October B Issue
Vishen Lakhiani Unveiling the Spiritual Badass
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CONTENTS HEALTH & HEALING
86
50
5 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY
42
"IT'S IN MY GENES" NO LONGER AN EXCUSE FOR POOR HEALTH
Turiya
OMLIVING 58
RADICAL SELF-RESTORATION FOR UNCERTAIN TIMES
66
STANDING ON AND STANDING FOR
74
CAN FENG SHUI CHANGE YOUR DESTINY?
+
Spotlight
THE BUDDHA AND THE BADASS INTERVIEWED BY LIANE BUCK
RELATIONSHIPS 82
Cover Photo of Mr.Vishen Lakhiani: Courtesy of ONKEN
FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH PAIN AND LOSS
METAPHYSICS 92
LIVING A LIFE OF VIRTUE: THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
PERSONAL GROWTH 100
GRIEF AND TIMES OF CHANGE
106
ERASING THE FEAR FROM YOUR HEART
BOOKS 124
7 REASONS TO INVEST IN YOUR CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS
WORLD VISION 112
TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD THROUGH OUR GIFTS
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CONTENTS
October 2020 Issue B
BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY
"IT'S IN MY GENES"
CHANGE YOUR DESTINY
RADICAL SELFRESTORATION
FINDING YOUR WAY
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
ERASING THE FEAR
TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD
OCTOBER B EDITION
THE FIRST AND ONLY SPIRITUALLY CONSCIOUS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
PERSONAL GROWTH
98
HEALTH AND HEALING
40
WORLD VISION
110
OMLIVING
56 OMTIMES.COM
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Writers
Robyn M Fritz
Greer Jonas
Carrie Rutledge
Jayita Bhattacharjee
Veronica Lee
Darity Wesley
Kathy Biehl
Lisa Shaw
Kartar Diamond
Rene Wadlow Rene Wadlow
 OMTIMES *OCTOBER B
Columnists
THIS EDITION
Mark Nepo
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Johanna Kern
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Health & Wellness Innovative new approaches to Healing as well as holistic methods for dealing with health issues and personal growth
"It's in My Genes" No Longer an Excuse for Poor Health
W
by Carrie Rutledge
e have all heard
never have children to achieve a
about someone
healthy pregnancy, naturally in her
miraculously cured
mid-forties.
of Stage IV cancer
after every other treatment has failed.
This phenomenon happens more
A lifelong smoker and bacon eater
than one would think. The cause and
who lived to the ripe old age ninety-
cure of many chronic diseases are
five. The woman being told she would
beyond our genes. They could be due
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
to several different environmental
destiny of our health. In truth, gene
modalities, even the thoughts in our
expression is mostly regulated
heads.
by the cell's interaction with the environment and not just by its
The Human Genome Project was
genetic code. Environmental triggers
a research project aimed to look at
that can alter gene expression are,
all the genes (genes are made up
of course, diet, energy fields (EMFs),
of DNA) that make us human. Our
stress, prenatal nutrition, toxins,
bodies are made up of hundreds
chemicals, thoughts, and emotional
of thousands of proteins. Scientists
health.
speculated that humans would require over a hundred thousand
Histones (proteins found inside the
genes. Scientists were shocked to
cell nucleus) have the job of packing
find that humans are composed of
and ordering the DNA. These
around 25,000 genes, which led to
proteins are reliant on the proper
Epigenetics.
methylation, which stop genes from being expressed, or acetylation, which
Epigenetics is the study of gene
help the genes to become defined.
expression through environmental influences. Epigenetic triggers from
Proper methylation and acetylation
the environment do not alter the
are heavily reliant on nutrients. For
original DNA sequence, but rather
example, histone methylation is
the way the gene is expressed or
reliant on B12, folate, and choline.
not expressed. More specifically,
Acetylation relies on biotin (liver and
epigenetic triggers cause genes to
eggs), niacin, butyric acid (produced
turn on and off.
by the gut bacteria), turmeric (curcumin), and resveratrol (grapes).
Of all the genes we have, only a
Dietary habits that can impede
certain amount is expressed at
proper methylation and acetylation
one time, and some may never
include a nutrient-deficient diet and
be expressed at all. Because
a lack of variety in the diet. Lifestyle
environmental triggers can signal
habits that cause inflammation or a
gene expression, we can no longer
diet high in processed foods will also
blame our genes for being the
affect these processes.
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
Many scientists are now seeing that
environmental signals and then
DNA is not the central controller of
respond to them by allowing the
the fate of the cell, but rather the
transport of substances or chemical
environment of the cell. The cell
messengers across the membrane.
membrane is the actual "brain" of the
Scientists are just now starting to
cell. It encounters all of the nutrients,
recognize that radio frequencies,
toxins, wastes, and even the chemical
cellular phones, cell towers, and other
messengers, such as hormones. The
forms of electromagnetic frequencies
proteins of the cell membrane sense
can break and alter the strands of DNA.
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
Since medical science follows a
Energy healing such as Reiki,
reductionist approach, it doesn't
Emotional Freedom Technique,
take into account quantum theory.
sound healing, light therapy,
Scientists such as Einstein, Bohr,
acupuncture, and homeopathy
and Pauli observed that matter
all supply environmental signals
is actually made up of energy. It
that can change the way DNA is
is not always predictable in how
expressed or not expressed. In
it behaves. In simple terms, it is
modern medicine, we have come so
impossible to predict with certainty
far; however, we tend to fall short in
the outcome of any experiment or
thinking there is a "cure all" that will
invention because of the variable
work the same for everyone in terms
energy involved. Case in point,
of disease. They continue to come
a reductionist scientific view will
up with new pharmaceutical drugs
often predict that all biochemical
and surgeries in the hopes that they
pathways would act the same
may block or cure disease. However,
and guarantee that a specific
illnesses today are certainly not
pharmaceutical drug, vaccine, or
diminishing.
nutrient should have the same outcome in every human being.
When we look at disease from a
This is simply not true.
holistic perspective, we see that the origination of disease is usually
We now know that energy and
invisible and at a microscopic level,
matter are interactive. Because
mostly caused by environmental
microscopic matter doesn't exist
means as opposed to a type of
with certainty, atomic events will
physical matter. We must remember
not occur with certainty every
that food is energy and different
single time. Instead, they show
foods have different energies that
tendencies to happen, and this
can be used for a medicinal effect.
explains why different interventions
There are many factors that can
affect individuals differently. More
affect the energy of different foods,
specifically, a person's thoughts,
such as: how it was prepared, where
energy, emotions, and the emotions
it was produced, and even the
of the practitioner will all affect the
vibrational energy of the person
outcome of the treatment.
cooking the food.
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
It's easy to see how the production
environmental toxins from a mass-
and preparation of food could
produced factory farm, into a truck,
have a significant influence on our
and finally into plastic packaging only
health when we look closely at food
to be dropped off at a restaurant or
production and illness. When we
school where it is overcooked and
frequent fast food, chain restaurants,
thrown into a microwave for a reheat
hospitals, or even public-school
would most definitely zap all of the
lunches, we can speculate that we
energy and nutrients out of the food.
may feel and work poorly afterward.
