Positive Life Spring 2024

Divine Timing

Live Concert This

June In Dublin

Due to popular demand, 2nd night added. 1st night sold out.

VENUE IRISH GOSPEL HALL DUBLIN

7pm TO 9PM JULY 10TH WEDNESDAY Tickets http://www.positivelife.ie/events/

positive nights presents

Author of one of the most famous books on the planet: Men Are From Mars , Women Are From Venus

JOHN GRAY COMES TO IRELAND

Full Day Workshop

On Harmonising Relationships Between Men And Women, Enhance Your Sex Life, Find Your Soulmate

Harmonise Your Existing Relationship, Balance Masculine / Feminine Within Yourself, Optimum Hormonal Health / Oestrogen And Testosterone

Sunday May 19 th - 10am To 5pm

Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin

Tickets: positivelife.ie/events/

welcome to Spring 2024

“If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too;”

Rudyard Kipling

For some reason I love this theme of Equanimity. Calmness is the new cool. It ties into the fact that the external has no power over the internal. It feels like it does at times but it simply does not. The ability to stay calm in the eye of the storm, unflinching, powerful, raw power. It’s constantly there in the background, an awareness, no opinion, no judgement, just energy, being itself. This issue we are bumper to bumper - Paul Selig, John Gray, Deva Premal and lots of brilliant articles from our team of writers. As you read the wisdom, remain equanimous, know yourself, and then move into the world - be in it, but not of it.

Be who you are. You got this.

paul congdon, Publisher

Contentment

Publisher PC Media paul@positivelife.ie

Co-Editorial Alison McEvoy and Persephone Kianka editor@positivelife.ie

Design Conor O’Brien info@conorobrien.ie

Ad Design Caroline Hanan caroline.hanan@gmail.com

Advertising Paul Congdon paul@positivelife.ie

0861579518

Social media Taylor Grimes editor@positivelife.ie

Thanks to our advertisers, we can give Positive Life magazine to you for FREE. If you’re talking to them, let them know we sent you their way.

Please use the information provided in this publication as a recommendation only to better mental and physical health. We strongly advise you to consult your doctor regarding health concerns that you may have. The views expressed by contributors and advisors do not necessarily represent the views of the publication’s staff.

Printed, published, packaged and distributed in Ireland. positivelife.ie

We would like to sincerely apologise to Gerard McNevin and Geraldine Walsh of The Shamanic and Psychotherapeutic Academy also known as the Wise Owl Academy, in relation to an advert which appeared in a previous issue in 2023. We regret any upset this may have caused.

springvibes care for your vessel

“SPRING IS FAR MORE THAN JUST A CHANGING OF SEASONS; IT’S A REBIRTH OF THE SPIRIT.”

TONI SORENSON

BREATHE IN VITALITY

THE POWER OF SHILAJIT

Shilajit has been a vital part of Ayurvedic medicine for years due to its many proven benefits, such as improving gut and skin health. Himalayan Shilajit is also extremely rich in trace minerals, including magnesium, zinc and potassium, which can do wonders for anti-ageing, heart health, stress and more. If you are looking to get as much as possible of the good stuff from the periodic table of the elements into your daily routine, check out these one-of-akind supplements.

powerful.ie

NEW WAVE HAIRCARE

We love Conlemany (“with the use of hands” in Italian) around here. It’s an innovative brand that provides plantbased, organic certified, vegan, plasticfree and eco-friendly products for hair and body. Unlike mainstream chemical-based cosmetics, their hair dyes have a positive, nourishing effect on hair! It’s also the only place we know that will freshly squeeze top-quality oils for you, including pumpkin, cumin and many more. Drop in for a coffee and a sugar-free vegan pastry, and get oiled up.

organicitalianhair.bio

There’s been more talk of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in recent years, and for good reason. HBOT mobilises the body’s stem cells, aiding healing and repair, and the increased oxygen levels benefit the entire body. Pop into the Woodlands Health Centre to try out this therapy for yourself or choose from one of their many other treatments, all tailored to enable health and vitality for the individual.

woodlandshealthcentre.ie

EARTH’S ANCIENT SUPERFOOD

The people behind Mush Mór are passionate about unlocking the power of mushrooms and making their incredible benefits accessible to everyone. Each of their products celebrates the wonder of mushrooms, offering a unique blend of flavour, nutrition and wellness. If you’re new to the world of mushrooms, check out our original blend of Earth’s ancient superfood, which you can stir into food or drink. Just a single teaspoon delivers 96% of your daily Vitamin D needs!

mushmor.com

transformative technology

MAGICAL PAIN RELIEF

We’d love to get our hands on the Pain Genie Scenar Therapy. This advanced pain relief device accelerates the body’s natural self-healing abilities, enabling it to resolve a range of ailments, from neck and back pain to sports injuries to arthritis. Unsurprisingly, with its ability “to achieve a dramatic reduction in pain, often within minutes”, it is now the go-to treatment for top-tier athletes and medical professionals.

paingenie.com

REWIRE YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM

What if there was a way to train your brain and nervous system to regulate itself better, leading to improved focus, sleep and general wellbeing? NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback, a new, non-invasive device, does just that. Using advanced technology that is FDA-approved, it provides an automated form of neurofeedback that helps your brain and nervous system to function more efficiently. Time to say goodbye to poor sleep and overthinking!

neurofeedbackwestcork.ie

THE HOCATT

The Hocatt is a 30 minute treatment which combines a variety of 10 different therapies, all of which would normally take 3 hours to complete individually. Apart from the amazing health benefits its offers, it is a highly relaxing therapy, whereby the client sits in a chamber(unclothed) with their head out. A combination of steam, carbonic acid and infra red, to name a few, make the Hocatt experience a truly rejuvenating one. And guess what there is one near the hill of tara, sacred space, sacred tech healing.Contact Gemma Doherty, a kinesiologist and so much more, her Re focus programme sounds amazing. focushealth.ie

Banana Melon

Celtic Holotropic

feed your spirit

FANTASTIC FUNGI

From Shiitake to Enoki to King Oyster, Ashford Mushrooms is passionate about bringing an array of fresh, locally grown mushrooms to their community. Located just outside Ashford Town, Co. Wicklow, their farm is a “haven for mushroom enthusiasts”. It is also organic, reflecting their commitment to sustainable farming and the highest quality produce. By inviting local restaurants and greengrocers to explore the unique flavours of their mushrooms, they make exciting local culinary experiences possible.

ashfordmushrooms.ie

VIBRANT HEALTH

Roaring Water Bay Health Food Shop, located in Schull, West Cork, has recently come under new ownership and is continuing to thrive, bringing a daily dose of goodness into this vibrant community. Schull is such a cool area with plenty to do, and this health shop serves it so well. Whether you’re seeking a natural remedy or an overall boost in energy and wellness, this place will get you feeling great again.

VEGAN FOOD ART

If you’re a vegan foodie (or any kind of foodie), you’ll want to check out Banana Melon Kitchen, an innovative plant-based food start-up based in Cork City. They make the best vegan cheese we have tasted, presented in the most beautiful way (we especially love the smoked chilli one, which you can sprinkle on your pasta). Knowing it’s fermented in small batches using no artificial flavours or preservatives makes it even tastier! bananamelonkitchen.com

STRETCH YOUR SOUL

This spring, treat yourself to one of the “most inspiring wellness retreats” with ensuite bedrooms, dynamic outings and excellent vegetarian food. Located on the West Coast of Ireland, Burren Yoga Retreat takes participants beyond the yoga mat into the beauty of nature and the soul. As our publisher Paul says, “I love this place; it ticks all the boxes. If you need a retreat with good food, good people and good vibes, this is the place. Tell Dave we sent you…”

burrenyoga.com

healing spaces

BREATHWORK RETREAT

We love the sound of the Celtic Holotropic Weekend Retreat, which will take place from April 18-21, 2024. At Danu Lodge, an idyllic retreat centre in Co. Wexford, participants can explore holotropic states of consciousness using their breath. Through this powerful experience, it may be possible for their innate wisdom to surface, thus allowing transformation and deep insights to unfold. The Sweat Lodge following this breathwork retreat will offer a space for “deep contemplation, ceremony, cleansing and celebration”.

danulodge.com

restorative events

We are so excited for our upcoming events this year, which include a May workshop with world-renowned relationship expert John Gray, who wrote Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, and a channelled evening with award-winning author and channel Paul Selig in July. We are also eager to welcome Deva Premal and Miten with Special Guest Joby Baker on June 24th, who will bring the power of Sanskrit mantras and songs to help us illuminate collective consciousness.

positivelife.ie

MEDITATION FOR CHANGE

We all know that meditating on your own is powerful, but meditating with a group is thought to have an even stronger effect. In 1993, researchers saw a significant reduction in violent crime in Washington, DC, after bringing a group of people together to meditate. In 2024, many believe it’s time to try this experiment again. To increase peace in Dublin and our world, join the Meditation For Change movement at noon this spring in the Phoenix Park.

@meditation_for_change_dublin

CELTIC KIRTAN

Eileen Bray is a professional voice actor, soul singer, textile artist and the creator of Celtic Kirtan, which weaves sacred languages, songs and chants into a “magickal mantra mash-up”. Rooted in Ireland’s ancient language and wisdom, it provides a harmonious space for healing and joyous celebration of nature’s cycles. If your soul could use some soothing, we highly recommend coming into this healing embrace of sound.

eileenbray.com

Meditation for Change

Neurofeedback

Deva

positively newsworthy

GOOD NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE.

1 An Unexpected Legacy

UNASSUMING MILLIONAIRE DONATES FORTUNE.

by Persephone Kianka

Geoffrey Holt, the caretaker of a mobile home park in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, mostly kept to himself. He would ride his lawnmower around town, and residents often saw him parked along the main road, reading a newspaper or watching cars pass. His mobile home had almost no furniture and no TV or computer either.

According to Edwin “Smokey” Smith, Holt’s best friend and former employer, “He seemed to have what he wanted, but he didn’t want much.”

When Holt died of a stroke in 2023, no one in the town would have expected him to be a multimillionaire. Even Smith, who had recently learned about his friend’s fortune, couldn’t have predicted what he’d do with it.

“I was sort of dumbfounded when I

found out that all of it went to the town,” he said.

In his will, Holt left instructions for the town to use the $3.8 million to “support projects, programs and organisations that provide health, educational, recreational or cultural benefits to the residents of Hinsdale.”

The town’s annual budget is approximately $12 million, according to Kathryn Lynch, the town administrator, so Mr. Holt’s donation will have a significant impact. She said whatever they decide to put the money towards, they will spend it frugally, as Mr. Holt did.

Mr. Holt set this generous arrangement in motion decades earlier. In 2001, he approached the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit, and arranged for them to distribute the funds

after his death.

Reflecting on his friend’s down-toearth character, Smith said, “I guess you really didn’t know whether he had money or not because he never bragged about anything. Geoffrey didn’t change when he found out he had seven digits in an investment account.”

“Geoffrey didn’t change when he found out he had seven digits in an investment account.”

2 Renewable Record

SOARING IRISH WIND POWER.

by Persephone Kianka

On 6 December 2023, Ireland set a new record for wind output on the Irish grid at 4,629 megawatts, exceeding the previous record set in February 2022. By midnight, wind power had accounted for 71% of the country’s electricity demands that day.

According to the COP28 Global Offshore Wind Update, only two countries out of the 19 with 2030 offshore wind targets are likely to hit them: Ireland and Poland.

Earlier in the year, Ireland’s wind generation surpassed “all-island electricity demand” for the first time. The latest figures show that Irish wind farms accounted for 32% of the country’s power for the first eight months of 2023.

On days with the most wind power, electricity prices fell by an average of 5% to €88.34 per megawatt-hour. On days when Ireland relied almost exclusively on

fossil fuels, that cost rose to €123.07 per megawatt-hour.

Noel Cunniffe, CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, has high hopes for the country’s contribution to wind energy in the coming years.

“Electricity generated from Irish wind farms replaces imported fossil fuels. The more wind we can get on the electricity grid, the less we rely on imported gas and the more we can cut our carbon emissions and keep that money at home,” he said.

Cunniffe added: “Our members can be proud of the role Irish wind farms are playing in supporting Irish electricity consumers and reducing our carbon emissions. It is a true success story, and we are on the way to an energy independent future for Ireland.”

“…Irish wind farms accounted for 32% of the country’s power for the first eight months of 2023.”

3 True Beauty

MODEL WITH DOWN SYNDROME SHINES.

by Persephone Kianka

Alexia Rivera, a Long Island model with Down Syndrome, is making her mark on the beauty world and beyond.

“I don’t follow. I’m a leader,” the 20-year-old role model told CBS.

Alexia has done social media ads for CVS Beauty; she’s the face of swag for the VR game SIMS and has two national campaigns launching this year.

Her parents, Eddie and Alexandria, always emphasised that beauty is within, and today, Alexia’s photos can be seen in Sephora stores worldwide.

While modelling is her latest venture, Alexia’s can-do attitude has made her ambitious in many areas. She’s a barista in training and learning graphic

arts, boxing and acting.

Alexia also overcame stroke and partial paralysis after being diagnosed with Moyamoya disease. During the recent shutdown, she set up a boxing class at her father’s gym for people with differing abilities, proving that being a knockout is more than skin-deep.

Alexia’s interest in modelling was sparked by Ellie Goldstein, a British model who also has Down syndrome.

“When she saw Ellie Goldstein on that cover, with Gucci sponsoring it, she was like, ‘She has my face, mom. I want to do it too,’” Alexandria shared.

Now, in 2024, she’s leading the way in the modelling industry, revealing the

beauty in everyone.

“Seeing her up there, seeing something we never thought possible years and years ago, it’s amazing how the world is becoming more accepting and diverse and more inclusive,” her mother said.

Having achieved her goals, Alexia wants to encourage others to do the same: “Girls like myself, just don’t limit yourself. You do it.”

“…she’s leading the way in the modelling industry, revealing the beauty in everyone.”

positively newsworthy the little things

1 The Path Of Least Resistance

LOOSENING OUR GRIP.

by Persephone Kianka

Recently, I started driving lessons, and like any new endeavour, it’s brought my attention to different aspects of my being.

My teacher made me feel more at ease, telling jokes and staying calm through my mistakes, but I was still tense. Even after a few lessons, I would get frequent reminders to relax my shoulders and loosen my grip on the controls.

It’s human nature to feel we need to hold on tighter to keep ourselves safe, but this has the opposite effect in most cases. Trying so hard to control everything almost invariably causes us to make more mistakes, as I found in my lessons.

From a law of attraction standpoint, the reason for this is apparent: when we act out of fear, we are making choices led

by the belief that we won’t be able to have what we desire.

