Sound and Light | July • August 2009 | Central Florida’s Green and Conscious Living Magazine | FREE
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
www.ReadVelocity.com •
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
www.ReadVelocity.com •
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Volume 21: July · August 2009 On the Cover ASTROLOGY
“Chosen” by Elena Ray
40-41 24-25
A Goddess Woman Being Overcome by the Light
BY RAVEN MOONDANCE
C ALENDAR OF E VENTS ANIMALS
49
Walking Your Dog: The Proper Way to Parade Your Pooch BY COLLEEN GORDON ARTS
56
What’s Life Without Music?
BY PURUSHA K. RADHA
GREEN
57
16
The Word On Books: Suggested Reading CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY
14
17 More Trash Talk
Ourlando Soul
BY JULIE NORRIS, CONTRIBUTING COMMUNITY EDITOR
59
FAMILY BY MELISSA HOLMES
Applying Feng Shui Principles
38
Questions BY DIANE J. ACKERMAN
BY DAWN GATES, MASTER HERBALIST
BY EMILY RUFF, CONTRIBUTING GREEN EDITOR
22
BY KARA COX
Let Your Skin’s Light Shine! BY CLAUDIA VIRGA
23 A Diet of Light 31 Come Up Where the Air Is Better 35 She Once Experienced Pain In Every Joint BY ZEBON BEN-ATRI
FOOD
18
11 Shhh! Listen! 12 Screams and Whispers 20 Backyard Therapy
BY ANA RABATIN
Creating Sacred Space in the Womb
32
BY DENISE GAINER
H E A LT H A N D H E A L I N G
New LYNX Services Improve Efficiency
26
Light At What Risks? BY DIANA SCHULTZ
It’s Summer: Let’s Picnic in the Raw! BY MAMA J
BY CHARNG WANG, AP, MA, PT, CMT
42 43
Shining the Light On Our Innate Healing Ability BY VIL-AM BEN-AHIM, DC
The Future of Healing Is In Color and Sound BY RAHANSIA BEN-MEJURI
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
INSPIR ATIO N
28 29
The Blessing of Transition BY CHRISTINE SOKOLOWSKI Making Conscious Choices BY JOANNA HACKLEY DAVIS
30 You Are the One In Control of Your Garden 34 A Journey to the Magnificent Universal Light 37 Lacey’s Light: Learn to Discern 48 Communicate Your Dreams 60 What Is Positive Psychology? 61 A Living Saint – Our Inspiration: Wangari Maathai
BY DEBORAH ORR, RN, PhD
BY JOANNE M. KELLER, ARNP
Purusha K. Radha PUBLISHER-EDITOR
Nancy Butler-Ross ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Michelle Coutinho
BY LACEY NAGY
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Emily Ruff
BY RAMAH WAGNER, CONTRIBUTING HEALTH EDITOR
CONTRIBUTING GREEN EDITOR
Ramah Wagner, D.C.
BY ALAN D. KECK, PsyD and GILDA GRACE, LMHC
CONTRIBUTING HEALTH EDITOR
Julie Norris BY DR. CAY THOMPSON
CONTRIBUTING COMMUNITY EDITOR
Albert J. Nuñez, DVM, CVA CONTRIBUTING SPIRITUAL LIFE EDITOR
REL ATIONSH I P
23
Recognizing An Abusive Relationship BY JEANINE D’ONOFRIO, PhD (abd), LMHC, NCC
50
The Sound of Transformative Communication BY DAVID WOLF, PhD
55 Extraordinary Interaction: The Power of Authentic Sharing
BY SHATA BEN-AVARI
SEXUALITY
36 Make Love With Your Senses
BY SEAN RAMSEY and STACEY MURPHY
SPIRITUALI T Y
10 The Light Behind the Curtain 39 Altering Consciousness Through Light and Sound 44 One Sound, One Light 46 Homo Luminous: Where Humankind Is Headed
BY PURUSHA K. RADHA, PUBLISHER BY DAVID BOTSFORD
BY SUSAN MAIR
BY ALBERT J. NUÑEZ, DVM, CVA, CONTRIBUTING SPIRITUAL LIFE EDITOR
52 This Is How God Creates 54 The Sound Inside You
BY REV. DONNA WEINHEIMER
58
BY CHRISTOPHER TIMS
The Sound and Light of Heaven BY HAROLD KLEMP, SPIRITUAL LEADER OF ECKANKAR also at ReadVelocity.com
more articles, videos, past issues, community information
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Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Velocity Magazine is an independent Central Florida regional publication distributed in more than 500 locations in Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Lake, Sumter, Marion and Alachua Counties.
Advertising Inquiries 407-454-3443; 352-357-7122 ReadVelocity@comcast.net Subscriptions $24 Call with credit card 407-454-3443; 352-357-7122 Or email your subscription request ReadVelocity@comcast.net We Welcome Your Feedback ReadVelocity@comcast.net P. O. Box 132, Mount Dora, FL 32756 The Velocity Vision
To serve as a catalyst in raising the velocity of mass consciousness as we strive to create a new world that embraces lasting peace, sharing and cooperation. All material contained in this issue ©2009 PKR Communications- Velocity Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without express permission from the publisher. The views expressed in Velocity represent the opinions and beliefs of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of Velocity or its staff. Velocity is not responsible for the contents, products or services represented in any advertisement. Velocity Magazine is printed in a local Central Florida facility that recycles all waste including paper and aluminum plates.
contributing editors 1
2
3
4
1 Contributing Community Editor Julie Norris is manager and co-proprietor of Dandelion Communitea Café, founding board director of the Progressive Local Alliance for Community Enrichment (PLACE) and serves on the boards of Slow Food and Mills Fifty Mainstreet. She’s an avid supporter of the local art, music and food culture, and showcases the diverse people and happenings in ‘Ourlando’ on her weekly radio program, Front Porch Radio. Her passion for community, delicious fair food, the environment and culture are the driving forces behind all her endeavors. More on her ventures: www.dandelioncommunitea.com, www.frontporchradio.wordpress.com and www.ourlando.com.
2 Contributing Green Editor
Emily Ruff, herbalist, is director of the Florida School of Holistic Studies, a 501c3 nonprofit educational institution committed to creating sustainable communities by empowering individuals to reclaim their radiant well-being through reconnecting with the natural world. Emily has studied herbalism on three continents over the past decade and consults individuals on holistic nutrition, herbalism, aromatherapy and flower essences. She is also owner of the sustainable lifestyle store, Evolve, located just a few doors down from the school in Thornton Park. Contact Emily at FSHL: 407-595-3731. Visit www.HolisticLivingSchool.org.
3 Contributing Health Editor Ramah Wagner, D.C. is a third generation chiropractor with degrees from the University of Iowa and of South Dakota. She received her graduate degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic (the founding college of chiropractic). Watch for Dr. Ramah Wagner’s new book, “The Health of Business - How to Balance Your Life for Greater Return.” Dr. Ramah is available for speaking events and intensives. Visit www.DoctorRamah.com or call: 352-589-5443. www.HealthOfBusiness.com.
4 Contributing Spiritual Life Editor Albert J. Nuñez, DVM, CVA is a lifelong mystic and student of spirituality. He has studied and applied many of the profound practices and tenets of Catholicism, Shamanism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Zen, Kabbalah, Paganism, Mysticism, Hinduism, Tantra, energy and sound healing, “Shadow Work,” Kundalini Yoga, many forms of meditation, and Qi Gong. A spiritual and cultural musician and recording artist, his first CD is entitled “Earth School Now.” He is an environmental advocate and educator, nature lover, happy hippy tree-hugger, and rescuer of many baby squirrels. He has been practicing fully integrated and wholistic veterinary medicine for almost 20 years, with two Animal Hospitals in the greater Orlando area. Dr. Al is committed to awakening human beings to their highest self. Contact him at 407-897-8555 or visit: myspace.com/animalhospitaloflakemary
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
And being that we are each God individualized, we are already pure perfection. Instead of striving and yearning and working to become better, we have only to step out of our own way and let our light, the Light we are, to shine forth. All we have to do is step out of our own way and let our ‘soulular’ selves take over the driver’s seat.
We
seem to always be trying to be better, to become more than we are, to improve ourselves as if we are not good enough, not smart enough, not beautiful enough or just plain — not enough. I myself have read tons of self-improvement books. I’ve attended seminars and studied long and hard to become a more accomplished person, to become all that I know deep inside I am capable of. I have traveled the ‘spiritual path’ for many years now and it has been a path of tremendous ‘growth,’ but I often wonder, is it really growth that is occurring? Is it really transformation when we seem to change from a limiting behavior to an empowering one? Isn’t it the truth that over time and experience we are allowing more of our light to shine through as we remove our masks and veils? Isn’t what is happening with us more an ‘unveiling’ than a ‘becoming?’ I’ve often noticed that those on the path towards self-realization tend to speak of our becoming more peaceful, more powerful, more loving. The phrase itself, ‘self-realization,’ says it all. To ‘realize’ means to become fully aware of something, so on this journey it is more that we are becoming aware of our true selves (which are already perfect) rather than becoming something we are not yet. There is nothing to become. We have only to unveil ourselves.
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I am reminded of the New Testament’s Good Friday story, the moment when Yeshua Ben-Joseph gave up his Spirit on the cross. Immediately, the sky turned dark, thunder rolled through the skies and the curtain in the temple ripped in two. In this utterly profound moment of Yeshua’s complete and total surrender, a turning point occurred for the entire planet. The curtain at the door of the temple ripped in two as if to unveil something that had been hidden. What truth was hidden? Take a moment to feel the answer. I have always found these two sentences in the Bible relating to the tearing of the curtain extremely compelling, and they are phrases which don’t get near the attention they deserve. Along with Yeshua calling out to his Father and giving up his spirit, the curtain tearing in two graphically and spectacularly demonstrates the effect of true surrender for now the Light in the temple of our being is exposed. Victory is won. There are no more limitations. Light has overtaken the darkness. All things, even resurrection and ascension, are possible. There was no becoming that had to occur, only an unveiling. The parallel is that in our moments of true and utter surrender, the curtain at the door of our temple within is torn in two and drops away. So when we’re trying to move through an incident in which we are feeling emotional, awful, uncomfortable, anxious, upset, angry — if we will come to our Selves in the temple, we will be immediately peaceful, at ease, in balance and in love. The light that is so effulgent in each and every one of us will spill out and pour forth. Over time, the more we pull down that veil, the more it stays down. And it’s encouraging to know that we don’t have to work, work, work all life long to get better, do better and be better. We are already there. We just have to unveil it!
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Shhhh! Listen! by Dawn Gates, Master Herbalist
There is
so much artificial stimulation in the world that it often causes us to forget how important it is to pay attention to nature and the sounds that connect us to the earth’s natural harmony. When we listen, we often find that the universe is talking to us, guiding us on our path, helping us fulfill our destiny. The wisdom of the universe is all around us, connected by invisible strands of energy that communicate through nature. It is up to us to look or listen. The signs can be as gentle as wind through the trees or as intense as a thunderstorm. One way to get in touch with the rhythm of the universe is to go outside when the moon is full and listen to nature: to how many different frog songs you hear, to the wind as it rustles the leaves, or
to the waves as they lap the shore. Once you have gotten in tune with the sounds of nature, try to hear the sound differences between full moon and new moon nights. There is a difference. Tune in to the energies of Mother Nature and see if she starts talking to you. If you relax and open your heart to the nature spirits you will notice that only one tree in a forest has leaves that are moving, as if to tell you something, or that one tree frog seems like he is trying to catch your attention. These signs are glimmers of the universe trying to connect with us. When we listen, a whole new spiritual world opens. An example of the universal energies guiding me on my path was when I was looking at houses to buy. I’d looked at several dozen properties but realized that I wasn’t finding my dream house, so I asked the universe to help me find the right one. I looked at a few more and came upon a cute little cottage, without much land, but it backed up against the
Ocala National Forest. As I looked out over the half acre I heard the pine trees start singing to me. They sang of the land and how spiritual it was and they welcomed me to it. Of course, I initially questioned it. The logical part of me kept thinking I would find something better with more land, but I kept coming back to see this little house. I had been so focused on my goal of getting five to ten acres I forgot to listen to the very energies of nature that I depend on to guide me. After going back to that house four times I ended up buying it, and I am glad I did. It is the perfect place for an herbalist to live. I still sometimes question what the universe tells me, but the more I listen the more I realize that if I stay connected to the universal energies and listen when nature talks to me, I will stay on my path. Dawn Gates, Master Herbalist, aromatherapist, flower essence and gemstone elixir practitioner, has studied natural healing for 18 years. She has herb and aromatherapy consulting offices in Paisley, Deland and Orlando, Florida. Her school, “The Live Oak School of Natural Healing” offers Herbalist Certification courses both in classroom and online. Visit: www.dawnsenchantedgarden. com or call for a consult. In Lake County, (352)669-1963 and in the Orlando region, (407)967-6042. See ad this page.
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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Screams and Whispers by Ana Rabatin For years my body and I were separated. Strangers. Almost enemies. We did not talk, did not communicate. There was this body, which kept changing through my years, sometimes becoming nicer, sometimes uglier. When it was quiet, I did not care. When it screamed, I would take some pill to stop its noise. I was totally deaf to this body which wrapped my mind and soul. Its functions were taken for granted, unacknowledged, not appreciated, not honored.
to sound therapy where she could scream and express her agony and pain, and her thyroid came back into balance. Our bodies have billions of small mouths which talk to us. “Calm me, activate me, caress me, brush me, let me feel the sun, let me get wet in the rain, let me breathe. Stop now, I cannot take it any longer. Take a break.” When our car squeaks, we run to the nearest car service to have it checked. How can we afford to remain without a car? But when our body moans, we either ignore it or take something to shut it up. Every morning, when I wake up and bless my Creator, I lie in my bed, listening to myself. My heart beats. Good. My bladder is full. Good. I feel my feet. Good. My neck hurts. Why? What are you telling me, my body, my best friend, my protector? How can I ease your discomfort?