We are picking up the low vibrational
The journey of food being sprayed with
energy of not only the mass-produced
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
factory farms but also the energy of all
we can't blame our genetic code
the hands that touch the food when
for the illnesses we have. Instead,
we dine in this way.
we need to look more closely at the environment we are living in. The
Therefore farm-to-table restaurants
city we live in, its air quality, the stress
that buy from local farmers and grow
we endure, the foods we consume,
their own food are wisely trending.
the water we drink, the medicine
The chefs and cooks are hired to
we take, our beliefs and emotions,
put care into every dish, and many
they all influence the way our cells
restaurants do not have a microwave
behave. These are some of the most
in their kitchen. The food only passes
flexible and easily changeable areas
through a few caring hands before it
of our lives. It lies within each of us to
reaches our plates.
make more healthy decisions when it comes to our own wellbeing.
More importantly, our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can act as epigenetic triggers that have a profound influence on cell function as well. This has a lot to do with how our minds can play a pivotal role in healing from chronic disease. In fact, one thought fires off thousands of neurons, which directly affects how our cells behave. Therefore optimism, gratitude, positive affirmations, Kundalini Yoga, prayer, and meditation
Carrie Rutledge is a full-time working mother who spent five years struggling with infertility and miscarriages. Through research and lifestyle changes, she put an end to frustrating doctor's visits and expensive pharmaceutical drugs that worsened her condition. At forty, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Although she was diagnosed with Postpartum
can play a crucial role in our healing.
Depression, Anxiety, and OCD, she
What is precisely clear is that the food
through nutrition, exercise, CBT
we consume, and our daily thoughts have an epigenetic interaction with cells at the molecular level that affects our DNA and the way our genes may be expressed. Consequently,
continues to treat her symptoms therapy, Yoga, and meditation. She is devoted to helping women take back their health and heal their bodies on their own terms. Follow Carrie on Instagram
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
5 Ways to Boost Immunity By Ginger McBride OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
I
mmunity has always been
strengthens immunity and gives us
important, but due to recent
a fighting chance at getting better.
events of COVID-19, it is more
Two other fruits we want to add
essential than ever that we stay as
to our diets are papaya and kiwi.
healthy as possible. Our healthy body
Papaya is a powerful fruit that most
is our vehicle. It gets us from point A
of us probably do not eat regularly.
to point B and keep us enjoying what
However, it has anti-inflammatory
life has to offer!
properties partially due to an enzyme known as papain. Kiwi makes an
Our body allows us to provide for our
excellent addition to the kitchen
families, to spend time with our loved
by providing various nutrients
ones, to be active in our communities,
such as potassium, vitamin K, and
create art, and enjoy what life has to
vitamin C. As an added bonus, it is
offer! To do that, we need to keep our
highly recommended for aiding in
immune system healthy and strong!
respiratory issues.
One of the ways we can improve our
Specific vegetables that aren't always
immunity is by indulging in green tea.
our go-to can help as well. Some such
It is a plant that is full of wonderful
as Red bell peppers, spinach, and
antioxidants, which are believed to
broccoli make a list as good sources
have immune-boosting effects that
of vitamin C. Some of them are full of
we all can enjoy! As an added bonus,
antioxidants such as broccoli, having
green tea can be calming, which
specific enzymes that fight free
is helpful when stress lowers the
radicals that lead to illness. When free
immune system. Occasionally make
radicals occur in the body, they are
the switch from the daily coffee and
actively seeking out electrons to be
enjoy some green tea instead!
paired with. Unfortunately, this action can damage cells, proteins, and DNA.
Another way to give ourselves a boost is by taking citrus fruits in particular,
Good choices in our spice rack can
such as grapefruit, oranges, lemons,
help us out in our time of need. The
and limes. Many of us turn to vitamin
spices ginger and turmeric have both
C the minute we feel a cold heading
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
our way. This is because vitamin C
properties that strengthen our
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
immunity! A simple, time-efficient
healthy lives, and help those around
recipe is to add a pinch of ground,
us. We cannot pour from an empty
organic ginger to a hot tea with
cup, and we can start by taking
lemon with raw, organic honey. Trust
better care of ourselves! Along with
that ginger is a potent spice, only
these healthy, helpful tips, try to also
a little is needed to feel the effects.
eliminate negative habits that may
We can also give turmeric tea a try!
be hindering our immune systems.
Combine ground turmeric, black
Practices such as excessive smoking,
pepper, and dairy-free milk, add a
drinking, caffeinated beverages, and
flavor such as cinnamon, vanilla, or
heavily processed foods!
honey, blend together, and let simmer for best results!
Ginger McBride is a certified
Many of us remember having chicken
entrepreneur, and raw food
health coach, nutrition expert,
soup as children when we were too ill to go to school. It doesn't surprise that poultry is one of the meats that have the mineral zinc that assists with proteins that help boost our immune
enthusiast. She is the founder of Raw Ninja – a nutrition coaching membership that provides affordability and accessibility to her clients. She is passionate
systems.
about helping others with their
As we age, our immune system
their goals through motivation
health, inspiring them to reach
weakens. Our job is to take responsibility for ourselves, try to lead
and education! To learn more, visit www.rawninja.net
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
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OM Living For those living a more Conscious Lifestyle
Radical Self-Restoration on Uncertain Times By Jayita Bhattacharjee
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
W
hile grappling with
and collective level, as it is not just
uncertainty, the
an individual loss, but the loss of the
question often arises
nations, the countries, and the world
on how to get back
as a whole.
the restored sense of self. It's the awareness of self that we can develop
It is not startling for trauma
as time rolls by. Once we are hit with
responses to resurface for the loss
the realization that the ongoing
to creep in our minds and shake our
healthy feeling, the one that evokes
beliefs in everything we ever had.
authenticity, has long gone away. All
Global and community disasters
we are performing is the role of an
have put us in the crossroads of
existential living.
life. We are beginning to wonder how to continue living when
The simplest definition of loss would
they are getting strangled by the
be an encountered experience that
invading COVID. The feelings of fear,
depletes our capacity to process it,
frustration, and helplessness, and
overwhelms us beyond any word, so
at times they evoke prior traumatic
much so that our ability to cope is
experiences. With pour minds in
washed up. Given the havoc caused by
crisis, we can feel destabilizing.
the COVID to our daily living, our sense
Everyone is undergoing a staggering
of safety and trust, confidence, and
transformation but bringing back
control have been ruthlessly snatched
ourselves to what we were and who
away from the heart and mind. The
we used to be, raises an inevitable
spectrum of worldwide events, the
question. How do we do that?
impact of this COVID pandemic on them, has been undeniably
Below is a list of ways to restore
traumatizing on every living, breathing
the sense of self, once again, in our
being on this earth. In the process, we
broken hearts and shaking minds.
deplete the force of the spirit. But the
Predictability needs to be created
'giving out' has to be accompanied by
and, in the long haul, needs to be
a 'giving in' to maintain the balance
sustained for the sustenance of
of the self so we can have a renewed
our own selves. It constitutes an
restoration. The response to the COVID
essential part of rising through the
is experienced on both the individual
crevices of staggering confidence.
