July/August 2014 Radiance Magazine

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FREE COPY

A Publication of the Temple of Light Spiritual Community

Do Less to Get More Done: Your Mind May Be Exhausting You Rev. Danielle Marie Hewitt

The Astrology of Change Management: Utilizing the Stars to Effect Personal & Global Change in Chaotic Times Dr. Toni Galardi

Orange County Cultural Arts Lydia E. Ringwald

Courage & Optimism: An Important Partnership

Unleash Your Creative Energy by Discovering Invisible Dimensions in Art Jacqueline Ripstein

David Mezzapelle

What is Meditation Anyway? Abbe McClenahan, MS, MBA

Pope Francis Reminds Us of St. Francis & The Heart of Spirituality Bruce Davis, Ph.D.

Belly Dance: A Path to Enlightenment?

Finding My Way Back

Rev. Basia Christ, Ph.D.

Jheri St. James

JULY/AUGUST 2014 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 4

TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS

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CONTENTS

Do Less to Get More Done: Your Mind May Be Exhausting You By Rev. Danielle Marie Hewitt

Founder of Temple of Light Spiritual Community, Director of the Academy of Light School for Healing Arts, Practitioners, Publisher of Radiance magazine, Mentor to Holistic and Healing Arts Practitioners

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Orange County Cultural Arts

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Courage & Optimism: An Important Partnership

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JULY/AUGUST 2014

By Lydia E. Ringwald

By David Mezzapelle

Leadership Team

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What is Meditation Anyway?

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Belly Dance: A Path to Enlightenment?

By Abbe McClenahan, MS, MBA

By Jheri St. James

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Academy of Light

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The Astrology of Change Management: Utilizing the Stars to Effect Personal & Global Change in Chaotic Times

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Unleash Your Creative Energy by Discovering Invisible Dimensions in Art

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Pope Francis Reminds Us of St. Francis & The Heart of Spirituality

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By Dr. Toni Galardi

By Jacqueline Ripstein

By Bruce Davis, Ph.D.

Finding My Way Back

By Rev. Basia Christ, Ph.D.

Workshops & Classes

ON THE COVER Relaxing

Radiance is published by Temple of Light Spiritual Community located at 11 Goddard, Irvine, CA 92618.

MAGAZINE STAFF

Publisher’s Liability: Radiance does not warranty any advertised services or products. Opinions and factual statements expressed herein are the responsibility of the authors and not necessarily endorsed or verified by the magazine, nor do any advertisements necessarily constitute endorsement by the magazine, publishers, or editors.

Published by Rev. Danielle Marie, Spiritual Director of Temple of Light Spiritual Community Editor, Creative Director Rev. Basia Christ, Ph.D. Director of Marketing & Public Relations Tony Giuffreda Editorial Staff Tonya Fitzpatrick

Radiance is a free publication that is available at various metaphysical stores, health food locations, vegetarian restaurants, yoga studios, spiritual centers, coffee stands, and libraries throughout Orange County. If you would like copies at your location or recommend a site, please email info@radiancemagazine. org or contact our office at (949) 333-1641. Office hours are from Tuesday to Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Go to www.radiancemagazine.org to view current and past issues of Radiance and share your thoughts! Annual subscriptions are available for $25. To submit an article for review, please email Rev. Basia Christ, Editor-in-Chief at basia@ radiancemagazine.org.

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Do Less to

Get More Done:

Your Mind May Be Exhausting You By Rev. Danielle Marie Hewitt

Founder of the Temple of Light Community Director of the Academy of Light School for Holistic Seekers and Practitioners Publisher of Radiance Magazine, a periodical for Universal Consciousness Mentor and Practitioner of Holistic Healing Arts

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re you exhausted all of the time or even some of the time? Research shows at least one in five people feel unusually tired at any given time and one in ten suffers from prolonged fatigue. The culprit is an accumulation of every day stresses and mood. Three main causes of exhaustion have been identified: physical, lifestyle, and mental. Physical causes can be either carrying excess body weight, which tires and strains your body or being underweight where your body has less muscle to carry out normal day-to-day tasks or a form of injury. Lifestyle causes can be poor diet, consuming alcohol, recreational drugs, poor sleep habits, too much television, or lack of exercise.

If you are exhausted and fatigued and feel neither of the above two causes apply to you, the root of the cause may be mental stress. Unhealthy mental activity can have a much greater impact on how tired you feel as compared to that of physical or lifestyle reasons. Anxiety, constant worrying, over analyzing, even excessive daydreaming can disrupt your peace of mind and have significant effects on your serotonin levels. Excessive mental activity may also lead to poor life style choices which could result in physical manifestations.

Ultimately, they may be all interconnected, but likely start with mental fatigue.

What if there was a way to do less stressful thinking and increase our energy? If we compare our mind to that of a computer operating system with loads of applications downloaded and constantly running and we don’t make it a habit to turn the computer off at night and leave it running constantly, we know what happens. The computer slows down from having too much of its “memory” absorbed by the excessive running of those programs and it might “crash.” An effective, swift solution is powering off and rebooting. By keeping programs running to a minimum and powering off at night, your computer will operate at maximum efficiency and load pages as fast as you need them. Do you keep running programs in your mind to a minimum, thereby keeping your body efficient and energized or do you run it down? What could be worse than feeling overwhelmed and fatigued and yet not be able to get your energy or clarity of mind back?

The good news is your energy is still available and can be reloaded any time you are ready. All you need to do is continued on page 8 >>

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<< continued from page 7 inventory the programs running and make a conscious, concentrated effort to learn how to turn them off. If these programs run excessively or constantly, your mind will become exhausted. It can become a habit, condition, or learned behavior you can quickly cease with the correct understanding of them and effective tools. Your mind is tired because your habit of worry and fear is not giving it a chance to refresh. When the mind does refresh, the cobwebs, fogginess, and fatigue all lift. Do any of the following programs feel familiar to you? • Excessive Daydreaming: A sure sign of stress if you are losing yourself in thought continuously and reliving events the way they were, the way you would have liked them to be, or future events that could be realistic or fantasy. This form of mental activity will often play out in “story like” plots and the person can have one or more favorite story lines. The movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” with Ben Stiller is a great example of this phenomenon. It takes enormous energy for your mind to cease all conscious acknowledgment of your existing reality and create a completely different one, especially if it’s a fantasy daydream. After coming out of this activity, you may experience headaches, lightheadedness, trouble refocusing, dizziness, nausea, pins and needles, twitching, confusion, sadness, or anxiety. • Rehearsing Conversations: Do you rehearse conversations because you are unsure of your ability to communicate effectively with others or because you want to avoid confrontations or be derailed? You may spend much time and energy creating and recreating a situation in your mind to ensure it will go a certain way. The level of anxiety or lack of confidence you feel surrounding the future impending conversation will determine how much time and energy you spend preparing yourself for it. • Replaying/Repeating: You may relive an event or its circumstances over and over again in your mind because final healing and closure has not occurred, especially if it occurs with any compulsion. • Worrying: Does your mind race with anxious thoughts about everything you have to do? Do you 8

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find a topic or item constantly coming up in your mind causing you to reassure yourself it will be okay only to have it crop up again 10 minutes later? Do you talk incessantly about certain topics? When you share your concerns about something, do you get the feeling people think you are being irrational? If your teenager is 10 minutes late, do you play out the worst possible scenarios of what could have happened?

• Over Analyzing: Strangely, the majority of over thinkers are women. Do you spend an unreasonable amount of time thinking something through, twisting it around in your head until you’ve seen it from every angle and possibility? Decisions, especially big decisions that would have real or imagined devastating consequences if the wrong conclusion was made, can be a high source of stress and mental anguish. It comes from an actual or perceived lack of control over a given circumstance or situation.

• Avoidance: Do you dodge out of situations where you feel you may not fit in, be accepted, or are qualified to handle? Do you get stressed at the idea of having a conversation with someone because you fear it will turn into a confrontation that you may be potentially ill-equipped to address? • Rationalizing: This is a defense mechanism in which controversial actions or feelings are justified and explained in a seemingly rational or logical manner to avoid the true explanation and possible responsibility that you may not feel equipped to handle.

The above are only samples of some of the mindwearying mental activities and behaviors that can plague us and, more importantly, create great fatigue. If any of these feel or sound familiar, consider looking into them a little deeper with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor who can provide some nonjudgmental, frank feedback. You are not alone if any of the above is a normal part of your life. You may have experienced some to a smaller or larger degree depending on what is happening in your life. Make no mistake, if any of these seem familiar, they are wearing you down mentally, which, if gone unchecked can migrate to lifestyle and physical manifestations. Finding a way to reduce them will most assuredly

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อ วค ย ย ย ย ย ย วฃ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆ result in increased clarity and energy, not to mention ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆ confidence. Aside from some solid counsel, meditation ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค can help a great deal with harnessing an overactive อ วค ย ย ย ย ย วฃ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย mind. อ วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฃ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Meditation is about gaining that stillness and clearing ย ย ย ย ย ย ศ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ศ of your mind. You can achieve a true sense of power อ วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฃ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย through learning how to turn off the noise in your mind. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย The result is a much calmer, less reactive mind, leading อ วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ศ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย to ย ย ย ย ย ย วฃ a far less reactive body. Decision making improves as ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ ฦฌ อ ศ a calmer head prevails. Life becomes easier due อ วค ย ย ย ย ย วฃ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย to taking some short moments out of your schedule. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Meditation doesnโ t have to beย ย ย ย ย a long commitment nor ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ วค one that takes a long time to learn in order to start อ วค ย ย ย ย ย วฃ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย gaining some immediate benefit. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย The 5-Minute Meditation ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค Most of us can manage five minutes to create a routine which offers noticeable benefits such as calmer mental ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย activity, especially if the benefits were to become less ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆ reactive to stress and tension. Sit and maintain a straight ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก spine, preferably sitting in a chair, close your eyes, and ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย become consciously aware of your breath (where you ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆ feel it the most: nose, chest, and belly). Focus on how ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆ ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย exhale. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย this breath feels as ย you inhale and Every time ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค your mind begins to wander (which it always does), ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย gently yet firmly guide it back to the breath. This short ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย วฆ exercise is beneficial in more ways than you can imagine ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย andย ย ย is addictive in ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย nature. Feeling well, composed, and ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย in charge is the catalyst for continuation. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค

ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Meditation through Activity and Exercise ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆ As children we went outdoors to play and make no ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย mistake, thatโ s exactly what we did, PLAY. If you do a ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย วฆ form of exercise by yourself or with a friend and bring ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย your active mind along for the ride, you will not feel ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย better for long. As soon as the physical energy boost ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย wears off, so will your calm state of mind. Find a form ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆ of play/exercise in a team sport or something engaging ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย to ย ย ย ensure you leave your active mind at home. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Meditation as a Sleep Enhancer ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Many people find difficulty in falling asleep at night. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย They may toss and turn and become agitated when ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย the hours without ย ย ย restful sleep. They may ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย pass ย ย ย ย ย วฆ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย

ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย become cranky the next day and experience a lack of ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย productivity, not to mention a diminished sense of wellย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย being. They may take work, worries, fears, angers, and ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค grudges to bed at night. This is a definite sleep blocker ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย and requires discipline to overcome, but itโ s simple ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย วฆ to follow and produces fantastic results by following ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย these steps: ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย

โ ข Make sure your bedroom is cool in temperature by ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ศ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย cracking a window and allowing fresh air to enter ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย the room to enhance sleepย ย ย ย ย ย and refresh theย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย body. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆ โ ข Lie on your back and keep your spine straight. Make ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค sure your bed clothes are loose and your arms are ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วซ by your side, rather than crossed upon your body. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย วฆ โ ข Become consciously aware of your breath as you ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย วฆ inhale through your nose and follow it as you slowly ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย วก exhale. Itโ s as simple as that. Be forewarnedโ ฆ your ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก mind will intrude upon this exercise by imposing

ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย วฅวฅย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วจ its own stream of thoughts in rapid succession. It ย ย วฏย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค might seem difficult to break this cycle but all it ย ย ย ย ย ย involves is the practice of gently, but firmly, steering your mind back to the focus of the breath. โ ข This practice will help you restore your sleep cycle ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬบ and experience a fresh outlook on life. It will also help youย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย regain your sense of power over sleep and ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬบวก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย life as you realize there is a non-chemical cure for ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬตย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วฆย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬต ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย insomnia that actually works.

ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ อ อ อ ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย The Quick Fix Meditation ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วก ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย When in a stressful situation, such as dealing with a ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ฬตย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย boss, colleague, client or personal relationship, one is ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย often unconsciously resisting confrontation in mind ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย วค

and body.

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5DGLDQFH 0D\ -XQH July/August 2014 Radiance 9

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Orange County Cultural Arts By Lydia E. Ringwald

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pectacular this summer are three art festivals in Laguna Beach. A maze of artists’ booths at the Festival of Arts, Sawdust Festival, and ArtA-Fair invite art lovers and art collectors into visual enticement and collection opportunity. Each festival also offers art classes, art instruction for children, music, performance, and other delightful entertainment. Festival of Arts features Jazz on the Green, Art, Family Art Day, Art of Cooking, Sunday in the Park Music series, and much more throughout the summer. The crown of the three is the Festival of Arts’ annual Pageant of the Masters performance in Irvine Bowl outdoor amphitheater on the festival grounds. This year’s show of The Art Detective unravels the intrigue buried in lost art treasures through a series of living tableaux replicating the original artwork; each a story about the passionate quest for beauty and power. Visit www.foapom.com for more information

Pacific Symphony’s Summer Festival series begins with the annual July 4 fireworks performance of ‘Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’, a Big Band resurrection of 1940s and ‘50s Swing. ‘Gershwin Greats’ follows on July 20, Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ on August 9, super saxophone jazz star 10

Radiance

July/August 2014

‘Kenny G’ on August 23 with the grand fireworks finale Tchaikovsky Spectacular on August 30. For the summer finale, guest artist Jon Nakamatsu performs on piano and Carl St. Clair conducts.

During July and August at Segerstrom Center enjoy musicals, movies, and ballet. The musical ‘Jersey Boys’ continues until July 13 and ‘Ghost The Musical’ opens on July 23 and runs until August 10, followed by ‘Once’ August19 August 22. Meanwhile, enjoy Movie Monday, a series of free screenings of spectacular Hollywood favorites at 8 p.m. outside in the Segerstrom Center courtyard. Check Movie Monday calendar at Segerstrom Center for a schedule.

Top attraction this summer is the live performance of the ‘real’ Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in their one night presentation ‘Just Too Good to be True’ on August 16. Relive the highlights with the legendary pop culture icon and original Jersey Boy performing hits such as ‘Sherry,’ ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry,’ ‘ My Eyes Adored You,’ and more. During July, ballet stars Osipova and Vasiliev descend onto the Segerstrom stage with enthralling performances from July 25-27. Through the medium of ballet, this divine dance duo defines beauty while elevating audiences to ethereal heights. On August 15, Festival Ballet presents the annual Gala of the Stars showcasing international

Osipova and Vasiliev perform at the Sergestrom Center July 25-27.