Life was very kind with me, sending me the best teachers and mentors. When I studied reflexology, my teacher highlighted my own body’s language as it manifested in my feet and hands. When I studied healing, my mentor taught me how to listen. This is all we have to do. Listen to our own sounds. What does my body say when I burp, when I cough, when my neck hurts, when I am itching, when I am slow or restless? Do I have too much chi, am I stagnated, am I in the wrong situation, what can I change? Years ago, one of my clients lost her 18 year old daughter in a terrorist attack. She came to me with a hyperthyroid condition, already on strong drugs and suffering from their side effects. Discussing her terrible loss, she kept saying, “My whole family collapsed. I am the strongest. I am the only one who functions. They all rely on me. I cannot even afford to cry.” Well, her body did cry. Her throat chakra was blasting, but she would not listen to it, until pathology occurred. I referred her
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Every session, when my clients and friends are under my hands and care, I start, then stop to listen and to honor. My hands have billions of ears, listening to my clients’ billions of mouths. They talk to me with their bodies, allowing me to feel their vibrations, their waves, their tunes. I am listening. Your body is a live, expressive talker. The sounds of your body are who you are, what you need, a whole, indefinite world of sounds. Just listen. Ana Rabatin is a licensed massage therapist and esthetician (MA41207; MM22402). Ana has been in the body-mind field for 29 years, teaching massage, Shiatsu and reflexology in Israel and Europe. Ana developed the Alpha Touch approach, which combines eastern modalities with western techniques, reaching the unique state of relaxation for optimal health and faster healing. Please see ad this page.
www.ReadVelocity.com • Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life www.ReadVelocity.com • Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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by Julie Norris Contributing Community Editor I always wanted to be a rock star. Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, Nina Simone and Aretha all possess souls which transported me from my oh-how-ordinary existence in high school into a magical world where passion, wisdom, excitement and a deep penetrating connection to the divine erased time. As I’ve matured, I’ve created a life with all those qualities, without having to actually be a rock star in the literal sense. But my love for a connected soundscape insists on filling my life with local musicians. I date them, I hire them, I promote them, I regularly make my rounds at local venues, and I hope to goddess I’m about to give birth to one of them. So, aren’t I lucky to live in a town with one of the best burgeoning indie scenes in the country? Oh, yes, I am. some cities, like Seattle, release one distinctive sound like grunge, our Orlando gives birth and rebirth to a wide variety of genres, a diversity of sound that reflects the melting pot of creative individuals that call this big-small city home. We boast local talent with national recognition, like the divinely uprooting hip-hop group Sol.ill.iquist of Sound (SOS); newelectronica groups like Summerbirds in the Cellar and Yip Yip; country legend Terri Binion, and jazz maestro Sam Rivers. On any given night, you can catch anything from swamp-inspired bluegrass to beat boxing to infectiously upbeat and wickedly talented groups with unicorns and rainbows on the covers of their limited-release handdrawn and stitched albums.
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Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Our city’s soul has grown stronger as the mix of local venues, musicians, labels, festival organizers and the people who love them have learned to appreciate and support one another by showing up, rocking out, and encouraging fledgling talent when it appears on the horizon. We are in the midst of a great beginning where different is expected, good manners are rewarded, and authenticity and independence are celebrated. Of course, no local music scene gets from good to great without a little bit of organization, great promoters and exciting festivals. We’ve seen the development of homegrown efforts put together by the best basement radio anywhere — WPRK 91.5 FM — along with specialized events like ELLA, a celebration of the Florida female musician. To round it out, a local music alliance is now forming
through the Ourlando movement at www. ourlando.org.
Music for Everyone
Most bands can be found and sampled with a quick search on myspace.com. The Legendary JC’s Kaleigh Lynn Baker Sam Rivers KG and The Band Summerbirds in the Cellar Ru-box Sol.ill.iquist of Sound Yip Yip Q-Burns Abstract Message Beef Wellington DJ SPS Matt Butcher and the Revolvers Thomas Wynn and the Believers Terri Binion Oakhill Drifters Sleeping Iris Holly Riggs The Token Gamblers Peter Baldwin
Local Labels
Nonsense Records Sleepy Bird Orphanage Post Records
Central Venues: Big and Small Will’s Pub Backbooth The Social Plaza Theatre Stardust Coffee and Video Austins Coffee Drunken Monkey Dandelion Communitea Café
Julie Norris is co-proprietor of Dandelion Communitea Café, co-founder of the Progressive Local Alliance for Community Enrichment (PLACE) and serves on the board of Slow Food Orlando. She’s the host of Front Porch Radio and blogs about natural parenting. More on her ventures at www.dandelioncommunitea.com, www.ourlando.org, www.frontporchradio.com and www.gaiamama.net.
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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W
hen I replaced all of my old light bulbs last year with the new squiggly compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, I was shocked to find out that they are NOT green!
Not only are they hazardous because of the risk of mercury exposure if one breaks, but they emit electromagnetic fields (EMF) that I have measured at up to five times the safe EMF exposure limit. Some people can actually feel or see flickering or get headaches or eyestrain from this radiation which is emitted from all fluorescent lighting, including tubes in ceilings, under cabinets and in full spectrum bulbs.
ommend cutting the piece of carpet out and disposing of it as toxic waste. I recently had some clients who had to do this very thing after a bulb broke in their bedroom. We can’t throw these bulbs away. We need to hand carry bulbs, including broken ones, to the landfill Hazardous Household Waste or to Home Depot or IKEA for recycling where the mercury is sucked out to keep it out of the atmosphere. So, what bulbs do we use? Regular, safe incandescent bulbs or LED bulbs which use half the electricity of a CFL and have no mercury, last for over ten years if used 24-7, or if used sparingly, will be inherited by our kids.
It’s not just a little bit of mercury. The Environmental Protection Agency states that NO amount of mercury exposure is safe. That’s zero parts per million. The EPA standard toxic level is set at 300 nanograms of vaporized elemental mercury.
I have removed all 40 CFLs from my home and set them carefully in a big basket. During an audit by Progress Energy the rep beamed as he handed me a gift – two CFL bulbs! I said, “We’re going to have a conversation.” As I produced the basket I said, “Would you like some more?”
So how much is actually in one bulb? The Maine DEP Study* broke a variety of bulbs and found an average of 50,000 nanograms of vaporized mercury being released from a single bulb. Vapors immediately flow into the air and can be inhaled into your lungs; children are 100 times more susceptible than adults.
* www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/cflreport.htm ** www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/wastetypes/universal/lamps/faqs.htm ** www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#fluorescent
Please be careful when handling these bulbs!
Diana Schultz, BA, BBEC, is a Certified Building Biologist, owner of Green and Healthy Homes in Orlando, and member of the Institute for Bau-Biologie and Ecology, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the holistic study of healthy buildings. For a consultation, or more information about CFLs and LEDs, Diana can be reached at 407-859-0006 or at www.greenandhealthyhomes.net.
The EPA directs us on what to do if a bulb breaks. First, leave. Do not breathe the vapors. Take children and pets with you on the way out. Turn off the air conditioning to prevent spreading the contamination. Open windows and ventilate for at least 15 minutes.** Use hard cardboard, scoop up broken pieces into a glass jar with a gum seal. The Maine study showed that zipper plastic bags leak and vacuums will spread contamination. Use sticky tape to pick up small pieces and wet wipe with disposable cloth. The Maine study also showed that carpet could not be decontaminated, even after 28 days of intensive cleaning. They rec-
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Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
www.greenandhealthyhomes.net
vision sends roughly 32,000 tons of paper per year to the Dublin plant, and that mill takes in more than 2,000 tons of newspaper a day, or three quarters of a million tons a year!
T
by Denise Gainer he concept of recycling is far from new. If we stop long enough to observe, we realize Mother Nature is the original recycler! Modern society has made recycling a come and go fad, and now we are aware that recycling is an absolute must since we are generating more than 254 million tons of waste per year.* We can recycle almost anything. Numerous factors are involved in recycling success, ranging from logistics of pick-up and delivery, to processing of the commodity, to the buyer. If any of those elements are missing in the industrial cycle, then recycling cannot take place. Those circumstances are, in part, what make the “green industries” so exciting and filled with possibilities. If an entrepreneur can develop a successful process or product using waste-commodities, then combined with prudent management decisions, prosperity is theirs while the environment benefits! SP Recycling has enjoyed unique success over the last 28 years in its niche of recycling newspaper and other paper types because of its process, its end product and its grassroots recycling fundraising. All newspaper collected in Florida is processed at the mill in Dublin, Georgia. The Orlando Di-
So when people say there are no more newspapers out there, don’t believe them! While some newspapers have shut their doors and the internet is more popular than ever, people are still reading newspapers! In fact, while at the Central Florida Earth Day Event at Lake Eola in May, pressmen from the Orlando Sentinel stopped by the SP booth exclaiming, “Oh, we know your paper. We buy it all the time!”
Organizations sell donated ONP to the recyler which then ships it to the mill.
Newsprint is our end product. You provide the ingredients while earning money for the tonnage you provide. The Orlando Division contributed more than $250,000 last year to our local recyclers. Statewide, SP Recycling put over $1 million back into the hands of local charities, clubs, churches and homeowner as-
SP Recycling provides FREE collection service.
sociations.
The purposes for the fundraising money are as varied as each of the organizations participating. Schools raise money for environmental clubs, science projects, field trips, or the principal’s discretionary funds. Some money raised goes to community projects; others to church mission projects; and still others to food banks or medical assistance programs. Whatever the purpose of the money raised, SP Recycling is pleased to be pulling as much newspaper and paper out of the waste stream as possible while helping to raise money for those who need it – all while completing a successful recycling process. So… I want YOUR newspapers, magazines, catalogs, white office paper and shredded paper AND, I will pay you for it!
Ink is washed from pulped stock, then contaminants are screened out.
Newsprint sheet is formed, dried, then wound onto 25-30 ton reels.
* h t t p : / / w w w. e p a . gov/osw/nonhaz/municipal/msw99.htm; in the United States Learn more about paper recycling at the SPRC webpage: w w w. s p re c y clingflorida.com. Recycling Specialist, Denise Gainer has been “talking trash” since 2000 with anyone who will listen! Her goal is threefold: to educate people about their waste stream; recycle as much newspaper as possible; and by so doing, contribute to community fundraising throughout Central Florida. See ad, right. Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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No, we’re not talking about visiting one of Florida’s nudist camps. We’re talking about raw food hamburgers, buns, and summer snacks for the kids. In the last issue we wrote about a red beet paté which would be excellent for a picnic, but family members may expect the traditional hamburger, hot dog, potato salad, corn on the cob, and chips. Probably brownies, too! These foods and more are within reach of raw food preparation and contain living enzymes to build our immune system. Our Jalapeño Burger is a warm — not hot — north and south of the border mouth-watering delight. The recipe calls for a one to two inch jalapeño. If your family enjoys toe curling hot, just use a second or a larger jalapeño. Remember that the seeds are the hot part. Add your choice of lettuce, tomato, onion, and raw condiments of catsup, mustard, mayonnaise and chomp into a little bit of Fourth of July summer. By the way, raw corn on the cob is excellent! And don’t forget the kids. Get them excited with “Ants on a Rail” made from celery sticks filled with almond butter and topped with raisins. Or have them try “Monkey Mash” apple slices with a cashew butter dipping sauce (keep apple slices from turning brown by dredging them in lemon juice). Use cookie cutters to cut shapes in sliced Manna bread and top with a nut butter and a slice of pineapple, or apple circles with a raisin, grape, or cherry in the center hole. Pick their favorite cartoon character’s name and call it “Space Ship Rocket Whirly.” I made a spinach, apple, lemon, lime, cucumber drink that is really green and my three year old twin grandsons asked me what I was drinking. Naturally, I told them it was “Dragon Drink” and they loved it! Call sauerkraut “Bitter Wormy Wiggles” and kids will try it. My favorite snack is “Grapesicles,” grapes taken off the vine and frozen.
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Remember the Rule for Raw: Taste, taste, taste because no two peppers are the same degree of hot, no two apples are the same sweetness, and so on. 1 1” to 2” jalapeño pepper, finely chopped (I use two long ones) ½ onion, finely chopped 1 cup walnuts, soaked in water for four hours and then drained ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, soaked about 30 minutes in hot water (reserve 1/8 cup soaking water) 1 tablespoon Nama Shoyu Raw Unpasteurized Soy Sauce 1 teaspoon hamburger seasonings or Herbamare 1 teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon black pepper In a food processor combine walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, and soaking water until you achieve a meat consistency. Remove and place in a mixing bowl. Lightly mix together walnut meat, onions, jalapeño peppers, Nama Shoyu, salt and pepper. Shape into six patties. Serve. Optional: Dehydrate at 115 degrees for one hour. Drop me an e-mail at mamajslearnraw@aol.com with the subject line “FUN BUNS” and I will email you three more recipes. Mama J, Chef and Instructor, is a graduate of the world premier Living Light Culinary Arts Institute, Fort Bragg, California. Learn raw the ‘funway’ with Mama J! See ad next page.