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
To plan and purposefully engage
To begin a day with a positive
in activities would be a necessary
affirmation, to offer oneself with
step in managing uncertainty and
an uplifting message would be
unpredictability. While practicing
the essential bread for daily living.
this, it will empower us to have
Affirmations can lift the broken
faith in our own capacity and allow
hearts so they can validate their own
control in the areas where things
emotions and losses, acknowledge
have gone out of control. While it
their experiences. They set a purpose
cannot bring back the lost ones, it
of living, a well-built grounding, and
can revive what is almost about to be
with regular repetition, they become
lost if not taken well care of.
a part of us. The positive affirmation
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
becomes the sacred ritual of living. A
the block or take a retreat while
prayer, or a religious scripture, a song
walking in the forest trails as we set
or a poem that enters the deepest
apart the end of a working daytime.
recesses in us, begins to speak to our
In working, we do not have to wipe
hearts. We become able to translate
out the essentialities of nourishing
the loss into words and find ourselves
our spirits. We can stick to having
in the light again.
meals around the same time. Next, we can allow ourselves to have
To connect daily with sources of
a break every one or two hours
support is to tell the tales of sharing
while setting an alarm clock to give
and caring when life seems to be
ourselves the reminder that we need
so isolated, and loneliness comes to
relaxation. The notifications need to
invade the spirit. To set up a virtual
be turned off, so our eyes and minds
date with a friend and to do things
do not catch an addiction. We can
together would meaningfully break
impose a limit on checking the calls
out form the world of engulfing
and emails even during non-working
loneliness. To create something
hours. All these can be improvised,
together, to listen to music or watch
so we do not become computer
a heart-rendering movie together
addicts and perform as humans who
would bring back the times we once
very well have a body that demands
had. Or a weekly email to a relative
self- care too.
or a friend can revive the connection that we have.
To practice self-care, we need to be intentional about it in the first place.
To pay attention to the sleep is to pay
We can practice deep breathing,
attention to the self as during the
go for the quiet strolls in the heart
sleep, the body and mind are repaired,
of nature, indulge in activities that
restored, and cleared away, and the
nourish us with self-pleasure, delve
stressed minds are destressed. Thus,
into the fascinating readings that will
we become ready to be the fearless
evoke the more delicate feelings of
fighters for all the tomorrows to come.
life. We can begin to have a pet, find love in the flurry softness of them,
Working from home, we can engage
and believe that life can have its own
in quiet strolls in the evening around
tenderness and not just brutality.
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
Some time can be set aside for
When times are plenty at our hands,
practicing guided meditation and
we can indulge in long, reflective
indulge in nature gazing. As we are
walks that will heighten our senses.
enlivened shaking off the stress,
As we return home, we can willfully
we can indulge in dancing, as it will
engage in a home project. And
create a rhythm in our souls, raising
when the day comes to an end, we
it from static to a dynamism. Or we
can attend a social media platform
can turn up the favorite music or a
to connect with family and friends.
song that speaks to the pain and
Not all sources of connection are
find comfort in its releasing words.
depleted. Attending a virtual concert or taking a zoo tour or a trip to
We can even begin journaling as
the beach, listening to the waves
the words flow from our hearts to
crashing can set a rhythm in the
the paper. The things we struggle
restless minds. Or we can tune in to
with can all be released, beautifully,
a podcast on a topic that catches
and painlessly. We can jot down
our hearts and let it fill our curious
what makes something easy versus
minds.
what makes something stubbornly tricky. What are the lessons learned from this abrupt, earth-shattering COVID? To something that we were unprepared for, to the changes that we were unaccustomed to, what wisdom did it bring to our lives? We can create a list of things that we have accomplished even in these challenging, frustrating times to reward ourselves with some positivity. It can bring out what we could do, even when life threw us its hardest hit. Besides, we can engage in reading a blog that can cheer our spirits or resonate well with us.
Jayita Bhattacharjee was born in Calcutta, India. Later on, education from the University of Houston in Economics, she had chosen her career as a trustee and teacher. Her Indian residence is in the vicinity of the famous Belurmath. Currently, she is settled in Tampa, Florida. Her books " The Ecstatic Dance of Life," " Sacred Sanctuary," " Light of Consciousness," " Dewdrops of Compassion" " are among the many that she has authored. www.goodreads.com/ author/show/6850731.Jayita_ Bhattacharjee
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
OMTIMES
October
STANDING ON AND STANDING FOR BY MARK NEPO
29 | Flair
Give me a place to stand on, and I will move the Earth. —Archimedes There are two perennial questions we need to ask in order to find each other and our way in the world. They are: What am I standing on? and What am I standing for? Standing on refers us back to a timeless foundation, to some sense of Source, to all that is larger than us from which we’re renewed as integral beings. Standing for leads us into the heart of what we value and the ethics by which we live in the world. Standing on gives us a compass. Standing for gives us a direction to stay true to by following that compass. The two perennial questions need to be asked of ourselves and everyone we meet. They are a basis for an honest relationship. What we stand on is inextricably linked to what we stand for. Consider how a simple lever works. Using a pivot point known as a fulcrum, one weight can leverage the lift of another weight. With our commitment as the fulcrum, what we stand on gives us leverage to empower what we stand for. In this way, who we are leverages what we do in the world. But without knowing what we stand on, what we stand for can become hollow. Without knowing our foundation, we can become overbearing in our opinions. OMTimes | October
There are always two sides to knowing. One is the quest for meaning, the endless forging of what is essential in order to live. The other is our attachment to a particular view, idea, feeling, or belief. This is the trap of conviction: the stubbornness that turns truth into an assumption or conclusion. It’s the trap of conviction that has Israelis and Palestinians distrust each other without ever having met while young Christians in the Midwest run with no reason from Islamic children.
As Jon Kabat-Zinn puts it, “If you’re too convicted in your opinions or beliefs, perhaps you are a convict, imprisoned within the confines of your own understandings.” In this way, unquestioned convictions are old thoughts hardened into seldom-tested beliefs. Instead of bringing us closer to life and each other, our hardened views enforce patterns that keep us from reclaiming the common ground we all stand on.
Part of the riddle of being human resides in this question: If love and truth are in us, why are they so hard to find and grow between us? It seems that love and truth wait like seeds within us. If never watered, they never grow. But if what lives in us is watered, the vastness of life enters our heart like rain soaking seeds waiting in soil.