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TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS Š‡ ‘™‡”• —•‡—Â? Šƒ• –Š‡ ÂˆÂ‘ÂŽÇŚ Ž‘™‹Â?‰ ‡šŠ‹„‹–•ǣ

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ƒ‰—Â?ƒ Žƒ›Š‘—•‡Ǥ…‘Â? ˆ‘” –‹…Â?‡–• ƒÂ?† ‹Â?ˆ‘”Â?ƒ–‹‘Â?Ǥ Â?Œ‘› Â?—•‹… ™‹–Š –Š‡ ƒ…‹ˆ‹… ›Â?ÇŚ ’Š‘Â?› ‘”…Š‡•–”ƒ ™Š‹Ž‡ –”ƒ’‡œ‡ ÂƒÂ”Â–ÇŚ ‹•–• •—•’‡Â?†‡† ƒ…”‘•• –Š‡ •–ƒ‰‡ ƒÂ?† ‹Â?–‘ –Š‡ƒ–‡” Š‡‹‰Š–• ’‡”ˆ‘”Â? ˆ‡ƒ–• –Šƒ– †‡ˆ› ‰”ƒ˜‹–› ƒÂ?† Š—Â?ƒÂ? †‹Â?‡Â?ÇŚ •‹‘Â? ƒ› Í•ÇŚÍ— ƒ– –Š‡ ‡Â?‡‡ ƒÂ?† ‡Â?”› ‡‰‡”•–”‘Â? ‘Â?…‡”– ƒŽŽǤ ƒ› ‹• „—”‰‡‘Â?‹Â?‰ ™‹–Š Â?‘”‡ Â?—•‹… ˆƒÂ?–ƒ•› ƒ”…Š ÍœÇŚÍ•Í” ™‹–Š …”‡‡Â? –‘ …‘”‡ǥ ƒ ƒ…‹ˆ‹… ›Â?’Š‘Â?› …‘Â?…‡”– ‘ˆ –Š‡ ˆ‹ŽÂ? Â?—•‹… •‘—Â?† –”ƒ…Â?•Ǥ

Â? ƒ —Â?†ƒ› ƒˆ–‡”Â?‘‘Â? …‘Â?…‡”– ‘Â? ƒ› Í•Í•ÇĄ ƒ…‹ˆ‹… ›Â?’Š‘Â?› ’‡”ˆ‘”Â?• ”ƒŠÂ?•ǥ ƒ”–‘Â? ƒÂ?† „‡›‘Â?†Ǥ • –Š‡ ˆ‹Â?ƒŽ‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ‡ƒ•‘Â?ÇĄ ƒ…‹ˆ‹… ›Â?ÇŚ ’Š‘Â?› ’”‡•‡Â?–• ƒ”Â?‹Â?ƒ —”ƒÂ?ƒ ™‹–Š ˆ—ŽŽ ‘”…Š‡•–”ƒ ƒÂ?† …Š‘”—•Ǥ

’‹”‹–• ƒÂ?† ‡ƒ†Š—Â?–‡”•ǣ ”– ‘ˆ –Š‡ ƒ…‹ˆ‹… •ŽƒÂ?†• …‘Â?–‹Â?—‡• ™‹–Š †›nj ƒ…‹ˆ‹… ›Â?’Š‘Â?› ‘’• ’”‡•‡Â?–• –Š‡ Stars of the Festival Ballet present Don Quixote on August 15. Â?ƒÂ?‹… Â?ƒ–‹˜‡ ƒ”– ‘„Œ‡…–• ƒÂ?† ’Š‘nj ’Žƒ–‹Â?—Â? ƒÂ?† ‰‘Ž† ™‹Â?Â?‹Â?‰ Â?‡”‹…ƒ –‘‰”ƒ’Š› ‘ˆ ‰—‡•– …—”ƒ–‘” Š”‹• —Â?‡ Í•Í–ÇŚÍ•Í˜Ǥ ƒ‹Â?‹‡”Ǥstars with a cast of dance Tangata restaurant overlooking ballet •‡”‹‡• ‘ˆ •‘Â?‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ™‘”Ž†ǯ• Â?‘•– š’Ž‘”‡ of–Š‡ ƒ‡•–Š‡–‹…• ‘ˆ Š‹njof the artists the”‹…Š Southland Academy lovely Spanish courtyard and †ƒœœŽ‹Â?‰ Â?—•‹…ƒŽ• †‡•…‡Â?† ‘Â?–‘ –Š‡ Â?‡•‡ …‘Â?Â?—Â?‹–‹‡• ‹Â? ƒÂ? ”ƒÂ?…‹•…‘ Ballet at Irvine Barclay Theater. gardens. ‡‰‡”•–”‘Â? ‡Â?–‡” •–ƒ‰‡ ‹Â? ƒ› ƒÂ?† ‘• Â?‰‡Ž‡• ‹Â? –Š‡ ‡šŠ‹„‹– Š‡ ƒÂ?† —Â?‡Ǥ Â?‘‹Â?–‡† „› –Š‡ ‡™ ‘”Â? The special VIP evening is presented A most unique art experience —”‡ ‘ˆ Š‹Â?ƒ–‘™Â?Ǥ Š‹• …‘ŽŽ‡…–‹‘Â? ‹Â?‡• ĥ –Š‡ „‡•– Â?—•‹…ƒŽ ‘ˆ –Š‹• in association with Youth American is the collection of California ‘ˆ ’ƒ‹Â?–‹Â?‰• ”‡˜‡ƒŽ• –Š‡ –”ƒÂ?•ˆ‘”Â?ÂƒÇŚ …‡Â?–—”›ǥ Š‡ ‘‘Â? ‘ˆ ‘”Â?‘Â? ”—Â?• Grand Prix. For detailed information Impressionist Art at the Joan Irvine –‹‘Â? ‘ˆ Š‹Â?ƒ–‘™Â? ‘˜‡” –Š‡ Í•Í?–Š ƒÂ?† ˆ”‘Â? ƒ› Í•Í—ÇŚÍ–Í™Ǥ please visit festivalballet.org. Museum at 18881 von Karman Ave, ͖͔–Š …‡Â?–—”‹‡•Ǥ ‹•‹– ‘™‡”•Ǥ‘”‰ ˆ‘” Â?Œ‘› ‡”•‡› ‘›• ƒ– ‡‰‡”•–”‘Â? CA. In the main gallery is an ‹Â?ˆ‘”Â?ƒ–‹‘Â?Ǥ At the Bowers Museum this summer, Irvine, ‡Â?–‡” —Â?‡ Í–Í˜ÇŚ —Ž› Í•Í— –‡ŽŽ‹Â?‰ –Š‡ of selected works from the Â?Â?› ™‹Â?Â?‡” ƒÂ?† …ƒ†‡Â?› ™ƒ”† visit the ‘Lure of Chinatown’ exhibit •–‘”› ‘ˆ ”ƒÂ?Â?‹‡ ÂƒÂŽÂŽÂ‹ÇŻÂ• …ƒ”‡‡” ˆ”‘Â? foundation’s collection ‘Â?‹Â?‡‡ ‡•Ž‹‡ ƒ”‘Â? ”‡–—”Â?• –‘ –Š‡ exploring 19th and 20th Century –Š‡ •–”‡‡–• –‘ extensive –Š‡ Â•Â–ÂƒÂ‰Â‡ÇĄ ĥ ‘Â?‡ ‘ˆ ƒ‰—Â?ƒ Žƒ›Š‘—•‡ •–ƒ‰‡ –Š”‘—‰Š of California impressionist artists art of the cultural customs and –Š‡ ‰”‡ƒ–‡•– •‘Â?‰™”‹–‡”• ‘ˆ –Š‡ ͚͔• ƒ› —Â?–‹Ž —Â?‡ Í• –‘ ’‡”ˆ‘”Â? ‹Â? ‹š of the past. The collection is rich aesthetic of the Chinese ƒÂ?† ͔͛•Ǥ ƒÂ?…‡ ‡••‘Â?• ‹Â? ‹š ‡‡Â?•Ǥ •Ǥ highlighted with recent California communities in San Francisco and ‘• Â?‰‡Ž‡• ’‡”ƒ ’”‡•‡Â?–• ƒÂ? ‘’nj ƒ”‘Â? ’Žƒ›• ƒ ˆ‘”Â?‹†ƒ„Ž‡ ™‹†‘™ Impressionist works by living artists —Ž‡Â?– ’”‘†—…–‹‘Â? ˆ”‘Â? ‹Â?Â?‹•Š ÂƒÇŚ Los Angeles. ™Š‘ Š‹”‡• ƒ †ƒÂ?…‡ ‹Â?•–”—…–‘” –‘ ‰‹˜‡ –‹‘Â?ƒŽ continue ’‡”ƒ ‘ˆ ƒ› ͕͛nj —Â?‡ who to Šƒ‹• explore landscape Š‡” ’”‹˜ƒ–‡ Ž‡••‘Â?•Ǥ through ”‡Žƒ–‹‘Â?•Š‹’ While wandering the Í›Ǥ Š‡ —Ž‡• ‘’‡”ƒ –‡ŽŽ• painting in ƒ••‡Â?‡– the impressionist „Ž‘••‘Â?• ”‡˜‡ƒŽ‹Â?‰ ‹Â?•‹‰Š–• ‹Â?–‘ Bowers galleries with its exquisite –Š‡ –ƒŽ‡ ‘ˆ ƒÂ? Ž‡šƒÂ?†”‹ƒÂ? …‘—”–‡nj tradition. –Š‡‹” ÂˆÂ‡ÂƒÂ”Â•ÇĄ collection ÂŒÂ‘Â›Â•ÇĄ ƒÂ?† of •‡…”‡–•Ǥ ‹•‹– permanent art, look for •ƒÂ? ƒÂ?† Â?‘Â?Â? ™Š‘ ™‘—Ž† •ƒ˜‡ Š‡” the new exhibit ‘Heavenly Horses: In the last 20 years since its 5DGLDQFH 0D\ -XQH Two Thousand Years of Chinese and inception, the Joan Irvine Museum Japanese Equine Art’ exploring the has published 18 books about image of the horse in sculpture and California Impressionism with elucidating insights into the artists painting. and the history of an impressionist Enjoy a summer day at the Bowers art form cultivated under California and include lunch at the museum’s

Light. Visit irvinemuseum.org for ˆ”‘Â? Š‡” •‹Â?• „—– ˆƒŽŽ• ˜‹…–‹Â? –‘ Š‹• times to visit. ’ƒ••‹‘Â?• ƒÂ?† •‡Â?•—ƒŽ †‡•‹”‡•Ǥ At Orange County Museum of Art, š…‡”’–• ˆ”‘Â? Šƒ‹• ƒ”‡ ƒŽ•‘ ’‡”nj an exhibit of video artist Sarkisian ˆ‘”Â?‡† ƒ– –Š‡ ‡Â?‡‡ ƒÂ?† ‡‰‡”nj & Sarkisian continues until July •–”‘Â? ‘Â?…‡”– ƒŽŽ ‘Â? ƒ› Í–Í›Ǥ 27 along with ‘Time Capsule’ —’‡”Â?‘˜ƒ ‘’‡”ƒ •–ƒ” ‡Â?‡ Ž‡Â?‹Â?‰ a collection of recent artworks ”‡–—”Â?• –‘ ‘• Â?‰‡Ž‡• —•‹… ‡Â?–‡” collected by OCMA. –‘ ’‡”ˆ‘”Â? –Š‡ ”‘Ž‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ‘—–Š‡”Â? ‡ŽŽ‡ ŽƒÂ?…Š‡ —„‘‹• Rex ‹Â? ƒÂ? ‘’‡”ƒ Exhibits of the artists Brandt: In ˜‡”•‹‘Â? of‘ˆ –Š‡ ˆƒÂ?‘—• ‡Â?Â?‡••‡‡ Praise Sunshine and John Altoo: ‹ŽŽ‹ƒÂ?• ’Žƒ› –”‡‡–…ƒ” ƒÂ?‡† ‡nj Drawings and Prints continue •‹”‡ ™Š‹…Š ‘’‡Â?• ƒ› Í•Íœ ™‹–Š –Š”‡‡ throughout the summer Laguna Art ’‡”ˆ‘”Â?ƒÂ?…‡• ‘Â?Ž›Ǥ ‹•‹– ’‡”ƒǤ Museum. ‘”‰ ˆ‘” †‡–ƒ‹Ž•Ǥ Visit the Laguna Art Museum on the – ”˜‹Â?‡ ƒ”…Žƒ› Š‡ƒ–‡” ‘Â? –Š‡ first Thursday Art Walk evening, …ƒÂ?’—• ‘ˆ ”˜‹Â?‡ǥ ‘œƒ”– ÂƒÂˆÂ‹Â…Â‹Â‘ÇŚ July 5 Board the free Â?Ġԥ and ™‹ŽŽ August ”‡Ž‹•Š ƒ 2. ’‡”ˆ‘”Â?ƒÂ?…‡ ‘ˆ shuttle in front of ”…Š‡•–”ƒ the museum Š‡ ‘œƒ”– Žƒ••‹…ƒŽ ‘Â? ƒ› ͘Ǥ on Cliff Drive and PCH that takes passengers to participating art Â?ƒ–‡„‘ƒ”† Â?ÂƒÂ‰Â‹Â…ÇĄ ‹ƒ˜‘Ž‘ ƒÂ?…‡ǥ †‡ˆ‹‡• ‰”ƒ˜‹–›Ǥ •‡– ‹Â? and ƒ galleries. Enjoy ”ƒŒ‡…–‘‹”‡ the ambiance ͖͕•– …‡Â?–—”› ƒŽŽ‡‘Â? ”‘…Â?‹Â?‰ ‘Â? –Š‡ art of this world-renowned beach •‡ƒ ‘Â? –Š‡ ”˜‹Â?‡ ƒ”…Žƒ› •–ƒ‰‡ ƒ› city. ͕͚nj͕͛Ǥ ›†‹ƒ Ǥ ‹Â?‰™ƒŽ† ‹• ƒ ƒŽ‹ˆ‘”Â?‹ƒ Lydia E. Ringwald is a California Â?ÂƒÂ–Â‹Â˜Â‡ÇĄ ™Š‘ Šƒ• –”ƒ˜‡Ž‡† native who has traveled Ž‡…–—”‹Â?‰ ƒ„‘—– –Š‡ ƒ”–• ƒÂ?† lecturing about the arts and ’Š‘–‘‰”ƒ’Š‹Â?‰ Š‡”‹–ƒ‰‡ photographing heritage sites •‹–‡• ˆ‘” ’”‡•‡Â?–ƒ–‹‘Â?• ‘Â? •’‹”‹–—ƒŽ‹–›Ǥ for presentations on spirituality. A Â?‡–ƒ’Š›•‹…ƒŽ ƒ”–‹•– ƒÂ?† ‰”ƒ†—ƒ–‡ ‘ˆ metaphysical artist and graduate of …”‹’’• ‘ŽŽ‡‰‡ Č‹ ČŒ ƒÂ?† –Š‡ Â?‹˜‡”•‹–› ‘ˆ Scripps College (BA) and the University ƒŽ‹ˆ‘”Â?‹ƒ ”˜‹Â?‡ Č‹ ČŒÇĄ •Š‡ •Šƒ”‡• ‹Â?•‹‰Š–• of Cambridge (MA), she shares insights ‹Â?–‘ –Š‡ •’‹”‹–—ƒŽ Â?‡ƒÂ?‹Â?‰ ‹Â?Š‡”‡Â?– ‹Â? –Š‡ into the spiritual meaning inherent ƒ”–•Ǥ ›†‹ƒ ™ƒ• ƒ ’”‘ˆ‡••‘” ‘ˆ Â?‰Ž‹•Š ƒ– in the arts. Lydia was a professor of

‘Ž†‡Â? ‡•– ‘ŽŽ‡‰‡ ƒÂ?† ƒ††Ž‡„ƒ…Â? English at Golden West and Saddleback ‘ŽŽ‡‰‡Ǥ Š‡ ‹• ƒ ‰—‡•– Ž‡…–—”‡” ‘Â? –Š‡ colleges. She is a guest lecturer on art ƒ”– ƒÂ?† Š‹•–‘”› ˆ‘” ‘›ƒŽ ƒ”‹„„‡ƒÂ? ƒÂ?† and history for Royal Caribbean and …‡ƒÂ?‹ƒ …”—‹•‡•Ǥ Oceania cruises.