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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a few moons ago, one of my herbal elders, Juliette de Bairacli Levy, was welcomed into the spirit world. Her teachings of gypsy herbalism from traditions around the globe fed me in my walk along the medicine path. The entire herbal world sighed deeply as Juliette passed, peacefully and surrounded by her family, at the ripe old age of 96. Juliette serves as a torchbearer, keeping alive the ancient traditions so challenged by our modern life. Her writings are simple and clear, a call to reconnect with the forces of nature that nourish us, protect us, and — when we are out of balance — bring us back into harmonious health. Natural healthcare has faced two great challenges. First were the great witch hunts and the Inquisition, which not only persecuted the women who shared their healing with their community, but also rewrote the history books to appear as if they never even existed. The second challenge arrived with the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. We left our farms and our forests, migrating into the depths of the city with its technological advances. In this shift, we became disconnected from our true source of healing — relationship with the natural world, and with the gifts it shares through plant medicine. What became so clear in my own life and practice through Juliette’s teaching was our great need to reconnect with the natural world. It is too short-sighted for us to think we only derive our healing from nature by means of a cup of herbal tea. The rays of sun on our face, the clean clear air, the sounds of the frogs and the crickets at twilight — each element brings healing to our bodies and also our soul. I am reminded by herbalist Michael Tierra that ‘the life of our whole planet is, or can be, sustained by plants through the direct transmutation of the sun’s energy into proteins and carbohydrates, through the simple process known as plant photosynthesis. Thus far, science and technology have not been able to duplicate this uncomplicated elegance that occurs every day in the humble leaves of trees and plants.’ A remarkable part of my work is the wonder I encounter every single day as I work with these magnificent beings — plants. What an awesome feat to transform the energy around us passively into our food and function. So often we consider plants as ‘lesser’ life forms. They are hardly mobile, and to the untrained eye may not communicate in the same way our animal companions do. Yet, I consider plants to be some of the most sophisticated beings on our planet. After all, how amazing would it be if our bodies could produce their own food? Plants and all natural life provides a spiritual healing we cannot find encapsulated or extracted. It is this teaching that is so significant in our modern life, as most of us suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder. Physical and emotional therapy is right in your backyard. The sounds of nature are calling you to experience the healing that they freely share. For more information: www.julietteoftheherbs.com Emily Ruff, herbalist, is director of the Florida School of Herbal Studies, a 501c3 nonprofit educational institution committed to creating sustainable communities by empowering individuals to reclaim their radiant well-being through reconnecting with the natural world. Emily has studied herbalism on three continents over the past decade and consults individuals on holistic nutrition, herbalism, aromatherapy and flower essences. Contact the school at 407-595-3731.
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Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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Let Your Skin’s Light Shine!
by Claudia Virga
One morning as I sleepwalked into the bathroom to splash water on my face to help myself wake up, I glanced in the mirror and realized how gray and muddy my skin looked. I needed to help my inner beauty shine through with a good skincare regimen and an exfoliation! When we don’t cleanse our face properly, we can create clogged pores which promote bacteria, blackheads, whiteheads and enlarged pores. Think of our pores as pizza dough before it is handtossed and stretched. It is a tight smooth ball much like our pores when we are born. The longer the oil and dirt lies in our pores the more stretched our pizza dough/pore becomes. Once pizza dough is stretched it is almost impossible to get it back to the smooth ball we started with. Just like our pores. We should cleanse our face two times a day, morning and evening. I used to think if I removed my make-up and cleansed my skin in the evening, there was no need to repeat the process in the morning. I was wrong! Think about it: we don’t always sleep with our mouths closed. We might even sweat in our sleep, and our hair contains natural oils, all of which are absorbed by our linens. Exfoliation is used to remove dry, dead skin cells from the surface of our skin, which allows it to reflect light, giving us a youthful glow. It also aids in cell turnover. Our skin type determines how frequently we should exfoliate. It is recommended that dry skin-types exfoliate one time a week. Normal/combination skin one to two times a week, and oily skin two to three times a week. Exfoliation is not recommended for skin types that have
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acne because a scrub, coupled with the circular motions, could break open the active acne which, in turn, would spread the bacteria leading to additional breakouts. After proper cleansing (and exfoliation when needed) is achieved, it is important to follow with a toner. When we cleanse our face we can upset our pH balance. Our bodies are amazing! Just like when we get sick and our body sends out good bacteria to fight off the bad, the same holds true if we cleanse without toning. Our body can think that our skin is too dry, sending out more oil than we need and creating oily skin, or that we are too oily, which leads to dry skin. That is where the toner comes in. It removes any leftover soap and debris, while helping to create balance. No matter what your skin type is, a moisturizer is necessary. Not only does it hydrate the skin, it creates a barrier between your skin and pollution. Let your inner light shine through with this easy, at home fresh and natural recipe:
Natural Scrub for All Skin Types (including sensitive) 1 teaspoon ground oatmeal 1 teaspoon powdered milk 1 ½ teaspoons purified water
Blend ingredients and apply in circular motions, then rinse. Claudia Virga is a licensed Cosmetologist in Florida and New York and a certified aromatherapist. Her practice is located inside Robert and Robert Salon in Mount Dora. As a dedicated professional she is a member of Associated Skin Care Professional and Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners. She is devoted to providing skin care, naturally, and to continually educating herself and others. Visit www.claudiavirga.skincaretherapy.net or email her at ClaudiaVirga@SkinCareTherapy. net. See ad below.
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Recognizing an A Diet of Light! Abusive Relationship by Zebon Ben-Atri by Jeanine D’Onofrio, PhD (abd), LMRC, NCC
ow could I have gotten into this predicament? Am I losing my mind? I feel so alone. How could someone I love treat me so badly? I don’t know what to say or do anymore. If you’re in an abusive relationship, these may be some of your thoughts or questions. If you’re unsure as to whether you are being abused, consider how often you’re feeling injured. Do you say yes when you want to say no? Do you act out of fear to fix another person’s feelings, or assume responsibility for the other person’s behavior? Not all abusers recognize themselves as being an abuser. Abusive people are self-absorbed and strive for control by use of blame and shame. Some toxic behaviors include: • • • • • • • • • • •
Refusing to reason or listen Turning small issues into big issues Employing self-destructive behavior Controlling Being undependable Acting superior Encouraging conflict and chaos Blaming others Using guilt as a weapon Not apologizing Taking no responsibilities for choices*
If you are in an abusive relationship, your self-esteem has been diminished and your spirit may be broken. Your sound becomes muted and your lights become dim, because health is tied to the emotions. The step toward change is recognizing that there is a problem and then deciding to change your tactics. If you decide to continue the relationship, inform your abuser what you will and will not accept within the relationship, and that it is not negotiable. Recognize the control techniques that the abuser utilizes and decide not to play their mind games. Remember that what you avoid controls you. If you feel that you cannot do this on your own, seek professional help. Taking back your life will give you sound and brighten your light.
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s a supplementation consultant, I know a great deal about the best products we can put in our bodies: superfoods like Goji berries and blue green algae, teas such as ‘essiac’ for cancer, supplements such as coenzyme Q10 and brands like BiosLife. The list is enormous. Great products and natural remedies abound, but the true cause of dis-ease is between our ears! If we are at peace there, in the space between our ears, if we know who we really are, we shall always be healthy, happy and in love. As we come to be at peace with who we are, with our Divine Self, we can start to know God’s love abounds within and without — a very soothing feeling in this time of third dimensional turmoil and unrest. As a General Motors retiree, I could be very nervous about the future, but when I observe that even the squirrels and birds know God always provides for His own, I feel very comforted in these times. We have all heard of very dire predictions about the next few years. Because of them, I choose to feed my body a diet of high velocity loving care and faith in the Divine outcome of the future of our bodies and the world. We can consciously manifest good health and the chance to see the world and our family evolve to a higher understanding. If we constantly see ourselves becoming light and sound healing workers, this is what we will manifest. If we see ourselves as victims of the earthly powerful and the power families, or the Illuminati, or anyone else, we are right and we won’t do very well. What diet will you choose? It’s a no-brainer to me. I choose to continually rise higher in velocity to see the coming of our full family of Light! We are going to be amazed at our relatives: brothers and sisters in Christ, the wayshowers of history, the space brothers of Light, the Pleidians, the Kimah —those we think have passed on but only chose another way to serve the Light — Metatron, Melchizedek, the whole army of God — our family! So yes, there are all kinds of nutritional ways to remain healthy and alive in the fullest sense of that word, but the most important way is to choose Light every day and to daily, and in every moment, bring that Light into our embodiments and into our very cells. Zebon Ben-Atri is a seasoned nutritional and clairvoyant counselor. Contact him at 352-383-8884 or 352-455-2688. Please see the author’s ad for lawn and tree services on page 19.
*Reference: Brown, Elizabeth B. (1999). “Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People,” Grand Rapids, Michigan, Revell Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group.
Originally from Queens, New York, Jeanine D’Onofrio, PhD (abd), LMHC, NCC works with children, adolescents and adults doing individual, couples, family and group counseling. She has been in private practice at Advanced Behavioral Health Center in Tavares, Florida since 2005. Please see her ad this page.
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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EVENTS
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“In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it.”
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— President Barack Obama
July 16 Building Biology Workshop: How Our Homes Affect Our Health; 7pm; presented by Diana Schultz/Green and Healthy Homes at Eco-Huset Green Resource Building and Design Lab, Orlando; 407-859-0006; Love Offering; ad p. 16; To Register: greenproducts2008@gmail.com Food As Medicine; 7pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 21 Alternate Pathways Outreach Introduction; 6pm; Tavares; 352-343-3380; Free; ad p. 38 July 17 Spiritual Healing Techniques; 10am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 Introduction to Kinesiology; 2pm; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 July 17-19 The Metaphysics of Yoga: Chakras and Mantras; Call for times; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; Fee; ad p. 58 July 18 Couple’s Thai Yoga Workshop: Part 1 of 2; 1pm; Jeweled Lotus Yoga, Leesburg; 352-874-3272; Fee; ad p. 51 Abraham Study Group; 11am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; p. 45 Reiki Circle: Practice and Receive; 12:30pm; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; ad p. 45 Understanding Control Dramas; 2pm; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 July 20 Edgar Cayce: The Sleeping Prophet; 6pm; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; p. 45 Building Biology Workshop: Every Breath You Take; 7pm; presented by Diana Schultz/Green and Healthy Homes at Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 16 July 21 Tween Yoga; 4pm; presented by Jeweled Lotus Yoga at Leesburg Public Library; 352-874-3272; Free; ad p. 51 Care and Exercise; 10am; Golden Triangle Center for Spiritual Living, Eustis; 352-589-2620; Love Offering; ad p. 61 July 23 Healthy Home Cleaning; 7pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 21
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July 24 Home Beer Brewing 101: Mead; 6pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 21 Holistic Self-Help Practices; 10am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 Psychic and Mediumistic Development; 7pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; Fee; ad p. 58 July 24-26 Yoga Teacher Training - “Effortless Observation;” Jeweled Lotus Yoga, Leesburg; 352-874-3272; Fee; ad p. 51 July 25 Prana Vinyasa and Prana Flow; 2pm; Jeweled Lotus Yoga, Leesburg; Fee; ad p. 51 Reiki Level I; 9am; Elemental Crossings, Sanford; 407-321-9633; Fee; ad p. 54 Kids’ Yoga: Ages 4-12; 11:30am; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; fee; ad p. 58 Enlightenment Through Buddhism; 1pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; Fee; ad p. 58 July 25-26 Arching Light Advanced Energy Work; 10am5:30pm; Sanctuary of Sophia; Mount Dora; 352-3836444; Fee; Please RSVP; ad p. 27 July 26 Living the Yoga Life #3, Samskaras & Samadhi; 3pm; Jeweled Lotus Yoga, Leesburg; 352-874-3272; Fee; ad p. 51 108 Sun Salutations; 1pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; Love Offering; ad p. 58 July 30 Sensual Bridal Bash (Puts a New Twist on Tradition); 6pm; presented by Blissful Lotus at Orlando Wedding Group; 407-462-8298; Free; ad p. 36 July 31 Past Life Regression; 10am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 Metaphysical Movie Night: “In the Footsteps of Isis;” 7pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; fee; ad p. 58 July 31-August 2 Foundational Transformative Communication and Self-Empowerment Seminar; 9am-9pm; presented by Satvatove Institute, Gainesville; 386-418-8840; Fee; ad p. 50
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