We feel we must cling to, control or manipulate circumstances, communicating to our subconscious or the universe that we don’t have what we want.

Alternatively, when we act out of love and trust, we’re putting in a vote of confidence that we have what we want, regardless of whether it’s apparent in physical reality yet.

The more you let go and know that what you desire is yours by divine birthright (that’s why you desire it!), the easier and quicker it can come to you. I’ve repeatedly witnessed this truth in my life, and I will remind myself of it the next time I hit the road.

2 Balanced Living

CREATING A HEALTHY STRUCTURE.

by Persephone Kianka

“Our schedule shouldn’t restrict our feminine energy—our creativity, emotions and desires— but support and contain it healthily.”

Self-discipline has always come easily to me, and after leaving school, I strived to follow my self-created schedules. I thought this regimented approach would make me into my ideal self, but I soon found it creating rigidity within my body.

I began to question how I could honour my higher self, heart and body while progressing with the myriad goals I set for myself. How could I enjoy the spontaneous beauty of life and stay committed to my future self?

It seemed like I should be able to do both, yet there was a time when I failed to do either. After letting go of certain people and things no longer serving me, I finally had the space and energy to live my ideal daily life.

Now, I follow a routine from Monday to Friday, with allocated time for healthy habits, work, creativity and relaxation. I allow myself to switch up what I’m doing if it feels right, but most of the time, I find sticking to my schedule very rewarding.

While everyone is different, I

“It’s human nature to feel we need to hold on tighter to keep ourselves safe, but this has the opposite effect in most cases.”

believe many people could benefit from approaching their daily life this way. I once heard an analogy regarding the Divine Feminine and Masculine, which explains why.

The Divine Feminine, or feminine energy, is wild, creative and spontaneous—essentially, she is pure Chaos. So, for this powerful energy to be constructive here on earth, she must work in tandem with the Divine Masculine, or masculine energy, which is strong, supportive and consistent.

Our schedule shouldn’t restrict our feminine energy—our creativity, emotions and desires—but support and contain it healthily. For example, I could keep working on a creative project for hours without eating or sleeping were it not for my schedule reminding me to stay balanced.

There are seasons of life, and not everything will go as planned, but I believe balance is our natural state of being, which will allow us to thrive.

POSITIVE NIGHTS PRESENTS

DEVA PREMAL with special guest

Joby Baker in concert

Monday June 24th 730 PM: RDS DUBLIN

Tickets: Positivelife.ie

spirituality & the city

TRUE POWER

Julian Aragoneses

I have been in the eye of the storm at different stages and ages of my life, like when my mother unexpectedly had a stroke, and what has always allowed me to move forward was the desire to accept the unexpected game of life. It hasn’t been easy at all. I have suffered, lost, and been depressed and distressed, but without ever completely abandoning myself.

With the help of people who have real love for me, the guidance of mentors, and my own drive to survive, I have worked on and achieved what I need to keep living this life. My absolute love of Life has kept me moving forward with a creative urge and dream for something better. There is no single formula, as each person has to find their own ways to maintain balance in this life. For me, my training in the polarity therapy healing work I do and my weekly karate practice have helped a lot. Also, what I see is helpful for everyone is having a firm intention and determination to be a better version of oneself, for oneself and for others.

Suzi Savanah

Jamie Delaney

My mother being diagnosed with motor neuron disease during the first lockdown, when everything already felt like it was falling apart, really put me into a spin. Untethered, it was a combination of things that kept me going: family support, physiotherapy and a meditation practice. I was consumed with a feeling of anger and the unfairness of life, but the very fact that I could express my anger and whatever emotion came up let me move through that period. I am not sure which practice helps the most, but I feel having those elements gave me a healthy outlet and means of expression.

July 2023, I was in Hawai’i when I got a call from my sister that shattered my world. My mother in Australia had died unexpectedly in a brutal way. I was due to attend a sacred opportunity with cultural leaders around Hilo to learn how all is connected in wisdom, landscape and community. I did not know what to do.

My Kumu (teacher) brought me to the embracing waters of the Pacific Ocean in busy Waikiki. I had grown up in this sea, and it joined me to my mother’s spirit. At sunset, Kumu presented me with an orchid lei. We chanted and sang before sending my mother’s spirit into the sea, gifting the lei to the waves. Allowing myself to be witnessed in my grief and honouring it with a ritual that incorporated the sand and the sea coming to meet us as we sang, reminded me that everything is indeed connected in spirit and on earth. Love and nature balanced me and gave me strength to see light even in the darkest of times.

Eileen Bray

In 2021, everything in my life as I knew it went away. My life in the USA after 33 years, my secure job, my 29-year marriage and my home. With deep trust and surrender, I leapt into the complete unknown and started my life again back in Ireland. Walking in complete trust and feeling at times completely lost and overwhelmed, my solace and rudder always has and is my connection to nature, music and, of course, gratitude. Nature has become my office, my spiritual centre and my gym. My music through Celtic Kirtan has become my medicine, soothing me, calming me, guiding me, inspiring me and calling me down into that deep connection with Spirit, bringing the stillness that I can’t find anywhere else. I have been so held and guided as I continue to step through any insecurities and take those incessant baby steps towards the life of my heart’s calling.

Gráinne O’Kane

Derek Plunkett

When faced with massive stress!

When feeling overwhelmed beyond belief emotionally, physically, spiritually, it’s like I have no other choice.

I surrender to what is.

Meditation is always a daily ritual.

Coming back to the Breath, the moment.

Eckhart Tolle saying “Accept it as if you chose it” is embossed in my brain.

The Serenity prayer.

Self-compassion!

The Japanese Grandmaster of Amatsu and Marital Arts always said “Gambatte”- Keep going, keep doing your best.

Reaching out to others for help - no one is an island - we need each other, we are hardwired for it.

Remembering inspiring heroes and heroines, some famous and some people I know personally who have overcome great adversities and challenges themselves.

In the Eye of the Storm and what I used to get through it and bring me back to balance.

At the age of 45 and again at 47, I was hospitalised with psychosis. First and foremost, my willpower got me through, also support from family and close friends; receiving positive texts was invaluable. Positive affirmations, meditation, essential oils and yoga. I had a Hospital Team, and my own Personal Team. A Psychotherapist, a Meditation teacher and a Yoga Teacher/ Divine Mentor. Focusing on these three people was key. Not wavering and going elsewhere. Trusting in one Team.

At 45, I came off medication by myself, resulting in hospitalisation almost two years later. At 47, I took a more professional route. Listening to my Psychotherapist and slowly reducing meds over five years was paramount. I believed that my brain was a gift from God and could recover. I chose to respect the medication as having a positive role in my life. Honouring, blessing and thanking my meds daily for their very important role. #SelfLove

responding with equanimity to aggressive behaviours

BE THE CALM.

by Anna Cole PhD

It can seem, reading the daily news, that extreme acts of violence, hatred, retaliation and aggression are spiralling out of control in our world. While we may watch the world news in horror and hopelessness, those of us who are parents will know even the sweetest of children can lash out aggressively when you least expect it. If you’ve ever found yourself wincing with embarrassment at the local playgroup after your child has grabbed another’s hair or bitten someone or found your frustration skyrocketing when your sweet daughter has shoved her little brother hard - again - you are not alone. You’re not a bad parent when your child acts out aggressively, and nor are they bad children. Responding with equanimity to your child in the face of aggressive behaviours can restore hope to your home, and this hope can spiral out to the wider world.

It can help to remember that an aggressive child is, at base, a frightened one. Often the fears that make a child act out in “fight” mode (rather than flight or freeze) got stuck in their limbic brain, the seat of long-term memory, some time back and didn’t get processed at the time. That same strong impulse can flare up again when anything in the present triggers an implicit memory. Patty Wipfler, Founder at Hand in Hand Parenting, says: “A child can’t tell you: I feel afraid for my life just like when I got stuck in the birth canal for three hours. She will simply show panic or outrage whenever another child crowds too close to her.

She won’t say: I feel scared, the same way I did when I cut my head badly last

year. But when you try to help her with a simple scraped knee, she’ll kick you and demand that you leave her alone”. How, as a parent, can you address such behaviour with equanimity and model a way out of the aggression?

Here are some essential first-aid steps to take:

1. First, start with yourself. When our children are aggressive, it triggers a whirlwind of emotions in us. Take time out to talk to another adult who can listen to your feelings for a time without advice or judgment. It is this that will allow you to act on the next few suggestions rather than react towards your child. Say all the outrageous things you’d like to say to your child, but know that it will only fuel the fires of anger in you both. Shake a pillow or push hard on a wall; let all your own frustrations out with the help of a good, non-judgemental adult listener.

2. Observe your child: When does aggressive behaviour tend to happen? With a sibling when they are alone together in another room? When you have been away at meetings or travelling? Allow yourself a few days to observe your child, and this will give you a good idea of what the triggers are for them.

3. Do a ‘friendly patrol’: Stay close by when something might happen. Say your child is at playgroup, and it’s usually a struggle over toys that leads to aggression. When the expected behaviour begins, move in quickly and calmly, physically preventing the fist to land or the teeth from biting.

4. Reach out and connect: Let your child

know, through tone of voice, warm eye contact and gentle but clear limits that it is safe enough for all those big feelings to now come out.

Remember, they can’t reason with you right now; they are flooded by their limbic brain, but you might want to let them know you are fully there for them: “I know you don’t feel good,” “I’m right here, and I’ll keep things safe for you,” “It looks like things are hard right now”.

Don’t fight fire with fire. Parents, we each hold the future of our world in our hands and together, by responding with equanimity, warmth and loving limits, we can change the world one aggressive interaction at a time.

Dealing with aggression in our children is hard; it will trigger strong feelings in us, and this short article will only scrape the surface. Contact Hand in Hand Parenting (handinhandparenting. org) for more support, ideas and practical help. Let’s change the world and point it in the direction of peace and equanimity, one parent at a time.

Anna Cole, PhD is a certified Hand in Hand Parenting Instructor and Regional Lead in the UK/Ireland. She is a writer and participatory action researcher. She runs classes both in-person and online, gives talks and runs workshops for individuals, families, communities and organisations. For more information, contact anna@handinhandparenting.org

“…by responding with equanimity, warmth and loving limits, we can change the world one aggressive interaction at a time.”

equanimity: reclaiming balance

BECOME UNSHAKEABLE.

by Judith McAdam

Letting our inner fearful child steer our course is like navigating a ship amidst fog without any sat nav; it clouds judgment and transforms actions into mere reactions against perceived threats that, on some occasions, may be more imaginary than real. Such suppressed fears not only haunt us internally but reverberate through all aspects of our personal relationships and professional endeavours.

The result? Our fledgling manifestations falter before gaining momentum due to their shaky foundation based on self-doubt and fear. At the same time, our relationships endure strains because of miscommunication rooted in unresolved conflicts within.

Regaining equanimity in the throes of life’s challenges can often seem like navigating through a storm without a compass. At the heart of this tumultuous journey lies our inner fearful child – that part of us that harbours fears, insecurities and past traumas. Observing and understanding this facet of our existence is crucial for reclaiming balance and peace. Accepting the positive and negative aspects of ourselves while knowing how to steer our ship out of troubled waters is not as hard as you might think, but it requires practice and tools in our toolbox to help us. Here are some tips to help you connect with your inner child and foster equanimity and balance:

Self Talk

Start by acknowledging the presence of your inner child. Put your hand on your heart and talk to yourself as if you were talking to a beautiful child whom you wanted to help. For example, when you are feeling anxious, and your internal chatter is off the charts. With your hand on your heart, acknowledge your inner child, saying, ‘It’s ok, I know you are anxious; what’s causing this? Tell me, I am minding you now, you are safe’. Repeat the words ‘you are safe’ often, as this helps you to create new habits about feeling safe and secure. Understanding yourself starts with recognition.

Journal your Thoughts with a Twist

In your journal, conduct a conversation with your inner child. Ask the child a question; for example, if you were having problems in your relationship, you could ask, ‘What is really bothering you? How do you really feel about this relationship? You can tell me’. Write the question down, then listen to your truth from deep within you and jot the response in your journal. Here, you will gain valuable insights into what is really going on deep inside you.

With this information you can stop denying the fears of your inner child and begin to work with them and move forward.

Practice Meditative Visualisation

Meditative Visualisation emphasises being present in the moment without judgment - it’s perfect for observing your internal state and creating new neural pathways or habits in your brain. There are some lovely free meditative visualisations on my website for you to click into. These visualisations are designed to help you to tap into your inner child while creating new healthy habits of self love, confidence and security.

Transformation happens with recognising each problem as a hidden opportunity for growth. Understanding your inner fears offers relief and strength unparalleled, and by understanding them with compassion, you illuminate your path once shadowed by self-doubt and fear. It’s time to enjoy the journey of life instead of enduring it.

With love, Judith judithmcadam.com

“Regaining equanimity in the throes of life’s challenges can often seem like navigating through a storm without a compass.”

the

unexpected way to improve your life: moving from inner conflict to ‘whatwelcoming is’

UNIFYING THERAPY & SPIRITUALITY TO RESTORE YOUR INNER POWER.

by Sandy C. Newbigging

Stop fighting life. It’s hurting you, harming your health, messing with your money and limiting your love of life. Hidden conflict creates emotional upset: it stresses us out, makes us a victim of circumstance, stands in the way of lasting satisfaction and reduces our capacity to experience a far more rock-solid inner peace.

It’s been said that ‘resistance is futile’, and it is so true. There is a direct relationship between how much we resist life and the stress, struggle and suffering we endure. Have you noticed how the more you push against what happens, the more life tends to push back?

Whereas, if you can muster the courage to lay down arms and cultivate what I call ‘peace with life’, then consistent inner calm, better health, freedom from a wide range of problems and genuine life ‘success’ can be your rewards.

A FRUITLESS FIGHT

During our lives, we have picked up many ideas around ‘what a good life looks like’, including how much money we should have in the bank, the calibre of car we should drive, etc. Irrespective of whether these ideas have come from our parents, partners or peers or the bombardment of countless marketing campaigns, the common result of this conditioning is ending up in a battle within ourselves and with life.

To resist (and internally argue with) anything that doesn’t go our way, show up how we want, or satisfy our eternal hunger for more or better, new and improved. We have also been conditioned to be attached to what we believe will make us happier and end up frustrated, upset or unsatisfied whenever life doesn’t match our hopes, dreams and expectations. In short, we have been conditioned to feel bad, get stressed and even end up sick – due to having chronic unconscious conflicts with life.

But don’t get disheartened; it doesn’t need to be this way. With a relatively simple shift in mindset, you can empower yourself

by clearing the inner conflicts that are the undercover culprits of common health concerns, persistent problems and untapped peace and potential.