July/August 2014

Radiance

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Courage&

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Optimism:

An Important Partnership By David Mezzapelle

W

e have all heard the expression, “Get up, dust yourself off, and move on.” How easy is that expression to say when fear isn’t staring you in the face? For those who have endured life-changing adversity and traumatic experiences, getting up and simply moving on may be the opposite of what they are willing to do.

them, billions of people are, in fact, participating in a rotational pattern—with no end in sight.

If you have ever known fear, I’m happy to report that others have been in the same boat; you are not alone. For many, their perseverance ultimately led to surmounting those fears and establishing strong foundations of courage.

Throughout my personal and professional life, I’ve always taken on step-intensive projects. Our Contagious Optimism book series is a perfect example. In addition to building the foundation, creating and managing teams, tracking content, and adhering to strict quality control, among other tasks, I’ve been on an infinite loop in terms of the promotion necessary to grow the Contagious Optimism brand. Even though the project is an absolute labor of love, I’d easily burn out if I didn’t take a step back once in a while to recharge.

Our fears seem to stem from two distinct places; the first place is the unknown. Fears of the unknown are natural and innate, as if a resistance was formed and we can’t seem to penetrate it. The second place is from past experiences. Whether we went through something scary or we witnessed someone else go through a difficult situation, the experience stayed and left us with fear.

This is not always a bad thing, and I’m not suggesting we stop. Our routines and commitments shape us and give us meaning. They can even enrich our lives. However, just as our routines are important in helping us define who we are to some degree, it is equally important to take breaks and embrace change. Our ability to jump off the spinning wheel of life is necessary and critical to our human function. Those breaks and changes allow us to interact with others and ourselves in a different, healthy way. They allow us to wind down from the constant spinning, truly appreciate what we see and hear daily, and, more importantly, give us strength and endurance to continue our lives.

Spinning through life and being stuck in a routine is something many people want to break or curtail, but fear the change. When I look at life, I believe we spin as the earth does. We spin through our daily routines and we spin through our lives. Think about the pattern of work, family, and commitments most people are involved in on an ongoing basis. When you multiply

Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way with my prior career. I lost the decade of my thirties being a

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Radiance

July/August 2014

FRQWLQXHG IURP SDJH

TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS

‘ˆ –‹Â?‡•Ǥ ƒÂ?› ’‡‘’Ž‡ Šƒ˜‡ Ž‘•– „‡Ž‹‡ˆ ‹Â? ‘—” ‡…‘Â?‘Â?‹…ǥ workaholic. I feared being anything else but working. Š‡ƒŽ–Š Â…ÂƒÂ”Â‡ÇĄ ‘” ‡†—…ƒ–‹‘Â?ƒŽ •›•–‡Â?•Ǥ Š‡ ‘Ž† ™ƒ›• ‘ˆ Building my company was my focus while my hobbies, †‘‹Â?‰ –Š‹Â?‰• Â?‘ Ž‘Â?‰‡” ™‘”Â?Ǥ ‡ ƒ”‡ •‡‡Â?‹Â?‰ –Š‡ ‡Â?‡”nj family, and relationships all but vanished. Had I forced ‰‡Â?…‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ †‡‡’‡” •–‘”›ǥ ‘—” Â?›–Š‹… Ž‹˜‡•Ǥ myself to have a better work/life balance, I probably Ěś ‘ ›‘— ˆ‡‡Ž –Š‡ ’ƒ••‹‘Â? ™‹–Š‹Â?ǥ—”‰‹Â?‰ ›‘— –‘ Ž‹˜‡ ›‘—” would have excelled the same, possibly more, instead ‰”‡ƒ–‡” •–‘”›Ǎ ›–Š ‹• ƒ„‘—– –Š‡ Â?ƒÂ?‹Â?‰ ‘ˆ –Š‡ •‘—ŽǤ – ‹• of wasting all those valuable years. –Š‡ Œ‘—”Â?‡› ‘ˆ –Š‡ Š‡”‘‹… •‘—Ž ĥ ›‘— –”ƒ˜‡Ž ˆ”‘Â? ƒÂ? ‘—–nj According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Â?‘†‡† ‡š‹•–‡Â?…‡ –‘ ƒÂ? ƒÂ?’Ž‹ˆ‹‡† Ž‹ˆ‡Ǥ Â? –‹Â?‡• ‘ˆ „”‡ƒÂ?ÇŚ “courageâ€? defined as “the quality of mind or Â?‘™ǥ spirit †‘™Â? ƒÂ?† is„”‡ƒÂ?–Š”‘—‰Šǥ ™Š‹…Š ™‡̾”‡ ‹Â? ”‹‰Š– Â?›–Š• ƒ”‹•‡ –‡ŽŽ‹Â?‰ —• ‘ˆ –Š‡ Â?‡™ Š‡”‘‡• ƒÂ?† Š‡”‘‹Â?‡•ǥ that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, ƒÂ?† ‘ˆ –Š‡ Â?‘„Ž‡ Œ‘—”Â?‡› ™‡ Â?—•– –ƒÂ?‡ ‹Â? •‡ƒ”…Š ‘ˆ –Š‡ etc., without fear.â€? A synonym is “bravery.â€? This is a ‘••‹„Ž‡ —Â?ƒÂ? „‘–Š ™‹–Š‹Â? ‘—”•‡Ž˜‡• ƒÂ?† ‹Â? ‘–Š‡”•Ǥ terrific definition because it explains we each have the ability to amass courage and bravery; as long as we can Ěś ‘™ †‘ ™‡ ‡˜‘Â?‡ –Š‹• ‡Â?‡”‰‡Â?…‡Ǎ ‘™ †‘ ™‡ ‹Â?•’‹”‡ –Š‹• ’‘••‹„Ž‡ǥ ’ƒ••‹‘Â?ƒ–‡ Š—Â?ƒÂ? •‘ ™‡ Â?ƒ› Â?‘– Œ—•– •—”nj mentally and spiritually face difficult situations. None ˜‹˜‡ ‘—” –‹Â?‡ǥ „—– Â–ÂŠÂ”Â‹Â˜Â‡ÇĄ Ž‡ƒ˜‹Â?‰ ƒ Ž‡‰ƒ…› ‘ˆ ƒ Â?‡™ ™ƒ› of us are exempt from that ability. ‘ˆ „‡‹Â?‰ ˆ‘” ‘—” …Š‹Ž†”‡Â?ÇĄ ‘—” ‰”ƒÂ?†…Š‹Ž†”‡Â?ÇĄ ƒÂ?† –Š‡ ÂˆÂ—ÇŚ Many people will tell you courage is obtained simply by –—”‡Ǎ – ‹• ‘Â?Ž› ™Š‡Â? ™‡ Šƒ˜‡ †‹•…‘˜‡”‡† –Š‹• ’‘••‹„‹Ž‹–› facing your fears. This is true; however, in my opinion, –Šƒ– ™‡ ‰‘ „‡›‘Â?† ‘—” ’‡••‹Â?‹•Â? ƒÂ?† …”‡ƒ–‡ ƒ ™‘”Ž† ‹Â? it’s not true enough. I believe courage is obtained just ™Š‹…Š ™‡ Â?ƒÂ?‡ ƒ †‹ˆˆ‡”‡Â?…‡Ǥ – ‹• ‹Â? ™‘”Â?‹Â?‰ ™‹–Š Â?›–Š like success—through effort, hard work, and optimism. ‹Â? ƒ …”‡ƒ–‹˜‡ Â?ƒÂ?Â?‡” ™‡ ‰ƒ‹Â? ˆ”‡•Š ’‡”•’‡…–‹˜‡• ‘Â? ‘—” Ž‹ˆ‡ Œ‘—”Â?‡›Ǥ ›–Š …ƒÂ? –ƒÂ?‡ —• „‡›‘Â?† ‘—” ‘”†‹Â?ÂƒÂ”Â›ÇĄ ÂŠÂƒÇŚ Every success comes with some effort and hard work. „‹–—ƒŽ ™ƒ›• –‘ –Š‡ ‡••‡Â?…‡ ‘ˆ ™Šƒ– ™‡ ƒ”‡ ‘” …ƒÂ? „‡Ǥ̜ If you work towards facing your fears and gaining courage, you will eventually get there. However, as the definition of courage states, it’s not all about work; ‘—Â?† ƒ†˜‹…‡ ƒÂ?† …‘Â?Â?‘Â? –Š‡Â?‡• ‹Â? –Š‡ hard ™‘”†• ‘ˆ having a certain mental or spiritual quality is essential

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–Š‡•‡ ™‹•‡ ™‘Â?‡Â?Ǥ ‡ǯ”‡ ”‡Â?‹Â?†‡† …”‹•‹• ƒŽ™ƒ›• ’”‘nj ˜‹†‡• ‘’’‘”–—Â?‹–› ƒÂ?†ǥ ‹ˆ ™‡ ƒ”‡ ™‹•‡ǥ ™‡ ™‹ŽŽ ”‡Â?‡Â?„‡” as well. That is where I believe optimism comes into –Š‡ ‘Â?Ž› –Š‹Â?‰ ™Š‹…Š Šƒ• …”‡ƒ–‡† •—„•–ƒÂ?–‹˜‡ …ŠƒÂ?‰‡ ‹• play. –Š‡ ‡š‡”…‹•‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ‘™‡” ‘ˆ Â?‡Ǥ

Optimism comes seeing others have overcome ‘™Ǎ Š‡Â? ™‡ from †‘ ‘—” ’ƒ”– how –‘ Š‡ƒŽ ™‘—Â?†• ˆ”‘Â? –Š‡ fears similar to our own, and then realizing if they can Â’ÂƒÂ•Â–ÇĄ …‘Â?’Ž‡–‡ •‘Â?‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ‹Â?…‘Â?’Ž‡–‡• ™Š‹…Š †‘‰ ‘—” ÂˆÂ‘Â‘Â–Â•Â–Â‡Â’Â•ÇĄ ˆ‘”‰‹˜‡ –Š‘•‡ ™Š‘ ‹Â?Œ—”‡† —• ƒÂ?† ‘—”•‡Ž˜‡• overcome their adversity, we can, too. It comes from ˆ‘” ‘—” ƒ…–‹‘Â?•ǥ ƒÂ?† Ž‹˜‡ ‹Â? ‰”ƒ–‹–—†‡ ˆ‘” ƒŽŽ ™‡ ÂŠÂƒÂ˜Â‡ÇĄ –Š‡ understanding if we think positively and persevere, ‰‹ˆ–• ƒÂ?† …ŠƒŽŽ‡Â?‰‡•Ǥ we, too, can emulate the successful outcomes of others. It ‡ ƒ”‡ ƒŽ•‘ ƒ†˜‹•‡† –‘ –—”Â? †‘™Â? –Š‡ ‘—–•‹†‡ Â?‘‹•‡ ƒÂ?† makes the “fear monstersâ€? shrink to a small size so –—”Â? ‹Â?•–‡ƒ† –‘ –Š‡ •‹Ž‡Â?…‡ ™‹–Š‹Â? —• ˆ”‘Â? ™Š‹…Š ™‹•†‘Â? we can squash them. ˆŽ‘™•Ǥ ‘ Â?ƒ––‡” ™Š‡”‡ ™‡ ÂƒÂ”Â‡ÇĄ ™‡ Šƒ˜‡ –Š‡ ‘’’‘”–—Â?‹nj Over the years, I have had the privilege of working and communicating with people worldwide who have surmounted their fears in the face of adversity. Sharing

‡‘”‰‡ ƒ’’ƒÂ?Â?‡ŽŽ‹ ‹• –Š‡ ƒ—–Š‘” ‘ˆ –Š‡ ÂƒÂ™ÂƒÂ”Â†ÇŚ their stories has been invaluable in terms of the eye™‹Â?Â?‹Â?‰ ÇĄ „‡•–•‡ŽŽ‹Â?‰ „‘‘Â? ‘ ‘– ‘ —‹‡–Ž›ǥ …‘nj ˆ‘—Â?†‡” ‘ˆ ‰‡ ƒ–‹‘Â?ÇĄ ƒÂ?† Š‡ ‘”Ž† ‘—Â?…‹Ž opening impact these stories have had on others. ‘ˆ ‹•†‘Â? ‡‡’‡”•Ǥ ‡ ‹• Ž‡ƒ†‹Â?‰ ‰‡ ƒ–‹‘Â?ǯ• When people are going through tough times, they tend •‹š –”ƒÂ?•ˆ‘”Â?ƒ–‹‘Â?ƒŽ ƒ˜‹‰ƒ–‹Â?‰ ‘—” —–—”‡ ‡‡Â?‡Â?† ‘—”Â?‡›• to —Â?‡ –Š”‘—‰Š ‘˜‡Â?„‡”ǥ ™Š‹…Š ™‹ŽŽ ˆ‡ƒ–—”‡ Í•Íš ‘ˆ –Š‡ ™‘”Ž†ǯ• think they’re alone. However, when they hear or Ž‡ƒ†‹Â?‰ ™‹•†‘Â? Â?‡‡’‡”• ƒ††”‡••‹Â?‰ –Š‡ Â?‡‡†•ǥ …‘Â?…‡”Â?•ǥ ƒÂ?† read stories of how others have persevered, it gives ‘’’‘”–—Â?‹–‹‡• ˆ‘” Dz’‡‘’Ž‡ ™Š‘ ™‡”‡Â?ǯ– „‘”Â? Â›Â‡Â•Â–Â‡Â”Â†ÂƒÂ›ÇĄÇł ĥ ™‡ŽŽ them hope. And, hope is the foundation of optimism. ĥ ˆ‘” ›‘—Â?‰‡” ’‡‘’Ž‡ ™Š‘ ™ƒÂ?– –‘ …Šƒ”– ƒ –‡””‹ƤÂ… ÇĄ ˜‹–ƒŽ …‘—”•‡ ˆ‘” –Š‡ ˆ—–—”‡Ǥ Š‡ ‰‘ƒŽ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ’”‘‰”ƒÂ?• ‹• –‘ ƒ••‹•– ’ƒ”–‹…‹’ƒÂ?–• I have seen people amass courage after a devastating –‘ ‡š’Ž‘”‡ •‘Â?‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ‡••‡Â?–‹ƒŽ ƒÂ?† ”‡Ž‡˜ƒÂ?– –‘’‹…•ǥ ƒÂ?† Â?ƒÂ?› break-up or divorce, after a financial setback or serious ’”‹Â?ƒ”› ƒÂ?† ‡Â?’‘™‡”‹Â?‰ –‘‘Ž• –Š‡› …ƒÂ? —•‡ ‘Â? –Š‡ ”‘ƒ† –‘ Ž‹˜‹Â?‰ accident, or after the loss of a loved one. I have seen Â?‘”‡ …‘Â?•…‹‘—• ÂŽÂ‹Â˜Â‡Â•ÇĄ ‹Â?Š‡”‹–‹Â?‰ –Š‡‹” ”‘Ž‡• ĥ ™‹•‡ ‡Ž†‡”• ƒÂ?† ’Žƒ›‹Â?‰ ƒÂ? ƒ…–‹˜‡ ’ƒ”– ‹Â? ”‡…ƒ•–‹Â?‰ ƒ Â?‘”‡ ’‘•‹–‹˜‡ ˆ—–—”‡Ǥ ‹•‹– ™™™ǤÂ?ƒ˜‹‰ƒ–‹Â?‰›‘—”ˆ—–—”‡…‘Â?ˆ‡”‡Â?…‡•Ǥ…‘Â?Ǥ continued on page 18>>

Dr. Kayhan graduated from University of Southern California and has more than 15 years of experience.