August 1 Lughnassadh Sabbat (Fifth Sabbat of 2009 - The feast of the first harvest: bread and grains); 6pm; Elemental Crossings, Sanford; 407-321-9633; Free; ad p. 54 Introduction to “The Four Agreements;” 2pm; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 Abraham Study Group; 11am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; ad p. 45 Reiki Circle: Practice and Receive; 12:30pm; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; ad p. 45 Homes That Breathe; 10am; presented by Diana Schultz/Green and Healthy Homes at Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 16 Survival Skills: Florida Ecology; 1pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 21 August 2 Reiki Level II Workshop; 11:30am; Elemental Crossings, Sanford; 407-321-9633; Fee; ad p. 54 Roots of Herbalism; 3pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 21 Spiritual Cinema Movie Sunday; 12:30am; Golden Triangle Center for Spiritual Living, Eustis; 352-589-2620; Love Offering; ad p. 61 August 3 Stretching and Fitness; 9am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; ad p. 45 August 4 Full Moon Circle of Celebration; 7pm; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; ad p. 45 August 5 Stretching and Fitness; 9am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; ad p. 45 Introduction to Holistic Nutrition: Six Week Course; 6pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 21 Introduction to Flower Essences; 6pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 21 Kundalini Meditations for Manifestation; 6pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; fee; ad p. 58
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August 6 Food As Medicine; 7pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 21 August 7 Stretching and Fitness; 9am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; ad p. 45 Gaiacology: Gyne-Ecology, Herbs and Womens’ Health; 7pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 21 Metaphysical DNA Activation: Part 1; 7pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; Fee; ad p. 58 August 8 Divination Techniques with Author Ann Moura; 1pm; Elemental Crossings, Sanford; 407-3219633; Fee; ad p. 54 Vegetarian Potluck & Open House; 6:30pm; Jeweled Lotus Yoga, Leesburg; 352-874-3272; Fee; ad p. 51 Reiki Level I Workshop; 11:30am; Elemental Crossings, Sanford; 407-321-9633; Fee; ad p. 54 Angel Meet & Greet; 7pm; Elemental Crossings, Sanford; 407-321-9633; Fee; ad p. 54 Spiritual Bonded Intimacy: Part 2 of 3; 1pm; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 August 10 Reiki Healing Circle; 6pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; Fee; ad p. 58 August 12 Kundalini Meditations for Manifestation; 6pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; Fee; ad p. 58 August 13 Birthing From Within: Six Week Course Begins; 6:30pm; Feminine Earth, Eustis; 352-455-2419; Fee; ad p. 26 August 14 Psychic and Mediumistic Development; 7pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; Fee; ad 58 August 15 Reiki Circle: Practice and Receive; 12:30pm; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; ad p. 45 Introduction to Parapsychology; 10am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; ad p. 45 Abraham Study Group; 11am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Love Offering; ad p. 45
EVENTSAUGUST “Indoor plants should be put out into the moonlight and starlight just as they should enjoy sunlight for total health.” — Juliette de Bairacli Levy; 1912-2009 August 16 Lotus Yoga Second Anniversary Fair! Food, vendors, service providers and more! 1-5pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; ad p. 58 August 18 Meditation; 6pm; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 Care and Exercise; 10am; Golden Triangle Center for Spiritual Living, Eustis; 352-589-2620; Love Offering; ad p. 61 August 19 Kundalini Meditations for Manifestation; 6pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; fee; ad p. 58 August 20 Food As Medicine; 7pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; p. 21 August 21 Self-Tapping Techniques; 10am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 Home Beer Brewing 101; 6pm; Florida School of Holistic Living, Orlando; 407-595-3731; Fee; ad p. 21 August 22 Introduction to Reflexology; 1pm; Jeweled Lotus Yoga, Leesburg; 352-874-3272; Fee; ad p. 51 Become a Reiki Master: Reiki Master Level; 9am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 August 26 Kundalini Meditations for Manifestation; 6pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; Fee; ad p. 58 August 28-30 Yoga Teacher Training - “Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga;” Jeweled Lotus Yoga, Leesburg; 352-874-3272; Fee; ad p. 51 August 28 Self-Tapping Techniques; 10am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 Psychic and Mediumistic Development; 7pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; Fee; ad 58 August 29 Power of Water; 10am; Artful Living Center, Belleview; 352-391-3040; Fee; ad p. 45 August 29-30 Arching Light Advanced Energy Work; 10am5:30pm; Sanctuary of Sophia; Mount Dora; 352383-6444; Fee; Please RSVP; ad p. 27
August 30 Intermediate Ashtanga Flow; 10am; Jeweled Lotus Yoga, Leesburg; 352-874-3272; Fee; ad p. 51 Law of Attraction: Secret to Love; 4pm; presented by Blissful Lotus at Avalon; 407-462-8298; Fee; ad p. 36
Tuesdays Kirtan; 7pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-697-6437; fee; ad p. 58
WEDNESDAYS Informal Book Conversation; 6:45pm; Golden Triangle Center for Spiritual Living, Eustis; 352589-2620; Love Offering; ad p. 61 Advanced Meditation; 6pm; Sanctuary of Sophia; Mount Dora; 352-383-6444; Love Offering, ad p. 27
THURSDAYS Advanced Meditation; 4pm; Sanctuary of Sophia; Mount Dora; 352-383-6444; Love Offering, ad p. 27
SATURDAYS Yin Yoga; 5:30pm; Lotus Yoga, Apopka; 407-6976437; Fee; ad p. 58 Court Approved Anger Management Classes; 10am; presented by Alternate Pathways at 415 Citrus Tower Blvd, Clermont; 352-343-3380; p. 38
SATURDAYS BEGINNING JULY 25 Healing Meditation; 7pm; presented by ZenErgy at Phap Vu Buddhist Cultural Centre, Orlando; ad p. 13
SUNDAYS Adult and Youth Celebration; 10:30am; Golden Triangle Center for Spiritual Living, Eustis; 352589-2620; Love Offering; ad p. 61 Our Advertisers receive FREE listings in our Calendar of Events section as just one of the many promotional benefits offered by Velocity Magazine. Call 407-454-3443 to inquire about advertising. We have something for everyone.
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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Creating Sacred Space in the Womb ... with the Six Senses
by Melissa Holmes
magnificent sun shines warm on your skin, kissing your eyelids as you turn your head to face the inviting sky. You allow your body to be embraced in the golden liquid energy and silently tell yourself that no day could ever be as beautiful as this one. There is music, a beautiful forest orchestra made up of thousands of unique musicians singing, strumming, calling, drumming. Their melodies mingle in your ears and in your heart, tugging at every emotional string of your consciousness. You continue your walk, your footsteps echoing all those who have taken the same journey before you. Suddenly, your
The
to assist in the creation of a strong, intelligent, and happy baby.
eyes open wide at what you see before you: the perfection of the earth. Your vision is filled with tree after glorious tree, towering above the world, sure and steady and wise as the ancients. The smell of a forthcoming rain shower beckons you into a clearing, and as the sky opens up, you taste its sweet nectar on your tongue.
Sight: Fill your vision with beautiful images. Visualize light and beauty traveling through your consciousness and into your child’s. Bare your beautiful belly to the sun; roll up your shirt and bathe in its warmth. Walk and play in the sunshine during the day, and sleep in total darkness at night. Once a month, expose your belly and your baby to the wisdom of the full moon.
And your baby swims with delight inside your womb.
Sound: Sing and play beautiful music to your womb. Talk to your baby and tell him about your day. Attend drum circles. Read your favorite books and magazines out loud so your baby can share in your pleasure. Tell him a bedtime story and always say, “Good night.”
It has been discovered that babies begin to hear muffled sounds in the womb at around 30 gestation weeks. At the end of the seventh month of pregnancy, babies can see different shades of light and dark. The tastebuds are fully formed at around 14 weeks, and babies in the womb will react to sweet and bitter tastes in the amniotic fluid they swallow. Sensitivity to touch begins in an infant’s face at around seven gestational weeks and expands throughout the rest of the body by 17 weeks. Your unborn infant is an amazingly complex being! In many cultures, pregnant women were traditionally encouraged to live a life of beauty during their nine moons of pregnancy. They were to eat only the most nourishing foods, listen to only the most beautiful music, smell only the most enticing smells, and look at only the most spectacular sights. These women were treated as goddesses not just to ensure their own health, but also
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It is important for pregnant women to understand how their daily actions and thoughts can affect the life growing inside them. All five of a mother’s senses are connected directly to her baby. What a mother eats, her child eats. What she hears, so does her baby. When she places her hand on her expanding belly, her baby may respond with a kick. Women can communicate with their unborn children by utilizing these five basic senses.
Touch: Caress, hug, and cradle your baby through your skin. Gently massage your entire belly with massage oil, intuitively following your baby’s leads. Enjoy a prenatal massage once a month. Lay your reassuring hands on your growing belly often to remind him of your caring presence. Smell: Enjoy the scent of fresh flowers, morning dew, or the rain. Inhale the salty sea air, the scent of nourishing foods before you eat, and essential oils that are safe for pregnancy (grapefruit or lavender). Breathe in the unique, wonderful scent of your partner often.
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Taste: Enjoy and experiment with the many — spicy, sweet, salty, bitter, bland, savory, and sour — flavors of the world! Expose baby to different textures and temperatures of food. Eat nutritious, whole, organic foods as much as possible. Eat with intention and awareness. One more sense that we have goes by many names. Whether you call it empathy, emotion, feeling, intention, love, intuition, telepathy, dedication, or something else, this “sixth sense” does exist, both in your world and in your womb. Your baby intuitively relaxes when you are relaxed and stresses when you are stressed. He can feel your love for him through your intentions, feelings, and thoughts. Do not underestimate the power of positive thinking. Dream with your child. Talk to him with the power of your soul. Send beautiful images from your mind to your baby’s every day. Share your goals and dreams for your life together. Just as your body nourishes your baby’s body throughout your pregnancy and the first years of life, so does your spirit nourish your baby’s spirit, both inside your body for those precious 40 weeks and outside, for the rest of his existence. Melissa Holmes is the founder and owner of Feminine Earth, L.L.C., a local business dedicated to mothers, fathers, and all those who love and honor the sanctity of childbirth. Melissa offers holistic childbirth preparation classes, as well as birth and postpartum doula services, in the Lake and Sumter County areas of Central Florida. Her other passions include herbalism, gardening, dancing, singing, yoga, and taking care of animals. She can be reached at 407-401-8944.
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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The Blessing of Transition
by Christine Sokolowski
In life,
really only one thing is certain, transition. We transition from being babies to toddlers, from elementary school to middle school, dependency to self-sufficiency. The day literally turns into night as the earth spins and we must adapt to the darkness, our time of rest. Sometimes things must be taken from us in order to force us to rest, regroup and transform. This week our family has been offered the greatest of blessings as transition was forced upon us. My husband was laid off. The first response he had was, “Finally.” He has started a new business delivering fresh organic juices, and knew that although his job as a geologist provided us with a generous income and benefits as well as travel opportunities, he would need to let it go in order to move forward. My first response was, “You did it!” We were prepared emotionally, knowing this would come, and yet nothing prepared us for the feeling of freedom we are experiencing. Transition is incredibly freeing if we are just willing to allow ourselves to relax as the universe leads us in the direction of our desires.
Christine Sokolowski, Reiki Master, and author of “Reiki, From Beginning to Master,” a comprehensive and in-depth guide that is helpful to the beginner as well as experienced Reiki practitioner, has been teaching Reiki in Florida for several years. Her spiritual teachings and writings include decrees, children’s stories, and essays on “The Course in Miracles,” wealth creation, Abraham Hicks, Breath-of-Life and the “I AM that I AM.” One-on-one and group sessions are available. Please call to attend a free Reiki class. Christine can be contacted at beautifulfutures@ hotmail.com or 407-913-9280. See ad below.
Friends and family have responded with compassion and empathy, and we find ourselves reassuring them that we really are thrilled. As we allow transition to have its time and way with us, our creativity begins to flow; greater joy is experienced and life flows through us. I see transition as an eddy pool in a fast moving stream. It may seem as though we are going backward. However, we are right in the middle where we belong. As we mature and deepen in our spiritual journey, we find ourselves “letting go of the oars and flowing downstream” as the teaching of Abraham-Hicks puts it. Once we have allowed ourselves to flow, the water gets a little rougher and we learn to be tossed about in the water joyfully. It is this gentle playful tossing we come to enjoy and every moment becomes rich, whether we are floating gently through life, feeling caught up upon the shore, or rapidly swirling through in different directions. Life is exciting and the times of transition are the most thrilling. It is the thought of coming change that thrills us. It is stepping outside of the everyday where we know our limitations can be exceeded, that our joy is unleashed. Just as in kindergarten, none of us have it mastered when we are thrust into summer, a time of rest before we begin a new phase.
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Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Making Conscious
Choices
important to the man, and wanted the man to be aware of his own heart and mind. The wealth had the man, instead of the man having the wealth. I believe it was this awareness that caused the man’s distress. Only in awareness can we know the choices that are available to us. Choices made while unaware are merely reactions, and reactions continue the cycle of insanity (doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result.)
by
Joanna Hackley Davis
I absolutely love my boyfriend’s Mercedes. It is luxurious, beautiful, comfortable, and rides like a dream. There isn’t a bump in the road that can phase that thing, and road noise doesn’t even exist. I have taken to saying that Prince Charming no longer rides up on a white horse; he traded it in for a white Mercedes, because the ride is so much nicer. I really enjoy that car. No so many moons ago, I would have beaten myself up for being so enamored of something so extravagant. After all, who really needs a car like that? Isn’t a car just transportation to get from Point A to Point B?
A wonderful exercise for increasing awareness is to ask: “Who would I be without _______________ (fill in the blank with whatever attachment is present in the moment).” Just for a moment, we can pretend the point of focus does not exist and check out who we are in the moment, without the attachment. We can then compare that to how we feel with the attachment, and see which one brings more peace. With this information, we can then make a conscious choice. It’s all about awareness and choice. It was never about the car. Your questions, comments, suggestions and thoughts are always welcome! Contact Joanna Hackley Davis, Certified Life Coach at 352-874-7817 or 352-483-0000, Joanna @Rx4Joy.com or by visiting www.Rx4Joy.com. In addition, Joanna has been practicing healing arts for over 30 years as a licensed massage therapist, certified personal trainer, licensed esthetician and certified hypnotist. She also practices spiritual healing with energy. Please refer to Joanna’s ad this page.