The ‘trick’ is to bring conscious calm to anywhere in your life that there is an unconscious inner conflict, and in doing so, stop engaging in this fruitless fight with life. You can achieve this by releasing your resistances and attachments, which are the two core components (and the two opposing forces) of inner conflict.

Calming your inner conflict with life is a priceless skill that can provide an unshakable peace with life, irrespective of what’s happening today or what might happen tomorrow.

“There is a direct relationship between how much we resist life and the stress, struggle and suffering we endure.”

Loving life and living with the inner ease of equanimity is possible. Not necessarily by endlessly working to fix, change and improve everything that is contrary to our personal preferences, but by healing our relationship with life.

This approach requires us to be open to the possibility that it is not what’s happening but our relationship with what’s happening that matters more. Knowing this, you can make the heroic choice to stop the struggle and do the inner work required to bring calm to any conflict - within yourself and towards life.

Make this all-important shift, and I promise the quality of your life experience will start improving in unexpected ways.

A SURPRISING SOLUTION

Although we can’t always control what happens during daily life, we can heal the habit of harbouring disharmony with what happens. In doing so, we can gain a much more consistent state of inner calm that is

no longer dependent on circumstance.

Perhaps surprisingly, one of the best and most enjoyable ways to change anything for the better is to stop being in conflict with how it is now. Or, said differently, to take a time out from fighting ‘what is’ and working so hard to fix everything that you may believe is wrong with your mind, emotions, body or life.

Empower yourself by finding peace with the current reality of how things are.

I know this may sound counterproductive. Surely, if you don’t work hard to change things, then life will stay the same? With the right attitude and approach, you can discover that the opposite happens.

Time after time, I have found that inner conflict keeps us connected to the very things that we don’t want. The more we resist, the more what we don’t want tends to persist. The more we are attached to things being different, the more our underlying intentions have a way of repelling the very things we want.

But when we are finally willing to welcome and experience whatever life is presenting to us, then the lack of inner conflict has a magical way of bringing about positive change, and dare I say it, in surprising ways that are far better than we may have imagined possible.

I’m not suggesting you should give up trying to improve things or that you should become passive. I’m saying first, find peace with how things are. By healing your relationships with life, you can be peaceful and purposeful, wake up to greater wellness and enjoy a truly successful life, one that you love.

To access Sandy’s online retreats or book one-to-one sessions with him, visit sandynewbigging.com

embracing acceptance: a shift in perspective

FROM PRESSURE TO PEACE.

by Amanda Sophia

Beloved, acceptance is a profound form of self-love, a sovereign way of being that empowers us to navigate the complexities of life. Whether it is accepting an act, a thought, or an expectation, or choosing to fight against it, our decisions shape our experiences and the energies surrounding them.

More often than not, we find ourselves burdened by the weight of resisting the natural flow of life. It is a conscious choice: accepting traumas, relationships, losses, expectations, intrusive thoughts or self-doubt is a gateway to understanding our truth.

Whatever we resist will persist in our life.

Ask yourself, are you currently struggling with resistance in your life? Are you struggling against your own expectations? Consider this: What will you be ready to receive once you have embraced acceptance and let go of whatever is weighing you down?

“It Is What It Is”:

Living life with a mindset of “it is what it is” may seem counterproductive to some, implying that manifestation cannot be birthed from a place of acceptance. However, this is a misconception. Acceptance opens the door to working within the energy of a situation, allowing you to be present and let go. Acceptance is a key element of our journey of self-discovery, selfenlightenment and healing. While inner work often involves facing challenges head-on, accepting things as they are allows for transformation without stagnation.

When you accept something, it doesn’t

“Acceptance serves as a grounding cord connecting you with the Earth and opening the door to a world of peace.”

automatically mean you like what has happened; it means finding inner peace and allowing yourself to grow in the present moment. Permit yourself to feel anger, grief and other emotions, process them, and differentiate between what you can control and what you cannot. Life is happening for you, not against you. Before initiating change, acceptance is necessary. Without it, we can easily fall into a cycle of denial. By accepting a situation, you reclaim power and gain the ability to effect positive change.

Acknowledge the impermanence of things; acceptance is just as temporary. Life’s cycles continue, and the only constant is change. Acceptance serves as a grounding cord connecting you with the Earth and opening the door to a world of peace.

Remember, acceptance is not synonymous with tolerance or a lack of boundaries. Maintain healthy boundaries while allowing yourself to feel and recognise everything you need to. Acceptance is a beautiful way to embrace your truth, connect with your inner child, and open up to wisdom.

One simple way to start this process is to meditate on whatever situation you find yourself in or a part of and allow yourself to be mindful and reflect before

letting your emotions decide for you. Another component is journaling, writing down thoughts and feelings to gain clarity. For some, this may look like a quiet day in nature; for others, it could be a voice recording, rambling on and explaining your emotions and experiences. The process of coming to terms with life is never linear; you can adapt to whatever you may need.

When you practice self-reflection, it allows you to ask the real question: What can I learn from this situation? This shifts the focus from resistance to acceptance, from pressure to peace. When you can recognise that something is out of your control, you can release all of your expectations.

Beloved, in the journey of life, acceptance becomes a powerful tool, enabling us to find inner peace, navigate transformations and embrace the beauty of our truths. It is a sovereign choice that empowers us to live authentically and connect with the wisdom that resides within us.

Amanda Sophia joinamandasophia.com

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deflection rejecting

CHOOSE YOUR OUTCOME.

by Margot Tubbiolo

Equanimity is the state of calm when you’re in stressful conditions. Everyone has their level of tolerance. When you look at someone’s behaviour, you can see who has learned this skill and who has not. Since I was a kid, I can say I had some disdain for people who did not possess this quality. However, now I see it as some people are reactive, and that’s okay, but we can all stand to improve our emotional balance while keeping our strength.

“Equanimity is the learned capacity to experience pain without added suffering.”

This quote for me perfectly explains the series of consequences that can happen if you are not balanced. Take a typical situation of stress; if you cannot handle your emotions, you end up taking this stress out on others. This can cause more pain than the situation required. This pain travels from yourself to others and back to yourself again once you’ve realised what you’ve done.

The art of control will never go amiss in life. Personally, I have this skill, but I am only starting to see that it’s a good thing. I was only having a conversation recently with my friend about this. I was saying how I wish I was more reactive. I wish I had the confidence to get angry at someone straight away. However, I’ve realised this is not who I am. I am the type of person to collect my thoughts and bring up the situation at a later time. I take time to feel my emotions and express them in a delicate manner. This sometimes can be frustrating because I freeze when faced with confrontation. Regardless, I do think, all in all it does make me a more balanced person. It prevents me from causing unnecessary hurt. It means I am in control of a situation. I can choose my own outcome.

The only thing I think everyone can work on is where that energy goes. During the chaos of a tornado, I am fine. Yet when

the dust settles, how will I affect others?

What do I do with the broken pieces?

I can either ask for help to deal with the mess; or I can get so irate, throw a tantrum and make a mess for the people around me to pick up.

I’m trying to work on this. Sometimes, we come home from work and get annoyed at our partners for stupid things. We can be cold to the ones we love just because they are there, the first ones we see after the storm. I believe that instead of directing our pain at someone else, we should keep this composure and lean on them. Show mercy in the face of pain, ask if we can have help with our suffering instead of passing it on. It’s the harder decision to make because it requires us to really feel our emotions. But you can’t go through life deflecting your feelings onto others.

“I believe that instead of directing our pain at someone else, we should keep this composure and lean on them.”

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CELTIC KIRTAN weaves gaelic with other ancient languages through original songs and chants creating a unique, interactive, meditative sanctuary of sacred sound, unity and peace.

Deva & Miten a message from

SING YOUR PRAYERS IN COSMIC CIRCLE.

by Alison McEvoy

From Ashram to Ireland

“We love Ireland. Miten’s family hail from County Cork. It’s like a homecoming for Miten and, because we are so close, it feels like that to me too!” says Deva.

“We never began this journey into music with the idea of attempting to be successful in the ‘music business’,” Miten continues. “Our music was born in an ashram – it’s our spiritual practice. From day one, we have sung our prayers...whether people are there, or not. It just happened that we caught a wave where people began to want something more than just entertainment...and they found us. Years later, they gave us a Grammy nomination. Ironic, don’t you think?!”

Musical Release

I, for one, await the moment when I’ll share a room with Deva, Miten, their musicians and a crowd of heartfelt voices again this summer at the RDS concert hall. The mantras they share seem to scan my energy body for feelings that my heart hasn’t felt ready, or strong enough, to feel. The music softens my heart, melts the walls of ‘protection’ and allows those feelings find their way back home to my heart, for feeling and release. As Miten notes, I’m not alone in that experience either.

“We are the messengers of a five thousand year old tradition. Mantras have no emotional content – there are no tear jerkers or anthems in them...and yet, we

see people shedding tears of release as they experience the mantras unfold.”

“Our gatherings – they are full of love, humour and a deep dive into godliness – brought on by the power of ancient healing sounds, created thousands of years ago when the science of the times was exploring how sound affects the body/mind organism.”

“Our invitation to our audiences (friends) is to enjoy the silence that follows a mantra...as opposed to filling it with the social obligatory sound of whooping and cheering and clapping (that may happen, and if it does it’s a spontaneous outpouring that always leads back into a communal silence)....that’s what happens when we don’t include the noise of hand claps; a moment of communal and individual ‘off-the-hookness’, a burden being lifted – a communal out-breath.”

Get Mantra-ready

“OM Shanti OM is for universal peace which, of course, begins at home – in the heart. Chant it 108 times every night before sleeping to bring a sense of inner peace and resolve.”

Also, “the Gayatri mantra is the cornerstone to what we share. Deva was born to the sounds of her father chanting it at her birth – I doubt her mother joined in at that point, but for the first 11 years of her life she was taught to chant it as a bedtime song. Bless her parents for that.”

“Miten, as a contrast, was exposed

to the pop songs of the day – ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ being a big fave - which his mother, God bless her, sang in the pubs that her and her husband managed in and around London town.”

Join the Cosmic Circle this June “There’s nothing more equalising than sitting in a theatre and feeling you’re part of a cosmic circle; no audience - no performers (hence, no reason to clap).

“There’s nothing more equal than sitting in a theatre and feeling you’re part of a cosmic circle...”

Simply, a community of like-minded souls who have come to sing their prayers.”

“We teach deep breathing, which is an antidote to fear and panic. To sing is essential for humans, a forgotten practice that seems to be on the rise thank God… for Deva and I it is our tantric practice, but that’s another thing, for another day.

With love from us both. Miten and Deva x”

Catch Deva and Miten in concert this June in Dublin, Tickets:positivelife.ie/events

equanimity in moods of extreme desire

OBSERVE THE FIRE.

by Dawn Cartwright

“To be relaxed and aware in high states of arousal is a gateway to equanimity.”

According to a study completed in 2014, men and women who have a tendency to experience transcendent states desire sex more and have sex more often than those who do not.

(I love this kind of data.)

You’re probably wondering, as am I, which came first. Does more sex make one more transcendent? Or, are transcendenceprone people more sexual?

(Sounds like a win-win-win to me.)

Transcendent sex is a journey of stillness and excitement. A journey of contrast, mood and meditation.

Transcendent sex is equanimity in moments of extreme desire.

Beauty In Contrast

Transcendence, that all-encompassing realm beyond space and time, appears any time we are in that place of equanimity. In breathing, in walking, in sex, whenever we become aware of the contrast between the experience, and the one who is experiencing, equanimity appears and transcendence - is.

Ansel Adams, a self-taught 20th-century landscape photographer, was known for his ability to perceive and capture the transient and ephemeral aspects of nature. His black and white photographs used light and contrast to reveal the transcendent quality of the landscape.

John Szarkowski, curator, described Adams’ art in this way, “Other photographers photographed the geology of the place, while Adams photographed the weather.”

Photographs such as these have a way of bringing us into the moment, making the unknown knowable. These photographs, this kind of art, connects us, no matter who we are, what language we speak, through their ability to convey something as omnipresent and ephemeral as “the weather.” Equanimity, a mood we feel beyond words.

The Rasas: Moods Of Emotion

The Natyashastra (नाट्य शास्त्र) is the oldest surviving collection of sacred writings on Indian dramatic arts. One section of the Natya is dedicated to the rasas; eight core emotions. The rasas are the mood and essence in which profound inner states of feeling permeate the world of embodied forms.

Primordial emotions that can only be accurately conveyed through a transmission of feeling - words cannot describe their depths, rasas stream through our bodies during sex, an unspoken heart-to-heart. The key is to listen, closely, with our whole bodies.

Śṛṅgāra (शृङ्गारः): Romance, Love, Attractiveness

Hāsyam (हास्यं): Laughter, Mirth, Comedy Raudram (रौद्रं): Fury Kāruṇyam (कारुण्यं): Compassion, Mercy Bībhatsam (बीभत्सं): Disgust, Aversion Bhayānakam (भयानकं): Horror, Terror Veeram (वीरं): Heroism Adbhutam (अद्भुतं): Wonder, Amazement

According to the Rasa theory of the Natyashastra, rasas exist to transport us into another, parallel reality full of wonder and bliss, where we experience the essence of our own consciousness through awareness of our emotions, rather than pushing them away or expressing them unconsciously. In this way, equanimity opens the door to greater intimacy and expansive connection.

The Book Of Secrets

A subtle shift in perception - equanimity of our moods and expression - and this parallel reality full of wonder and bliss appears. All that’s needed is focus, attention and an open heart. Meditation is a beautiful way to enter the present moment, where all the secrets of equanimity exist.

The Book Of Secrets, a book filled with meditations, is a commentary on the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, a highly revered Tantric text.

“This is the map to turn you on, and to turn you in, and to turn you beyond.”

Osho

There are meditations that involve every kind of activity, from breathing to caressing to awakening the senses and becoming aware of emotion. There are also meditations for channeling energy, sitting in stillness, singing Aum, listening to music - and there are meditations for the experience of sex.

Sutra 48: At the start of sexual union keep attentive on the fire in the beginning, And so continuing, avoid the embers in the end.

Sutra 49: When in such embrace your senses are shaken as leaves, enter this shaking.

Sutra 50: Even remembering union, Without the embrace, Transformation.

These meditations, called sutras, a word that means “to sew” or “to weave,” emerged from a conversation between two lovers, Shiva, the Hindu deity of transformation, and his consort, Devi. Sutra 48 is an invitation to stay present in sexual union rather than get lost in the passion - creating a paradox. When we are more awake and aware in heightened states of pleasure, equanimity appears, between our stillness and witnessing and the intensity we feel.