Armaghan Kayhan, DDS Holistic Dentistry

(949) 559-6988 14785 Jeffrey Road, Suite 206, Irvine, CA July/August 2014

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LEADERSHIP REV. DANIELLE MARIE HEWITT

TONY GUIFFREDA

Founder and Spiritual Director

Assistant Spiritual Director

President, Board of Directors

Instructor, AOL

Director & Instructor, AOL

Leader, UCC

Leader, UCC

714.721.2736 Tony@LiveYourRadiance.org

On-site Practitioner, HSS

949.244.1960 RevDanielle@LiveYourRadiance.org

Executive Director

Editor-in-Chief & Creative Director Radiance Magazine

949.690.1257 Basia@RadianceMagazine.org

CAREY TOMICH

DEBORAH HOOKEY

MOTHER KATHY, PRIEST

Instructor, AOL

Instructor, AOL

On-site Practitioner, HSS

Leader, UCC

949.707.0121 FairiesFlight2012@yahoo.com

208.705.0507 Carey@MindOverBodyMedicine.com

714.318.6629 Debra@DebraHookey.com

CHOURY DE VELLE, BSC, CHT, NLP

ABBAS “ABBY” NAMAZI

LAURA M. GEMS

On-site Practitioner, HSS

On-site Practitioner, HSS

On-site Practitioner, HSS

714.624.1956 chouryd@yahoo.com

949.212.7787 asnamazi@yahoo.com

310.975.5485 info@LauraMGems.com

www.orangecounty/hypnosiscenter.com

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REV. BASIA CHRIST, PHD

NEW

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LEGEND

P TEAM

AOL: Academy of Light

HSS: Holder of Sacred Space UCC: United Conscious Community

DEBORAH SHEA

ALYSSA FITZPATRICK

ELIZABETH HENDERSHOT

Member, Board of Directors

Director of First Impressions

Instructor, AOL

Instructor, AOL

On-site Practitioner, HSS

Leader, UCC

Alyssa@LiveYourRadiance.org

949.803.5302 Yosiable@yahoo.com

Leader, UCC On-site Practitioner, HSS

Look2OneSource@msn.com

REV. AYANNA MOJICA Leader, UCC

949.395.3359 Ayanna@AyannaMojica.com

JOSHUA BOWSER & LEMIA ASTARABADI Leaders, UCC

949.677.3700 RaMaHolisticCare@yahoo.com

KATHY DAVIDSON On-site Practitioner, HSS

714.717.0736 KatzeStars@yahoo.com

SETH PINCUS

STEVEN LESKO

Leader, UCC

Leader, UCC

TERRELL WASHINGTON ANANSI Leader, UCC

732.609.4639 DidgiHealer@gmail.com

949.244.6552

949.510.9821 TribalNeoPop.com July/August 2014

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What is

Meditation Anyway? By Abbe McClenahan, MS, MBA

M

editation isn’t just calming the mind, connecting with one’s higher self, or a form of stress reduction. It is the first step to moving out of your head and into your heart which will save you. There is so much fear energy in the world today that the world can look, feel, act, and be crazy. Stepping out of the fear, such as the fear of not having enough money, is huge for most Americans. Have you heard of “the law of attraction?” Or “what you feed grows.” Feed fear and it will grow into illness, destruction, and death. Meditation is a small step you can take to move away from fear and towards improving your life for the better and eventually the lives of all humanity.

Meditation changes your brain chemistry. It is a natural, systematic way the brain re-conditions or 16

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develops new combinations of neurotransmitters and nerve cells for encoding new patterns of thought and behavior. During human evolution, we developed instinctual behaviors for surviving which were hard wired or encoded into our brains. They become a set of instructions for behaving and reacting to thoughts and experience. This includes the fight or flight instinct, which is only necessary in today’s society under rare circumstances. Meditation consciously instructs and trains your mind to develop new patterns and not react instinctually or habitually to the environment. Scientists have determined our brains have what is known as “plasticity,” which allows brains to change and grow new neuron connectors. This is how we learn new things like reading, riding a bike, developing a fear, learning a

new language or playing a sport.

All learning appears to have a similar process. If you engage constantly in negative thinking or listening, you train your brain to habitually react negatively. What you feed grows. This is why meditation is great for training the brain not to let negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors run our lives. It has been proven to reduce stress as well as overcome addictions, and stop negative feelings, behaviors and thoughts. And, of course, Buddha became enlightened through meditation. Beginners usually focus on the breath, which is a good starting point. Try focusing on your breath for a minute without thinking about anything else. Just on the breath, in and out, thinking only of the breath. For beginners, your mind may be instantly distracted by a car driving by or a chirping bird. You probably had no idea how thoughts lead you

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around by the nose, or actually your brain chemistry, but it will become easier with practice.

After you learn how to focus on your breath, you can move to focusing on your bodily senses. While sitting in meditation and you notice your thighs begin to hurt, you can tell your mind to observe the pain but not to react or label it; just know it is there. You will be training your brain to respond in a new way. Essentially you are lessening the instinctual behavior to react and creating a new pattern of non-reaction. This non-reaction frees you and automatically makes you feel at peace. You will learn not to be driven by habits, thoughts, feelings, and negative patterns. You will self-transform through self-observation. If you incorporate meditation as a regular practice, you will learn to

become less distracted by thoughts and reactive to situations which anger or upset you. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone cut you off on the freeway, fired you from a job, or divorced you, and you didn’t get angry or sad? Perhaps the last two are a stretch, but you get the point and the power of meditation. The bigger bonus of meditation is when we move out of the brain and begin to feel the heart and connect to our heart energy. The brain energy outsmarts the heart and tends to crush the heart energy with its wit; however, the heart energy is bigger than brain energy.

Abbe McClenahan is a teacher, facilitator and healing practitioner located in Orange County. She spent the first twenty-five years of her career working in both the private and public sector of corporate America and in 2005 was led by spirit to begin her life’s purpose helping others through alternative healing, spiritual education and practices. Abbe is a meditation instructor, VortexHealing® Practitioner and Yhandi’s Inner Light facilitator. Abbe holds a monthly meditation group and is teaching “Developing Your Intuition” workshop on June 28, 2014 in Dana Point. Go to www.healingway.com, call 949-246-2822, or email Abbe at Abbe. McClenahan@cox.net.

Give your brain a rest with meditation and let the energy of your heart come forward. In fact, you already know its power. It’s called love. July/August 2014

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• Become conscious of your posture and thoughts creating any tension in your body. You’ll be surprised at how quickly this becomes apparent.

courage in people who were tired of hiding, of fearing the unknown, and of being in last place. These people are not gladiators, athletes, or titans. They are ordinary Consciously loosen your mind and body as you people who, with a combination of hard work, mental determination, spiritual resolve, and optimism, found become aware of your breath. they could overcome anything. Slow down your breath as you inhale and exhale Watching and reading about others who have found and feel the resistance melt away. courage in even difficult times strengthens us in more This can be achieved in one conscious breath if ways than one. Learning from another’s example is necessary, but the longer you continue, the more one way we find the resilience to form a mountain the resistance melts and eventually will disappear. of courage, which can lead us down paths we never The contracting muscles throughout the body thought we could traverse. loosen as relaxation replaces tension. We all have stories. What you consider boring or The mind and body fall into sync after this exercise, uneventful can be inspirational and motivational for resulting in the ability to think clearly, make better others. Sharing your stories can help by reminding you decisions and see all sides of a conversation rather of your resilience. It can help others find theirs along than the closed down mind of a resistant individual. with the courage they need to persevere. After all, we The result is calmer decisions, constructive are naturally mentors just by the sheer impression of thinking and a cool head. Less adrenaline release, those footsteps. less anxiety reactions.

• • •

• •

Mantra or Prayer

Another quick, easy method of calming your mind is by using an uplifting prayer or mantra. An affirmative expression repeated over and over again can edge out anxious thinking. Try something like the Lord’s Prayer or the Gayatri Mantra. Repeat it until you find the stillness reinstating. Engaging in any of the above five methods of quieting your active mind will give you increased energy, clarity, and sense of peace. Keep your mind rested and clear. Doing FAR LESS mental activity will provide you with a boost that could make you feel years younger. Rev. Danielle Marie is a Master TheaHealer® who practices a healing art primarily on ThetaHealing®, but with several personal additions and modifications. Her sessions are lifechanging, creating shifts in her clients’ perspections resuling in the most positive changes imaginable. Rev. Danielle Marie has been a student of metaphysics since 2000 and studied under several mentors, including Vianna Stibal an Dr. Doreen Virtue. As a metaphysical minister, she believes in the innate intuitive ability gifted to each of us. Teaching this and witnessing healings has become her life’s work and passion. She believes we can live free from pain and suffering and be in a stance state of peace and joy.

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David Mezzapelle believes we all have the capacity to make optimism contagious just by sharing our life’s adventures. Mezzapelle is the founder of the Contagious Optimism movement and the author of Contagious Optimism, a bestselling book series that contains real stories from real people around the globe which demonstrates that every cloud has a silver lining. Throughout his life, Mezzapelle has encountered great peaks and valleys all of which he is grateful for. He never lost sight along the way and has kept his glass “completely full.” He has influenced many people with his outlook and Contagious Optimism is his way of offering optimism to others. Mezzapelle has been a guest on various radio and television programs. He is a frequent contributor to the Wall Street Journal and various other publications around the globe. Mezzapelle is also a TEDx and Contagious Optimism LIVE! speaker. Visit http:// www.contagiousoptimism.com for more information on upcoming events.

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NEW EARTH EXPO On the following Saturdays: September 6 and December 7

General Admission is $10, but when you sign up for New Earth Expo’s mailing list, we’ll mail you FREE PASSES whenever we do shows in your area. Step 1: Register for our mailing list on New EarthExpo.net. Step 2: We email you and you confirm your email address. Step 3: A window appears with your free pass and your print it. Directions

Take I-405, exit Irvine Center Drive and go south. Turn right onto Tesla. Take the first right at Goddard. From I-5, exit Lake Forest Drive and go west. Turn right onto Irvine Drive. Turn left on Tesla. Take the first right at Goddard.

PLENTY OF FREE PARKING in the Temple of Light parking lot.

11 Goddard Irvine, CA 92618

949.333.1641 www.LiveYourRadiance.org July/August 2014

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Belly

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Dance:

A Path to Enlightenment? by Jheri St. James * * *

“To dance is to reach for a word that doesn’t exist, to sing the heart song of a thousand generations, to feel the meaning of a moment in time.” Beth Jones

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* * *

eople think of the belly dancer as a kind of Tinkerbelle as they watch her in their favorite Middle Eastern restaurant, jingling her finger cymbals, floating her veil, getting dollars stuffed in her belt and bra, and having fun with patrons who dance and laugh with her with her. But there is more to belly dancing than meets the eye. * * *

“Ánd those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche * * *

This writer has come to another, deeper appreciation of the oldest dance on planet Earth. The very fact of its existence in some form since 20,000 B.C. speaks to 20

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a thread of “something” which I call spirituality. Once we release judgments about mental pictures of ancient goddess worship ceremonies and sacred prostitution and focus on the intent of those early dancers, “spirituality” may not be the stretch it at first seems. Today’s belly dance is believed to have originated in the merging of East Indian temple dances, Chinese martial arts movements, and the myriad cultural expressions of all the countries along the famed Silk Road--a rich tapestry of music, dance, fabrics, jewelry, teas, and spices.

In primitive villages in the Middle East, women today are said to do belly dance movements in the room while their female relatives give birth, as a form of encouragement and supplication. Belly Dancing came to the U.S. in 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair in the form of Little Egypt, an Algerian lady who wore many layers of fabric. Victorian women and children were not allowed to watch her dance. continued on page 25 >>

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With the passage of time and blurring of geographical boundaries, there are now belly dance communities all around the world--Europe, Asia, the U.S., South America, and Hawaii. What is it that continues to attract mostly women to the study, practice, and performance of this ancient dance?

evolution of the dance stories of two strong women-Isis, who went to the seven layers of the underground to rescue her lost husband; and the mythical Salome’s dance as conjured by Richard Strauss in his opera of the same name—veils as power props. * * *

“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf.”

* * *

Rabindranath Tagore

* * *

Belly dancers balancing shining swords on their heads are turning implements of war into dance props. Balancing something on the head (sword, shamadan, cane, basket, tray, etc.) and lowering oneself to the floor and back up is a challenge to Western dancers, but many

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.” Martha Graham

In belly dance, the body is split into two zones: the lower body is strong, grounded, and earthy, whereas the upper body is cerebral, lyrical, and expressive. The goal of the dancer is to isolate movements in each zone, sequentially or simultaneously. The seven chakras are engaged in belly dance undulations. From the base of the spine to the head, the isolations and serpentine movements of the upper and lower body engage all the chakras and nadis. Arm movements originate in the muscles behind the heart. Rib isolations are often difficult for beginning students, who finds this part of the body frozen, unable to even raise and lower the chest, let alone rotate in horizontal or vertical circles.

* * *

With time and practice, this entire fourth chakra area becomes limber and free, enhancing and elevating heart functions--physical, emotional and psychic. By doing undulations called camels, figure eight shapes and mayas, the dancer exercises her reproductive organs. Being strong enough to do belly rolls can be a very powerful expression for the dancer and strongly works the core muscles. Dancers even can learn to flip coins on their tummies.