If that really were the case, we’d all drive the cheapest, most reliable thing we could get our hands on. But it really isn’t about the car, is it? Every spiritual model teaches non-attachment in one form or another. Some teach that nothing is more important than God. Others simply teach us not to become attached to any physical manifestation, including our own bodies, because it’s all temporary. Unfortunately, our egos apply rules to principles, narrowing meanings and setting rigid standards that may not reflect the original intentions. In Christian teachings, there is an account of a rich young man who wanted to become a disciple of Christ. Christ told him, “Leave all you have and follow me.” The man could not, and went away in despair. For years I heard that interpreted to mean that we are to have no worldly goods, that we should all take vows of poverty, and that rich people are evil. Naturally, all the trappings of wealth became symbols of sin in my mind. Fortunately, I have come to the realization that it was not the man’s wealth that prevented him from following the Christ; it was his attachment to the wealth. Christ knew what was most Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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“Weeding as metaphor.” These were my thoughts a few days ago while on my knees in the backyard, pulling endless patches of green, robust weeds from the parched, sad looking lawn. In a drought, weeds grow strong while other plants and grasses wither. In wetter times, weeds still thrive, deepening their roots and runners, nudging aside other vegetation for nourishment. Weeds are the bane of a gardener’s existence. With constant vigilance, soil preparation, and pulling out persistent and strong weeds, the gardener can route them out and have a flourishing garden. If care and effort decrease, the weeds return.
and leaving more nutrients for the flowers of our vision. How? First we acknowledge the likelihood that they exist. Second, we use a tool to become aware of our limiting beliefs. Tools include: self-help exercises, books and courses in personal development, meditation (using the inner quiet to listen for answers), life coaching and counseling, to name a few. Third, we replace the limiting beliefs with supportive beliefs. For example, replace the limiting belief: “I’m not attractive” with “I am a full, ripe, blossoming woman.” We can change our beliefs to match our goals, even though this isn’t easy. This is the key to removing barriers that have held us back. Paying attention to our thoughts is akin to weeding, weeding again, and again. Begin today. You are the one in control of your garden — weeds, flowers, and all.
What is the lesson here? We all have hopes and dreams. Some of us have even taken the step of creating a vision from our dreams, clarifying our goals and the why behind our goals. This vision, these goals are our garden. With as much clarity as we can picture and describe a rose or hibiscus, we aim to describe our vision, our goals. What is the overall picture? What are the details? What are the emotions that go with them? Becoming clear, and connecting strongly to our vision, our garden, gives us the focus for our actions, our energy. Where are the weeds? The weeds lie in our mindset, the cumulative sum of all our experiences. Just as the seeds for our vision come from our mindset, so do the weeds. Do we have beliefs that are not supportive of our visions? For example: My vision is to become a successful businessperson, yet I don’t believe that I am smart enough. My vision is to be a professional athlete, yet I don’t believe I’m a winner. I want to generate wealth to fulfill dreams, yet I believe that wealth always comes from greed. Left unexamined, our limiting beliefs control our actions. It doesn’t really matter where these beliefs came from. We can change these limiting beliefs, these weeds, once we become aware of them. They may have come from our childhood: “You are bad (stupid, ugly, slow).” They may have come from other experiences along the way, and we believed them. However, we can decide to do the work of uncovering our limiting beliefs, weeding them out,
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Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Deborah A. Orr, RN, PhD, is a grateful psychologist with many life changing experiences to-date. She has begun a new venture where leadership thrives. For more information, visit Phoenix and Dragon, Inc. at www.GrowingInSpirit.net. See ad this page.
In a cozy, jazzy room in an upstairs ‘green’ boutique in downtown Mount Dora is an uncommon oxygen bar. Breath of Green, located at 115 Fourth Avenue, Suite 201 is home to this eclectic health-promoting, stress-relieving experience. Described as O2 aromatherapy, Breath of Green’s oxygen bar mixes organic herbal aromas with 87 to 95% oxygen. Persian lime, lavender, lemongrass, and wild cedar atlas are just four of the eleven aromas at the O2 bar where patrons sit on black hydraulic scoop barstools and enjoy several minutes worth of close to pure oxygen. A generator filters the surrounding air removing free radicals and gases such as argon and nitrogen leaving the air pure to inhale. Lighted glass bottles hold the colored aromatherapy as hoses escort the aroma of your choice up and out to mix with the oxygen. “Many people get relief from headaches at our oxygen bar. Others feel a remarkable alleviation of stress or heightened energy levels,” says Lynette Pate, owner of Breath of Green. Just ten to twenty minutes of deep O2 aromatherapy inhalation helps balance emotions, stimulate the senses, detoxify the body, strengthen the immune system, relieve fatigue and may help slow the aging process of the skin — not to mention that clients commonly report feeling just plain good. Sessions are $1 per minute. There’s a frequent inhalers club where regular patrons get their own cannula for inhaling as well as discount pricing. Monthly memberships are also available. For the creative at heart, Breath of Green’s oxygen bar goes mobile (with staff provided) for parties, wedding receptions and events. Breath of Green not only also sells a very nice array of fine organic goods from handmade soaps to skincare products to fair trade accessories, the staff educates consumers about its wholesome, affordable products. Monthly parties beckon those who are curious to come upstairs to not only learn more, but be treated to free entertainment and refreshments. Connect with Breath of Green at Facebook to discover more about upcoming events and please refer to Breath of Green’s ad, right.
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“Wow!”
my customers said as they entered a home that could have been their future home. The wife continued, “The floor plan is good, it is nicely painted and wellkept, but the exterior is so poorly cared for. I think one of the other homes we’ve seen will be better, especially with the number of choices we have!” In today’s buyers’ market, the fine details can make or break a seller’s chances of securing offers. Anyone currently marketing a home (or business) should know that aside from the basic criteria — number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage and price point — the decision for potential buyers to make an offer will be directly tied to the way it “makes them feel” the first time they approach and enter.
overload shelves. The idea is for the buyers to be able to picture how their furniture and tchotchkes will look and fit in the space. In the bedroom, always face the bed toward the entrance. In the bathroom, create a spa feeling, and be sure to hide all your personal items (toothpaste, brush, medicines). Always make the kitchen smell and look clean and free of clutter.
TIP # 4:
Create Good Energy. Be aware of what is an important Feng Shui “energy triangle” in a home: the energy flowing between the kitchen, living room and bedroom should have an unobstructed flow. Buyers need to feel that they will move throughout the home effortlessly, and that they will sleep well, eat well, and be able to unwind if they choose to buy your home. Treat the imagination of your potential buyers with respect: know how to spark and sustain it in every aspect of your home. Kara Cox is a certified Feng Shui expert and licensed real estate professional. See ad below. More Feng Shui principles next issue.
If you are selling your home, the principles of Feng Shui can help you meet your goals. Create positive energy, remove negative or blocking energy, or simply get the energy flowing with these Feng Shui tips.
TIP # 1:
The Exterior: Look at your property from a bit of a distance. Better yet, do this with a friend who has not seen your house for a while. Without censoring or becoming defensive, jot down the thoughts and first impressions that come to mind. Groom, bring color to, and tidy up your landscaping. Also, your main entrance must look uncluttered, fresh and inviting.
TIP # 2:
Bring the Outdoors In: Bring living energy inside. Invest in a couple of tall lush plants, and have fresh (and ONLY fresh, never dying) cut flowers at a focal point of the home.
TIP # 3:
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Less is More. The less personal, or used, you make your house look, the better. Show how the space can be used, but do not overdo it. In the living/family room pack away pictures, knick-nacks and books that www.ReadVelocity.com •
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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A Journey to the Magnificent Universal Light by Joanne M. Keller, ARNP For three years, my mother has been lovingly cared for by people who attend to her needs as if she were their own family. They understand her monumental challenges and can manage her daily activities due to their compassion for the human spirit whose “light” is dimming by the hour. My mother is the second generation in our family who has experienced the slow, steady dimming of the light as occurs in Alzheimer’s Dementia. A birthday celebration in February marked her 80th year. She was the eldest of eight children, then birthed and raised five of her own children in Monson, Massachusetts. She loves and adores her ten grandchildren, as she does all children. Her heart would soar to know that last October my own daughter became a mother, bringing her first great-granddaughter into the world. As her condition progresses, my mother’s caregivers have asked for decisions to be made regarding her end of life plans: what did she wish when it was time for her to pass on? My mother had entrusted me to take care of her long-term care wishes should her health decline in unimaginable ways. She was open about eternity after physical death, and her faith guided her daily activities. She shared with us that she loved babies so much that God had a special job for her in heaven when she died: she would be the lady rocking the babies in heaven. The hospice chaplain telephoned to ask, “When are you coming? We never know when the time has run out to say good-bye. My advice for you is to come soon.” I went to see my mother, to witness what had only been described over the telephone. To thank her, to hug her, to assure her that her work here is done and to release her into her next journey. Acceptance is at hand, to know that her light is dimming to a gentle flicker in her physical body, but soon will join with the magnificent universal light that awaits her. She looked vaguely like the woman I knew, only her eyes were vacant. She did not know me, which wasn’t new. My sister and I sat at her bedside, held her hands and assured her that we were all doing great. We told her that we would take care of Dad, then reminded her that “There are many babies in heaven waiting to be rocked.” We told her we would be seeing her later. How many of us truly know when that human light in our loved ones will dim to a gentle flicker or be extinguished in an instant? We are afforded the gift of time and opportunity while our loved ones are still present here in human form, to say thank you, to hug them and to let them know that we are doing great because of them. And of course, to tell them we will be seeing them later. Joanne is an ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) specializing in women’s health and nutrition. She teaches selfcare skills and empowers her patients to take full responsibility for their health and wellness. She practices at Joanne M. Keller,
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ince 1990, Marleen B., a positive minded 54 year old, suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. “I had pain in every joint in my body. I had no energy, couldn’t perform any household chores and felt like I had no life anymore,” said Marleen with despair in her voice. Marleen had back surgery, a four-disc fusion, both knees replaced, cortisone shots, and pain medications along with Prednisone, Methotrexate and Humira as treatment for the rheumatoid arthritis. All of these treatments gave her only partial or temporary relief. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which your own immune system attacks healthy tissue caus-
which are natural pain killers (altering one’s perception of pain). Marleen once experienced pain in every joint in her body, but now she is pain free due to treatment she opted to receive from ARC Physical Therapy and Pain Center. Her treatment included manual therapy, physical therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping. “After only the third visit, I was feeling a difference.” After a month and a half of treatment, Marleen is doing her housekeeping, cooking and shopping. She says, “I am just thrilled to be spending more time with family and friends now that I can do things again, and I am also thrilled to be able to walk my dog.” Charng-Shen Wang, A.P., M.A., P.T., C.M.T. serves as the CEO and Director of four ARC: Physical Therapy and Pain Centers in Central Florida with his newest office open in Mount Dora. Dr. Wang is both a licensed acupuncturist and physical therapist. In 1993, Dr. Wang attained certification as a manual therapist and graduated from the John Shen Institute with his certificate in acupuncture. He has served as a clinician and physical therapy director for numerous companies in the Central Florida area. He is a member of the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists. Please see ad below. (in Eastern medicine) the burning of moxa (a downy substance obtained from the dried leaves of an Asian plant related to mugwort) on or near a person’s skin as a counterirritant (in Chinese medicine) a therapy in which heated glass cups are applied to the skin along the meridians of the body, creating suction as a way of stimulating the flow of energy
ing inflammation that creates damage to joints. The infamous symptom of RA is pain or stiffness for at least 30 minutes in the morning or after a long rest. RA occurs at any age and can get worse over time. It is also associated with swelling of both hands or both elbows. Along with joint pain, it typically includes redness of the joints and decreased range of motion. Some people also experience fever, weight loss, fatigue or anemia. Inflammation generally occurs in the knuckles and the joints closest to your hands, nearer the base of your fingers. By stimulating acupuncture points with acupuncture, blood circulation is promoted around areas where inflammation irritates the muscles. Increased blood flow to traumatized areas provides an optimum environment for healing. Healthier muscles eventually irritate nerves less, therefore, decreasing the sensation of pain. The brain also releases endorphins Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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by Sean Ramsay and Stacey Murphy
O
ur senses are key elements to providing depth and joy in our relationships. Intangible ideas, desires, intentions and feelings become real through our senses. Sights, sounds, tastes, aromas and of course, touch, help us appreciate this treasure we call life. Within each of us also exists a sixth sense that senses energy and can peer into the soul. This is our intuition, the sum of our senses. Our senses transport us on a journey beyond the physical. Consider a moment when a mere aroma has brought forth a past memory and evoked emotions in the present. Entrusting your senses to a lover may take you on a journey that ignites your zest for life. Understanding the interplay between visions of beauty, angelic sounds and arousing aromas helps us recognize the passion and desire that drive us. Fully embracing our six senses is essential to living in a bliss state, which is our ‘ecstatic Self.’ It’s within the bliss state that we’re able to completely open up to LIFE. So empower yourself to be fully alive and enjoy an intimate relationship with yourself. Too often we believe intimacy is primarily about our sense of touch. However, this limiting misconception robs us of authentic joy. Kisses here, a stroke there, massage this part then that, and shazam! We think it’s done. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Melding our senses creates a rich understanding of life on a deeper level. This is what “Making Love with Your Senses”
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is about. This is the conscious way, the Tantric way to love life and the people you share it with. Making love with our senses means utilizing the gifts we’ve been given to perceive and discern the nuances of the world surrounding us. Do you appreciate the diversity of life in its many forms, starting with yourself? No matter what your relationship status, fully loving, accepting, and pleasing you are essential to attracting authentic love. This comes from a place of empowerment, so isn’t it time to fully empower yourself?