Meditation techniques, focusing on mindfulness and awareness, create a gap between us - and the experience we are having. Distractions dissolve and the rasa, the mood, the weather of the moment becomes apparent because we’ve refined our ability to remain calm in the midst of everything, even passion.

To be relaxed and aware in high states of arousal is a gateway to equanimity.

Equanimity In Moods Of Extreme Desire

Sutra 57: In Moods Of Extreme Desire, Be Undisturbed

Osho, The Book Of Secrets

I wonder if any of those transcendentprone people from the study have discovered the secrets of Tantric sex? If they experience, naturally, the equanimity of pleasure and desire. Never holding back or moving toward a goal? Have they perfected the art of equanimity in sex?

(I hope they have.)

“Move in sex, but remain undisturbed. Be a witness. Go on being a deep observer. Whatsoever is happening, is happening on the periphery; you are just an onlooker, a spectator. …This feeling of two forces working simultaneously gives you a transcendence.”

Osho, The Book Of Secrets

Transcendence appears when these two forces, inner calm and passion, are experienced in equanimity.

Dawn Cartwright is a NeoTantra visionary, sacred writer, world traveler and innovator in NeoTantra-SelfActualisation fusion. Discover more about Dawn and her programs here: dawncartwright.com

cultivating equanimity: finding balance in life’s turbulence

TAKE CONSCIOUS CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE.

by Grace-Anne Kelly

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, amidst the cacophony of responsibilities, emotions and expectations, finding a sense of balance can feel like trying to navigate through a stormy sea. Yet, amidst this turbulence lies the age-old concept of equanimity—a state of calmness, composure and evenness of mind, irrespective of the external circumstances. In a world that often feels like a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, cultivating equanimity can be the beacon of stability that guides us through the storm.

At its core, equanimity is about embracing the fluctuations of life without being swept away by them. It’s not about suppressing emotions or becoming indifferent to the world around us but rather about developing a deep-seated sense of inner peace and resilience. In the words of the Buddha, “You yourself must strive. The Buddhas only point the way.” This underscores the proactive effort required to cultivate equanimity—it’s a journey that demands conscious practice and self-awareness.

One of the fundamental principles of equanimity is acceptance—the ability to acknowledge and embrace both the pleasant and unpleasant experiences

with equanimity. Instead of clinging to moments of joy or resisting moments of discomfort, equanimity teaches us to observe these experiences with a sense of detachment, understanding that they are transient and impermanent. This acceptance liberates us from the grip of attachment and aversion, allowing us to navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and poise.

Mindfulness serves as a powerful tool in cultivating equanimity. By cultivating present-moment awareness, we can observe our thoughts, emotions and sensations without getting entangled in them. Through practices such as meditation, we develop the capacity to witness the ebb and flow of our inner landscape with a sense of detachment, fostering a deeper sense of equanimity. As Jon Kabat-Zinn eloquently puts it, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

Moreover, equanimity is not just about how we relate to our own experiences but also about how we interact with others. Developing empathy and compassion towards others allows us to extend the same sense of balance and acceptance to those around us. By recognising the shared human experience

of joy and suffering, we cultivate a sense of interconnectedness that transcends individual boundaries, fostering harmony and understanding in our relationships.

In the face of adversity, equanimity acts as a shield, protecting us from being overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Rather than succumbing to fear, anxiety or despair, we can meet adversity with a sense of inner calm and resilience. This does not mean that we become passive bystanders in the face of injustice or suffering, but rather that we approach these situations with clarity, courage and compassion.

In essence, equanimity is a profound state of inner freedom—a liberation from the fluctuations of the mind and the turmoil of the external world. It is a state of being rooted in deep selfawareness, acceptance and compassion—a state that allows us to embrace the full spectrum of human experience with grace and equanimity. As we navigate the complexities of life, may we strive to cultivate equanimity—a steady anchor amidst the stormy seas of existence.

Instagram: @graceannekelly

“At its core, equanimity is about embracing the fluctuations of life without being swept away by them.”

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“We are funny creatures, really, when you take a moment to stand back and bear witness to this wonderful human experience.”

an equanimous mind

STAND

BACK AND OBSERVE.

by Alison Canavan

I often heard one of my early Buddhist teachers mention equanimity during his talks. I was in my twenties and way too scared to ask questions, and everyone in the room seemed to know what was going on but me. I now realise that most people in the room felt like I did and were doing what I was doing, wearing a mask and pretending to understand something in an effort to fit in. We are funny creatures, really, when you take a moment to stand back and bear witness to this wonderful human experience. We crave to be seen, heard and validated but, at the same time, are deeply terrified of people seeing us for who we truly are. If we let the mask slip, we risk not being accepted, so we learn to be the kind of person that we think people will like and do everything we can to make an effort to fit in as we grow up. This journey through life is funny; we are taught to conform from an early age, and then, as we begin to awaken, a lot of us rebel and seek a deeper understanding of our path here.

Back then, when I looked up the word equanimity, it said: “evenness of mind especially under stress.” Well, that seems bonkers, I thought to myself. I also thought it sounded very contradictory and completely unattainable. I’m also a very heady person, and 27 years ago, when I began my meditation practice, my mind was akin to a torture chamber. The thought that I could ever have whatever this equanimity promised seemed very far-fetched. I had made an enemy of my mind early on in my life. It told me lots of stories about myself (usually not nice ones), and I experienced deep, dark depressions. My mind seemed to be like an ADHD child on overdrive.

I continued with my meditation practice for many years, and it wasn’t until I

sat my first 10-day Vipassana about 12 years ago that equanimity became one of the most powerful teachers I have ever known. A Vipassana meditation retreat is a 10-day silent meditation retreat, and while there, you practice meditation for 9 ½ hours a day, and you also practice noble silence. This means that you don’t speak, make eye contact or even hand gesture towards another student during your time there. There is no reading or writing so just you and your mind! A few days in, I was experiencing deep physical (from sitting still) and emotional pain. I approached the teacher to share that I felt like I had a rock in one of my lungs that simply would not go away. It was affecting my breathing, and in fact, I thought it was solidifying even more and that potentially I should go home? She asked me to sit back down and continue with the technique. That exit plan had failed!

Two days later, on day eight, something truly miraculous happened. As I sat there, I began to feel this rock start to dissolve. This rock had been inhibiting my ability to breathe deeply and causing some serious internal panic. In that moment, I felt a surge of excitement move through me. As I continued to observe myself, the solidified sensation in my lung dissolved even more until, eventually, I had this incredible free flow of energy move through my body. I sat there for a few minutes, bathing in this miraculous release, and then, in an instant, my mind switched to fear again, and I thought, “Oh my, I really hope this pain never comes back”. Just as I had that thought, guess what? The pain came back. I was so upset and longed for the free-flowing feeling to return, and that’s when the lesson landed!!!

An equanimous mind is learning not to lean into our cravings or aversions but to have a more balanced view. Our pain and suffering come from wanting our current situation to be something other than it is in the moment. We wish for our difficult times to end and long for the good times to stay. The truth is that everything is always changing; it’s the nature of our reality. Once I realised this, I allowed the pain to be there and released my attachment to it and, guess what, it left. When sitting and experiencing a beautiful free flow of energy, I learnt to observe with neutrality, not longing for it to stay. This enabled me to transform my experience and also my response to the ever-changing landscape within. I began to bring this into my daily life, and through the years, the equanimity that was once a stranger has become a treasured friend. Like any relationship, we are not always in sync, but we are both always willing to grow.

Equanimity is always and everpresent, ready to teach, but it’s our lack of awareness of its presence that prevents us from seeing and feeling its presence. The opportunity therefore is to raise our level of awareness to expand our experience of life. Equanimity has been the bridge and the mediator that has allowed me to heal my relationship with my mind. I now realise that when there is no enemy within, the enemy without can do us no harm. I am far less sticky with my stories and far more compassionate with myself. Equanimity has brought a more balanced view and approach to life, and that has enabled me to experience “evenness of mind especially under stress.”

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life’snavigating storms: cultivating equanimity

EMBRACE THE FLOW OF LIFE.

by Davie Philip

A Zen master was once asked, “What is the secret of your equanimity?” He replied, “Complete unrestricted co-operation with the unavoidable.”

In our fast-paced, increasingly polarised and overwhelmingly complex world, it’s all too easy to lose our balance. As the waves of change continue to grow, we find ourselves encountering even greater challenges and a lot more frequent interactions with difficult people.

So, how can we nurture an equanimous state that allows us to remain calm, centred and balanced in the face of stress, adversity or change?

Equanimity is often symbolised by the image of a sturdy oak firmly rooted, flexing and yielding to the storms. It is the practice of staying mindful, embracing a wider perspective and responding to life’s disruptions without being frozen by fear, anger or pride.

Many philosophical and spiritual traditions offer practices to cultivate equanimity. Buddhism, Taoism, Zen and Stoicism provide valuable teachings that

help build the capacity to stay calm, accept the ups and downs of life, and respond with ease. All emphasise the importance of a deeper connection with nature as a means to develop equanimity.

In Buddhism, loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity are the four Brahma Viharas, which Tara Brach describes as expressions of an awakened heart. To live well, all of these qualities are essential and can be nurtured, allowing us to be more present and alert in difficult situations.

Maintaining equanimity when emotions are high and the world seems to be unravelling is challenging. A mindfulness practice can help us maintain balance, even in the midst of significant pressure or turmoil.

According to Bhikkhu Bodhi, “Equanimity is an alive state of being in relationship fully. Stability in the face

of what is constantly moving gives us unshakable freedom.” This perspective aligns with the Taoist concept of wu wei, or “doing without doing.”

Tai Chi embodies the essence of wu wei, cultivating a state of balance and harmony with the flow of the universe, where our actions effortlessly align with the rhythms and cycles of nature. It’s the ability to go with the flow, a willingness to embrace change without resistance.

Zen teachings emphasise the importance of equanimity in the face of death as a means to confront the impermanence of life. Through introspection and koans, practitioners develop a balanced and accepting attitude toward death, allowing them to live more fully and peacefully in the present moment.

In Stoicism, Ataraxia, translated as “unperturbedness” or “equanimity”, is a state of composure in challenging circumstances, characterised by letting go of attempts to control things beyond our control. Equanimity isn’t a cold detachment or apathy; it doesn’t mean a lack of concern or suppressing feelings. Instead, it’s the ability to feel emotions deeply, process them and respond appropriately.

“It is the practice of staying mindful, embracing a wider perspective and responding to life’s disruptions without being frozen by fear, anger or pride.”

We can’t stop the waves from coming, but we can learn to ride them. Equanimity is the skill of surfing the waves of change rather than struggling in the whitewater. When we cultivate equanimity, we become more resilient and adaptable, with the ability to navigate life’s storms with greater ease.

Davie Philip is a community catalyst and facilitator at Cultivate.ie, the sustainability cooperative based in Cloughjordan Ecovillage.

F CUS HEALTH

The HOCATT is the Hyperthermic Ozone Carbonic Acid Transdermal Technology. Suitable for anyone looking to maintain and increase their vitality and health and/or anyone facing a chronic illness. The HOCATT can help but not limited to the following listed below:

• Energy management

• Blood pressure normalization

• Weight management

• Improve mental focus, clarity and memory

• Immune support

The HOCATT is a 30min treatment which combines a variety of 10 different therapies, all of which would normally take 3 hours to complete individually. This is to enhance the body’s detoxification and boost overall wellness and health. The patient will sit within the chamber unclothed while their head is exposed to the air.

The HOCATT can be found at Focus Health where owner Gemma Mc Donnell has been working extensively as a systematic kinesiologist/ energy worker for the past decade. Kinesiology is a system which looks at the entire body and mind, through which the whole person is assessed. It involves looking at the person holistically regardless of what one presents with. They are assessed to find out which imbalances are showing up in the body.

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the inherent divine

YOU ARE NOT YOUR PERSONALITY.

Interviewer: Paul Congdon Interviewee: Paul Selig

By Persephone Kianka

“The deepest level of awareness is the inherent divine,” according to the guides of Paul Selig, a conscious channel and award-winning author living in Maui. While Paul doesn’t care about labels, his guides have shared that their energy is called “the Word”, which means “the energy of the creator in action.”

Acting as a radio through which these higher beings can speak, Paul cares about the truth of the teaching and the value it brings to people.

TRANSPOSITION

“The guides say that everything that we see we’re in vibrational accord with,” he told us, so it is our job, as individual creators contributing to the collective, to “transpose” everything to a “higher octave”.

Humans tend to label everything as good or bad, right or wrong, but the guides insist that everything is of the same divinity. To explain such concepts, they often use musical vocabulary:

“You can sing any song in any octave into infinity, even beyond what you can imagine can be sung.”

Whether you sing it in a higher or lower octave, it’s still the same song. Everything on this planet, whether deemed good or evil, is of the same source, though this can be hard for some people to accept.

THE HUMAN DILEMMA

Paul’s guides define the primary problem of our species as “the denial of the divine.”

Earlier in his life, when reading twelve-step literature, he came across a line that enforces this idea:

“God is everything, or God is nothing. What’s our choice to be?”

Though baffled initially, Paul began to understand that God is not a platitude but “the realisation of the inherent divine where it has been denied.” It is similar to the idea that it is never the thing itself that

is the problem but our thoughts about it.

“When you say God cannot be, you’re actually reinforcing the very thing that you don’t want. To bring the light to the thing that’s held in most darkness is to transpose it or to clear it.”

Though we can learn from painful experiences or our collective mistakes, for example, realising the futility of war through killing, there are other ways to learn, which the guides are teaching.

We can change any situation by changing our thoughts about it, and the guides encourage us to do this by recognising the inherent divinity in everything.

“We can transform our reality through the awareness of what is, they say, always true,” Paul remarked.

SOUL PURPOSE

When asked what we’re all doing here, Paul shared his understanding that the soul comes to earth with lessons that it requires for its experiential growth.

“The guides say our problem is that we’ve mistaken who we really are with what they call the personality structure.”

When he struggled in his youth, they told him: “Freedom comes when the throne relinquishes its king.” In other words, we must be mindful of what aspect of us is running the show.

While many people in the spiritual community compare life to a video game, Paul views it instead as an opportunity to have a higher experience of who we really are.

“You can’t be a victim and a master at the same time,” the guides have told him.

COLLECTIVE TRANSFORMATION

Nowadays, many people frame the current state of our world as chaotic, but from a higher perspective, this is not the case. Paul acknowledged that we’ve been trying to sweep our problems under the

rug for a very long time, and now that it’s all finally coming to the surface, we perceive it as chaos.

It’s really a time of significant change and healing, as “nothing really gets healed or reseen until it’s seen”. The world is finally in the process of reclaiming its divinity after millennia of casting things into darkness.