“Enlightenment” is commonly used as a word for spiritual attainment. Dance costumes regularly reflect light--beads, sequins, paillettes, coins, and other bright objects refracting brightly. Shining brass finger cymbals are said to ward off evil spirits with their wind-chimelike ringing tones. (Learning to dance while playing finger cymbals--zills, sagat--may be as hard as learning how to fly like Tinkerbelle.) Veil dancing has been cast through history as the

women in Third World cultures balance water jugs and baskets on their heads daily. The flaming shamadan is a nine-taper candelabra worn on the head of dancers in Egyptian wedding ceremonies to bless the bridal couple. Nagwa Fouad, a major dance celebrity in Egypt, said that belly dancing was “dancing in the light,” and these reflections underline her point.

continued on page 26 >>

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<< continued from page 25 Studying the regional belly dance articulations of Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and the latest Western inventions, American Tribal and Gothique engage the mind as well as the body. Ruth St. Denis called ballet “inane coquetry,” yet no one denies the allure and sensuality of belly dance. A solid yoga practice adds to the dancer’s ability to concentrate her mind and body, and achieve movements that appear impossible to the viewer. It’s one thing to do similar movements while undressing in a strip tease; it’s quite another to shine the light from your costume while balancing a sword on your head and playing finger cymbals. * * *

“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf.” Rabindranath Tagore * * *

Performance is self-psychology 101. Each dancer checks her own self-esteem barometer before going on stage, be it someone’s birthday party in a living room, a show in a restaurant / cabaret, a wedding reception in a hotel, or a major stage production. Many philosophical, political and ego issues arise with restaurant / nightclub owners, other dancers, students and audience members of other cultures. Dancing through them all may require all the calm and serenity of any guru in the Himalayas. * * *

“Life is a spiritual dance and our unseen partner has steps to teach us if we will allow ourselves to be led. The next time you are restless, remind yourself it is the Universe asking, ‘Shall we dance?’ Julia Cameron * * *

Yoga practices like pranayama, meditation, and affirmations are some of the ways many more spiritually-minded dancers rise above the petty issues of doing “belly dance business” in the modern day 26

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world. The internal personal growth encouraged by learning, practicing, and performing belly dance far exceeds Zumba, aerobics, Pilates, ballet, and every other dance form of exercise.

Body image in the West, as reflected in magazines, TV, movies, and probably porn sites, depict a woman who must always aspire to meet a Barbie doll ideal. Belly dancers participate in a beautiful form of artistic expression that embraces women and men of all sizes, ages, and skill levels; a truly democratic, challenging and enduring art form. After 30 years, this writer continues to study at dance seminars, workshops, and training sessions; the desire to learn more never ends and new material is enticing. Thinking about costumes, classes, and performances provide a welcome mental refuge from the tedium of every day life for my students and friends. Some churches and religions today might only aspire to provide the same kind of spiritual haven in the mind. * * *

. “I see dance being used as communication between body and soul, to express what is too deep to find words for.” Ruth St. Denis * * *

What is a good definition of spirituality? “Modern spirituality is centered on the deepest values and meanings by which people live. It embraces the idea of an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality. It envisions an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being. Not all modern notions of spirituality embrace transcendental ideas. Secular spirituality emphasizes humanistic ideas of moral character (qualities such as love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, responsibility, harmony, and a concern for others). These are aspects of life and human experience which go beyond a purely materialist view of the world without necessarily accepting belief in a supernatural reality or divine being. Personal well-being, both physical and psychological, is an important aspect of modern spirituality. Contemporary authors suggest that spirituality develops inner peace and forms a

TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS 7587+ Š &216&,2861(66 Š %/,66

foundation for happiness. Meditation and similar practices may help any practitioner cultivate his or her inner life and character. Ellison and Fan (2008) assert that spirituality causes a wide array of positive health outcomes, including ‘morale, happiness, and life satisfaction.’�(Wikipedia)

Does this type of dancing embody the spirituality in this definition?

If beauty is one of “the deepest values and meanings by which people live,â€? the aesthetics of belly dance and its music and costumes surely fits the bill. Personal Â? Š‡” „‘‘Â?ÇĄ ‡–—”Â? –‘ Â‘Â˜Â‡ÇĄ ƒ”‹ƒÂ?Â?‡ ‹ŽŽ‹ƒÂ?•‘Â? well-being, physical …ƒÂ?‡ —’ ™‹–Š Š‡” Â?Â‘Â™ÇŚÂˆÂƒÂ?‘—• “—‘–‡ ƒ„‘—– ‘—” and psychological, †‡‡’‡•– ˆ‡ƒ”Ǥ is enhanced, as Dz —” †‡‡’‡•– ˆ‡ƒ” ‹• Â?‘– –Šƒ– ™‡ ƒ”‡ ‹Â?ƒ†‡“—ƒ–‡Ǥ is a comfortable —” †‡‡’‡•– ˆ‡ƒ” ‹• –Šƒ– ™‡ ƒ”‡ ’‘™‡”ˆ—Ž „‡›‘Â?† Â?Â‡ÂƒÇŚ acceptance of one’s •—”‡Ǥ – ‹• ‘—” Ž‹‰Š–ǥ Â?‘– ‘—” †ƒ”Â?Â?॥ –Šƒ– Â?‘•– ˆ”‹‰Š–‡Â?• own being, self—•Ǥ ‡ ĥÂ? Â‘Â—Â”Â•Â‡ÂŽÂ˜Â‡Â•ÇĄ ÇŽ Š‘ ƒÂ? –‘ „‡ „”‹ŽŽ‹ƒÂ?–ǥ ‰‘”‰‡‘—•ǥ –ƒŽ‡Â?–‡†ǥ ƒÂ?† ÂˆÂƒÂ„Â—ÂŽÂ‘Â—Â•ÇŤÇŻ Â…Â–Â—ÂƒÂŽÂŽÂ›ÇĄ ™Š‘ ƒ”‡ ›‘— Â?‘– –‘ „‡Ǎ confidence in being ‘— ƒ”‡ ƒ …Š‹Ž† ‘ˆ ԠǤ ‘—” ’Žƒ›‹Â?‰ •Â?ƒŽŽ †‘‡• Â?‘– •‡”˜‡ able to practice this surprisingly challenging art form— –Š‡ ™‘”Ž†Ǥ Š‡”‡ ‹• Â?‘–Š‹Â?‰ ‡Â?Ž‹‰Š–‡Â?‡† ƒ„‘—– •Š”‹Â?Â?‹Â?‰ at home alone with a DVD, in a class of friends, or on a •‘ –Šƒ– ‘–Š‡” ’‡‘’Ž‡ ™‘Â?ǯ– ˆ‡‡Ž ‹Â?•‡…—”‡ ƒ”‘—Â?† ›‘—Ǥ stage. ‡ ƒ”‡ ƒŽŽ Â?‡ƒÂ?– –‘ •Š‹Â?‡ǥ ĥ …Š‹Ž†”‡Â? †‘Ǥ ‡ ™‡”‡ „‘”Â? People who seek out belly dancing are a breed –‘ Â?ƒÂ?‡ Â?ƒÂ?‹ˆ‡•– –Š‡ ‰Ž‘”› ‘ˆ Ԡ –Šƒ– ‹• ™‹–Š‹Â? —•Ǥ –ǯ• apart, who‘ˆ embrace international mind set Â?‘– Œ—•– those ‹Â? •‘Â?‡ —•Ǣ ‹–ǯ• ‹Â? an ‡˜‡”›‘Â?‡Ǥ Â?† ĥ ™‡ Ž‡– are curious about other cultures, wish to embody ‘—” ‘™Â? Ž‹‰Š– •Š‹Â?‡ǥ ™‡ —Â?…‘Â?•…‹‘—•Ž› ‰‹˜‡ ‘–Š‡” ’‡‘’Ž‡ “love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, ’‡”Â?‹••‹‘Â? –‘ †‘ –Š‡ •ƒÂ?‡Ǥ • ™‡ ƒ”‡ Ž‹„‡”ƒ–‡† ˆ”‘Â? ‘—” ‘™Â? ÂˆÂ‡ÂƒÂ”ÇĄ ‘—” ’”‡•‡Â?…‡ ƒ—–‘Â?ƒ–‹…ƒŽŽ› Ž‹„‡”ƒ–‡• ‘–Š‡”•Ǥdz contentment, responsibility, harmony, and a concern for others.â€? Some call themselves witches, some Â? …–‘„‡” Í•Í–ÇĄ ͖͔͕͕ Â?› Š‘Â?‡ –‘™Â? ‘ˆ ‡ƒŽ ‡ƒ…Š ‡š’‡nj ”‹‡Â?…‡† –Š‡ ™‘”•– Â?ƒ•• Â?‹ŽŽ‹Â?‰ ‹Â? ”ƒÂ?‰‡ ‘—Â?–› Š‹•–‘”›Ǥ call themselves goddesses, some call themselves Â?‡ ™‡‡Â? ÂŽÂƒÂ–Â‡Â”ÇĄ •‡– †‘™Â? ƒÂ?† ‡Â?‘–‹‘Â?ƒŽŽ› ’‘—”‡† ‘—– housewives, mothers, lawyers, nurses, teachers; others –Š‡•‡ ™‘”†• „‡Ž‘™Ǥ …ŠƒŽŽ‡Â?‰‡ ›‘— –‘ Ž‹•–‡Â? –‘ –Š‡ Â?‡•nj simply call themselves belly dancers. Belly dancing, as •ƒ‰‡ ƒÂ?† •‡‡ ‹ˆ ›‘— …ƒÂ? ˆ‹Â?† ›‘—”•‡Žˆ •‘Â?‡™Š‡”‡ ‹Â? –Š‹• a spiritual path or not, accepts and welcomes all. •‹Â?’Ž‡ •–‘”› ĥ †‹† –Šƒ– †ƒ›Ǥ “To make bread or love, to dig in the earth, to feed an animal or cook for a stranger—these activities require no extensive commentary, no lucid theology. All they Â?† –Š‡”‡ …ƒÂ?‡ ƒ –‹Â?‡ ™Š‡Â? ƒ Â?‘–Š‡” –ƒ”Ž‹Â?‰ –‘‘Â? Š‡” require is someone willing to bend, reach, chop, stir. ›‘—Â?‰‡•– –‘ –Š‡ ‡†‰‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ Â?‡•– ƒÂ?† –Š‡› Ž‘‘Â?‡† ‘—– Most of these tasks are so full of pleasure that there ‘˜‡” –Š‡ Š‘”‹œ‘Â?Ǥ is no need to complicate things by calling them holy. Â?† •Š‡ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz Ǥdz

I

A Time to Fly

And yet these are the same activities that change lives, sometimes all at once and sometimes more slowly, the way dripping water changes stone. In a world where faith is often construed as a way of thinking, bodily practices remind the willing that faith is a way of life.� Barbara Brown Taylor, “An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith�

Any activity can be imbued with spirituality by the spiritually inclined. Belly dance is no exception and %\ 'RQ 0DUU may actually become the hollow bamboo to a spiritual river of life for those who can see and hear the music of the spheres in the tinkling of finger cymbals. * * *

�You were once wild here. Don’t let them tame you.� Isadora Duncan * * *

‹––Ž‡ ‘Â?‡ǣ Dz ÇŻÂ˜Â‡ „‡‡Â? –Š‹Â?Â?‹Â?‰ ƒ„‘—– ‹–Ǥdz Â?† •Š‡ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz Ǥdz

Jheri St. James, teacher / performer / writer

‹––Ž‡ ‘Â?‡ǣ Dz ÇŻÂ˜Â‡ ™ƒ–…Š‡† ›‘— ƒÂ?† ’‘’ ƒÂ?† ÇŻÂ˜Â‡ Ž‡ƒ”Â?‡† / speaker, won 2 trophies at Belly Dancer ƒ Ž‘– „—– ÇŻÂ? Â?‘– •—”‡ ‹–ǯ• ˆ‘” Â?‡Ǥdz of the Universe Competition in 2004. She

teaches beginning / intermediate belly dance and introductory yoga through Laguna Beach and Laguna Woods ‹––Ž‡ ‘Â?‡ǣ Dz ‘— Â?Â?‘™ ™Š‡Â? ›‘— –™‘ ™‡”‡ ˆ‡‡†‹Â?‰ Â?‡ Recreation Departments. She and her troupe, JJ & the Habibis ™ƒ• ƒŽ™ƒ›• –Š‡ •Š‘”–‡•– ƒÂ?† †‹†Â?ǯ– ‰‡– ĥ Â?—…Š ĥ –Š‡ Laguna Beach Belly Dancers, perform at universities, cultural ‘–Š‡”•Ǥdz diversity events, art festivals, belly dance conventions and stage shows. They auditioned in “America’s Got Talentâ€? debut Â?† •Š‡ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz Ǥdz year, reaching 120 out of 6,000. Jheri will teach a workshop ‹––Ž‡ ‘Â?‡ǣ Dz props ™ƒ•Â?ǯ– ƒ”‘—Â?† ™Š‡Â? ›‘— –™‘ –Š‡ on balancing in Santa Fe Springs on July 13.„—‹Ž– More Â?‡•–Ǥ ‘™ ™‹ŽŽ Â?Â?‘™ Š‘™ –‘ †‘ Â–ÂŠÂƒÂ–ÇŤÇł information: www.JheriCo.net, (949) 494-5031, jheristjames@ yahoo.com.

Â?† •Š‡ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz Ǥdz

Â?† •Š‡ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz Ǥdz

‹––Ž‡ ‘Â?‡ǣ Dz ÇŻÂ˜Â‡ Š‡ƒ”† ›‘— •ƒ› ‹–ǯ• –‹Â?‡ „—– Ž‘‘Â? ƒ– Â?‡Ǥ

Šƒ˜‡ Â?‹š‡† …‘Ž‘”‡† ˆ‡ƒ–Š‡”•Ǥ ÇŻÂ? Â?‘– ĥ ’‡”ˆ‡…– ĥ –Š‡ „‡ƒ—–‹ˆ—Ž ™Š‹–‡ ‰”‡–Ǥdz Â?† •Š‡ Â•ÂƒÂ‹Â†ÇŁ Dz Ǥdz …‘Â?–‹Â?—‡† ‘Â? ’ƒ‰‡ ͛͞ ΡΡ

ȹȹ ȹȹ ÂŽÂ&#x;ÇŻČą ›’œÂ?’—ȹ ›ŠÂ?Â?’Ž•Â? ȹȹȹ ȹȹȹ —Â?Ž›Â?Š’Â?‘ȹ ’—’œÂ?Ž›ǰ ȹȹȹ Ž’”’ȹ ŠœÂ?Ž›ǰȹ Š›˜Â? ȹȹȹǝřŗŖǟȹĹ›Ĺ—ĹšČŹĹ—Ĺ›Ĺ˜Ĺ›ȹǝ ÂœÂ?ÇŻÇź ȹȹȹǝřŗŖǟȹĹ&#x;řŞȏśśŗśȹǝÂŒÂŽÂ•Â•Çź ȹȹȹ”‹›ŠÂ?Â?’Ž•Â?Č“¢ÂŠÂ‘Â˜Â˜ÇŻÂŒÂ˜Â– 5DGLDQFH 0D\ -XQH

July/August 2014

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s

ALL ARE INVITED!

s

MEET MINGLE CO-CREATE

Join the

CommUNITY MIXER Monday, July 28

from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Mark Romero, our guest speaker, will provide a healing, transformational musical experience. Those with a compatible healing arts center or physical business location with a contact list of 1000+ are invited to become Sponsors. Sponsors agree to promote the event to their contacts with at least two dedicated emails prior to the event. If you are interested, please RSVP and send a completed CommUNITY Mixer Agreement. We will add your business logo to an flyer for you to use.