Create Your Own Tantric Sensory Ritual with:
SIGHT: Illuminate your space with candlelight to create a warm,
inviting and intimate atmosphere. You can choose to take a different approach by blindfolding yourself; suppressing your sight allows other senses to become heightened. SOUND: Play music to shift the energy of your space. African drumbeats evoke passion and help release inhibitions. String sounds help create a mood of ethereal whimsy. SMELL: Fragrances (via candles and incense) that are musky trigger our pheromones (libido hormones) to increase desire and a sense of wanting. Soft fragrances, like lavender and vanilla, are calming. TASTE: Sweet flavors put a pleasing smile on your face. Feed your partner to transform taste to a playful tease. TOUCH: A delicate touch of a pleasurable material (silk, fur, lace) tingles, tantalizes your skin. SPIRIT: Being fully present and conscious in the NOW without judgment or guilt, appreciating the gift you are is the ultimate blissful state of being. Stacey Murphy and Sean Ramsay are the owners of Blissful Lotus, Orlando’s newest resource for intimacy education. Stacey and Sean are Level II Initiates in the Ipsalu Tantra Kriya Yoga tradition (Pink Tantra). Stacey is a certified rootworker specializing in Love Mysticism and is currently studying to receive her Love Coach and Sex Expert Certification. Blissful Lotus currently offers classes, led by Stacey, inspiring women and couples to realize a greater depth of intimacy, joy and passion in their lives. For more information about Blissful Lotus and upcoming events see ad right, or contact Stacey or Sean at blissfulotus@gmail.com.
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
opens up and feels light, then what we are perceiving is closer to Truth. When our heart feels heavy and burdened, what we are perceiving is closer to illusion. It is really that simple. The mind is like a sponge, full of dirty water and programmed with illusions. It can’t always be trusted, but the heart is more reliable. My friend agreed with the illusion I told him, and so he was sent into a state of panic. The illusion-based beliefs in his subconscious mind resonated with what I said, and he believed that my words were the truth! We unintentionally do this to each other every day, even to our friends and family. When someone shares thoughts or experiences that cause us pain, they are not speaking the truth. It is not the child of the Divine that is speaking to us in that moment; it is their dirty water.
I
watched my friend break into a sweat as we played a game demonstrating the difference between Illusion and Truth. His face turned beat red as I looked directly into his eyes, telling him that his worst nightmares of failure have come true, and he was powerless to stop them. With a tone convincing and sincere, I pushed every button of fear I could find.
“How did that feel?” I asked. “I think I’m having a panic attack,” he said with his eyes glued to the floor, his breathing a quick pant. ”It feels awful, doesn’t it?” “Yes,” he answered. I indicated, “That is the power of illusion.”
All of the suffering that illusion brings into our lives can be avoided by understanding where the painful statements come from, truth or illusion. When we develop this skill of discernment by simply checking in with what our heart feels, we begin to approach our goal of heaven on earth. Lacey Nagy is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Life Coach practicing in Gainesville, Florida. She is the co-founder of ThirdEyeSpoken Productions, an art event benefiting other non-profits and also Prosperous Living, a class sharing multiple avenues of prosperity and truth. In love with personal growth, empowerment, and transformation, Lacey is also the organizer for Satvatove Institute’s transformational seminars in Florida. She is a spoken word poet and also an Ordained Minister through the Alliance of Divine Love. See ad this page.
He gasped for air, scared of what I would say next. “It’s okay. What I said to you was a lie. Give me another chance, so you can feel the difference.” “Okay.” His shoulders were stiff as I started to speak again. This time, with a deep breath, I projected the most powerful, loving, and inspiring vision of his life I could imagine. He relaxed into a smile immediately, his joy lighting the room. I was moved to tears. “How does that feel?” I asked quietly. “Much better,” he said. “That’s the feeling of being closer to Divine Truth than to illusion.” Our hearts tell us whether what we perceive is closer to truth or to illusion. When the heart Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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and listening to the same winds of time? If we don’t start standing with each other back to back rather than each of us serving our own agenda, we will never work our way up and out of our current social quagmire. Services like anger management classes and helping the homeless are sorely needed in all communities, but while all people are not angry or homeless, if we don’t make some definitive changes in our thinking and behavior and through forgiveness, practice what we preach, we will all be homeless.
“Faster than a speeding bullet.” “In the blink of an eye.” In the context of the recent changes in today’s economy and our living standards, the statements above could be viewed as characterizations of how our economy and world affairs came to be in such a state. Our economy seems to be in a condition of chaos, and so do the affairs of governments all over the world. We might ask who is responsible for this sad state of events as we eagerly point fingers at presidents and kings, dictators and prime ministers. We conveniently turn a blind eye to our very own personal participation and responsibility for current events while claiming a lack of personal power to make a difference.
Oh yes, we may have a roof over our heads but will we have clean air to breathe and will our water be drinkable? Will our children know the difference between punishment and consequence? Will they know the true meaning of unconditional love as opposed to cultural judgments and warring opposition simply because we cannot agree to disagree and find some common ground? Diane is author of “The Gathering,” a book of poems addressing life’s addictions, co-dependencies and obsessions. Her workbook on anger management, “Shut the Duck Up,” has been used with great success at Anthony House, a homeless shelter in Zellwood, Florida. See ad below.
Is this true? Have we become so jaded that we have followed our leaders into the proverbial belly of the beast? Or is it each head of household who has ever so carelessly allowed his or her integrity and virtue to be compromised by a passion for comfort and fortune? Did this happen in the blink of an eye or as fast as a speeding bullet? Or did it, more accurately, slowly slither into our consciousness like a preying reptile in the dark of night? They say hindsight is 20/20, and perhaps if we were to look back like a Monday morning quarterback we might take ownership of our overindulgent behaviors, then create the possibility for a shift in our perception of how our lives have changed and why this all happened. Have we not learned anything from the past? Or are we so stuck in our stories that we feel compelled to continue judging our family members, friends and neighbors? What if, as a collective consciousness, we stop the judgment and start accepting? Does it really matter what spiritual or religious belief we practice, what race or gender we are? Isn’t it enough that we are human beings breathing the same air, walking the same path
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ound can be used to manipulate behavior. White noise can increase workplace productivity. It has been demonstrated that Muzak can make us buy things. In shopping malls, annoying sounds created in certain locations induce people to enter the stores. We can change our inner state by choosing the sounds in our environment. Sound is a waveform that looks like a stretched out spiral. It has as much effect on human beings as if it were a solid object — perhaps more so. We always respond to the sounds in our environment. Music is systemized sounds. Musical scales are developed from listening to nature and seeking to copy its different sounds in a systematic way. Traditional Chinese music still consists of sounds such as the wind blowing through bamboo shoots, water flowing, animal cries and leaves rustling, while Western music has made sounds abstract. Music is common to all of the world’s cultures. It enables us to orient ourselves to reality and achieve an altered state of awareness. There are certain areas of the brain that can only be accessed through music. In developing his system of accelerated learning, Georgi Lozanov found that playing Baroque music composed between 1700 and 1750 caused greater alpha wave activity in the brain, greater left and right brain coordination and much improved learning and recall. The definitive Baroque solo keyboard piece is J.S. Bach’s “Goldberg Variations.” It is reported that Bach was commissioned to compose this piece by an aristocrat who had trouble sleeping. Many creative individuals listen to it daily.
and cultural factors; colors have no universally accepted associations. In Italy, there is a particular blue-colored pharmaceutical tablet which has an opposite effect on women and men. For women who are involved with the Roman Catholic Church, blue — the color worn by the Virgin Mary — has calming spiritual associations and acts as a tranquilizer. For men, blue — the color worn by the Azure national soccer team — acts as a stimulant. To show the power of light and sound, think about a goal that you would like to achieve. Notice how you represent it in your mind. Now imagine turning up the brightness on that scene. Think of a piece of music that you find inspiring and imagine it playing in the background as an accompaniment. David Botsford is a hypnotist with 15 years experience. He is the author of the book “Hypnosis for Smoking Cessation” and has produced a series of self-hypnosis CDs. His websites are www.4cornershypnosis.com and www.selfhypnosiscd.com. Please see ad this page.
A spiritually aware state can be attained by listening to sacred music such as the vocals of the ecumenical community at Taizé, Gregorian chants or Indonesian (Balinese or Javanese) trance music. Contemporary musicians have also produced work intended to produce an altered state of awareness. Examples include synthesized pieces by Vangelis such as “Spiral” and “Dervish D,” the ambient music of Brian Eno, Mike Oldfield’s “Islands” and “Ommadawn,” and John Barry’s “Somewhere in Time.”
Light,
too, is a waveform that can powerfully affect our consciousness. When we see or imagine something as brightly lit, it has a greater effect on us. The darker it gets, the less its influence. An object’s color affects us depending on individual Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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T
he sun travels through the twelve signs of the zodiac over the course of the year with each sign bringing a distinct energy. During the sign of Cancer (June 21-July 22), we may feel a desire to deepen our connection to our home, friends and family and to spend time nurturing ourselves. During the sign of Leo (July 23-Aug.22), the overriding energy encourages us to be creative, to express ourselves and to celebrate and enjoy life to its fullest. For each of us, some signs may feel more harmonious and easier to negotiate while other signs may tend to bring up challenges and encourage us to really examine and perhaps even change our beliefs, motives or life. The sun changes signs each month sometime between the 19th and 23rd of that month. Check an astrological calendar for the exact day this transition occurs. Tuning in more consciously to the energy and opportunities provided with each sign can be empowering. Notice how you feel and how your life may shift a bit once the sun moves into a new sign. Over time you will find that certain signs are very comfortable and seem to open doors and provide insight, while others push you to the limit and force you to let go, make changes and grow. Other signs may inspire you to create, to get things done or to take a vacation with no strings attached. Once you start to see a pattern, it makes life just a little easier to negotiate! The cycle of our year continually shifts and changes but the pattern will be similar from year to year. Think back to those great times, hard times and blissful times. In what months did they occur? Read over your journals, observe how life unfolds over the coming months and slowly, but surely, you will begin to see a pattern emerge. The empowerment comes in knowing when to use your tools (yoga, prayer, meditation, time in nature, connection with like-minded people and so on) to help you navigate potentially difficult times with the least amount of stress and the greatest amount of positive growth. And the empowerment also comes in knowing that we are each a beautiful, special “Light” being supported in every moment by the cycles and energies of the Universe!
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ARIES (March 20-April 19) July could be a transformational time for you. Don’t resist — breathe, let go and you will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel as August approaches. A sense of relief, greater understanding and contentment will come during the harmonious fire sign of Leo (July 23-August 22). AFFIRMATION: I release the past and with each step I affirm my total trust that ALL is in Divine Order.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)Don’t drive yourself crazy by doubting yourself or your decisions. Follow what makes you feel good about yourself and let go of what does not feel good or right for you. Use your feelings as a barometer. When something feels right, focus on the positive, feel the joy of accomplishing it and go for it! Once your plan is set, there is no room for doubt! AFFIRMATION: I totally trust that I am being guided by my intuition. If I decide to change my plans, it is okay, as long as it feels right to me!
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Give yourself time to be alone in nature, prayer or meditation to tune into your soul’s guidance. This year, a deeper sense of your true purpose or mission is being revealed to you. Ask for signs and guidance from your spirit guides and angels. Listen, observe and your path will become more clear as you get to know your true self even better. AFFIRMATION: One day at a time, I AM being guided towards a deeper connection with my true essence and my soul’s purpose. I AM grateful!
CANCER (June 21-July 22) On your birthday, literally imagine yourself stepping into a whole new sense of who you are! The past is done! What do you want to see unfold over the coming year? What brings you joy? What feeds your spirit? Focus, focus, focus and feel the joy of every desire being manifested. You have the power to create a joyful life, so do it! AFFIRMATION: With ease I glide through each day seeing love, joy and abundance everywhere! I create each new day with my life-affirming thoughts and feelings. I AM glad to be alive!
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
LEO (July 23-Aug.22) As you move towards your birthday, take time to really examine what is causing you stress or challenge. What needs to be changed, shifted or let go of — perhaps a perception, expectation, belief about yourself or life? Love yourself enough to just let it go! This is the clean out time of your year. Get rid of what no longer works — on every level. As you let go, you make room for something new to flow in. AFFIRMATION: My heart is open to receiving the very best the Universe has to offer me. I allow it to unfold without expectation. I allow, allow, allow!
VIRGO (Aug.23-Sept.22) As you move through the end of your year, be open to some possible unexpected changes. With any challenges, check in to see how you are feeling. Let your gut or immediate instinct guide you. Life is not very predictable for you right now. And that is okay! Stay in the moment, going with the flow. Let go and simply enjoy the events that unfold before you like a detached observer. This is a good time for a vacation from the usual. AFF I R MAT I O N : I glide along as if riding on the iridescent wings of the magical dragonfly. Wisdom and beauty are revealed to me wherever I go! Life is glorious!
LIBRA (Sept.23Oct.22) Pay attention to your dreams. What are they telling you? Don’t get stuck or bogged down in
the drama occurring around you or in your head! Instead, focus on what you would like to see, on your dreams, as opposed to “what is.” You have the power to change your circumstances. Believe it and do it! AFFIRMATION: I allow my imagination to create the life of my dreams. Anything is possible when I put my mind to it!
SCORPIO (Oct.23-Nov.21) Take it easy this summer. Bask in the sun (with a good sunscreen on) and revel in the insightful ideas and thoughts that are coming to you. Feel good about your recent accomplishments and progress. During August, allow any stresses you may encounter to reveal what may need to be examined more carefully in your life. Some things just may need to be shifted or changed. Stay in the moment as much as possible and trust that you are being supported and guided. AFFIRMATION: As I breathe and go with the flow, life unfolds before me even better than I could have imagined. Thank you!
