and calms my doubts the way water smoothes each hole in the sand. Oh she won’t come out while we’re talking like this, but only when we drop our words and put down everything we don’t want to put down.

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An Invitation to Enter the Spaces in Between • Take a walk and find a place to sit for a while. Then, as a painter might sketch the details of the scene, describe in your journal the details before you as carefully as you can.

Then, enter the gap between the details and record what you sense is there holding the details together.

• In conversation with a friend or loved one, discuss what the phrase “Mind the Gap” means to you.

Excerpted from Drinking from the River of Light: A Life of Expression by Mark Nepo (Sounds True, September 2019) Mark Nepo is the author of 21 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller, The Book of Awakening. Beloved as a poet, teacher, and storyteller, he is a long-term cancer survivor who devotes his writing and teaching to the journey of inner transformation and the life of a relationship. For more information, please visit: MarkNepo.com ThreeIntentions.com

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Books

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