“If you know you’re in a ship that’s at sea and it’s rocking back and forth and you understand the nature of the storm, sometimes it’s easier to make it through instead of just jumping ship and trying to swim back to the known. I don’t think we get to swim back to the known; I don’t think we go back to the way things were,” he said.

Though collective shift is a positive thing, it can feel uncomfortable. According to Paul’s guides, this transition will take several generations to come to fruition, so we have no choice but to get comfortable with that discomfort.

KNOWING, NOT THINKING

Paul shared, “So much of our experience is about how we invest meaning in things,” which is mainly determined by historical data.

The guides say that “because our experience on this plane has been informed by a false belief in separation […] every memory we have is actually faulty.”

We don’t even realise how much of what we think has been programmed by the past, and that’s why it’s crucial to tap into knowing rather than thinking.

While thinking is not wrong, it is not a reliable way to find the truth.

Paul explained an easy way to discern whether you know or think: “When you truly know something, there’s never a question attached.”

THE UPPER ROOM

“Christ consciousness, which is basically what they call the upper room”, is the level of strata from which the guides teach. It is also available for us, and when we begin to operate at that level, many unnecessary things start to fall away, such as judgment of self and others.

If you want to access this truth, join us for our upcoming event, “The Upper Room”- A Channeled Evening with Paul Selig.

Paul admitted that he never quite knows what will happen at these events because, through him, the guides speak on whatever they want, which is generally what the people present require.

In the lovely Irishtown Gospel Hall & Chapel of Ease on July 10th, Paul will bring this intimate and powerful channelled workshop to Ireland for the first time.

Through lectures, attunements, Q&A and energy work, he and his guides will bring you on a remarkable journey of self-development, allowing you to reach new heights of alignment, healing and life purpose.

paulselig.com

Tickets: positivelife.ie/events/

“The world is finally in the process of reclaiming its divinity after millennia of casting things into darkness.”

love from the inside out

HORMONAL HARMONY.

By Alison McEvoy

“...if you know what men need, what women need, and how to respond in ways that will support them in feeling loved and motivate them to be more loving.”

We caught up with John Gray recently at the Pendulum summit which is such an amazing event. This year we saw Wim Hof, Bressie, John Gray of course and many more, its well worth catching, find out more at pendulumsummit.com

John, author of ‘Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus’, one of the bestselling relationship books of all times, has struck again. His newest addition to the world of relationship navigation is a book called ‘Beyond Mars and Venus: Relationship Skills for Today’s Complex World’.

Hormonal harmony

“People are understanding the importance of hormones these days,” says John. Neuroscience and hormonal science, John believes, hold the key to evolving our relationships.

Men and women are coming together within societies whose way of living, being, earning and consuming is one that we have never experienced before as a human race. Our biology, our hormones are also being affected by our new lifestyles, habits, attitudes, freedoms and burdens. If we are to come together in harmony, then an understanding of what we ourselves are experiencing is necessary, as well as an understanding of what those who we wish to be in relationships with are experiencing.

As mother to a toddler, and bear with me on the analogy here, I know the power of researching the biological needs and capacities of the one you desire to learn how to love through challenges. When I studied the brain of my toddler, I was so much better equipped with patience and understanding and thus able to adjust my expectations of his responses (aka ‘big feelings’) to things. Put simply, neuroscience helped me to actively love my toddler better in daily life.

In the beginning…

All beings, biologically speaking, are born equal. For the first three weeks of life in utero there is no difference between an egg about to become a male and one destined to be biologically female. The “sex differentiation chromosome”, aka the Y chromosome, comes into play at around

three weeks. It releases an “extra” 23 genes that make a child male, thereby enabling him to “override certain female functions.”

So, from three weeks on, men and women embark on their unique hormonal journey through life. Testosterone is known as the ‘male hormone’ and oestrogen is known as the ‘female hormone’. Both men and women require both, however hormonal balance in men requires them to have 10-20 times more testosterone circulating in their system than women. Conversely, women’s hormonal balance requires them to have 10-20 times more oestrogen than men.

In the messy middle...

Stress is the factor that most often disrupts this balance. Chronic stress, and stress which feels insurmountable, creates an excess of a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol blocks the normal functioning of the hormonal system.

“When a man is stressed...his testosterone goes down and the oestrogen goes up,” states John. This hormonal disruption can bring out the worst aspects of masculinity; lack of motivation, anxiety, passivity or irritability and aggression/ anger. In this kind of state, a man needs “to have a mindset and a behaviour which is going to stimulate testosterone.” If you are a woman in relationship with a man, you will also need a mindset and behaviour that will encourage testosterone.

Testosterone building tips

“You don’t need to suffer in a marriage (or relationship) if you know what men need, what women need, and how to respond in ways that will support them in feeling loved and motivate them to be more loving.”

As a woman, you can help your male counterpart by simply understanding what he is going through and what he needs to do. He will need to take action, challenge himself where success is anticipated, and build his confidence by proving to himself and others what he can do. This might look like getting more into his sport, taking on a project around the house, solving a meaningful problem or issue, or going for a promotion at work. If you can understand that these actions are his nature’s way of building his testosterone and leading him out of stress and into

hormonal and emotional harmony, then you can be a supporter. Your appreciation for his achievements will also contribute to a rise in his testosterone.

“Women are chocolate”

“Men are vanilla…women are more complicated.”

For women, life has changed drastically in the last 100 years. We are now in positions where we experience a lot more testosterone, as well as cortisol. We achieve outside the home, we work, we get promoted, we create successful business (testosterone building activities). However, this ability to have financial independence and a career does not raise our oestrogen levels. This is significant, as “if you are a woman and you’re feeling stressed, you need to have a mindset and a behaviour that are going to produce oestrogen.”

This means our home life needs to be oestrogen building, or in John’s words, “you need to anticipate coming home to a relationship or life that generates a lot of oestrogen.” Our significant other needs to engage with us in a way that creates an abundance of oestrogen.

This kind of oestrogen-rich life is one where women experience being listened to non-judgementally and understood. Where problems are worked on in tandem with others, interdependently rather than solo. Where there is a feeling of trust and safety. As a man, this is the way to make a woman feel loved-up.

Emotional balance = hormonal balance

So, there can be no more eye rolling when your man needs to play some footie, or your woman wants you to sit with her and listen to her with full attention. These are not whimsical requests. They are fundamental to hormonal and emotional balance in your beloved.

marsvenus.com

For tickets for John’s full day workshop in dublin: positivelife.ie/events

body talk

BIOKINESIOLOGY LISTENS

By Alison McEvoy

Often, from an intimacy with illness comes a deeper desire to delve into the anatomy of health and healing. Such was the journey of Carol Walsh, current chairwoman of the BioKinesiology Association of Ireland (BKAI).

“In 2009 I visited my BioKinesiologist Elma for a check-up before I delivered my baby. During the treatment, she said my energy was very low on the right hand side of my body. I told her I had dimpling on my right breast but thought it was the milk coming in. She advised me to get it checked out by my GP...The following week at the age of 49, and 35 weeks pregnant, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer with three tumours in the right breast.

Then came the rollercoaster, emotionally and physically. Within the next month I delivered my baby boy (C-section) and a fortnight later I had a mastectomy on the right breast. I was allowed a month to recover from both operations before chemotherapy started...

At the time I ran a busy restaurant in Temple Bar…I had a background in nutrition, anatomy and physiology, exercise and dance. I realised that my job was too stressful and I knew this was affecting my health.

On one of my many visits to my BioKinesiologist, I mentioned I needed to find a new direction. She informed me that she was now running a training course along with her colleague Pippa, and perhaps I would be interested in taking this route.

YOUR body the questions and allowing YOUR body to answer.

“The treatment consists of using various muscles in the arms and legs. It is a binary type of testing and a strong or weak muscle will give us information about what is currently happening in your body. Some clients like to bring along current supplements so we can test and see if they are needed at this time. Muscle testing is used alongside checking the body’s meridians – and is a way in which the BioKinesiology practitioner can dig deeper in order to find what the body likes, dislikes and needs to help it repair and return to good health.

We can also look at the emotional realms, as these too can lead to physical illness. We utilise techniques such as, injury recall, where a past injury may have become trapped in a muscle causing continued pain and discomfort. Past trauma and early life trauma can also be identified and supported.”

Digging Deeper

The BKAI has a website that allows you to search locations throughout Ireland to find a fully qualified and insured practitioner near you. It allows you to view practitioners’ profiles to identify any areas of expertise or interest they have which might relate to your health concern. All in all, it is an excellent place to start your BioKinesiology journey.

“...the BioKinesiology practitioner can dig deeper in order to find what the body likes, dislikes and needs to help it repair and return to good health.”

A decision was made…I signed up for an intensive training in BioKinesiology and graduated with a diploma in 2019 and have had a busy practice since.”

How BioKinesiology Can Help You

A BioKinesiology therapist will take your whole health history into account. It is a space for talking as much as it is for testing. A place where your concerns will be heard and directly acted upon by asking

“Our mission is clear – to guide the body back to a state of optimum health through personalised nutritional advice and the strategic use of essential vitamins and minerals.”

bkai.ie treystatherapy.ie

Discover Lasting Relief with Grace

Wave goodbye to persistent pain and anxiety with therapies that unlock your body’s full potential. Whether it is pain that has lingered for years or a need to find the root cause of your health issues. Grace is known for her ability to alleviate long-standing pain and discomfort, making her the ‘go to healer’ for those in search of true relief.

Grace specialises in Bio-Kinesiology, Emotion, Body & Belief Code Practitioner, Reiki Angelic Healer, Rahanni Trainer, Engaging Workshops.

The pain relief therapy Grace provides can be conducted effectively via phone.

“After nearly 12 years of severe pain, Grace’s treatment made it almost disappear within an hour. I’m profoundly grateful.” Daniel

Join Grace on a fun day of a Juicing, Smoothie & Vision Board workshop on 23 March and 20th April for Rahanni Training.

Connect with Grace today: 086 8948994 Clinics in Cork, Kerry & Online/Phone sessions available Follow us on Instagram @graceshandon Facebook@Bio-kinesiolog with Grace Embark on your healing journey and embrace a life free from pain.

Recommended for all ages groups, Bio kinesiology assess the overall health of the body. Taking into consideration the clients mental, chemical, physical and emotional state. We can test food sensitivities, chemical imbalances and nutritional needs. Returning the body to homeostasis, enhanced vitality and energy.

For any questions or queries, please get in touch by calling +44 7432671667 or e-mail anneholisticcare@outlook.com

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growing potatoes from A to Z

THE WISDOM OF NATURE.

by Hans Wieland

“Every year throws up different challenges, but in the end there will be food,” pretty much sums up the wisdom of gardening. Most gardeners I know have the ability to maintain calm, bordering on being stoic in the face of life’s adversities and, recently, nature’s uncertainties.

Growing food gardeners cultivate equanimity: We have to accept the natural rhythm of growth, we encounter obstacles and setbacks that test our patience and resilience, we have to deal with adverse weather conditions and acknowledge that the rewards of our efforts come in due time and have to be appreciated without attachment. We learn from nature, and in doing so, we not only nourish our body but also our mind.

In the midst of all the current turmoil in the world, knowing that we can take a healthy seed, drop it in soil, expose it to water and sunlight, and watch it grow has always brought us a sense of peace.

In that spirit, let us grow together with our A to Z of growing potatoes:

Potatoes are pioneers

Potatoes are such an iconic food in Ireland, and I urge everybody to grow his or her favourite spud in dustbins, gardens and fields: Red potatoes, blue potatoes and yellow potatoes, creamy, floury and waxy potatoes, early and main-crop potatoes, potatoes outside and in the polytunnel and no-dig potatoes, heirloom, heritage and modern varieties. Beat the blight and grow blight-resistant varieties. Potatoes are a

pioneer crop and are great for starting up your garden with lazy beds as they break ground easily.

Here is my A to Z of Potatoes:

A: Alouette is our new favourite, an early blight-resistant variety, Arran Victory is a high-yielding, heritage variety.

B: Blight resistance is important; check when ordering your seed potatoes.

C: Chitting your seed potatoes in a bright, airy space at around 15 °C can bring forward the harvest and increases the yield.

D: Dustbins and other containers can be used to successfully grow potatoes in containers.

E: Earthing up the young green shoots with a hoe increases the yield.

F: Floury potatoes are higher in starch than waxy potatoes and are often favoured by Irish people.

G: Great for beginners, potatoes are pioneer plants, that are often at the beginning of cultivating soil.

H: Healthy, no question: Potatoes contain five times less calories than rice or pasta and, on the other hand, twice as much protein as wheat. They are full of Vitamin C and higher in potassium than bananas.

I: Irish potato consumption is down.

The potato as a staple of the Irish diet is in decline, perhaps due to the influx of other food types. The Irish government has reported that there has been a 25 per cent fall in the amount of potatoes sold in Ireland over the past ten years.

J: James Joyce’s Bloom has a potato in his pocket before he sets off on his epic journey through Dublin. Apparently, it holds some talismanic power.

K: Kartoffelsalat (potato salad) in Germany is made with waxy potatoes like Charlotte and is getting more and more popular here; hardly any party without it!

L: The loy (a narrow spade with a single footrest) is a very special tool for making lazy beds, where sods of grass are sliced on three sides and flipped over to make a ridge for planting potatoes.

M: Madden, Lucy is the author of The Potato Year – 365 ways of cooking potatoes.

N: NASA and the Peru-based International Potato Centre (CIP) will start cultivating potatoes in Mars-like conditions on Earth, with the hope of eventually building a controlled dome on Mars capable of farming the ancient crop.

O: Once every 0.6 seconds, someone buys potatoes in Ireland, according to Kantar, a retail analysis firm.

P: Planting out should be done when the soil has warmed up, at least over 7 °C (10 °C is even better), so Paddy’s Day is often way too early.

Q: Question: Is there a risk from eating green potatoes? If a potato has gone green, it’s likely to have been exposed to light for prolonged periods and contains higher levels of Glycoalkaloids, a group of toxins that are naturally present in potatoes and can cause food poisoning.

R: Rooftop-grown potatoes at JFK airport in New York feature blue potatoes. Watch out for them on your next trip to the USA.

S: Sarvari Research Trust (SRT) is the organisation that breeds new, diseaseresistant varieties of potato that are traded by Sarpo Potatoes Ltd (SPL). At its core

is one of the UK’s leading experts on late blight of potato, Dr David Shaw.

T: Tortillas are the Spanish way to cook with potatoes; they are also great in tapas (Patatas Bravas).

U: Under cover growing in polytunnels works well for early varieties, producing great NEW potatoes as early as June and avoiding the blight problems.