SAGITTARIUS (Nov.22Dec.21) Continue to nurture and deepen your connection t o t h e D i vine. E x pand your sense of self even further beyond yourself and what is occurring around you and in your life. There is so much more! You are so much more! Let your soul fly on the wings of Spirit and feel that larger connection to
the cosmos and all that is! AFFIRMATION: I truly feel the support and guidance of the Universe as I follow the joy my heart desires.
CAPRICORN (Dec.22-Jan.19) Be true to yourself and steadfast in your movement forward. Maintain your integrity — don’t judge yourself or others. We are all doing the best we can. Listen to your instincts and make choices that support your serenity. One day at a time, keep your focus on the most positive you can imagine and know that is what will manifest. AFFIRMATION: I step lightly upon the Earth with compassion for myself and others and in service to all my relations.
AQUARIUS (Jan.20-Feb.18) What is surfacing or rather, bubbling up for you, especially around the full moons? Feel it, bless it and let it go! No need to analyze or figure out why, where or how — feeling is the key! Give yourself permission to feel the feelings. Allow them to bubble up from the depths of your soul and be released — finally. This is a time of deep emotional cleansing for you. Spend some time in the water, feeling its purifying effects. As time passes, you will feel so much better! AFFIRMATION: It is safe for me to release what I no longer need. As I let go, new ideas, opportunities and experiences flow to me like a gentle mountain stream bringing renewal.
PISCES (Feb.19-March 19) Some refreshing insights and opportunities may come your way in July. They are the result of your work over the past few months. Breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy yourself this summer. In August, the pace may begin to quicken, but if you remember to breathe, you will be able to take it all in stride. AFFIRMATION: I feel the support of those around me and of the Universe. I feel blessed in all areas of my life. Life is good! Raven Moondance (aka Shenna Benarte), ad top of next column, writes the newsletter, MOON ASTROLOGY UPDATE and monthly column on MOMA BEAR, a magazine for Gainesville, Florida moms. For a complete Moon Astrology reading or to attend a monthly Moon Astrology Class, call Raven at (352)372-8594 or email: moondance_raven@hotmail.com. See ad top of next column.
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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Shining the Light On Our Innate Healing Ability
by Vil-Am Ben-Ahim, DC
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ithin conventional medicine, sound and even light are being more and more accepted as valid healing modalities. Ultrasound and far infrared are only two of the tools that have become more mainstream. At the YAHWEH Academy of Light we teach a different approach to using sound and light to bring about healing effects. Instead of using instruments and machines, we focus on the healing power within each of us. We use different frequencies of sound or light combined with our intention to initiate the movement toward health. The sound we create with our voice or tool, or the light we create with our imagery, can bring about profound change within others and within ourselves. To help understand how light or sound can affect healing, we must look at the vibrations created by these modalities. Many of our health problems can be viewed as either blockages to the movement of energy or overabundance of energy which results in a chaotic unbalanced system, organ or area. The frequencies generated by the sound or light can break up these more dense areas and assist them to vibrate at a higher, more coherent and balanced level. We have learned that imbalances first occur in the subtle energy bodies of our aura or energy field. If we catch them in their energy form early we can often prevent their occurrence in the more dense parts of our physical body. In my 30 year practice as a chiropractor, I know the benefits of methods and techniques that assist the more dense physical aspects of us to heal. However, I have grown to appreciate how powerful the subtle energy
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medicine approaches are. We teach that within healing techniques there are some basic ways we can put energy into a system to bring about change. One is force or any invasive impulse we push into the body. Another is the length of time we try to affect change and intent with feeling, in other words, the ability we have to feel and hold the focus intention of change. If we are able to use more of our intent with feeling, less time or force or invasive action is needed. Healing becomes the creative act of using our total consciousness to define a new set of experiences, realities or outcomes different than has been perceived. This focused intent coupled with the subtle energy use of light or sound can help restructure the interference patterns that represent disharmony in our energy bodies and thus have an effect upon our physical experience. If we just change someone’s symptom patterns, then that is all we/they receive. However, quantum physics tells us this is a participatory reality and we are making up the details of our existence to some degree or another. If we choose to shift the vibratory grids that bring about imbalance, we can generate a transformation that affects all aspects of a person’s existence. Dr. Vil-Am Ben-Ahim has been a chiropractor for 30 years using craniosacral and deeper energy techniques to help people get to and release the seed concepts and fears that have led to their physical and emotional pain. He conducts seminars and workshops based on these empowering ideas and is co-director with his wife Yashoda Yehudit of the YAHWEH Academy of Light, a healing arts school in Central Florida. Please see ad page 2.
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
“The future of healing is in color and sound. There is a color code for everything.”
-- “The Book of Wisdom: The Keys of Enoch.”
In my own practice using color light therapy and sound, it is amazing to see how quickly lower densities held in the body and aura can be removed. Using the tool of color can assist in releasing these lower energies faster and deeper than anything I have used thus far. Color has helped many with depression and anxiety as well a whole host of other conditions. When using certain colors in the eyes, I have perceived hardened crystalline blockages in the brain that can keep the neurotransmitters from working properly. When the light breaks up these blockages, the energies can flow again and the depression is much relieved, creating a sense of calm. For some, light treatments are like filling up the gas tank. The body just drinks up the light.
vibration. When we are in a bad mood and remain there for too long the lower vibration created can make us ill, however we can heal anything by raising the vibrations so the lower ones can no longer exist.
There is research being done now on how cancer cells move toward the light. In the 1930s, one research study proved viruses and bacteria could not survive when subjected to certain colored Cancer and all diseases are of lower vibratory frequency, whereas light. Penicillin was discovered at the same time and came to the herbs, flowers, colors, certain sounds, and prayer are all of higher forefront so the research on colored light was not pursued. In healing, certain sounds and instruments can also be used to break up blockages in the body and aura. This allows the energy or chi to flow more easily thereby assisting the body to heal. Research on sound interestingly demonstrates that the sound generated by a human travels through the body at a much faster rate than any of the instruments that were used in the research. We all know how different we feel when we hear music we love, how it can help us to relax or alter our mood, making us happy or sad. When using human sound in healing it is very powerful to allow the sound to come from the soul to uplift and move the energies. At times, it may sound very strange, even wild and outrageous. It is important that we move beyond the mind at this point and feel the sounds. They may make us laugh or even cry. This is alright because it may be touching the soul of the person in a very deep and profound way, opening him to the Divine within. Color and sound are tools that have been used for thousands of years although many of us are now just beginning to realize how powerful they are. As all of us and the planet move higher in vibration, the tools we use for healing have to change. Everything that exists has a vibratory frequency. We humans are vibrational beings so it follows that we must heal with vibration. Rahansia P. Ben-Mejuri is a licensed massage therapist (MA12828). She is a healing arts educator and practitioner of energy healing and clearing, color light therapy and aura balancing. See ad this page. See www.cancerrevolution.info; Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, Larry Trivieri, John W. Anderson, Burton Goldberg Group
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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One Sound One Light
by Susan Mair
I
recently spent the week in Port Charlotte, Florida, helping cousins who were dealing with medical challenges. On the way home I wanted to stop at Nokomis Beach where I spent a lot of time when my late parents lived nearby. I had made a reservation at a Holiday Inn, but decided to see if I could find something closer and a bit less commercial. I drove onto Casey Key and the first motel had a vacancy for a beachside room. The next thing I knew I was bouncing in the swells of the Gulf under a perfect, clear blue sky. It was late afternoon, my favorite time on the beach. I meditated in the sunlight, cleansed my chakras and imagined the colors dancing on the waves. Or maybe it wasn’t my imagination. My connection to Source felt very strong. After bathing I took a walk and noticed people gathering in a circle. Then I saw a man with a drum, and then more drums. This was all just too good — a drumming circle on my beach at sunset. I went back to my room and got my E3 chime, the only instrument I had with me.
As the light of the sun changed to a deep orange, the music grew faster and faster. The next time I opened my eyes, I saw that everyone was in motion, clapping and yelping when the sun dropped from sight. Through the magic of sound and light, we were all one with each other and with Source. P. S. As I wrote this, a wedding dinner was ending outside my motel room. I slipped out and scored some wedding cake. All of this light, sound and spirit stuff is fine, but sometimes we need to feed our inner sweet tooth. Susan Mair is a certified hypnotist and master practitioner of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP). She is skilled in energy medicine, both as a Reiki Master and certified LuxMani practitioner. She is a member of the International Association of Counselors and Therapists and an officer of the Hypnosis Education Association. She is a partner in Alternative Health Blueprint in Winter Park and can be reached at 407-678-0047. See ad this page.
E3 is the sound of Source, and my chime has an incredibly pure sound that continues long after I can hear it, although I can feel the vibration in my hand. I only learned of it recently from my spiritual guide and purchased mine just before this trip. I brought it to use for my own meditations and for the LuxMani healing sessions I planned for my cousins. The drummers loved the chime. One woman knew its deeper meaning. Its tone was both delicate and primal and it fit well with the beating of two dozen drums. And yet, with all of this perfection, I felt isolated. I didn’t feel like I was really part of the group. Each person seemed to know other people, and no one had adopted me — they had only adopted my chime. What did I expect? I told myself to get over it and to focus on the positives of this amazing, unexpected experience. During the drumming, people were dancing inside the circle. First were women in belly dance attire, while I had thrown on a terrycloth beach coverup. So I sent spirit in to dance for me. Soon others joined the dancers, and I let go of my inhibitions. I quickly felt connected to the people.
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Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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S
o many of us have bought into the collective dream and believe the world of forms to be real. In reality, the world of forms is no more real than your dreams. Forms just occur at different frequencies of consciousness. Who and what you really are can be found by asking the question, “Who am I?” At the depths, after all the mental positions arise and fall, after the statement, “If I wasn’t this persona would I still be?” we’ll find layer by layer of beliefs fall away until only the statement, “I AM,” remains. Sit with “I AM” for a while and then go deeper. Ask “Who is this ‘I AM?’” and finally, “Who is it that asks the question?” The answer must be felt for yourself; no one can answer it for you. You must experience it directly. Until you experience the timeless, silent depth and dimension of conscious, aware space for yourself, every description of a state of “silent aware oneness” is just the ramblings of another mystic. Conscious aware space is, in essence, who we are. Our very space and vastness allow the dream of being to occur within us. This dream is one interconnected whole occurring across multiple dimensions simultaneously. Russian mathematicians have calculated the possible existence of 27 dimensions and across multiple frequency ranges, from the very dense black holes and beyond, all the way to ultra high frequencies ending in Infinity. All of this happens across all time simultaneously in the now! It’s always now. The time is now! Quantum physicists have shown that all matter is energy, and that all particles eventually dissolve into nothing. On the creative side of things, we can also say that the pressure of the dream spins space into form in the denser dimensions using light and sound. In the higher dimensions, this energy is just light and sound, not solid, like thoughts existing, but formless. To say everything is light and sound is true and describes the world of dreams and forms but probably only makes up one tenth of one percent of total reality, which is our true nature, silent space itself. So what does this all mean to us? Someone said that knowledge is power, but I believe this to be false. Knowledge is only potential power. Power is the application of knowledge. Stories of the
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healing and miraculous works of Masters like Jesus and Krishna all fall in line with the science of our potential as described under the Siddhis section in the “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.” Seemingly miraculous abilities like bi-location, healing the sick, and making water into wine are all powers that we possess when we know and experience this knowledge and apply it. I am writing this article from Cusco, Peru (elevation 10,000 feet — ahh, this explains a lot) just outside of Machu Picchu. Last night I met with Don Isidro, a powerful Q’ero Inca shaman. I am learning healing techniques from the Inca tradition from him. But more importantly, I am learning more about the man of light, coined “homo luminous.” They believe humanity is evolving into the man of light, a Being of Divine Perfection. They believe we all are at our core on a basic evolutionary time level. We should all arrive there in about 10,000 years. But since there is no linear time, all of this is happening NOW! The Q’ero know that physical reality is but a slow vibratory balance of consciousness. In fact, they describe consciousness in five levels. First is silent still space, who we are at the core, the container for all of consciousness. Next is the level of the dream of consciousness as a whole, a bird’s-eye view of the whole universe and all its interconnections. The next level down is conscious energy, the level of archetypal images and symbols. The next is the level of mind, where all thoughts and fears live. Finally, there is the level of consciousness dealing with physical reality. The benefit of knowing this Map of Consciousness is paradigm shattering. Most people believe their selves to be their forms or mental positions. By knowing that other ethnic realms exist, one can learn to navigate consciousness from the most dross to the most ethnic and to raise one’s frequencies above the level of overview consciousness into the nothingness itself. Not only can one navigate across conscious energetic levels but one can also journey across time, because, in essence, it’s all happening now. The science of journeying into the past (to heal old, personal and collective wounds), and more importantly, journeying into the future and contacting our highest most evolved selves helps us and all of collective humanity to wake up out of the dream of unconsciousness. Now more then ever, members of humanity are asked to learn and experience who they really are. Humanity is asked to learn
www.ReadVelocity.com www.ReadVelocity.com •• Secrets Secrets For For Living Living AA Magnificent Magnificent Life Life
the techniques for quieting the mind, to navigate through different layers of consciousness from physical to dross, to navigate across time in order to heal the past and receive instruction from our highest selves, to call in universal energies and raise our frequency through the practice of gratitude for all that is. Finally armed with this knowledge, we can collectively use the energies of light and sound to dream a new dream of an enlightened humanity — a humanity that is a good steward to the earth and to itself!