OMTIMES
OMTIMES MAGAZINE
In time, there’s a fertile silence that takes the place of words as we break the surface, and living with that, our pains give way to joy. How vastness enters our hearts is part of the human journey. For everyone will be dropped into the depth of life. What matters is how we meet that moment and who comes with us. Meeting that chance is how the deeper journey of life begins. For me, that chance was my journey through cancer. It changed my stance in the world. It made me a student of all paths and all traditions. It made me a student of applied Spirit. It led me to what I stand on and stand for. But it doesn’t have to be illness or catastrophe that grounds us. It can be wonder, beauty, love, or surprise. Great love and great suffering come to us all, to remind us how rare it is to be here at all. Then it’s our job to stay awake and aware, kind, and loving. Ultimately, we’re challenged to find something lasting to stand on and something noble to stand for. Being human is such a mystery, filled with blessings and hardships, often the one leading to the other. And through my own spin from blessing to hardship and back, I’ve learned that when all else fails, I’m often forced to stand where I am until the ground of being that lives forever comes up through my feet, making me a little more solid. So,I invite you to reflect on what you stand on. What is your deepest, bedrock, your foundation? How does it solidify your place in this life? And what do you stand for?
What are the values and ethics that guide your truest actions in the world? In a personal way, how is what you stand on related to what you stand for? I invite you to also reflect on your hardened convictions, obsessions, and excesses, as a way to diagnose what keeps you from what you stand on. I invite you to listen to your experience as a way to put down what’s in the way. For inner work begins with the vow to get closer to life. Standing on and standing for are endless quests for how we, in our fullness, can keep the world together. I only know that when a flower finally opens, it accepts everything that comes from the sky. And when a heart finally opens, it accepts everything about existence. And when loving wholeheartedly, we can make honey out of anything. The river of who we are runs through every country. It ignores all borders. Our call is to follow that river.
OMTIMES• OCTOBER
Ultimately, we’re challenged to find something lasting to stand on and something noble to stand for. Questions to Walk With In your journal, describe one way you are trapped in your own convictions, one way you are too stubborn about something you believe in. How can you update and refresh this conviction or belief? In conversation with a friend or loved one, take turns describing what each of you stands on and what you stand for. Then discuss one aspect of your personal history that you both have in common.
Standing On and Standing For is excerpted from The Book of Soul: 52 Paths to Living What Matters by Mark Nepo, published by St. Martin’s Essentials, May 2020.
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Can Feng Shui Change Your Destiny? by Kartar Diamond OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
A
lmost everyone, except
all the Feng Shui remedies will not
the devout atheist or
make it so. In America, we have this
existentialist, believes or
strange phenomenon that some of
thinks it is plausible that
our U.S. Presidents have a genetic link
they have come into the world with
with each other, such as being very
a destiny. This word means different
distant cousins only revealed through
things to different people, however.
extensive genealogy reports. This
For some, it can mean their potential.
includes the unlikely pairing of former
We can say that a person is living their
V.P. Dick Cheney with former President
destiny or fate, which implies some free
Barack Obama.
will as if to say a person chooses destiny over fate based on their consciousness
In Feng Shui Theory, we believe that
or the choices they make. (i.e.
a person comes into the world with
Destiny=Good/Fate=Bad.)
a particular potential, like an outline of a story. But even that could be
Others believe the destiny is very set.
interpreted as free will if one ascribes
A person comes into the world with
to the theory of reincarnation and that
specific lessons to learn, and life is a
all souls make choices that affect them
pre-writ experience that is going to
from one incarnation to the next. Many
teach or expose a person to the lessons
people take advice from astrologers,
they need to learn or experiences
who often astonish their clientele by
they need to have. As the saying goes,
predicting accurately when certain
“it was destined.” Or another cliché:
things will or have happened in their
nothing happens by accident.
lives. This lends itself more to the belief that we don’t have much free will at all.
So, where does the practice of Feng Shui weigh in on the issue of destiny
Feng Shui takes a more relaxed view.
versus fate or free will? According to
If something is meant to happen,
the Taoist philosophy behind Feng
the remedies and alterations to the
Shui, it appears to be somewhat of
environment can make things happen
a blending of the two aspects just
faster. Or if the environment does
described. I always say in my classes
not support the destiny, then the
that if it is not your destiny to be a
true potential of a person will not be
top world leader or celebrity, then
realized, or at least not on the schedule.
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
As an example, there are certain
of their lives, so the bedroom is always
energies related to love and sex. If
a critical area to look at in a Feng Shui
a person’s bedroom landed in this
Analysis.
defined area of their home, Feng Shui adherents would predict that they have
Now, if it is not in someone’s destiny to
a more substantial chance of meeting
be in a love relationship, or at least not
someone for a romantic encounter or
when the Feng Shui energies indicate
the beginning of a love relationship.
a great potential, then the combination
This is based on the concept of where
of negative and positive influences
you spend most of your time will affect
might cancel each other out. Or, as
you. Most people sleep about one-third
I have seen so often in my practice,
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
romantic energies can get stirred up for
could easily be varying the results is the
something short-lived. Still, if it is not
pre-writ destiny, which works together
the right time for someone to be in a
with the environment and physical
relationship (revealed through personal
surroundings that a person places
astrology), the most significant
themselves in.
potential will not manifest. Author: Kartar Diamond Feng Shui remedies can work
The Philosophical and Metaphysical
powerfully or in a more subtle
Musings Series- Feng Shui
manner. They can appear to work
Solutions Ž fengshuisolutions.net
instantaneously or gradually. What OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
Relationships The interconnectiveness among all human beings and, consequently, the relationships among us are the focus of this section. The dynamics of the web of connections we make is one of the most prominent aspects of human existence: how we interlace with each other’s existence in a meaningful way.
INTERVIEW
Finding your Way through Pain and Loss Interview with Claire B. Willis, co-author of Opening to Grief: Finding Your Way from Loss to Peace Claire B. Willis is a clinical social worker who has worked in the fields of oncology and bereavement for more than 20 years. A cofounder of the Boston nonprofit Facing Cancer Together, Willis has led bereavement, end-of-life, support, and therapeutic writing groups. She has co-taught Spiritual Resources for Healing the Mind, Body, and Soul at Andover Newton Theological School. She maintains a private practice in Brookline, Massachusetts. As a lay Buddhist chaplain ordained by Joan Halifax at Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, she focuses on contemplative practices for end-oflife care. For the past five years, she has been a student of Koshin Paley Ellison, a founding teacher at the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care. Besides Opening to Grief, Willis is the author of Lasting Words: A Guide to Finding Meaning Toward the Close of Life. OpeningtoGrief.com
OMTIMES | OCTOBER 2020
OMTimes: What do you mean when you use the word Grief? Claire Willis: We often think we know what Grief is, but it’s actually hard to describe. Perhaps the first thing to say is that Grief is a normal and natural response to a major loss that occurs when a meaningful relationship is ruptured. And it is, for most people, immensely painful. As humans, there are obvious losses that will come to most of us – parents, siblings, friends, and relatives.