V: There are about 5,000 potato varieties worldwide. 3,000 of them are found in the Andes alone, mainly in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile and Colombia. Apart from the 5,000 cultivated varieties, there are about 200 wild species, many of which can be cross-bred with cultivated varieties to transfer resistances to certain pests and diseases.

“We learn from nature, and in doing so, we not only nourish our body but also our mind.”

W: Waxy potatoes hold their shape well after cooking, so they are great for boiling, roasting or slicing.

X: Xanthippe, wife of Socrates, favoured the spud (love–apple) as an aphrodisiac.

Y: Potato crops can yield up to four times more than wheat, depending on the variety and growing conditions.

Z: The Zen of just peeling potatoes.

Hans Wieland works and teaches at Neantog Kitchen Garden School in Cliffony, Co.Sligo neantog.com

spring recipes

STEP INTO SPRING WITH THESE FRESH AND HEALTHY RECIPES.

by Gaby Wieland

Gaby Wieland from Neantóg Kitchen shares two delicious spring recipes. First up, millet patties with yogurt dip and green leaves, followed by a scrumptious rhubarb and custard crunch for dessert.

MILLET PATTIES WITH YOGURT DIP AND GREEN LEAVES

Millet is gluten-free and contains more protein and iron than most grains (with the exception of quinoa and amaranth) plus potassium, magnesium and phosphorous. Apart from buckwheat, it’s the only alkaline grain and is easier to digest than most.

Ingredients:

• 250g millet

• 600ml vegetable stock

• 200g carrots, peeled and grated

• 1 onion, finely diced

• olive oil

• 1 egg or 2 tsp ground linseed

• handful ground elder leaves or herbs of your choice, finely chopped

For the dip:

• 300g yogurt

• 1 tsp sea salt

• black pepper

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped or 1 tsp garlic granules

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• small handful parsley and sorrel or herbs of your choice, finely chopped

Method;

1 Rinse millet in a sieve until water is clear.

2 Add millet and vegetable stock into a pot and cook covered on low heat for 15-20 minutes.

3 Switch off heat and let millet sit for another 10 minutes.

4 Remove lid and let the steam escape.

5 Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and fry onions on low heat for 3 minutes.

6 Add carrots and fry for another 2-3 minutes.

7 In a big bowl add 4 tbsp water to the 2 tsp ground linseed and let it sit for a few minutes or use 1 egg and whisk until combined.

8 Add the onions and carrots and also the slightly cooled millet and mix well. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste.

9 Dip your hands into cold water before forming the patties.

10 Heat olive oil in a clean pan and fry patties until golden brown on both sides.

11 Mix the yogurt with sea salt and pepper, garlic, cumin and herbs

12 Serve patties with yogurt dip and green salad.

Serves 4 (around 16 small patties)

Notes:

– you can also bake the patties in the oven 220˚C/425°F for 15-18 minutes.

RHUBARB AND CUSTARD CRUNCH

Ingredients:

• 450g/4 cups rhubarb

• 40ml honey or maple syrup

• 1 tsp orange zest

• 30ml orange juice

• 500g ready-made or home-made custard (I used a box of Alpro custard)

• granola of your choice

Method;

1 Wash and chop rhubarb into 1.5cm/½ inch pieces.

2 Combine rhubarb, honey or maple syrup, orange zest and juice and simmer in a pot (covered) for 15-20 minutes for a more chunky consistency. If you like it smoother let it simmer to up to 25 minutes. Then let it cool.

3 To prepare your dessert – spoon a little stewed rhubarb into the base of 6 glasses, then top with a couple of tablespoons of custard. Sprinkle over some granola, then repeat the layers to fill the glasses.

‘Neantóg Cookbook - Gaby’s favourite recipes’ is available at neantog.com/shop

“Millet is gluten-free and contains more protein and iron than most grains”

short & sweet

“The journey has been enlightening, revealing the power of our human potential and of mindfulness.”

The Creacon Community

SUPPORTING YOUR SELF-DISCOVERY.

by Reena Sajnani

Three years ago, I casually entered Creacon seeking a pumpkin spice latte. The warm ambiance and comforting latte opened me up to a path of self-discovery. Unknowingly, I was stepping into a transformative journey.

The encounters, conversations and experiences I’ve had with other facilitators and guests have opened up doors to greater consciousness and awareness. The journey has been enlightening, revealing the power of our human potential and of mindfulness. Grateful for the supportive community at Creacon, I’ve learned to embrace present moments, explore thoughts and emotions, and deepen my understanding of yogic philosophy.

Teaching at Creacon is a joy. As a yoga teacher, I’ve deepened my knowledge, improved communication and adapted practices for students. Witnessing their progress and contributing to their wellbeing is immensely fulfilling.

The centre’s unwavering support, commitment to authentic practices and staying current with wellness trends, all create an environment that fosters personal and professional growth. The team also emphasises personalised experiences, tailoring programmes to meet individual needs.

Creacon’s focus on holistic health, incorporating mind, body and spirit, attracts those seeking a holistic approach to well-being. There is such a diverse range of activities including yoga and meditation, a nutritious menu and other holistic treatments, all of which contribute to a comprehensive wellness journey. Not to mention the lush surroundings and peaceful atmosphere which are an ideal setting for self-discovery and relaxation. creaconwellnessretreat.com

The Pantry in Kenmare

CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY.

Interviewer: Persephone Kianka

Interviewee: Rochelle Doyle

When I chatted with Rochelle Doyle from The Pantry, a health shop in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, she shared how this longstanding business serves its community.

The shop was established in 1973, starting as a café and later introducing health products for which there was a growing demand.

Hugo Speytebroodt took over the business in 1986, and Rochelle started working for him in 2010. When customers started asking questions about ingredients, she wanted to be able to give them sound advice, so she did a nutritional science course at UCC while working part-time at the shop.

“With a genuine interest in the health progress of customers, The Pantry staff help as much as they can.”

After 25 years at The Pantry, Hugo, aged 80, retired last October, leaving it in the capable hands of Rochelle as manager and Marcel Seele as director.

While they have many loyal customers, The Pantry team never want to stop growing. They have increased the variety of goods in the shop within the last three months, and plan to expand in the next couple of years.

“If someone’s looking for something particular that we don’t have, we try and source it for them,” Rochelle explained.

Aronia juice from Phyterberry, which they started selling about six months ago, is one product that has gotten fantastic feedback.

A regular customer, an active lady in her 60s, who came into the shop after taking the Aronia juice for about two weeks, shared that the inflammation in her body was almost gone.

Rochelle explained that in a small town like Kenmare, it’s essential to have return customers who share their feedback. With a genuine interest in the health progress of customers, The Pantry staff help as much as they can. In most cases, Rochelle will recommend “concentrating on the diet and food first” when it comes to physical wellbeing. kenmare.ie

The Wisdom of the Body

PHYSICAL EQUANIMITY.

by Enrique Borreda Lopez

Equanimity is often associated with mental and emotional balance, calmness and composure, even in the face of challenges or fluctuating circumstances. In Spinology, we can draw parallels to the living human body in several ways:

Balance in the nervous system: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary bodily functions. Equanimity can be seen as a balanced state between the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) branches of the ANS. This balance contributes to overall well-being and homeostasis.

Emotional regulation and hormones: Equanimity involves managing emotions effectively. Emotions trigger the release of various hormones and neurotransmitters in the body. The neuroendocrine system is responsible for this amazing function.

Physical posture and equilibrium: The way we carry ourselves physically can reflect our mental and emotional states. Maintaining the integrity of the spine allows an upright and balanced posture, which may symbolise equanimity.

Resilience and adaptability: Equanimity involves being resilient and adaptable in the face of life’s challenges. The central nervous system orders all adaptive changes second by second.

Mind-body connection: Equanimity emphasises the interconnectedness of the mind and body. Stress and emotional turmoil are contributory causes of spinal interferences (occlusions).

Breath and relaxation: The breath serves as a bridge between the conscious mind and the autonomic nervous system.

In summary, while equanimity is a mental and emotional state, its effects can be reflected in the physiological aspects of the human body. Maintaining the spine free of interference is a great advantage to enjoy life more.

spinologia.eu

“Maintaining the integrity of the spine allows an upright and balanced posture, which may symbolise equanimity.”

The Magic Of An Lár

YOUR HOLISTIC HAVEN.

by Persephone Kianka

Krystian Pietrzak, who runs An Lár with his wife Agnieszka, knows the importance of well-being on all levels. After struggling with health issues that doctors couldn’t fix, he took his friend’s recommendation to implement a vegan diet. One year later, he felt better, inspiring him to connect his new lifestyle with a business.

Krystian and Agnieszka, who are from Poland, came to Ireland around 17 years ago and started selling their products at a weekly farmer’s market in Co. Carlow a few years later. There, they would offer their loyal customers a range of healthy goods, from wheatgrass to vegan snacks to sourdough bread. Around five years ago, An Lár opened their café and shop in Co. Wicklow, where they still sell their delightful food products.

After ten years of running the business, Krystian’s health issues resurfaced, leading him to realise that emotions (stress levels, past trauma, etc.) also affect the body.

“Your health can change just like that, like a click in one day,” he said. “One day, you are very sick, you can’t move, and another day, you’re great, full of energy because you understand what caused these troubles. I’m very passionate about that, and I was

thinking that could be nice to share with people to help other people do the same. That’s why we have the holistic centre now.”

The An Lár Holistic Centre offers an impressive range of alternative therapies, including relaxation massage with Štpán Kalat, Amatsu Therapy with Jan Polak, Sound Therapy with Maj Izabela Zahorska, and yoga with Marta Bunikowska.

When I chatted with Marta, who started teaching at An Lár about three years ago, she said she instantly connected with the people there. Though it’s where she works, she also describes it as her “power place” in her personal life.

She loves the café, where she says you always miraculously meet someone to talk to who understands you. Even her four-yearold daughter loves it there, as it’s a relaxing environment with drawing materials for kids.

“Of all things, I think I love the atmosphere most,” Marta told us. Our publisher, Paul, also loves the place and shared why:

“An Lár is one of my favourite places; I love going there. It has heart; it’s a haven of goodness in Wicklow that looks after and keeps the locals healthy; that’s the feeling I

“Though it’s where she works, she also describes it as her “power place” in her personal life.”

get when I walk in. Krystian, the man behind the magic and his lovely wife and family are part of what they have created. From their own nutritional and health desires sprang forth this service. Service is quoted as one of the highest expressions of divinity, and I believe that is true. Sure, it’s also a business, but definitely a holistic one.

The upstairs part of the centre houses the therapists and a lovely holistic vibe. On a recent visit, I met with Maj and had a lovely card reading translated by Krystian, which helped me and gave me some insights into my life. Maj is one of the many therapists working here, and she also offers sound baths.”

Whether you’re looking to connect with like-minded people or simply enjoy some good healthy food, An Lár will nourish every aspect of your being, making you want to spend all day in this unique holistic hub.

Sound Healing

A HARMONIOUS EXISTENCE.

by Kasia Slabon

Many ancient spiritual and philosophical traditions claim that sound is the primordial force from which the universe itself emerged. From this perspective, everything, from the cosmos to our individual lives, is a symphony orchestrated by the vibrations of creation.

Sound baths, with their ability to tap into the transformative power of a wide range of frequencies, provide a unique and accessible pathway to wellness by tapping into this source. It’s not a secret that sound and music have been part of medicinal practices across the globe since times immemorial. As we attune ourselves to the resonant frequencies of existence, we may find that the symphony of sound has the potential to guide us toward a more harmonious and balanced life.

Participants often report a sense of deep relaxation, reduced stress and an increased sense of inner peace. The transformative effects of sound baths are as diverse as the individuals who partake in them, including anything from alleviating physical pain to promoting mental clarity and emotional release. Some even speak of profound spiritual awakening and a

renewed connection to their inner selves.

Sound healing came into my life in my early twenties. It was nearly twenty years ago; I had just met my husband, and we were both interested in spirituality and exploring different holistic wellness concepts. By then, sound baths had already been popularised to some degree. We experienced our first sound bath during a yoga retreat run by our friends. We both had an amazing experience. I was astonished at how my busy mind was able to instantly relax and in a very profound way I had never experienced before. I had visions, and my body felt as if I was a few inches above the floor. This feeling is very common among participants, and it is a state of mind between a sleep-like state and an awareness of sensations in the body. I felt refreshed and rejuvenated. It is a pleasant feeling when the body feels light and the mind becomes quiet.

Since that day, I decided to learn how to facilitate a space in which others can experience inner peace and deep rest like that. We moved to Ireland, and although our lives took a different turn for a while, I soon started my journey of working with

sound. I started delivering sound baths in Galway in 2011. Back then, not many people had heard about sound baths here, and it took me a few years to introduce the idea to people. Now, we see sound baths growing in popularity every year. My husband joined me a couple of years later, and since then, we have delivered sound bath experiences to thousands of people of all ages.

As Sound Magic Ireland, we play weekly sessions in Galway and often in Mayo, Athlone and occasionally Dublin. We incorporated sound into our retreats and our corporate offers.

To learn more, you can visit our website www.soundmagicireland.com or connect with us on social media. In 2024, we will offer weekend sound healing retreats and professional training for people interested in working with sound, where we hope to share our experience from over a decade of working with it.

“…everything, from the cosmos to our individual lives, is a symphony orchestrated by the vibrations of creation. ”

UPCOMING EVENTS:

MAY 19TH JOHN GRAY

One Day Workshop

Author of Men Are From Mars ,

Women Are From Venus Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire

JUNE 24TH DEVA PREMAL, RDS

JULY 10TH PAUL SELIG

SEPT 28/29 BRUCE LIPTON

Tickets: positivelife.ie/events

Experience Rebirth

THE POWER OF SOUND AND BREATH. .

by Persephone Kianka Interviewer: Paul Congdon Interviewee: Dawid Magiera

Dawid Magiera, who founded Deep Breath with his partner Ania Ciolkiewicz, has noticed how people tend to underestimate the power of breath when, in reality, “it really can transform your life.”

Through the breath, we can access states of being that we could never even imagine, he explained, which is evident at their workshops.

Using the rebirthing technique, which involves continuously breathing deeply through the nose or mouth, participants can experience profound relaxation, among many other things.

“It’s so personal,” said Dawid, who experienced this technique for the first time in Bali in 2021.

After being blown away by a powerful combination of breath and

sound, he wanted to make this experience available to people in Ireland.

“Through the breath, we can access states of being that we could never even imagine…”

To achieve this, Ania has been training with a gong master. “People are always amazed by how many different sounds you can get from the gong,” Dawid said.