The sooner you RSVP, the more time to promote your business with your logo on the flyer as a sponsor! Its a WIN/WIN!!! 28

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Ǥ ǡ ǡ ǡ

͛͘ ηη

TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS

ζζ ͚͡

Ǣ Ǥ Ǧ ǡ Ǥ Ǧ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ

ǡ Ǥ Ǧ Ǣ Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ Ǥ Ǧ Ǥ Ǧ Ǣ Ǥ Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ Ǧ Ǥ ǡ ̵ Ǧ Ǥ Dz Ǧ Ǥdz

ǡ Ǥ ͕͙ ǡ ǡ ǡ Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ

ǡ Ǥ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ Ǥ Ǧ Ǥ Ǧ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ Ǥ

Ǧ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǣ ̵ Ǥ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ Ǧ Ǥ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ

ǡ ǡ Ǥ ǡ ȋ Ƭ Ȍǡ ǡ ǡ ơ ǡ Ǥ ǡ ǡ Ǥ 5DGLDQFH 0D\ -XQH Ǥ

68%6&5,%( Published six times a year. Subscriptions are $25 annually for six issues. Name:

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T he Astrology of Change s

s

Management:

Utilizing the Stars to Effect Personal & Global Change in Chaotic Times By Dr. Toni Galardi

C

hange. What feeling gets evoked when you hear someone suggest you need to make a change? For most people, they will feel some level of anxiety. We want the world to change, we want our neighbor to change, or perhaps it’s our spouse and children. Yet, often when we think about making changes for ourselves, a trigger goes off that change will mean loss. We are in a time of unprecedented, massive accelerated change and the mandate for evolving is exactly tied to the degree that each of us can adapt to these changes. More to the point, can you execute restructuring those places in your own life that are outdated? One of my career-coaching clients 30

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was a high level executive in a major hotel chain and was responsible for supervising 100 people. Every day she had to make decisions that involved change. She had to fire people, institute new policies, and adjust to a new boss twice, all of which she did brilliantly. Yet, when it came to facing changes in her personal life having to do with her marriage, she completely froze. One of the unusual aspects of my work as a change management consultant is that I use astrology to assist my clients in preparing for change. In the 25 years I have been studying the biochemistry of mastering healthy adult change, my question continues to be, what is it in the make up of the individuals which allow them to make timely changes more easily?

By observing my clients over the years, I’ve been afforded an empirical study of astrology. Here’s what I‘ve discovered: Einstein was right; it is a mathematical universe. We are each born into a unique, mathematically–precise relationship with the planets in our solar system.

Like us, each planet has a vibrational frequency. At the moment of our birth, a matrix is formed on the etheric body which surrounds our physical bodies. This matrix contains the interchange of these frequencies so as the planets move through their orbits during your life, you are affected by them in accordance with your own unique blueprint. My ability to predict change may appear uncanny, but it is not

TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS based on some “mumbo jumbo magic.” The Astrological Research Foundation has been compiling data for many years on the efficacy of what are called “transits” to your chart. For example, people born under the sun signs of Aries, Libra, Cancer, and Capricorn or who have major planets in their astrological chart in those signs have been experiencing massive identity shifts for the past three years and will continue to do so for another four. For many, this has shown up in the form of a major crisis. If you do not have a naturally intuitive sense of your destiny and an ease in making timely, massive shifts in your life, it will indeed show up as a dramatic crisis. Fortunately, it is possible to have a context for recognizing and holding these massive changes and a specific way of preparing for them in terms of what to do and in what time frame to do it. With such tools, you can minimize the drama and maximize the potential for stepping into a new life design that is more authentic to the person you are meant to become. Astrological information can give you the context and a time table for the occurrence of major potential events. Although people born under one of these astrological archetypes will be most affected, there is a configuration going on that is inducing everyone to realign their personal identity called the “Uranus Pluto Square.”

This began in 2011 and will continue for two more years. The last time we had this planetary configuration

was during the 1960s. Uranus brings radical, lightning bolt change and Pluto uncovers the shadow aspects of our psyche. As history has shown us, great sociological rebellions took place in the 60s that forever changed the landscape of American life. Once again, we are being called to examine our values. This time it isn’t specific to women’s freedoms, civil rights, or gay liberation. It concerns all of us.

Are we willing to sacrifice our creature comforts to save ourselves or will we stay addicted to fossil fuels, GMOs in our food supply, and other pollutants to our environment? Can we make a paradigm shift away from that which merely gives momentary pleasure to one that engenders true joy? Is there a solution that involves change we can all get behind? Although it is helpful to have personal astrological information that can assist in preparing for change, the ability to implement these outer changes before they hit critical mass begins on the inside first, so following are suggestions for practices that can stimulate inner bliss: 1. Develop some kind of morning daily meditation practice even if it means just reading inspiring uplifting materials.

2. Get into nature and connect with the natural world. It will quiet your nervous system and make it easier to hear guidance regarding your next move. 3. Eat organic foods and minimize the intake of any substances that hyper-stimulate your brain and overwork your adrenals like caffeinated beverages. It’s hard to listen to your spirit when your nervous system is in high alert.

4. Cultivate your relationship to the dreamtime. Before sleeping, ask for direction on any change you are considering. Record your dreams in the morning and contemplate their meaning. In summary, in spite of these chaotic times, you can create a mindful life and discover what is essential to your true growth and happiness. Change that brings joy – now there’s a movement I can get behind… Dr. Galardi is a licensed psychotherapist, transitions strategist, and the author of The LifeQuake Phenomenon: how to thrive in times of personal and global upheaval. She can be reached through her website: DrToniGalardi.com or by calling her office at 310-890-6832.

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U

s

s

nleash Your Creative Energy by Discovering Invisible Dimensions in Art

By Jacqueline Ripstein

T

hroughout history Art has had great power to influence. Colors have been an expression and silent language of life, man, nature and culture. Every idea and sensation possesses a color...colors are thoughts! In essence, there exists within each of us a rainbow array of emotions and ideas. Our ability to harness and ignite such emotions, ideas and passions can directly impact our creative energy.

an experience of the sublime, or the Divine. It enriches our lives, and, by inspiring us, raises our beings into higher states of vibrations, connecting us with our inner divine force. This is the mission of Art. It touches us so we can raise our inspirational level and awaken the forces of creativity and consciousness.

There is a need to open our hearts and eyes to see and experience the colors of life, including those which are beyond the visible spectrum. In doing so, we can truly connect with our creative passions and potential. Art is

Violet is the color of seekers. It has the highest vibration of all colors and corresponds in music, to “Ti “and, to the Moon in the planetary cycle. Wagner had his studio painted in violet, and composed his music to the vibration of the violet color. Many artists have used violet’s high vibration to inspire them in their creative expressions. Masters have “talked” to humanity through the emanation of this high vibrational color ray. As a fountain of violet singing flame, the Blue or Purple Flames have magnetized people for centuries, from every corner of the world, setting them free from every binding condition of body, mind and soul.

Art in its many forms of painting, poetry, music, singing, architecture, writing, dance, sacred geometry, archetypes, and theater are manifestations of creative forces at work. It is generally understood that ignited creativity brings forth inspiring and passionate art in all its forms. However, the even more exciting revelation is when we experience such inspired art; it has the power to unleash our creative forces for application in various other areas of life - including school, work, relationships and wellness.

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The Violet Color

TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS ΜΜ Â…Â‘Â?–‹Â?—‡† ˆ”‘Â? ’ƒ‰‡ ͙͛ The Ultra-Violet Ray is called ultra because it goes “beyond our senses.â€? It is the frequency that connects –Š‡ ˆ—–—”‡Ǥ ˆ ›‘— •’‡Â?† –‹Â?‡ ’Žƒ›‹Â?‰ ™‹–Š ƒ ’‡–ǥ –‘†nj us between our bodies and our Spirits. In my Invisible †Ž‡”ǥ ‘” ‡Â?Œ‘›‹Â?‰ Â?ÂƒÂ–Â—Â”Â‡ÇĄ –Š‡‹” ƒ„‹Ž‹–› –‘ „‡ ’”‡•‡Â?– ‹Â? Art & Light TechniqueŠ, the vibration is an octave –Š‡ Â?‘Â?‡Â?– ™‹ŽŽ ”—„ ‘ˆˆ ‘Â? ›‘—Ǥ higher than the vibration of the violet color, which Í–Ǥ ‹Â?‰ ƒŽ‘Â?‰ –‘ ƒ •‘Â?‰ ›‘— ”‡ƒŽŽ› ‡Â?Œ‘›Ǥ ‹Â?‰ ƒŽ‘Â?‰ means it is beyond the body of the violet color. ™‹–Š ƒÂ?Â?ƒ ‘Ž† ‘—” ƒÂ?† „› –Š‡ ‡ƒ–Ž‡• ƒÂ?† –”› Because of this, it reaches beyond the visible spectrum. –‘ ˆ‡‡Ž †‡’”‡••‡†Ǥ ‘— …ƒÂ?̾– †‘ ‹–Ǥ › •‹Â?‰‹Â?‰ ƒŽ‘Â?‰ ™‹–Š ›‘—” ˆƒ˜‘”‹–‡ •‘Â?‰•ǥ ›‘— …ƒÂ? Ž‹ˆ– ›‘—”•‡Žˆ ‘—– ‘ˆ Black light combined with natural light is needed to Â?‘•– „ƒ† Â?‘‘†•Ǥ view my paintings using this technique. Under the black light, viewers can experience transformation Í•Ǥ Â?†ǥ –Š‡ ™‹Â?Â?‡” ˆ‘” –Š‡ Â?‘•– the ‡ˆˆ‡…–‹˜‡ ™ƒ› –‘ “—‹…Â?Ž› „‘‘•– ›‘—” Šƒ’’‹Â?॥ ‹•ǣ †‘ ƒÂ? ƒ…– ‘ˆ Â?‹Â?†nj of each painting from an oil-on-canvas depicting the Â?॥ ˆ‘” ƒ •–”ƒÂ?‰‡” ‘” ˆ”‹‡Â?†Ǥ –̾• –”—‡Ǥ Š‡Â? ›‘— †‘ physical world -- to an incredibly vibrant painting that,ƒÂ? ƒ…– ‘ˆ Â?‹Â?†Â?‡••ǥ ›‘— ˆ‡‡Ž „‡––‡”ǥ ›‘—” ˆ”‹‡Â?† ˆ‡‡Ž• when the lights are dimmed, exposes the non„‡––‡”ǥ ƒÂ?† –Š‡ ™‘”Ž† Šƒ• Â?‘”‡ Â?‹Â?†Â?॥ ‹Â? ‹–Ǥ ˜‡Â? physical world that surrounds us. Viewers experience •‘Â?‡–Š‹Â?‰ •Â?ƒŽŽ Ž‹Â?‡ •ƒ›‹Â?‰ ™Šƒ– ›‘— ƒ’’”‡…‹ƒ–‡ a breakthrough to a new path and a new consciousness. ƒ„‘—– •‘Â?‡‘Â?‡ ™‹ŽŽ „‘‘•– ›‘—” Ž‡˜‡Ž ‘ˆ ™‡ŽŽnj„‡‹Â?‰ ĥ ™‡ŽŽ ĥ –Š‡‹”•Ǥ

‘™ –Šƒ– ›‘— Â?Â?‘™ –Š‡ –‘’ Í•Í” ™ƒ›• –‘ “—‹…Â?Ž› „‘‘•– The Vibration of the Ultraviolet or Black Light ›‘—” Šƒ’’‹Â?॥ ÂŽÂ‡Â˜Â‡ÂŽÇĄ †‘ •‘Â?‡–Š‹Â?‰ ƒ„‘—– ‹–Ǩ Š‡ ™‘”Ž† This form of light is a space where all colors are …‘—Ž† —•‡ Â?‘”‡ Šƒ’’› ’‡‘’Ž‡Ǥ Š‡•‡ ’‡‘’Ž‡ ƒ”‡ Ž‡•• manifested, and creates a vastness in unity and •‡Žˆ‹•Š ƒÂ?† Â?‘”‡ ’”‘†—…–‹˜‡ –ŠƒÂ? Â?‘”Â?ƒŽ ’‡‘’Ž‡Ǥ Š‡› harmony. Ultraviolet and Black light go 1/8 the outside of the spectrum that our eyes can see. Interestingly, images only visible in ultraviolet light can be seen by some nocturnal animals. Divine energy can more easily be manifested through the ultraviolet spectrum. The Invisible Art & Light TechniqueŠ embodies new forms of expressions which project images and higher vibrations of the dimensions beyond our physical existence--and all that exists in Higher planes--into “our physical reality.â€?

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Â?ƒÂ?‡ Â?‘”‡ Â?‘Â?‡› ƒÂ?† ƒ”‡ Š‡ƒŽ–Š‹‡”Ǥ Â?‡ ™ƒ› –‘ „‘‘•– ›‘—” Šƒ’’‹Â?॥ –Š‹• Â?‘Â?‡Â?– ‹• •‡Â?† –Š‹• ƒ”–‹…Ž‡ –‘ –Š‘•‡ Jacqueline Ripstein is an internationally ›‘— Ž‘˜‡Ǥ › †‘‹Â?‰ –Š‹•ǥ ›‘—̾ŽŽ „‡ †‘‹Â?‰ ƒÂ? ƒ…– ‘ˆ Â?‹Â?†nj renowned Fine Art Artist. She is the author of The Art of Healing Art - The Keys to Â?॥ ȋ–Š‡ Í“Í• „‘‘•–‡”ǨČŒÇĄ ƒÂ?† Š‡Ž’‹Â?‰ –Š‘•‡ ›‘— …ƒ”‡ ƒ„‘—– Power and Awareness and creator of New ˆ‡‡Ž ‡˜‡Â? Šƒ’’‹‡”Ǥ Šƒ– …‘—Ž† „‡ „‡––‡”Ǎ Invisible Art techniques including the patented Invisible Art and Lighttech.Š (pat.1986). For 38 years, she has inspired thousands of people around the world during more than 377 International ‘Â?ƒ–ŠƒÂ? ‘„‹Â?•‘Â? ‹• –Š‡ ƒ—–Š‘” ‘ˆ ‹Â?† shows. Various scientists have researched Jacqueline’s art ƒ’’‹Â?॥ ‘™ǣ Í?͘ Š‘”–…—–• ˆ‘” ”‹Â?‰‹Â?‰ ‘”‡ and concluded Â‘Â˜Â‡ÇĄ ƒŽƒÂ?…‡ ƒÂ?† ‘› ‹Â?–‘ ‘—” ‹ˆ‡ Č‹ ‡†™Š‡‡ŽȀ her creative works possess unique high healing properties. In addition, she has advocated for World ‡‹•‡”Ȁ ‘Â?ÂƒÂ”Â‹ÇĄ ƒ”…Š Í–Í”Í•Í˜ČŒÇĄ ƒ ˆ—Â? „‘‘Â? Peace, and helps‘ƥ‡”‹Â?‰ ‡ƒ•› ™ƒ›• –‘ …”‡ƒ–‡ Â?‘”‡ ˆ—ŽƤÂŽÂŽÂ?‡Â?– to raise the human consciousness through her high vibrational art, books, self- awareness seminars, ƒÂ?† Žƒ•–‹Â?‰ Šƒ’’‹Â?॥Ǥ ‘„‹Â?•‘Â? Šƒ• –ƒ—‰Š– and workshops.Â?‘”‡ –ŠƒÂ? ͕͔͔ Â?‹ŽŽ‹‘Â? ’‡‘’Ž‡ •‹Â?’Ž‡ ™ƒ›• –‘ Praised by international art critics and collectors, Jacqueline has been working in collaboration with „‡ Šƒ’’‹‡” –Š”‘—‰Š •Š‘™• •—…Š ĥ ’”ƒŠ ƒÂ?† ƒÂ?† ™‹–Š Š‹• Â?‹Â?‡ „‡•–nj•‡ŽŽ‹Â?‰ „‘‘Â?•Ǥ Â? Š‹• Žƒ–‡•– „‘‘Â?ÇĄ Š‡ ˆ‘…—•‡• ‘Â? ‹†‡ƒ• the U.N. to reach its Eight Millennium Development Goals. ƒÂ?† Â?‡–Š‘†• ™Š‹…Š …ƒÂ? „‡ †‘Â?‡ ‹Â? —Â?†‡” –Š”‡‡ Â?‹Â?—–‡• ›‡– Šƒ˜‡ Jacqueline is a United Nations ECO SOC representative of the ƒ †”ƒÂ?ƒ–‹… ‹Â?’ƒ…– ‘Â? ›‘—” Ž‹ˆ‡Ǥ ‘” Â?‘”‡ ‹Â?ˆ‘”Â?ƒ–‹‘Â?ÇĄ ˜‹•‹– ™™™Ǥ International Association of Educators for World Peace. She ‹Â?†‹Â?‰ ƒ’’‹Â?॥Ǥ…‘Â? has dedicated her life to helping raise human consciousness through her art, as well as motivational and self-awareness books, seminars, and workshops. An advocate for peace, she champions the arts and the creative forces as instruments for world peace. Connect with Jacqueline at 305.683.8940, by email at info@jacquelineripstein.com, or visit her website at www.jacquelineripstein.com.