OMTIMES
There are also more invisible losses that some of us may experience, losses that are less culturally recognized, such as infertility, the loss of a beloved pet, the loss of a home, innocence, health, or the loss of capacities as we age. Then there are the losses that I call macro losses, the degradation of the environment, economic chaos, or the losses caused by war. While we may not know the people involved in these catastrophes, there is still a rupture of the relationship among humans. Most recently, the glaring exposure of racism, police brutality, and systemic oppression of African Americans across the US has become a source of deep Grief and outrage to all people of conscience.
It takes courage to grieve, to honor the pain we carry. We can grieve in tears or in meditative silence, in prayer or in song. In touching the pain of recent and long-held griefs, we come face to face with our genuine human vulnerability, with helplessness and hopelessness. These are the storm clouds of the heart. Jack Kornfield
OMTimes: How does Grief manifest in our lives? Claire Willis: Grief may manifest in intense physical sensations, such as loss of appetite, a feeling of anxiety, unrest or restlessness in the body, or a feeling of overwhelming exhaustion. Grief affects emotions, appearing as irritation, sadness, anger, depression, or numbness. And Grief affects cognition, too. Many people experience difficulties concentrating, remembering things, or even thinking straight. OMTimes: Is there a grief timetable or path so people know what to expect? Claire Willis: No, there really isn’t a timetable or a single path. Grief takes as long as it takes. There are as many different expressions of
OMTIMES|OCTOBER EDITION
Grief as there are people who are grieving. I spend a lot of time in my clinical work normalizing whatever someone’s experience is because there is no right way to grieve. OMTimes: What would you say to someone who says that they will never get over losing someone they loved? Claire Willis: I would say that is true. You may never get over losing the person you love. But that may be welcome news, since you may keep memories of the person you lost in ways that will comfort and sustain you. It’s important to allow and feel the pain of missing someone or something you loved, to let the pain be the pain, not hoping that it will disappear, but trusting that at some point it will fit into your life.
Don't grieve. Anything you lose comes around in another form. RUMI
OMTIMES | OCTOBER
OMTimes: Both you and your coauthor, Marnie Crawford Samuelson, are practicing Buddhists. Opening to Grief offers several meditations; how can a mindfulness practice help someone through Grief? Claire Willis: We introduce some basic ideas of being mindful: paying a kind of warm-hearted attention to life as it unfolds in the present moment; being aware of your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in or judging them; relaxing and settling into calm and stillness, and feeling grateful for the life that is yours. We show you how it is possible to lean toward and stay with raw, uncomfortable feelings of Grief, even when you feel overwhelmed and want to run away. One way a mindfulness practice helps is by drawing your attention to your breathing. This is a way of calming your body and mind. When we are grieving, we may be overwhelmed by fears of the future or memories of the past. The essential quality of mindfulness is about living in the present moment. Being mindful reduces stress, increases our emotional resilience to difficulties, and helps us cultivate more steadiness. OMTimes: How does someone know whether they are grieving or depressed, and whether to consult with a mental health professional? Claire Willis: Grief is characterized by a complicated mix of emotions, including acute sorrow, and is a normal response to a major loss such as death, disease, divorce, or violence in the world.
OMTimes | October
Sassy
Teen Magazine
Grief comes and goes with intensity so that peopleOMTIMES often find they can experience moments of relief and joy. Some behaviors that would immediately signal a need for help would include thoughts of suicide, isolating, and preoccupation with the deceased. If feelings of sadness or hopelessness are persistent and blanket everything, that may indicate depression, rather than simple or even more Complicated Grief. If you feel you might be depressed, it would be wise to consult with mental health or medical professional. OMTimes: What advice do you have for people who are suffering from Grief? Claire Willis: Though this may be hard to believe or accept, especially when Grief is new and raw, Grief is an invitation to grow and eventually to find meaning in suffering and experiences of loss that you did not ask for and do not want. A heart that is broken open offers a precious gift—a chance to become more authentic with yourself and with others. In the case of the pandemic, it is a wakeup call to attend to the health of our planet and consider how we might live differently, and what we can do to help repair the rupture in our home.
Claire B. Willis is a clinical social worker who has worked in oncology and bereavement for more than 20 years. A cofounder of the Boston nonprofit Facing Cancer Together, Willis has led bereavement, end-of-life, support, and therapeutic writing groups. She maintains a private practice in Brookline, Massachusetts. As a lay Buddhist chaplain, Claire focuses on contemplative practices for end-of-life care. In addition to Opening to Grief, Willis is the author of Lasting Words: A Guide to Finding Meaning Toward the Close of Life. OpeningtoGrief.com
Metaphysics
Living a Life of Virtue: The Pursuit of Happiness
H
by Jay K Ghosh
appiness in its many
changes in our personal world and in
different forms and shades
the world around us.
seems to be a lure for all activities of life forms.
A person's activities that produce
Human activities in the pursuit of
positive or beneficial actions also
happiness can produce unique status
produce "status changes," and they
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
seem to deliver happiness to the
positive changes can be produced by
person that is doing them. These acts
many different activities ranging from
may also produce positive "status
the extraordinary and dramatic to
changes" for the greater world around
regular humdrum activities.
them. Still, they may also be neutral or even negative for the world around
They can be physical and/or mental -
them. Thus, our impulses and acts
nothing spectacular is needed. The
in the pursuit of happiness can be
most important thing is the attitude to
divided into two types:
create a positive ending in whatever we are doing.
1. Efforts that try to create overall positive status changes for both
The next step is to support this attitude
the self and the world around.
with our efforts - whatever effort can be applied comfortably is adequate most
2. Efforts that try to create positive
of the time.
status changes for the self only, without any concern for their
The second type of "status change,"
effect on the world everywhere.
makes up the secondary sources of happiness, commonly known as
The first type of activity creates status
pleasures. These are basically the
changes that normally bring true
hedonistic sources of happiness, as
positive outcomes. These are the
classified by modern psychology.
primary sources of happiness that create a strong foundation through
The focus of this type of happiness is
activities that benefit both the self
self-gratification without much concern
and the world. They also constitute the
for the greater good or anything
eudaimonic* sources of happiness as
around us. They are generated from
defined by modern psychology.
activities that produce effects that are beneficial only for the self. Still, they
Generally, the activities in the pursuit
can be anything - positive, neutral, or
of this type of happiness try to uplift
negative for the world around.
not only the status of the person creating it but also the overall status
The activity of eating an ice-cream, for
of the greater world around. These
example, or watching an interesting
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
movie, delivers pleasure to us. Still, it
For example, eating an ice cream
may not generate any appreciable
produces "status changes" for the
amount of positive status changes for
self in positive sensation through the
the world around.
sense of taste. Still, it makes practically no status changes for the world
The hedonistic type of happiness can
around.
be further subdivided into two groups. Participating in a group sports activity
Let's name them:
like playing soccer, for example, can a) hedonistic type A, and
be considered as another example of
b) hedonistic type B
the pursuit of mild hedonistic type A happiness, where the acts produce
The activities in the pursuit of
positive status changes for the self,
hedonistic type A happiness produce
and also some possible positive status
status changes that are positive for the
changes for the world around.
self and are also non-negative for the world around. That is, they are either
In similar situations where the
positive or neutral for their immediate
hedonistic activity creates positive
environment.
status changes for the greater world OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
around, the act can be in the transition
Thus, we can see a clear difference
zone, from hedonistic to eudaimonic,
between the eudaimonic* and the
depending on the purpose given to
hedonistic types of happiness -
the effort.
especially between the eudaimonic and the hedonistic type B.