He explained that the purpose of the gong is to clear energy and emotions;

Retreat To The Burren

TOTAL WELLNESS.

by Persephone Kianka

When we sat down to chat with Grainne O’Malley, a yoga teacher at the Burren Yoga Retreat, she described participants’ experiences as “transformational”.

Our publisher, Paul, has been there himself and was in awe of the serene, welcoming space which Dave, the owner, has created.

“There is something really, really special about it, be it the entire space, the place, I think it’s the package that he offers there, in general,” Grainne told us.

She explained that getting to explore the beautiful Burren landscape is a pull factor

for many people who come on these retreats. On guided outings with staff who know the area well, participants get to discover hidden gems they wouldn’t otherwise experience.

Of course, there is also a significant amount of time every day for yoga and meditation, including the powerful practice of yoga nidra, which Grainne describes as “a systematic method of inducing complete mental relaxation.”

There is a schedule, but everything is optional for participants, and there’s no judgment. Whether you’ve never practised yoga or have been practising consistently

sometimes, they will play it louder to encourage people to cry, scream or move more intensely. The sounds influence the participants and vice versa.

Dawid and Ania welcome it all in this safe space, believing that “if something is showing up, then there is a reason for it.” They also offer one-on-one sessions with the same combination of sound and breath where they can focus on the individual’s unique process.

Dawid loves that he is not healing anybody but just providing the space and technique so that people can do it for themselves.

deepbreath.ie

for years, “the idea of coming on a retreat is to almost reset, to reassess what’s going on and to put yourself first with regards to your overall being.”

Grainne explained that even the dates are flexible, so you can join a week-long retreat and stay anywhere from 2-6 nights.

“It offers it all, to be honest,” she said, “and you’ve nothing to lose but so much to gain by spending some time there.”

burrenyoga.com

“…the idea of coming on a retreat is to almost reset, to reassess what’s going on and to put yourself first with regards to your overall being.”

women who lie in the dark

EMBRACE YOUR SOFTER SKIN.

by Alison McEvoy

Unweave Yourself

There’s a shift that happens when you arise from a yoga nidra practice, return to your daily life and reinhabit your daily self.

Subtle Renewal

Back in 2014, in the early years of my yoga nidra classes, it was unusual to have an hour-long class dedicated to relaxation and restoration. Newcomers were unsure whether anything of note was even happening during the class. They would arise from Shavasana, a bit bewildered, thank me and leave. However, when they inevitably returned the following week, they would tell me it was only when they went back into their habitual lives that they realised something had indeed happened during the class. They didn’t quite know what that ‘something’ was, and they couldn’t easily put words on it, but I was always glad to see them each week.

During my years of teaching in fact, I led a very calm life. Yoga was my way of being in the world. All that changed with the birth of my son in 2019 and motherhood has since taken the forefront. Now my life can be utterly hectic, stressful, chaotic and as unpredictable as, well, a toddler!

When you are woven so tightly into your way of life, you can’t see the woods from the trees. When that habitual thread is strung tight, it can be hard to even remember what ease and relaxation feels like. How profound it is. How differently we respond to ourselves, others and life, when our weave is relaxed.

A practice of yoga nidra is like stepping out of very tightly woven skin. It takes time and guidance to find your way out of such a skin, especially when life is asking so much of us at every moment.

Yoga nidra encourages us to be passive and effortless, to receive, to listen to a guiding voice, to follow in trust where this voice guides. To detach from outcomes and let go of the reins.

Almost every other aspect of life requires us to be active, take action, put in effort, be decisive, plan, prepare and forge ahead in the desired or needed direction. The unravelling of all of this activity of mind and body is something momentous. For this very reason, many yoga nidra teachers refer to a yoga practice as a rebellion, a protest, an act of defiance

and a transformation. Yoga nidra plants us deeply into our soft-skinned Self. And yes, you will come back. You will get it all done. And yes, you will be stronger for having rested and let go.

Women Who Lie in the Dark

There is as much wisdom, I have found, in ‘running with the wolves’ as lying in the dark (for you Clarissa Pinkola Estes fans out there!).

Stepping into motherhood has been wonderful and the biggest responsibility of my life. I am blessed to have had yoga nidra accompany me on this immense journey. Yoga Nidra was my walk in the woods when I could not leave the house. It was my rest when I could not sleep. It can do all this and more for you, I know. For resources or questions, drop me a line. restorativehealingarts@gmail.com

“A practice of yoga nidra is like stepping out of very tightly woven skin.”

Pressure That Evokes Peace

KOCOONO WEIGHTED BLANKETS.

By Alison McEvoy

I’ve had my Kocoono for over a year now. I bought it for my post yoga meditations and yoga nidras. Having a four-year-old was taking its toll and I was finding it hard to settle into a restful space on the rare occasions I had to switch off. Over the course of one particularly stressful period, when I was finding it hard to sleep, my mother suggested I use it during the night. Miraculously, it worked. It’s now an essential component of my relaxation routine.

Evolution Story

Hearing Emer Flannery’s story, the creatrix behind Kocoono, really inspired me and renewed my appreciation for this cosy and simple, yet powerful, blanket. Emer studied psychology and subsequently went to work as a behavioural therapist with children with autism. Part of her daily work was seeking ways of inducing calm in the children and settling their nervous system.

“One child in particular I worked with, he just struggled to sit in school in his chair. My mother’s a dressmaker, so I knew how to sew and I ordered things to make him a little weighted lap pad... and then I had items leftover and I said I was going to start a business! I remember making one and I sold it on eBay...I hadn’t a clue how to do it and I remember selling it for five euros and it must have taken me about ten hours to make!”

It was a couple of years later, while working in homeless services, that Emer found she wasn’t sleeping well. Her nervous system could not switch off from being in alert mode, while alternating between night and day shifts.

“So I made one [a weighted blanket] for myself there and then and that was it,” Emer recalls. “I was like, I know I have to launch this as a business...I don’t sleep without mine. I bring it everywhere with me.”

Powers of Deep Touch Pressure

The concept of the therapeutic power of “deep touch pressure” lies at the heart of how and why Kocoono blankets work.

“Essentially it cocoons your body so you have a sense of safety,” Emer explains. “It gives you slight compression all over your body so you can relax, because sometimes it’s hard to do by yourself.”

“We can have a raised alertness in our bodies for different reasons,” says Emer, as she lists everything from helping people return to normal sleep after experiencing burglaries, to helping mothers switch off the maternal instinct to stay alert throughout the night, once their child has passed the infant/toddler stage.

The feeling of safety which deep touch pressure evokes in our bodies and minds is what allows the nervous system to switch from states of over-functioning, over-anxiety and heightened alertness, to states of relaxation, rest and restore. For people with difficulty sleeping, restlessness, anxiety, autism, insomnia and other sleep hurdles, the Kocoono is a godsend.

KocoonoYou

There is some serious creative thought gone into these blankets. You can customise the Luxe version of the blanket, whereby the weights are inserted horizontally into the blanket and can be removed in sections where they are unwanted. This can be very useful for people during pregnancy, or postoperations.

There is a Lap-pad available with a little pocket, to gift yourself a seat full of calm. There is also the ‘shoulder hug’, which I recently invested in, which you can drape over your shoulders as you read or work. The children’s version of the blanket comes in a variety of designs such as space cats or unicorns.

In a high voltage world, these blankets are an antidote to the frenzied pace of life.

“Essentially it cocoons your body so you have a sense of safety…”

kocoono.com

PHOTO: KAREN COX

Water Wisdom

HYDROGENATE YOUR WAY TO HEALING.

by Alison McEvoy

Dr Paul Barattiero is a mine of information when it comes to the health-promoting effects of hydrogenated water, as a result of the health issues his wife faced for most of their marriage. Watching the “love of my life” going through hellish health challenges, he felt compelled to find solutions: “I wanted to bless her life and help her,” he says. In this process, Dr Barattiero discovered a water product that has gone on to help millions of people.

Water is Life

Many of us are well aware that the water referred to as ‘drinking water’ which flows from our kitchen sinks is not true to name. It’s not always easy to hear that core aspects of the life we are living is doing us harm. The chemical burden on our bodies from the food and water we ingest is leaving so many of us feeling less than is our human potential to feel - less energy and less vitality.

“The Creator made you to be amazing in the first place. What happened is that someone decided that farming would be better if we put a lot of chemicals in it and when you ingest that it disrupts your antioxidant system...[and] your immune function.”

Gut is home to healing

The food and water we drink is supposed to support the systems of the body. It’s for this reason that we eat and drink. To stay alive, to stay well. The gut is the place where the magic happens; where the body transforms, cultivates, creates what is needed from the food we eat. This ‘room’ of the body is the most important room in the whole house.

“All disease and dysfunction starts with gut dysfunction. We have a hydrogen producing aspect to our gut. Our bodies were designed to digest food and during this, fermentation happens in the gut. And when fermentation happens we have bacteria develop that will consume fibre as well as short and medium chain fatty acids and convert these into hydrogen gas in the gut... the reality is we are designed to be able to produce hydrogen gas, 10-20 litres per day.”

What the gut does with this hydrogen is ultimately to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are the “leading cause of disease”. There are 926 studies, produced mostly for free by universities, scientists and “in the name of health” which show just this.

Restore Hydrogen home to the gut

Drinking water to which hydrogen has been added, aka hydrogenated water, is a scientifically proven pathway to reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which then starts anti-disease activity throughout the body or, what Dr Barattiero refers to as “regulation”.

“We’ve sold hundreds of these machines,” he says, referring to the Echo ultimate hydrogen water machine. “We have millions of people that are affected. We could be here for days talking about all the dysfunction, disease models, issues, whatever you want to call them, that have been regulated – I use that word regulated because that’s what’s really supposed to be happening in the body.”

Hydrogenated water is a blessing on all our lives as it restores the terrain of the gut, so that it can function as it is supposed to. .

Water wisdom

The stories Dr Baratierro shares are fascinating. The results of studies are conclusive and crystal clear. This water is truly healing. Check out the amazing products online.

echowater.com

“We have millions of people that are affected. We could be here for days talking about all the dysfunction, disease models, issues, whatever you want to call them, that have been regulated.”

It Starts Within

THE PEACE EDUCATION PROGRAMME.

by Persephone Kianka Interviewer: Paul Congdon Interviewee: Christine Lynn

Christine Lynn had felt connected to Prem Rawat’s work for many years, so when she heard that his foundation had created the Peace Education Programme, she was eager to participate.

Christine took the course herself and then became a volunteer, offering the Peace Education Program to other people in Ireland to help them discover innate tools to experience personal peace in their lives. The first courses started at Mountjoy and Castlerea prisons.

Admittedly, this was out of her comfort zone, but she wholeheartedly believes this work is suitable and beneficial for everybody interested.

Christine explained that different themes within the programme will resonate with different people. The

prisoners, for example, were eager to learn about making the right choices.

In her most recent work with asylum seekers in Castlebar, she recalled a woman from South Africa standing up and sharing how meaningful the theme of hope was to her.

While this group were initially sceptical, Christine watched the participants gradually start to open up and understand that they could easily access those qualities of peace and self-awareness within themselves.

At its core, the programme is about “helping people to use the resources that they already have in them to find peace and not be looking out there and blaming everybody else or blaming the world if things aren’t working out for you.”

Original Self Medicine

THE SOUND OF DIVINITY.

by Persephone Kianka

Paul Saul’s spiritual journey began in boarding school, which he attended from age 11 to 15 when other students started coming to him for counselling. He remembers feeling this was the territory he should be operating in, and while his life’s focus has taken many twists and turns since then, his desire to help people has remained.

Today, this takes the form of Original Self Medicine (OSM), which he describes as “You, here, you, there—everywhere else, and the connection, and the meld of those two aspects.”

“From the perspective of OSM, nothing needs fixing; we can’t disconnect from our divinity, our Original Self.”

the purposes of these journeys is to make the profound effects of earth medicines like ayahuasca available to ordinary people who shouldn’t be taking those medicines.

“…she began offering these lifechanging tools to others, starting in Irish prisons.”

Due to this clear, accessible message and structure, the Peace Education Programme continues to grow in reach, impacting many individuals and communities, from schools to health centres. The programme is available in over 80 countries in 40 languages and has been attended by over 400,000 people worldwide.

If you want to get involved, you can learn more on their website or at their stand at the Mind Body Experience on March 24th in Galway, September 21st and 22nd in Dublin and October 5th and 6th in Cork.

hearyourself.ie

From the perspective of OSM, nothing needs fixing; we can’t disconnect from our divinity, our Original Self. However, it can feel that way due to the human stories we tell ourselves.

Through Immersive Medicine Journeys (IMJs), Paul offers “vibrational medicine done through sound” to clear up any inner obstructions in the most “loving, harmonious way.” He explained that one of

Each journey is around 30 minutes long and unique; for example, one might start with a gong and another with a guitar chord. As Paul records these soundscapes non-linearly, he doesn’t even know what he’s creating until the end.

He also offers live Channelled Sound Healing Baths, gentle yet profound journeys intuited for the group present. This medicine is “assistance for anybody to realise the truth

of the dominion of their original self in their three-dimensional consciousness.”

As he writes on his website, “It occurred to me that if we are all one and are individuations of divine creation, maybe we are not here trying to figure out what’s out there, rather we are out there trying to figure what’s here.”

originalselfmedicine.com

Peace Education Programme

Unlock your inner Peace

An innovative series of video based workshops that help people discover their inner strength and personal peace. A complimentary online course made available by educator and author Prem Rawat. Almost 500,000 people have participated in the programme. For more information scan the QR Code.

www.hearyourself.ie/the-peace-education-programme

“Prem is a Peace Ambassador and I cannot think of a better way to describe him. To find peace in your life, this work is worth exploring.”

Paul Congdon

A Healing Matrix

PSYCHOTHERAPY AND SHAMANISM UNITE.

We spoke recently to power partners in psychotherapy and Shamanism, Gerard McNevin and Geraldine Walsh. This pair set up The Shamanic and Psychotherapeutic Academy (TSAPA) and run a series of courses which guide participants along the path of the shaman.

They have devised a series of master classes on shamanism and also provide training to therapists who would like to integrate shamanic energy work into their practice. They offer a number of unique interventions and strategies for therapists to utilise for clients’ traumatic issues that arise in the therapy space.

The coupling of psychotherapy and shamanism is a unique one. The pair devise their courses personally, using their shared and varied experience in the world of, in Gerard’s case, nursing, social care, psychotherapy and shamanic medicine.

Geraldine, for her part, brings a wealth of experience as a homeopath, reiki master and teacher, Hawaiian lomi lomi massage therapist, shamanic counsellor and practitioner, life coach and psychotherapist.