These concepts provoke amazing manifestations of creativity in workshops I teach for both children and adults. Students of all ages experience breath Äž Ä‚ĆŒÄž ĹŻĹ?Ç€Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ĺ?Ĺś Ç€ÄžĆŒÇ‡ Ĺ?ĹśĆšÄžĆŒÄžĆ?ĆšĹ?ĹśĹ? ĆšĹ?žĞĆ?Í• Ä?ŚĂŜĹ?Äž ŽĨƚĞŜ ĆŒÄžĆ‹ĆľĹ?ĆŒÄžĆ? taking insights fueled by their own inspired creativity ĂĚŊƾĆ?ƚžĞŜƚĆ? ĂŜĚ Ć?ĆľĆ‰Ć‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆšÍ˜ /Ćš Ĺ?Ć? Ä‚ Ć?LJŜÄ?ĹšĆŒŽŜĹ?Ć?ĆšĹ?Ä? Ĺ˝Ć‰Ć‰Ĺ˝ĆŒĆšƾŜĹ?ƚLJ ƚŽ andÄ?ŽŜŜÄžÄ?Ćš Ç Ĺ?ƚŚ LJŽƾÍ• EKtÍ• Ĺ?Ĺś ƚŚĹ?Ć? Ä?ĹšÄ‚Ć‰ĆšÄžĆŒ ŽĨ LJŽƾĆŒ Ć‰ÄžĆŒĆ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ ĹŻÄžĹ?ÄžĹśÄšÍ˜ enlightened vision. By experiencing “invisible tÄž ĞĂÄ?Ĺš ŚĂǀĞ ŽƾĆŒ Ĺ˝Ç Ĺś ĞdžÄ?ĹŻĆľĆ?Ĺ?ǀĞ Ä‚ĹśĆ?Ç ÄžĆŒĆ? ĂŜĚ ƾŜĹ?ƋƾĞ Ć?ŽƾĆŒÄ?Äž ŽĨ ŚĞůƉ dimensionsâ€? students are awakened to new capacity ƚŽ Ä‚Ä?ĹšĹ?ĞǀĞ Ç ĹšÄ‚Ćš Ç Äž ĚĞĆ?Ĺ?ĆŒÄžÍ• ĨĹ?ŜĚĹ?ĹśĹ? Ĺ?Ćš Ĺ?Ć? ŽƾĆŒ ĹŻĹ?ĨÄžÇ Ĺ˝ĆŒĹŹÍ˜ /Ćš Ĺ?Ć? ŽƾĆŒ for creative development in multiple sectors of life. Ć‰ÄžĆŒĆ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ ƋƾĞĆ?Ćš ƚŽ ÄšĹ?Ć?Ä?Ĺ˝Ç€ÄžĆŒ ŽƾĆŒ ƾŜÄ?ŽžžŽŜ Ĺ?Ĺ?ĨĆš ĂŜĚ ĨĹ?ŜĚ Ä‚ Ç Ä‚Ç‡ ƚŽ

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žĂŜĹ?ĨÄžĆ?Ćš Ĺ?Ćš Ĺ?Ĺś ƚŚĹ?Ć? Ć?ĹšĹ˝ĆŒĆš Ä?LJÄ?ĹŻÄž Ç Äž ŚĂǀĞ ŽŜ ƚŚĹ?Ć? Ć‰ĹŻÄ‚ĹśÄžĆšÍ˜ I highly recommend your own exploration into the /Ćš Ĺ?Ć? žLJ Ĺ?Ĺ?ĨĆš ĂŜĚ Ä?Ä‚ĹŻĹŻĹ?ĹśĹ? ƚŽ ŽĨĨÄžĆŒ Ä?ĞŜĞĨĹ?Ä?Ĺ?Ä‚ĹŻ Ć‰ÄžĆŒĆ?ƉĞÄ?ĆšĹ?ǀĞĆ?Í• Ć?ĆľĹ?Ĺ?ÄžĆ?ĆšĹ?ŽŜĆ?Í• Invisible dimensions of color and art if you seek to ĆšŽŽůĆ?Í• ĂŜĚ Ĺ?ĆľĹ?ĚĂŜÄ?Äž ĆšĹšĆŒŽƾĹ?Ĺš Ä‚ Ç€Ä‚ĆŒĹ?ĞƚLJ ŽĨ Ć‰ĆŒĹ˝Ä?ÄžĆ?Ć?ÄžĆ?͘ inspire your own creativity. tÄž Ć‰Ä‚ĆŒĆšĹ?Ä?Ĺ?ƉĂƚĞ ƚŽĹ?ÄžĆšĹšÄžĆŒ Ĺ?Ĺś ƚŚĞ Ĺ?ĹśĆšÄžĆŒĆ‰ĆŒÄžĆšÄ‚ĆšĹ?ŽŜ ŽĨ Ä‚ĆŒÄ?ŚĞƚLJƉĂů Ĺ?žĂĹ?ÄžĆ? ĂŜĚ Ä?ŽŜÄ?ĞƉƚĆ? Ä‚Ć? Ç Äž žŽÇ€Äž ƚŽ Ä‚ ĹśÄžÇ Í• ÄšĹ?ĨĨÄžĆŒÄžĹśĆš ůĞǀĞů ŽĨ Ä‚Ç Ä‚ĆŒÄžĹśÄžĆ?Ć? ĂŜĚ Ć?ÄžůĨ Ä?ŽŜĨĹ?ĚĞŜÄ?Äž Ä‚Ć? LJŽƾ ĞžÄ?ĆŒÄ‚Ä?Äž LJŽƾĆŒ Ć‰ÄžĆŒĆ?ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ Ć‰Ĺ˝Ç ÄžĆŒÍ˜ zŽƾ Ä?Ä‚Ĺś Ä?ÄžĹ?Ĺ?Ĺś ƚŽ ĹŻĹ?ǀĞ LJŽƾĆŒ ÄšĆŒÄžÄ‚ĹľÍ• ĹśĹ˝Ç Í˜

Ä‚ĹŻĹŻ ĨŽĆŒ Ä‚ ƉŚŽŜÄž Ä?ŽŜĆ?ƾůƚĂƚĹ?ŽŜ ƚŽĚĂLJ͗ ͞ϾϰϾͿ ϴϯϲͲϳϯϳϴ KĆŒ ŽŜ ƚŚĞ Ç ÄžÄ? Ä‚Ćš Ç Ç Ç Í˜Ĺ?ĆľĹ?ÄšÄžĎŽĆšĆŒÄ‚ĹśĆ?ĨŽĆŒĹľÄ‚ĆšĹ?ŽŜ͘Ä?Žž 5DGLDQFH 0D\ -XQH

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P ope Francis Reminds Us of s

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St. Francis & The Heart of Spirituality by Bruce Davis, Ph.D.

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day does not pass by when there is not a new quote or an act of humility from Pope Francis. Recently he advises all that “we know God by having an open mind. Each of us must look into our hearts.�

A few days later it was announced Pope Francis is going to wash the feet of handicapped people during Easter week. I think a Pope rarely leaves the Vatican during the Holy Days of Easter, no less washes the feet of the least fortunate amongst us. Truly Pope Francis is bringing alive the spirit and life of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis, the medieval saint from the 12th century, is being remembered for his love of nature and his humility and concern for everyone--no matter what is their walk in life, particularly the very poor. If we look deeper, we will also see Pope Francis practicing the inner path which brought St. Francis of Assisi to so much joy. Pope Francis can illuminate these practices as well as clear up misunderstandings. There has been too much self-denial and sacrifice embedded in religion for too long and for too many. Those who have been fortunate to live in Italy and 34

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follow the footsteps of St. Francis realize he is the saint for nature, the poor, and much more. Most people don’t know St. Francis spent a good part of his short life living simply on mountain tops all over central Italy. His many days and long nights were spent in silence, contemplating all elements of life. Nature in all its beauty, the sky in its wonder, and his nakedness stood out nearly every moment. His time alone in silence guided him to a profound peace within himself. He would spend days and weeks alone on mountaintops instructing his dear brother Leo to keep all humans away. His time alone in the perfect stillness was sacred. This time was about simply being and much more. It was time without distraction. St. Francis would venture deep into the great vastness of his heart. Loneliness and everything human was present, but time and time again, it all fell aside to something greater. St. Francis found a great vastness of God. A perfect peace was found inside the midst of the peace and quiet of the mountaintop. Today, Pope Francis, the Dali Lama and spiritual leaders of many faiths are practicing a similar path of spending

TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS much time sitting in profound stillness, the deep quiet of the heart. They begin each morning, taking time to be, and listen to the depths of the inner stillness. This is the source of their openness, humility, wisdom, humor, and compassion.

St. Francis battled his ill body, his desires, and feelings on his journey into the vastness of God. Pope Francis, the Dali Lama, and spiritual leaders today have learned the battle is not necessary. The middle road of taking time to listen and receive the silence of the heart is a true path. There is no need to punish ourselves. At the end of his life, St. Francis asked brother body to forgive him for being so hard and unforgiving towards what is also a gift from God, his body and all his humanness.

present, available, and sharing it with others. There is a big difference between self-denial and sacrifice and humility and compassion. The former is hurting to the heart; the latter is fulfilling the heart. continued on page 36 >>

Since those medieval times, serving others, and selfsacrifice have been confused in the Church and in many traditions. Many think helping others includes denying ourselves. This is where Pope Francis and today’s Church must speak openly about leaving behind medieval thinking and join the modern era.

How can being unloving to ourselves lead us to be more loving with others? How can we think battling with ourselves can lead to peace? If God is love how can we love one another if we are uncaring and supportive towards our own feelings and needs? After saying “no” to parts of ourselves, how can we suddenly expect to find a big “yes”? Denying our feelings and trying to turn off our sexuality has led to the problems that have existed for centuries in all traditions, but are now very public. When are we going to realize the excess in fasting, controlling, berating, judging ourselves and others has nothing to do with God?

Denying the self to free the self does not work. We free the mind by discovering and receiving God inside our heart and in life all around us. The great love, all that is good is abundantly present when we are heartfully

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Humility and compassion cannot be forced. They grow slowly, naturally, as we discover the abundance of our inner garden.

A true spiritual life is neither self-sacrifice nor being selfish. It is neither self-denial nor self-importance. Battling parts of ourselves does not lead to peace but inner conflict, hidden lives, and destruction. Being poor and suffering is not a path to holiness, but about being poor and suffering. Similarly being successful and healthy can be a distraction if we are busy acquiring possessions and forgetting about our heart and the hearts of others. The path is not really about having possessions or no possessions, having desires or trying to have none. St. Francis and Pope Francis point to a spiritual practice in silence with no distractions. Today, we call it “unplugging” or “disconnecting.” When the mind is not so occupied and busy, awareness of the heart naturally begins.

Inside each of us there is a vastness of presence; God overflows our normal limits of self and personality. We find ourselves more forgiving and offering the gifts of life to others. From the well of silence in our heart comes generosity, gentleness, innocence, and joy. Today with all the humility and beauty being demonstrated by Pope Francis, let’s speak clearly about the end of putting ourselves down in order to lift someone else up. It makes no sense and never has. Time to lift ourselves and everyone with a sincere and meaningful spiritual life like St. Francis long ago and Pope Francis today. Davis, a globally respected psychologist, has spent the last three decades promoting the inner peace that was the cornerstone of these two saint’s lives. He and his wife Ruth began leading retreats in 1983, and eventually came to open the Assisi Retreat Center in Assisi, Italy, which was called one of the world’s 10 best by both Travel and Leisure Magazine and CNN. Today, they operate Silent Stay, a new retreat center on a stunning hillside near Napa, California, where many come to turn off their electronic tethers for mediation, quiet and inner exploration. For more information, go to: www. SilentStay.com

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Please join us for Sunday Sangati from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Rev. Danielle Marie, Founder and Spiritual Director.