The activities in the pursuit of hedonistic type B happiness produce
If we analyze the destructive activities
status changes, which are favorable
posing the most serious threats to our
for the self, but harmful for the world.
future survival, we are able to see that
Here the overall status change tends
most of them have been created by
to be negative. Sexual activities,
our actions to pursue hedonistic type
for example, have the potential of
B happiness. But that doesn't mean
producing tremendous amounts of
we have to skip all the hedonistic
hedonistic happiness. Still, depending
pleasures - the pleasures of our favorite
on the circumstances, they can be the
food or the beautiful music, etc. make
type A or type B. Inappropriate, or non-
life so rewarding. But, possibly, it will
consensual sexual behavior can provide
be wiser to avoid the hedonistic type
hedonistic type B happiness for the
B as much as possible for the obvious
self while creating significant negative
reasons. Perhaps, here lies the clue
status changes for the victims.
to solving some of our most pressing problems related to our evolution and
Business activities of corporations
our survival in the far future.
selling products which are harmful to the world while making monetary
Jay K Ghosh emigrated to the USA
profits can also be considered as
from India in 1968. He has a couple
examples of hedonistic type B
of master's Degrees in science and
activities. In this vision, some people
Engineering. Though his profession
benefit at the expense of the greater
has been in Technology, his real
world around them. Thus, selling
passion has been in Philosophy and
fossil fuels by the oil and gas industry
Spirituality.
without any effort to control the resulting global warming may be considered an example of hedonistic type B behavior.
*Eudaimonic well-being refers to the subjective experiences associated with eudaimonia or living a life of virtue in the pursuit of human excellence.
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
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.
Grief and Times of Change
G
by Darity Wesley
rief is part of the human
situation that has or will change how
experience. We grieve
we live our lives. And many of us grieve
the loss of a loved one,
for all of humanity, the animals, the
a furry friend, a beloved
environment ... the collective in its
colleague, a career, a relationship, or
current state of existence.
the loss of something we have had in our lives for a long time. We grieve
Also, during this massive change on the
the onset of illness, trauma, or some
planet, we are all probably feeling some
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
level of grief. The pandemic has created
terminal illness or when we lose a
a dramatic shift in and around us all—
loved one.
the loss of how things used to be. However, it also applies to the types Any time there is a shift in realities, and
of loss we experience in a changing
this is not the first reality shift on this
world, a transformational, paradigm-
planet, grief tends to accompany the
changing experience, much like we
experience.
are going through right now.
So, what is grief? Grief is deep sorrow.
The old world, the old energy, is
Deep, deep sorrow … and its depth
dying. What we thought of as our
varies depending on the connection to
"reality" is changing right before
what is lost.
our very eyes. The new world, the new energy, the New Reality, is
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a Swiss-
still unknown. It is amorphous. We
American psychiatrist who was a
cannot see it clearly and do not know
pioneer in the hospice movement and
what it will look like until the speed
wrote many books on death and dying,
of change has slowed down. Indeed,
introduced the five stages of grief. She
it will look much different. Our lives
later added two more stages of grief,
will never be the same. As a result,
making it The Seven Stages of Grief.
most of us are experiencing some
The seven stages are:
level of grief.
1. Shock
The experience of grief is different
2. Denial
for each person, and the Seven
3. Anger
Stages of Grief are not necessarily
4. Bargaining
pointing on some linear timeline. Not
5. Depression
everyone goes through all of them or
6. Testing
even in any prescribed order, as the
7. Acceptance
experience of grief is as unique as we are. The final stage of grief eventually
Kübler-Ross postulates that this is a
brings us to acceptance and the
series of emotions we all go through
knowledge that All Is Well with All
when we are diagnosed with a
That Is!
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
Therefore, be aware that many of us
happening and then keeping our
are experiencing and moving through
wits about us. This will give us the
stages of grief. Understanding that we
wherewithal to calm our monkey
are all experiencing some form of grief
mind, open our hearts, and firmly
will enable us to have compassion for
ground ourselves in the immense love
each other. It provides us with a tool
that is All That Is. It is what allows us to
in our evolutionary toolbox that will
heal and move forward.
help frame and identify what we, and The healing comes when we allow the
others, may be feeling.
pain, the grief, the sadness to be felt. This allows us to really feel and
We have to honor our emotions and
connect with the emotion that is
let them release. These tools apply
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
whether it is the loss of life or loss
Darity Wesley is an award-winning,
of a way of life. Or even the loss of
best-selling author, a lawyer, a speaker,
everything we have known before.
a Death Diva, and a Wisdom Sharer. She has traveled the spiritual, metaphysical,
We are vast, powerful beings ...
and personal development paths for
more than we really know. We
many decades. She has become a
can step out of our grief when
powerful resource for those awakening
we are ready and into creating
to their evolving consciousness. Her
the New Reality. Our grief, our
'Wisdom for the New Reality' message
feelings, our acceptance are the
goes out monthly to her international
steppingstones to an exciting new
community for free. Sign up on her
way of life.
website www.DarityWesley.com. OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
Erasing Fear from Your Heart by Melvin D. Nix
What Are You Listening To?
A
to, attend closely, and wait attentively for." We have all been conditioned
re you mindful of what
to follow the latest trends and
you have been listening
happenings, so we shift our attention
to? The word "listen to"
rapidly from one thing to the next.
means" to give attention
It's easy to float through our lives with
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
no awareness of what we are giving our attention to. However, what we are lending our ears is the most significant source of the fears we
Keep your heart The Bible has a scripture that says:" Keep your heart with all diligence,
carry within ourselves.
For out of it springs the issues of
Listening and hearing involve more
that, out of your heart (mind) flows
life. (Proverbs 4:23)". Think about
than our ears. It's about receiving information through our eyes, experiences, and other senses as well. The information we receive gets planted into our minds and ultimately shapes how we believe and respond to the things that occur in our lives. In the grander scheme of things, we need to harness the power
the issues of life. The word issues allude to your source of life and the boundaries that surround your life. What this verse implies is that we should be cautious about what we give our attention to because those things spring up and shape our lives and destiny.
of our attention.
If you reflect on any limiting belief or
Be Careful HOW You Hear - The Ear and Heart Connection
fear for you, I'm sure you can trace
situation that has been a source of it back to something you heard and gave your attention to even if it only started out as a conversation.