The union of these healing modalities appears to quicken and intensify the healing experience. According to Gerard, “Renowned shamans reckon one session of shamanism is the equivalent to six of psychotherapy. It goes very, very deep…People don’t want to be in therapy for years and years...They want to get into the energy and move forward in life quickly.”

The reason for this is put down to the fact that Shamanism speaks the language of the energy body. The inner journeys, rituals and ceremonies act on the energetic field, which, according to Geraldine, is where the pain of our traumas and difficulties in life is stored.

“The coupling of psychotherapy and shamanism is a unique one.”

“We carry all of our pain in our energy field. When we can release that.. people really move on a lot quicker...and heal!”

Gerard and Geraldine regularly run Shamanic residential weekends as well as in-person and online courses and master classes. For info on these and lots more ways to engage with your inner shaman, see their website below.

theshamanicandpsychotherapeuticacademy.com

the genie in the genes

DECODE YOUR GENETICS & BECOME THE ULTIMATE HUMAN.

by Alison McEvoy

Science continues to explore and explode outdated scientific paradigms of understanding, especially in the area of health. Gary Brecka is spearheading one such explosive, new wave of understanding and research into human health.

‘From the Ridiculous to the Sublime’

Gary, having graduated with a degree in biology and a graduate degree in human biology, found himself calculating the mortality of humans in service of the insurance industry. Ultimately, despite the job security, he found himself deeply unfulfilled. He felt he was using his gifts for inauthentic purposes. Ultimately, Gary decided to follow his heart and what he felt was “God’s plan for me”. He ended his career in the insurance industry and started a wellness business.

“[God’s plan for me is] to take ultracomplicated information, distil it down and spread it to the masses...so they can make real change in their lives...so we can add not just years to people’s lives but life to people’s years.”

Becoming an Optimised Human

Gary explains that a specific process, which human beings perform involuntarily about 300 billion times as

day, is key to human optimisation. This process, moreover, happens to be entirely overlooked in modern medicine.

It is the process by which the body refines the raw materials (food and nutrients) which we put into it, into the format which the body’s tissues require to use them.

“We put nutrients of all kinds in the human body but none are used in the format in which we put them in. They have to be refined. This refining process is called methylation.”

If your body isn’t performing this process properly, the body ends up deficient in whatever nutrients are not capable of being refined by your body.

Decode your Genes

“Your genetic code is responsible for how your body processes certain nutrients, produces and uses energy, and how your body will react to certain foods.”

DNA testing is a way to find out how your genetic codes are affecting methylation in your body. The science goes, that once you find out what genetic mutations exist in your body, you can understand what nutrient deficiencies you may be experiencing. This highly specific testing acts as your personal compass to better health.

Symptoms like anxiety, depression, poor sleep, gut issues, weight gain, high blood pressure and the like, can often be chalked down to stress, when the reality can be quite different. Gary believes that discovering nutritional deficiencies and replacing those deficiencies, leads to a thriving human being. This is the trajectory he brings people on, towards become what he calls “the ultimate human.”

Get Tested

The Body Fabulous Clinic in the UK has been offering an extensive range of DNA tests including methylation genetics since 2013.

There is much to explore and discover in the world of DNA testing. Gary’s podcast, blog or book, entitled ‘The Ultimate Human’ are good places to start with to get an understanding of the issues at play. If you wish to dive in and get tested, The Body Fabulous Clinic is the closest-tohome clinic we could find, and has some amazing credentials.

Happy researching!

theultimatehuman.com mybodyfabulous.co.uk

“Your genetic code is responsible for how your body processes certain nutrients, produces and uses energy, and how your body will react to certain foods.”

“ProActive has searched the world to find and supply the most profound wellness devices available for home and clinic use”

get proactive

Stephen Watton is the co-owner, with his daughter Sarah, of ProActive Healthcare, a business offering the most life-changing products and devices Stephen has encountered on his own health journey, and that of his family.

Interest in health is reborn

Stephen found himself at a crossroads when his career in sales and marketing ended when the company he distributed for crashed.

“I got a rude awakening. At 40 years of age, just when I thought I had made it, and my ego was living the life, the whole thing went down the pan. I got time to think about who I was, what I was doing and what I really wanted to do. As a kid I had been surrounded with the alternative... people brewing stuff like hawthorn berries for heart tonics and the like...very quickly I realised that all my life, my interest had been there in healthy alternatives and healthy living...and so, I set up a business in 1994...ProActive Healthcare was born.”

Lived Advice

From a chance meeting on a plane, Stephen found his business partner-in-health and things really took off. When Stephen became ill due to mercury poisoning, and his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer a number of years later, the search for products to help each other led the way forward and grew the business.

“Many lessons were learnt out of this. Many lessons to share… the need to have a proactive alternative protocol outside of, and with, allopathic medicine.”

Health Technology

ProActive has searched the world to find

PURPOSE DRIVEN WELLNESS.

by Alison McEvoy

and supply the most profound wellness devices available for home and clinic use.

Stephen is one of the first to pioneer the use of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Therapy (PEMF) technology in Ireland. The electromagnetic pulses of the device stimulates cellular repair deep inside the body, helping with pain relief, improved circulation and enhancing sleep. The PEMF devices range from handheld through to full body systems and even pads for pets.

Stephen’s colleague, Dr Micheal Kelly, a registered Chiropractic practitioner, has trialled and now daily uses six HUGO high intensity PEMF systems in his clinics. Dr Kelly acknowledges the clinical benefits of the system prior to the adjustments of his patients.

Stephen’s company has the exclusive distribution rights for a European system called SANZA. This system was researched and designed through an association with ten universities and has the most comprehensive benefits such as a range of frequencies and intensities.

Stephen has a SANZA PEMF-RIFE system in his bed which he uses every morning, so he receives a thirty-minute treatment to his white and red blood cells, activating 100,000 kms of microcirculation every upon waking. At 74 I have neither ache nor pain.

He has also created a Hyperbaric oxygen for his home which encompasses PEMF therapy, Scalar and RIFE frequencies. This system probably is one of the most cutting-edge to be found anywhere.

Stephen’s company also distributes a unit called HOCATT that delivers up to ten modalities, such as carbonic acid, ozone, high intensity PEMF, far-infared, lighttherapy, RIFE frequencies, essential oils and

pure oxygen breathing in a thirty-minute session. This unit is the first of its kind in the world.

Stephen also raves about some of his favourite food products and supplements such as Flax Hull Lignans. It turns out that the hull of the flax seed is immensely more potent than the seed itself. ProActive chose a brand that mills organic, non-GMO flax seed hulls that you can easily sprinkle over porridge along with the fruit of choice. One supplement Stephen takes everyday is Cell Therapy Ionic Fulvic Acid+ as it has a number of potential benefits and Stephen says it helps make him feel young!

Dive Deep

The ProActive website is a place where you can dive deep into the best of what’s out there to promote genuine health and well-being. You can find out more about the company’s health products via the website www.proactivehealthcare.ie or by contacting the company directly.

Sarah, Stephen’s daughter, is the Managing Director of the company and is responsible for the company having profound and cutting-edge products.

In a world where tides are turning and the truth is no longer ‘out there’ but coming home to us, we are empowered to take the onus of our health into our own hands. Stephen and his company are pioneers in this, continually pursuing bigger and better healing solutions. He loves nothing more than to share this knowledge with others. In his own words, “seeing people get well is magic.”

“It’s an advanced neuro-technology that offers training to the brain, enabling it to function at its best.”

neuroptimal neurofeedback

IT’S A NO-BRAINER!

by Dearbhla Walsh

I came to NeurOptimal through a decadeslong search for relief from insomnia. Sleep hygiene, breathwork, meditation and self-hypnosis all improved things, but only after doing twenty sessions of NeurOptimal did I experience a more profound positive change to my sleep pattern than ever before.

At first, I noticed that I felt calmer in general. Then after a few weeks, I began to wake at 7am with the pleasant realisation that I’d fallen asleep half way through my finely honed sleep routine!

So, what is NeurOptimal? It’s an advanced neuro-technology that offers training to the brain, enabling it to function at its best. This is not a medical treatment and doesn’t require any sort of diagnosis. Rather, it is designed to communicate directly with your central nervous system, offering the brain the information it needs to reorganise to its optimal level.

Best of all, it is safe, and free of unwanted side effects.

The easiest way to understand this technology is to see it as holding a mirror up to the brain. Imagine you hadn’t seen yourself in a mirror for a long time. Once you see your reflection, you naturally start adjusting yourself – fixing your hair, straightening your tie and so on.

The mirror provides the information you need to correct and adjust yourself – and so it is with the brain. It has an inherent ability to self-correct when given the right information. All NeurOptimal is doing is measuring the electrical activity in the brain and mirroring this information back to it.

There is absolutely no effort required on the part of the client. Sensors are placed on the head and ears, and you sit, relax and listen to music!

Abrupt changes in the electrical activity of the brain undermines its optimal functioning. NeurOptimal detects these abrupt changes and informs or mirrors this information back to the brain by means of short interruptions in the music you are listening to. These pauses in sound invite your central nervous system to pull away from its less than ideal path in that moment. This happens over and over, until the natural self-correction becomes your new normal, and your brain functions more efficiently, effectively and comfortably. You will begin to sleep better, feel less stressed and anxious, become more resilient, flexible and simply happier, despite outside challenges in your life.

So, who can benefit from NeurOptimal? Anyone with a brain! It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for changes on a physical, emotional or mental level.

Some suggestions for use include:

Wellness enhancement, including

• Improved sleep

• Stress reduction

• Improving focus, attention and retention of information

• Improving sports performance

• As part of an anti-aging programme

• Enhanced creativity

• Many report improvements in conditions such as PTSD, ADHD, ASD, chronic pain, dyspraxia and dyslexia.

I will finish with a heartwarming story from a parent I spoke with recently, whose child had always had issues with self-regulation due to a condition he has. Because of regular “meltdowns”, life was often restricted for the family. However, after doing some NeurOptimal sessions, this little boy experienced enough of a reduction in these meltdowns that the family were able to go on their first holiday together. They could go grocery shopping and attend family gatherings and events that wouldn’t have previously been possible. When life improves for one, it improves for all!

neuroptimal.com

Unlock Life

THE HUMANITY GATHERING.

by Persephone Kianka

The MANA Movement is all about furthering projects that “recognise and exercise our natural unalienable rights for sustenance” and help humankind by giving back to the community.

The founding pillar of MANA Human Relations, Ita Morrissey, has always been led by her love for people, the power of connection and the inner knowing that we are all creative beings who can positively change the world. Through her work at MANA, Ita endeavours to create safe spaces where people can remember their natural, creative talents.

Chrissie Fire Mane, co-founder of

NEUROFEEDBACK SERVICES IRELAND

Offering Neuroptimal® Neurofeedback

Cutting edge technology that offers training to the brain, enabling it to function at it’s best.

Safe, and free from side effects,Neuroptimal can have a transformative effect on wellness, including better sleep, less stress, increased concentration and memory, higher performance in sports and exams.

many also report improvements in conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, ASD, and even chronic pain.

For more details, contact us on 086 8725184

MANA, is also led by the excitement of empowering people to step into their role as creators. Bringing forth modern and indigenous wisdom, she is committed to illuminating the gifts inside of people that may have been forgotten or suppressed.

Chrissie has been facilitating transformational weekends, workshops and retreats worldwide since 2012, and this year, she will aid in bringing the globally acclaimed Humanity Workshop to Ireland.

From July 11th to 16th in Co. Wicklow, this exciting 5-day event of celebration and ceremony will deliver ten powerful keys to “unlock life”.

At this workshop, participants will receive accessible wisdom that shines new light on whatever is currently blocking them. “When you see it, you can change it.”

The workshop leaders will also share their embodied experience of the keys in a simple way relevant to different backgrounds or viewpoints. It is the perfect opportunity for those wanting to improve relationships or overcome any blocks they are experiencing in life.

themanamovement.org

“The benefits of this cosmic expansion manifest as awakened potentials and possibilities, both collectively and in our individual lives.”

embracing the future looking to the stars,

In the upcoming spring of 2024, two significant astrological events will capture the attention of many astrologers.

The first event is the Jupiter and Uranus conjunction in the sign of Taurus, exact on April 21st, but able to be felt from March through to May. Jupiter and Uranus align approximately every 14 years, symbolising a period of collective expansion, creativity and heightened awareness. However, potential challenges may manifest as rebellion, upheaval and collective disruptions.

Individually, Jupiter and Uranus exude high energy and a propensity for change. The grounding influence of Taurus may temper their energies, yet collective themes of spring 2024 might still reflect these dynamics.

Earlier this year, in late January, the transpersonal planet Pluto re-entered the sign of Aquarius. It will still be going back and forth between Capricorn and Aquarius throughout 2024, but the next few months in Aquarius will be its longest stay in this sign that we’ve yet to see.

COSMIC EXPANSION.

by Rachelle Hicks

It’s noteworthy that Jupiter and Uranus will conjoin while Pluto resides in Aquarius. With Pluto in Aquarius, we can anticipate ongoing developments in collective themes related to technology and social systems. This may accentuate our relationship with technological devices, the integration of AI, the influence of Big Tech, and the need for maintaining healthy mental hygiene amid the surge in information availability and communications.

Considering these celestial alignments, we find ourselves gazing towards the future. The benefits of this cosmic expansion manifest as awakened potentials and possibilities, both collectively and in our individual lives. However, a cautionary note urges mindfulness in avoiding overextension and encourages discernment in assessing the balance between risk and reward.

In a time when meditation proves to be essential for a healthy mind, the collective challenge is absorbing more information than ever before. Meditation

serves as a means to declutter the mind after a day of virtual engagement.

This forthcoming period demands heightened awareness of our mental capacity—both in expanding our understanding and establishing healthy mental boundaries.

Exciting times lie ahead, brimming with energy and potential. Yet, amidst this excitement, remember to take moments to ground yourself, both physically and energetically, to fully embrace and make the most of this cosmic journey.

Rachelle Hicks is a Dublin-based astrologer offering one-to-one chart readings and personal astrology forecasts online through Zoom. Learn more about her at

rachellehicks.com

@rachellehicksastrology

There are many benefits of Rolfing, but here we list a few...

Release tension from connective tissues, Resolving chronic pain, Altering and improving posture, Enhancing breathing, Improving your flexibility, Reducing negative effects of stress, Increasing energy, Improving proprioception (body perception), Enhancing neurological function, Providing positive effects on the mind, Creating emotional harmony and much more...

Our customers come from all parts of the coutnry to seek our professional services from our practitioners in CORK - DUBLIN - GALWAY - TIPPERARY - WEXFORD

If you would like to know more about Rolfing and its core benefits to you health, you can simply contact us by email, phone or through our website. info@rolfingireland.ie 086 804 5218 www.rolfingireland.ie