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Ğ ĂƌĞ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ŝŶ ǀĞƌLJ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚŝŶŐ ƚŝŵĞƐ͕ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ ŽĨƚĞŶ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞƐ ĂĚũƵƐƚŵĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ͘ /ƚ ŝƐ Ă ƐLJŶĐŚƌŽŶŝƐƚŝĐ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ ƚŽ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƚ ǁŝƚŚ LJŽƵ͕ EKt͕ ŝŶ ƚŚŝƐ ĐŚĂƉƚĞƌ ŽĨ LJŽƵƌ ƉĞƌƐŽŶĂů ůĞŐĞŶĚ͘ tĞ ĞĂĐŚ ŚĂǀĞ ŽƵƌ ŽǁŶ ĞdžĐůƵƐŝǀĞ ĂŶƐǁĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ƵŶŝƋƵĞ ƐŽƵƌĐĞ ŽĨ ŚĞůƉ ƚŽ ĂĐŚŝĞǀĞ ǁŚĂƚ ǁĞ ĚĞƐŝƌĞ͕ ĨŝŶĚŝŶŐ ŝƚ ŝƐ ŽƵƌ ůŝĨĞǁŽƌŬ͘ /ƚ ŝƐ ŽƵƌ ƉĞƌƐŽŶĂů ƋƵĞƐƚ ƚŽ ĚŝƐĐŽǀĞƌ ŽƵƌ ƵŶĐŽŵŵŽŶ ŐŝĨƚ ĂŶĚ ĨŝŶĚ Ă ǁĂLJ ƚŽ ŵĂŶŝĨĞƐƚ ŝƚ ŝŶ ƚŚŝƐ ƐŚŽƌƚ ĐLJĐůĞ ǁĞ ŚĂǀĞ ŽŶ ƚŚŝƐ ƉůĂŶĞƚ͘ /ƚ ŝƐ ŵLJ ŐŝĨƚ ĂŶĚ ĐĂůůŝŶŐ ƚŽ ŽĨĨĞƌ ďĞŶĞĨŝĐŝĂů ƉĞƌƐƉĞĐƚŝǀĞƐ͕ ƐƵŐŐĞƐƚŝŽŶƐ͕ ƚŽŽůƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ŐƵŝĚĂŶĐĞ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ Ă ǀĂƌŝĞƚLJ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐĞƐ͘ tĞ ƉĂƌƚŝĐŝƉĂƚĞ ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŝŶƚĞƌƉƌĞƚĂƚŝŽŶ ŽĨ ĂƌĐŚĞƚLJƉĂů ŝŵĂŐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŶĐĞƉƚƐ ĂƐ ǁĞ ŵŽǀĞ ƚŽ Ă ŶĞǁ͕ ĚŝĨĨĞƌĞŶƚ ůĞǀĞů ŽĨ ĂǁĂƌĞŶĞƐƐ ĂŶĚ ƐĞůĨ ĐŽŶĨŝĚĞŶĐĞ ĂƐ LJŽƵ ĞŵďƌĂĐĞ LJŽƵƌ ƉĞƌƐŽŶĂů ƉŽǁĞƌ͘ zŽƵ ĐĂŶ ďĞŐŝŶ ƚŽ ůŝǀĞ LJŽƵƌ ĚƌĞĂŵ͕ ŶŽǁ͘ ;ϵϰϵͿ ϴϯϲͲϳϯϳϴ Kƌ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ǁĞď Ăƚ ǁǁǁ͘ŐƵŝĚĞϮƚƌĂŶƐĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ͘ĐŽŵ

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Ăůů ĨŽƌ Ă ƉŚŽŶĞ ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂƚŝŽŶ ƚŽĚĂLJ͗

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TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS

Finding

My Way Back By Rev. Basia Christ, PhD

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ll right. I’ll admit it publicly. If you ask my friends what their biggest complaint about being my friend is they will all tell you unanimously, “She gets distracted by ‘shiny.’”

I’m not proud of this trait. In fact, when I watched the Disney movie, “Up,” I had to loudly laugh. There was a dog that could speak, but was constantly distracted when someone yelled, “Squirrel.” My trigger is “shiny.” I do not just mean shiny objects. I get distracted and go off path by a multitude of “inspirational ideas” which constantly bombard my conscious brain. If you look at my past, you will find a number of highly creative, neverfinished projects that I let go when a newer, more enticing idea hit the airwaves, or should I say brain

waves of my never quiet, always on alert mind.

It can, and does get overwhelming (is there such a word as “whelmed?” One can be Overwhelmed and underwhelmed so is our normal state being in “a state of whelmed?”) And so now you have been introduced to a moment of chaos in my brain.

I lose my way. I know it. And my friends constantly remind me. Many times, the project I cast aside probably would have been a waste of time if I think about it.

Yet, I have regrets about some. Not so long ago, I received a heavy download while in the shower (where many of my ideas are given to me by the Universe). A line of dolls I was “told” to call “The Children of Adam of Eve.” I spent hours researching different

cultures and drawing the perfect faces to represent them. No, they were not Barbie or Ken dolls. They were misshapen to the “perfect” 3624-36 idea of some man’s fantasy nor the “ideal man” with a muscular body and bald head. They were “you and I.” Beautiful as God made us. Hours and hours were spent coloring them and then another download came. Dress them in outfits representing home/ business people like CEOs and entrepreneurs, athletes, astronauts, deep sea divers, carpenters, plumbers, race car drivers, military personnel, etc. Males and females equally given the opportunity to be chefs, airplane pilots, parents holding, caring, and loving children. No stereotypes. True equality. Never heard of these dolls? It’s no surprise. I gave up the idea of bringing them to market when I July/August 2014

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discovered the cost of making one doll head was $10,000 (and I had begun with six females and six males). The designs are collecting dust under my bed in a plastic box. Also in the box is a Fed Ex envelope which I sent to myself proving I had the idea first in case Mattel or another toy company does the same thing. The idea was patented, but that’s as far as I could go. I had no money in a bank account to fund the doll line of The Children of Adam and Eve. Why am I telling you this? Because I lost my way again. Shiny got to me.

When God (yes, I no longer refer to the thing which speaks to me as “the voice” and finally accepted who It was) spoke to me on October 27, 2005 during the Governor and First Lady’s Conference in Long Beach which truly dashed my suicidal plans, I found myself on a decadelong path to spirituality. The women I interviewed for my book became an obsession, my Divine Obsession. I dedicated myself to learning as much as I could about this new to me, yet ancient, way of life to others who have been practicing its ways for centuries. During January 2013, I received a Ph.D. in Transformational Counseling and was ready to launch a career that was an extension to my new life path. And now one and a half years later, and I have lost my way ... again.

My book remains unpublished (the latest fiasco that happened was one month ago when I only had the manuscript stored on my external hard drive because I had been 38

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having problems on my computer and was afraid it would somehow get corrupted. Instead, my external hard drive broke and I lost the manuscript that was ready to be published the following week. My heart was broken when the data recovery company said there was no way they could save my data even though the cost would have been almost $2,000 if they could retrieve it - which I didn’t have to begin with.) Luckily, I had my best friend, Shari Young, edit the interviews before I added my story of spiritual transformation - the ups and downs, the loss and finding of my faith tediously transcribed from eight years’ of writing in my journals, which I lost.

The old Basia would have given up just as I had with the dolls. My first inclination was the Universe really did not want the book written; it was only for my personal transformation and not to inspire anyone else.

I meditated for days on what I was supposed to do with my life now. I asked for answers, guidance, anything that would take away the emptiness I felt now that my dream of becoming a published author were gone. Once again, while in the shower, God spoke - loudly. It wasn’t the book that He did not want published; He objected to how the book was written, its focus. I wrote about how these women transformed me. What He said was the book should be written in how these women can change other people’s lives. Duh!

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And so, with renewed excitement, I began the long process of rewriting the book.

It is now blossoming into a workbook and its new title is From Ash to Flame: 30 Ways to Rise from Adversity. It will have activities to help readers “rise” from difficulties with joy, love, humor, wisdom, vision, and 25 more virtues.

And, God instructed me to become an instructor and offer classes at the Temple of Light in the fall - after I publish the book this summer. On my website, www.basiachrist. com, visitors will also be able to download 30 meditations that will enhance the book. I have found my way back. Thank you, God! I have vowed I will not be distracted by “shiny” this time. I have found my spirituality again. Rev. Basia Christ, Ph.D., is in the process of rewriting her book which will be available during the late summer. She will also be launching an Internet Radio Show called From Ash to Flame before the end of the year. She has written for Today’s Woman, Beach Cities Style, and Empowering Women magazines and the OC Register. She believes we are all connected and donated her kidney anonymously in 2010. She is an advocate for human rights and gender equality and is available for presentations on human trafficking, gender equality, and living kidney donations. For more information, please call 949.690.1257 or email basia@basiachrist.com.

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Workshops & Classes United Conscious Community Programs Intuition, Healing & Consciousness EVENT DESCRIPTION

INSTRUCTOR

DAYS

TIME

DONATION

Sunday Sangati

A journey to Universal Consciousness with Kirtan, meditation, inspired message and platform readings

Rev Danielle Hewitt

Sundays 1st, 3rd and 4th

11am - 1pm

Suggested donation $10

The Gospel According to Mary Magdalen

Each service will include the inspired word, a song or chant, music or dance.

Rev Ayanna Mojica

Sundays (2nd) July 13th & August 10th

11am 12:30pm

Suggested donation $20

Animal Communication

Susan appreciates the opportunity to be of service to your companion. She loves to speak with and reconnect deceased pets with their owners. Photos of a pet are helpful, but not necessary.

Susan Joan Rini

Sundays every other month (1st) August 3rd

2pm - 4pm

$30 prepaid or $35 @ door

Sacred Voices

Celebration of conversation, intimacy and sharing truth, your gift of expression and personal healing...a combination of music, poetry, passing of the talking stick... painting images from dreamtime

Terrell Washington Anansi

Sundays (4th) July 27th & August 24th

2pm - 4pm

Suggested donation $20

From Surviving to Thriving: Meditation Group

Invocation, teaching, clearing, exercises, breathing and meditation.

Elizabeth Hendershot

Mondays

7:15pm 9:15pm

$10

Introduction to ThetaHealing

Learn ThetaHealing techniques and focus on activating the 12 strands of DNA within each participant. Students experience an opening to the Unconditional Love of the Creator.

Carey Tomich

Tuesdays, 1st & 3rd

7pm - 9pm

$20

Shamanic Reiki Circle

Join us in sacred space for an evening of Shamanic Journeying, Drumming, Meditations, Chakra Cleansing, Reiki Attunements, Breathwork, Chanting, an /or Singing Bowls

Tony Giuffreda

Wednesdays (All) Despacho Ceremony July 9th & Aug. 6th

7pm - 9pm

Donations welcome

Learn spiritual laws and principles, understanding & working with vibration, meditation. Meeting & working with your Guides, developing message skills. Developing the ""Clairs"". Developing your own Spirit vocabulary, grounding, protection & directing energy.

Debra Hookey

Wednesdays, 2nd & 4th

7pm - 9pm

$25

Mediumship Development

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Radiance

July/August 2014

TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS

Workshops & Classes United Conscious Community Programs Intuition, Healing & Consciousness (continued) EVENT DESCRIPTION Max Meditation

Reduce stress, tension, physical and emotional pain. Increase clarity & focus, happiness and peace of mind. Enhance energy, strength and vigor. Create a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of well-being.

Spiritual Healing Fundamentals

INSTRUCTOR

DAYS

TIME

DONATION

Shauna Wickham

Thursdays

6pm - 7pm

Must RSVP by 4pm $20 prepaid or $25 at the door

Learn to work with and heal your chakras, auras and energy fields. Access and accelerate clairvoyance, clairaudience, claircognizance & clairsentience. Access and heal with the Akashic records. Instruction tools will also include crystals, oracle cards, feng shui and so much more.

Rev. Danielle

Thursdays

6:30pm 9:30pm

$44/wk

Star Humans

Step into your light body with an evening of connecting to source. You are the masters who have come at this time to unfold your highest potential, Love. Come for clearing, channeling and activation.

Steven Lesko AKA Professor Venn

Thursdays, 1st & 3rd

7pm - 9pm

$15

Crystal Journeys

Learn about the healing and transformational power of crystals. Learn powerful techniques for working with crystals. Experience a new crystal “friend” or technique each class. This class is wonderful for energy workers, crystal enthusiasts and the newcomer alike!

Deborah Shea

Thursdays, 2nd & 4th

7pm - 9pm

$20

DAYS

Music, Sound, Dance & Movement EVENT DESCRIPTION

John Salat

Sundays (1st) July 6th & August 3rd

TIME

1pm 2:30pm

DONATION

Gentle movement to open up energetic meridians. Chanting and healing sound resonate. Energetic opening for the body, mind, and spirit, prepares the nervous system for Shakti Naam - the yoga of immortality - which follows this class at 6:30pm!

Lemia Astarabadi & Joshua Bowser

Wednesdays

5:45pm 6:15pm

Donations

Naam Yoga combines the ancient and powerful sciences of yoga with Universal Kabbalah. Senior Discount available!

Lemia Astarabadi & Joshua Bowser

Wednesdays

6:30pm 8pm

$15 per session or $130 for 10

Ancient sacred instrument didgeridoo is used to create healing vibrations. This is a deeply transformational experience that is unique to each participant's personal journey.

Seth Pincus

Fridays (3rd) July 18th & August 15th

7pm - 9pm

$15 prepaid or $20 at the door

Integrative Dance: Embody the Soul

By earthing our feet and integrated breath, we uninhibitedly trust our own feelings to guide us through our movement journey.

Naam Movement & Meditation

Naam Yoga

Sound Healing Journey

INSTRUCTOR

$5

Call 949.333.1641 for any updates or changes to the workshops and classes. July/August 2014

Radiance

41

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Workshops & Classes United Conscious Community Programs Special Events EVENT

Holistic Healing Fair

DESCRIPTION

FREE Speakers/experiential workshops all day, healers, vendors, vegan food and live music - come and stay all day!

INSTRUCTOR Temple of Light Spiritual Community

Paradiso & Rasamayi Sound Healing Concert

Celestial Soundscapes featuring the world's largest Crystal Didgeridoo. Ruby, Diamond, Citrine & Tanzaniite singing bowls. Seed mantra, Chao gong and MORE!

7 Essential Elements: Of a Successful Holistic Practice

Saturdays (1st) July 5th & August 2nd

TIME

12pm 5pm

DONATION

Rasamayi & Paradiso

Wednesday, July 2nd

7:30pm 9:30pm

$25 prepaid/$30 at the door

90% of Holistic Healing practitioners are not financially self-sustaining; Learn how to break out the statistic!

Rev Danielle

Sunday, July 6th

2pm - 5pm

Free w/preregistration

Lemurian Healing Workshop

Explore various methods for working with the Lemurian Crystals to help you remember your special connection. The Lemurian Crystals were left by the Lemurians so that we can connect with the wisdom and energy of Lemuria. We will also take part in a powerful Lemurian Seed Crystal activation and attunement.

Deborah Shea

Saturday, July 12th

10am 5pm

$111 by 7/11 or $129 at door

Meditate and Be Here Now

Learn to meditate. Learn to use meditation to calm your mind, to reduce stress, and to live a balanced, focused, and successful life. Learn to use mindfulness techniques to help you live fully in the present moment and improve productivity at work.

Charlene

July 8th & 22nd

6:30pm 8pm

$10 or Students FREE (w/valid ID )

Shopping, dining, live music and belly dancing. All vegan menu! Henna tattoos, jewelry, candles, blown glass, essential oils and much MORE!

Alec Marken

Saturday, July 19th

5pm 10pm

$12 General $10 Ages 6-12 Children 5 & under FREE

Meet Your Spirit Guides

Meet and learn your Spirit Guides’ names and their personalities,. Guided induction to an Alpha Brain Wave state, from the Beta Brain Wave state of normal activity, where you will see a complete past life in a group setting and at the end of session you will meet your spirit guides!

Lee Mitchell

July 19th

6:30pm 8:30pm

$40

Past Life Regression

One on one complete past life regression. Answers troubling relationships issues, unexplained phobias, soulmate connections, etc. Receive CD recording of your session. Must schedule in advance.

Lee Mitchell

July 20th & 21st

12pm 6pm

$130/90 minute session

CommUNITY Mixer w/Mark Romero

Network, mingle and have fun! Enjoy the transformational healing music of Mark Romero.

Mark Romero

July 28th

6:30pm 8:30pm

FREE

Bands and Bellies XII

DAYS

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Radiance

July/August 2014

FREE

TRUTH s CONSCIOUSNESS s BLISS

Admission is FREE!!! When: Saturday July 5, 2014 at the Holistic Healing Fair From: 12:30 - 5:00pm

July/August 2014

Radiance

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