Isn't it ironic that the word ear is
Think of the things you have never
embedded within the words f(ear)
pursued because someone made a
and h(ear)t?
fearful suggestion to you. You never gave yourself a chance to see for
When I mention the word heart,
yourself because you allowed their
I'm referring to the conscious and
suggestion to be planted into your
subconscious states of our minds
heart, and it birthed fear within
that govern our lives, whether
you. It shaped your imagination
we know it or not. Our heart is
so that when you even thought of
susceptible to suggestions and must
the situation, you saw images that
be carefully attended to if we desire a
corresponded to fear rather than
better quality of life.
courage. OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
What's In You In Abundance Comes Out
around you and cheer you on, but most of us don't have that luxury. Most of us are finding that we are often
Once you've given your attention to a
alone and dealing with the issues of
fearful suggestion, it shapes how you
life on our own.
perceive things. It even starts to govern how you verbally express yourself.
Finding a way to encourage yourself
Think of all the things you've avoided
allows you to build a stronger
and said.." I can't, it won't work, or it
foundation within so that as the
will fail" Most of those statements are
circumstances of life come towards
accompanied by mental images and
you, you will stand strong. It equips
emotions that are interconnected to
you to not be dependent upon others
what you've said. The fearful suggestions
that may never come to your aid when
have been planted into your heart,
you are facing an emergency. When
and now you are growing and giving
you infuse thoughts, emotions, and
life to them. Those suggestions are
inner dialog with ideas of confidence,
now becoming the "issues" of your
assurance, and success, you begin to
life because you weren't mindful of
remove seeds and thought patterns of
diligently guarding your heart. The
negativity and fear. Be mindful of what
good news is that once you have this
you give your attention to, how you are
understanding, you can pluck up those
listening, and start to remove yourself
fearful seeds from within and plant
from anxiety and fill your heart with
seeds of courage, hope, and power.
courage!
Encourage Yourself Think of what the word encourage means" to give support, confidence, or hope." To remove fear from your life, you must start by encouraging yourself. It's not the easiest thing to do, but it's necessary for each of us to develop. It's wonderful if you have the support of loving friends and family that circle
Melvin D Nix is a spiritual teacher, author, and motivational speaker. He currently hosts a weekly broadcast called "Putting On The Pneu You," (pronounced New You) where he teaches how to apply universal spiritual concepts and principles in an easy to understand format so that anyone can use them and see tangible results in their daily lives. pneuyou.com
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
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
Transforming Our World through Our Gifts by Veronica Lee
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
P
ressure is often
• What is 2020 trying to offer me?
the catalyst for
• What can I learn, develop, or
transformation. Wood, fiber, metal, clay and
other raw materials become transformed – oftentimes into something useful or beautiful – with conscientious pressure, intention and skill. To say, “2020
transform within me at this time? • What have I been avoiding that is beckoning my attention? • What gifts do I possess to meet the current challenges? • How can I care for myself more fully, gently?
has been a year of relentless pressures” would be a gross
These contemplations can be held
understatement. And the year is
lightly in meditation and allowed to
just two-thirds over!
rest, with revelations unfolding over several days. You can also address
We can easily identify several mass
them more directly: by writing each
challenges that have marked our
question at the top of a page, and
lives this year – at least somewhat
allowing the free-form “answers”
directly – but many of us are facing
to flow f rom your pen, without
more personal pressures as well.
hesitation or judgment. Another approach is to ask one specific
Death, divorce, depression,
question before bed, trusting that
division, and disaster come to
your dreams will offer insights.
mind… and that’s just a few of the
Recording the dream upon waking
Ds. No matter the personal effects
sharpens your recollection of it and
of 2020, one might wonder, “What
prompts your inner wisdom for
did I sign up for here?” And that’s
interpretations as details surface.
a good question, which deserves some openhearted contemplation.
Meeting the pressures of life with inquiry and contemplation
With a quiet mind and grounded
empowers us to find the wisdom
neutrality, contemplate this
and opportunities buried within.
unprecedented time as it relates
Using what we discover for positive
to you. Here are some good starter
transformation takes intention and
inquiries:
willingness. OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
As much as we would love to rest on
and consciously unearth the rubble
our laurels with grace and ease, 2020
and trust we will find some gems.
(and the next few years, according to some astrologers) will be demanding
Many of our wounds have devolved
more of us – globally and individually.
into unconscious patterns: feeling
Our collective awakening is gaining
bad, closing our hearts, mistreating
momentum now. As infinite beings,
others or ourselves, acting carelessly,
we are always a work in progress, ever
and so on. The more traumatic
capable of growth with many innate
wounds may appear large and
gifts to support our evolution.
looming, like massive, immoveable stones, whereas smaller discords are
In times of intense pressure, how
more like pebbles that misshape
can we develop our capacities for
and weigh down our pockets.
transformation toward something
Unresolved wounds and feelings of
we actually desire? Not everyone is
unworthiness aren’t “bad,” per se, but
equally skilled, nor beholds the same
are not optimal for joyful authenticity
vision of usefulness or beauty that
and healthy empowerment.
transformation can accomplish. To
It’s reasonable to deduce that
apply a one-size-fits-all suggestion may
our wounds and beliefs about
not resonate. Or work. Yet a simplistic
unworthiness lead to destruction –
starting point is: know thyself.
and we have a chronic condition.
Currently, many of our shadows and
The spiritual evolution we are
unresolved issues are coming to the
undergoing is not asking for
foref ront. The things we don’t like
perfection; is it urging us to
seeing, feeling, or hoped we’d get to
resolve hindrances to our greatest
bypass are demanding our attention.
expression. What we transform
Awareness and understanding of
within ourselves inextricably affects
ourselves and our so-called issues
our world.
make room for acceptance and, if Fundamentally, we have a natural
willing, change.
aptitude for taking care of our needs, Knowing our “personality” is not
albeit sometimes only primordially.
enough. We must dig deeper – carefully
As babies, we either fulfilled our own
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
needs (sleep, elimination, thumb-
assessment, we can discover the
sucking) or cried instinctively to get
relation between obstacle and
them met (nourishment, comfort,
gift. For example, if hurt-feelings,
care). Metaphysically, our more
rejection, and abandonment are
subtle faculties also preserve and
wounds that became blocks,
protect us as we navigate through
we can “turn the coin over”
life. Our inherent remembrance of
to recognize caring, love, and
Oneness enables love. Our keen
connection as foundational gifts.
ability to empathize reinforces connectedness. Our capacity to sense emotions and potential volatilities help us decipher
Try this simple exercise using list-making to discover your hidden gems:
unspoken words or situations. In the column of “Obstacles,” Yet, the wounds and traumas we
note what you consider blocks or
endure can morph into layers of
shortcomings (afraid, impulsive,
fear and protectiveness, obscuring
angry); you can also be more
our innate gifts, our expression of
specific (I am af raid to try new
our authentic selves, and our joy.
things, I don’t think before I act, I seem to be angry all the time).
By recognizing and cultivating our inherent gifts, we begin to dissolve
Before approaching the column of
the blocks that limit us and clear
“Gifts,” get centered in your heart.
the pathways that lead us back to
Invoke a simple inward intention,
our essence. All the way back to the
close your eyes, take some deep
origin of our power and joy.
breaths while focusing on your heart chakra, or place your hands
Whether working with a skilled
over your heart, softening your
practitioner, participating in a
defenses.
conscientious group, or choosing to work alone, understanding the core
As you contemplate each of the
of our obstacles can help us access
“Obstacles,” intend to see your
self-compassion and illuminate
underlying “Gifts.” Approach
our capabilities. With conscious
each item with, “What gift is this
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
shortcoming trying to protect?� For
cultivating your gifts can unleash
example, fear (to try new things)
interest, passion, and meaning.
may indicate your sensitivity
Whether tangible or metaphysical,
to harsh people, out-of-sync
developing new or neglected gifts
situations, and a natural tendency
takes practice. Yet, in reaction,
to find a healthy structure and
defiance, discouragement, and doubt
balance. Trust and write whatever
may also arise. Practice anyway.
come, digging deeper for nuggets. Although we may not see immediate With your list of gems, decide
results, the shifts are profound. It is
which ones you wish to polish
time to consciously transform all that
first and brainstorm ways to do
has kept us in separation, pain, and
so. Do you want to take a class?
fear into the love-based reality we
Read books? Moreover, take note
envision. Fortunately, we co-create
of what you are already doing
it by applying our inherent gifts and
to preserve your gifts. If you are
becoming who we are meant to be.
naturally sensitive, fortify healthy ways to preserve your sensitivity. You may decide to learn the art of clairvoyance, clairaudience, or mediumship. If your big heart loves deeply, but you’ve guarded it against intimacy, maybe you learn relationship-building skills in a safe and compassionate environment. If underneath your criticism and judgment, you discover your affinity for peace and justice, perhaps art will be a joyful way to express and create the harmony
Veronica Lee is a Transformational Visionary, Speaker, Writer, Spiritual Mentor, and Intuitive. Through her work, she has shared lifechanging insights and guidance with thousands around the world. Believing joy comes f rom living an integrated life, Veronica focuses on embracing our whole selves, making peace with imperfections, taking transformative steps, or
you envision.
awakening spiritual gifts. Her
There may not be a universal
is both practical and deeply
empowering style of sharing
method for transformation, but
insightful. www.VeronicaLee.tv
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
Books
Unreasonable Joy: Awakening through Trikaya Buddhism, points the way towards Enlightenment and liberation from suffering. We suffer through tragedies and the daily grind of eat-work-sleep, chasing happiness but finding fleeting pleasure. Built on the foundations of ancient wisdom, a new school called Trikaya Buddhism promises freedom from the suffering of this wearisome cycle. Unreasonable Joy captures Buddha’s advanced Tantric teachings and puts them into an American form of Buddhism designed for the modern world. Unreasonable Joy contains proven techniques that the author, Turīya, has taught thousands of people over a 25-year career. The nine lessons explore the power of meditation, mindfulness, karma, emotions, and humility. Turīya provides essays, poems, and stories that ground the esoteric teachings in the world, and Practice Pointers show you how to incorporate them into daily life. Adorned with traditional Tibetan thangka art by Yoni Zilber, the pages invite you into the powerful practice of meditation instantly. Unreasonable Joy gently encourages you to do the work you will need to directly experience the ecstasy of existence and recognize who you truly are.
For more information, or to purchase the book, click the cover or visit:
Amazon.com
7 Reasons to Invest in Your Creative Writing Skills By Omtimes Publishing OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
Y
ou can find several online workshops and a lot of free material to study creative writing, but what
1 – Creative environments will encourage you to write more.
does it mean to improve your creative
It is the main reason to join writing
writing?
courses, in my opinion. If you plan to
Grow Your Creative Writing Skills
go to classes and do the proposed exercises, you will write more than usual. That alone is worth the investment, isn’t it? But the many
Becoming a writer means being
advantages do not stop there.
creative enough to find the time and the place in your life for writing. ~Heather Sellers
2 – You will learn new planning techniques
If you intend to become a published
Yes, many writers work in the
author, developing your creatives skills
“gardener” mode. They start writing
is a must.
and change their projects throughout the writing but learning to plan
Of course, the best thing would be
important for everyone. After all,
to have a community of writers to
planning can help you better deal with
exchange information with. Therefore,
the infamous writing block. Besides,
most courses, even online, offer
different forms of planning give you
different platforms for you to interact
different points of view about their
with other writers, such as forums and
stories and have a lot to contribute to
Facebook groups.
your personal creative process.
So why, with so much content available, are so many writers still not taking Creative Writing courses?
If you are one of these, here is a list of reasons to start taking creative writing courses.
3 -You will learn new writing techniques Everyone lives, one way or the other, on a bubble, and in terms of writing and creativity, this is no different. You may not yet know writers you will
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
love and techniques that will help you
In the most complete workshops, you
create even more compelling stories.
will come into contact with different literary genres. Perhaps, you will end
The workshops can help you get out
up discovering a new area of writing
of that literary bubble a bit and get
with which you identify. I, for example,
in touch with stories and styles you
always liked writing short stories
would never have known.
more. Still, participating in writing
4 – You will meet new literary genres
workshops, I realized that I need not be afraid of the long narrative and love to write chronicles. I did not abandon
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
the stories, but I started other projects
This is a time of great learning. You will
in parallel to writing more and more.
hear a lot of criticism – constructive, we
5 – Creative Writing courses will help you to develop your own narrative voice, your author’s voice.
hope. It is imperative to learn how to deal with them and evolve as a writer. Having a group analyzing your manuscript is remarkably enjoyable to know what works and what does
We are often influenced by some of
not. At what points did you achieve
our favorite writers. There is nothing
your goals with the text, and what do
wrong with that. It is part of the writer’s
you need to improve. Do not be afraid
ongoing learning process. However,
to share your writing with others who
in the workshops, with exchanging
are also developing as writers. These
with colleagues and teachers, you will
exchanges are incredible and full of
realize what is yours. You will be able
learning.
to identify what you borrowed from your references and will be able to determine what makes you unique. This is an important step in your
7 – You will build a community of fellow writers around you.
writing journey. It is one of the most important Creativity is allowing yourself to make
elements for the growth of any author
mistakes. Art is knowing which ones
for several reasons:
to keep. ~Scott Adams
First, because you will end up finding
6 – You will learn to deal with criticism (with baby steps)
people qualified to give you critical opinions about your writings. Second, because, in general, the authors help each other in the dissemination of content, promoting, sharing, and
At some point during the workshops,
taking part in literary events and
you will be asked to write and share
launches. If you want to launch
your texts with colleagues so that they
yourself as an author, it is essential to
can give an opinion on your writings.
be among your peers.
OM TIMES | October B Edition 2020
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