Dr. Al NuĂąez is a lifelong mystic and student of spirituality. He is an environmental advocate and educator, nature lover, happy hippy tree-hugger, and rescuer of many baby squirrels. He has been practicing fully integrated and wholistic veterinary medicine for almost 20 years, with two Animal Hospitals in the greater Orlando area both of which combine cutting edge surgery, internal medicine, endoscopy and laser ultrasound with acupuncture, herbal and energy medicine and nutrition for dogs, cats and exotics. He is a graduate of St. Thomas and Ross Universities and the Chi Institute of Veterinary Medicine. Please refer to ad this page.
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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by Ramah Wagner DC Contributing Health Editor Talking, expressing, speaking, conversing, negotiating, telling, and sharing; all are words for communication. It has been said that communication is the key to a great and rewarding life. I have found this to be true, especially in my line of work. In healthcare, a great doctor must be a good communicator. Why? Because people are often afraid to ask for what they really need. Some are unable to clearly express their physiology. Some don’t know what is wrong, how bad their condition is or if it is fixable. Others know exactly what is wrong and speak about the problem rather than the healing they would love to see happen. My patients know I talk – health talk. There is tremendous value in knowledge. It is the key to finding doctors who will take the time to communicate cutting edge health technology to you, to take into account your finances, and then to make a plan to get you there. This always begins with opening up and sharing. It is not just as a doctor that I find the value of communication skills. It is valuable in all relationships. I spent time in The Dreaming Room® with Michael Gerber. This tremendous man spent his life studying the workings of small businesses in America and how to succeed in the marketplace. One of the things we did in The Dreaming Room® was create companies out of our true spiritual purpose. We were expected to go back to the beginning and communicate our dreams. Many of the people at that seminar were like me. They dreamed of bringing heaven onto earth. Michael Gerber asked a series of provocative questions — questions about our deep driving forces, evoking tender and heartfelt responses. Next, we were asked to create a product, a solution to a global problem we all face. One of the key factors in taking your dream to the workplace, Michael taught us, is to be able to communicate your message, to articulate what you do
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in a manner that speaks to another. This is vital to great businesses. It is truly in the communication of our hearts that all great things begin. It was in The Dreaming Room® that I finally was true to my inner driving purpose and realized the center point of what I am really on the planet to be, do, and have. This was a pivotal point for me that changed my life dramatically. Last issue, I shared about my quest for enlightenment. My desire is to build a company around enlightened relationships. First we must attain an enlightened relationship with the Universe (God). Then we must learn to enlighten our relationship with ourselves. The ability to love others and relate is a measure of our dealings with ourselves; out of that is the overflow of enlightened relationships. In the marketplace, my product — chiropractic and energy medicine — actually puts me, along with others, into alignment with the universe. And it always begins with the simplest of things — words. It is through communication that we become fully known and we experience the fullness of life. Ramah Wagner, D.C. is a third generation chiropractor with degrees from the University of Iowa and of South Dakota. She received her graduate degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic (the founding college of chiropractic). Watch for Dr. Ramah Wagner’s new book, “The Health of Business - How to Balance Your Life for Greater Return.” Dr. Ramah is available for speaking events and intensives. Visit www.doctorramah.com or www.healthofbusiness.com. Please see Dr. Ramah’s ad page 3.
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Simply stated, proper dog walking etiquette is treating others the way you expect to be treated when out on the town with your pet. Training your dog to be a good neighbor is a reflection on yourself. Be polite and obey the rules, and not only will your Retriever be Golden, you will be, too! ©2009 Healing For Pets & the Special People Who Love Them. All rights reserved. Content may be reproduced by special permission of author.
by Colleen Gordon Whether you walk your dog in your neighborhood, the local dog park or nearby woods, there are certain rules that should be followed by all dog owners. Proper dog walking etiquette is not only considered good manners but also a safety issue for you, your pet and your neighbors. Walk the talk. Many communities and neighborhoods have leash laws. And if you do not have a leash law in your neighborhood, you should walk your dog on a lead. Even the best behaved and well-trained dogs can have a momentary lapse of judgment and take off running as if they were chasing a rabbit at a greyhound track. Some neighbors let their dogs out, unsupervised, to do their “personal business.” Not only does this deprive the dog of quality time with the owner, it places the dog in jeopardy of running into various hazards, including cars, other animals and even dog thieves. Good manners for walking your dog begin with actually being a good owner and walking with your dog, paying attention to your dog and your surroundings, and keeping your dog safely on a lead. This protects your dog and your neighbors’ peace of mind because you are the one in control of your pet.
We recommend that all health issues be discussed with your veterinarian, and that your pet has a thorough examination by a qualified veterinarian.
Colleen M. Gordon is a pet communicator, holistic pet therapist, and herbalist. She is president and founder of Healing For Pets, and is committed to improving the health and lives of pets and their owners. Colleen has been helping pets and owners with behavior and health issues for over ten years. Visit www.HealingForPets.com; email: Colleen@healingforpets.com. Please see ad this page.
Pick it up. Be aware of how you treat your neighbors during your walk — consider yourself and your pooch a guest of each home you pass. You and your dog should be on the sidewalk, if there is one available, and limit your dog to the area of grass closest to the street. It is not considered good etiquette to allow your dog to wander all over the neighbors’ lawns or in their flowers, or to allow your dog to relieve himself on someone’s Sunday newspaper. Be armed with a way to clean up after your pooch makes a “deposit” (even the tiniest miniature poodle leaves enough to be cleaned up). Leaving your dog’s messes is not only poor manners, it’s a health hazard to others on the street. Ask nicely. Always ask the owner if it is okay to pet her dog, before you run to meet and greet. Not every dog is going to be as warm and wonderful as your own. Your dog may be ready to say hello, but your neighbor’s may have some issues that could result in a canine confrontation. And it is perfectly good manners to gently remind a stranger that approaches your pup without asking, to ask permission to do the same. You could save that person a great deal of pain in the future by educating him on proper etiquette today. Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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The Sound of Transformative Communication The by David B. Wolf, Ph.D.
morning after I’d conducted a three day transformative communication course in Brooklyn, I encountered a woman who had completed the seminar. She was excited and had an experience she was eager to share with me. In the spiritual community where she lived, she had taken a vow to chant daily a prescribed number of mantras on beads. She exclaimed, “This morning I realized that I don’t have to chant my rounds! I don’t have to chant my rounds!” Her exhilaration filled the air with a sense of liberation. Seeing me puzzled about why she was happy to give up her vow, she went on, “I get to chant my rounds! I get to chant my rounds!”
and interpersonal development. In the beginning was the word. Just as the divine creates with sound, we can productively examine what we generate in our life with our sounds.
For example, to what extent do we build roadblocks to effective communication through responses that convey messages of invalidation, disempowerment, or self-absorption? This might take the form of unnecessarily advising or warning, shallow praise, avoidance of vital issues, or prematurely giving solutions. Effective
listening is essential for the creation of the sacred space that is crucial for life-enriching relationships. Such listening focuses on what the other person is saying, and not on what we’re saying to ourselves about what the other is saying. In our expression, we
She explained how that morning she had begun to finger her beads and chant a few mantras. For the first time in decades, tears flowed from her eyes while chanting. For the first time her attitude wasn’t, “I have to chant my rounds.” Authentic mantra chanting and high level communication practices are complementary vehicles through which we can utilize sound vibration to realize our spiritual identity and connect with the innermost stratum of the living soul. A genuine mantra is a potent transformational vibration. “Mantra” means spiritual sound vibration that extricates the mind from material entanglement. Jill Bormann has conducted research on mantra meditation with various populations including military veterans. She describes meditative time with a mantra as a “Jacuzzi for the mind. It’s something you can use to focus and calm yourself at a moment’s notice, it doesn’t require money, and it’s non-toxic; a person just needs to make it a part of their lives.” My personal favorite mantra for meditation is one of India’s most beloved, the Maha Mantra. Studies have shown that this sixteen word mantra reduces stress and depression and increases qualities such as balance, fulfillment, and sense of life purpose. In our programs we focus on transformation through communication. Awareness of how we use sound to influence our consciousness and environment is a powerful approach to personal Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Hare, Hare, Rama, Rama; Hare, Krishna, and Rama are the transcendental seeds of the Maha Mantra. The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His internal energy, Hara, to give protection to the soul.
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can consider the degree to which we communicate from fear, neediness and insecurity, as opposed to purpose, joy and inspiration. Through three days of intense immersion in transformative communication the mantra yogini shifted her consciousness from “I have to”— burdensome, obligatory, and mechanical — to “I get to” — vibrant, inspired, and fresh. David B. Wolf, Ph.D. is a life skills coach and communications specialist, and the author of “Relationships That Work: The Power of Conscious Living” (Mandala Publishing, 2008). As part of his doctoral studies he developed the Vedic Personality Inventory (VPI), a personality assessment tool based on Vedic psychology. He has more than twenty five years of professional experience in a variety of social and mental health fields, including counselor training, medical social work, and children and family counseling. Dr. Wolf founded Satvatove Institute (www.Satvatove.com), a nonprofit organization based in north Florida dedicated to spiritually based personal and group transformation through empowered communication, courageous introspection, and purposeful action. He has conducted personal transformation seminars in more than a dozen countries, including India, Canada, New Zealand, France and Switzerland. Please see Satvatove’s ad, column 1, next page.
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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My husband and I own a condo at the top of a mountain where, in the summer when the place is deserted, I love to spend time alone. Green Mountain is a sacred place to me, and I always drive slowly up the steep ten mile climb, not because of the switchbacks and falling rocks, but because of the wildlife, scenery and incredible sense of peace. Despite the scars this mountain bears from logging and mining, it is breathtakingly beautiful. I’ve seen bighorn sheep, black bears with cubs, hundreds of deer, bobcats, raccoons and everything else in between that flies or crawls and lives in the woods. I have also noticed certain places along the way that I call “hot spots,” where I always see something interesting. One day I was coming down the mountain at my usual slow pace, and as I neared a hot spot, I felt the need to slow down even more. All of a sudden, I heard a voice speaking to my mind, and as I looked in front of me, the landscape turned to a brilliant white light, and then everything dissolved. The road was still there, and I was still driving, but the mountain in front of me and all the rocks and trees were gone, disappeared. I was seeing a blank screen before me, and a voice was saying, “This is how God creates everything that you are experiencing.” I stopped driving, and I don’t remember if I pulled off the road, or just stopped in my tracks. To the best of my understanding, I was viewing a blank screen, and a voice narrated as the screen started to change. The voice said, “This is how God creates. First there is a thought.” As this was said, I saw a thought appear in front of me as vibrating fine particles of white light, sort of like a cloud, and then the voice said, “Through consciousness, the word ‘mountain’ is commanded, and through this word, the vibrating particles will form into the shape of a mountain.” As I heard these words, the mountain
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started to form. At first it was just scattered particles of light, then it started to take shape, appearing as a mountain, only it was clear, bright light, void of color. Next, the voice explained the vibration of color. It said that certain words create a vibration that will transform the light that formed the mountain into different colors. Colors started to appear. Next, the rocks, trees, and bushes were explained in the same way, and they, too, materialized in sequence. Just like you would paint a picture, first the background and then layer upon layer of details and colors. When the picture was completed, it was over as suddenly as it started. In recalling exactly what was happening, I find it difficult to explain in words. All I know is that I was receiving a blessing, a gift. Even though I didn’t fully understand everything that was going on, I know that my soul did, and that’s what’s important to me. I don’t know if this story can help you understand the ideas of creation through sound and light, but what I got out of this beautiful blessing is that thought is the first thing in bringing together particles of light energy, followed by a word, or vibration, that commands the light energy to take shape. Once the shape is created, through a word, the object vibrates, creating an illusion of color. To me, this makes sense because we are creators and everything we create starts with a thought. I also believe that thought is spirit, and spirit is the life in all things. So think good thoughts of beauty, peace, health and wealth, and know that everything you think is a prayer, and through your thoughts you are giving life to that prayer. The more we dwell on negative things, the more life we give to those things. We have the ability to create a whole new world with just one small thought. Try it, and you will be amazed at how something so little can change your world. Rev. Donna Weinheimer is a licensed massage therapist (MA27125, MM12675) and ordained ADL minister. She holds a third degree black belt and is a Tae Kwon Do and Chi Gong instructor. Donna is also certified in Thai yoga bodywork, native hot stone massage, Breema bodywork, Shiatsu, Tui Na and shamanism. See ad for ‘Out of the Blue,’ next page.
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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The Sound Inside You by Christopher Tims
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hile I was teaching in Ontario, a woman asked if I would come to her daycare center to speak to the kids and their parents about Light and Sound.
A few days later, I was standing in a classroom surrounded by preschoolers and their parents. Waiting to start, I felt a tug on my shirt. A cute pixie with strawberry blonde hair and big green eyes looked up shyly at me and said, “Are you Vincent?” (Vincent was the beast with lion features and a big heart from the TV series “Beauty and the Beast”). I crouched down and said, “Do you want me to be?” “Yes,” she said. I stood up and told her, “Then, yes, I am Vincent.” She hugged my legs and ran off to tell her friends that Vincent was there, leaving me wondering at the magic that little girls have to make a grown man turn into mush. Starting, I said to the kids, “Close your eyes, put your fingers in your ears and listen. What do you hear? What do you see?”
inside you, and the colors you see are one of the ways he shows you his presence. So remember where God is and try to spend a little time every day listening and looking, and pretty soon you’ll notice that you always hear that sound, and you always feel those colors and light inside of you.” They were all very quiet, eyes closed, listening. The presence of God in the room was amazing! My little pixie with the big green eyes and strawberry blonde hair, her eyes closed and head tilted back, started singing, “We love you, toooooo, Godddd.” Everyone joined in, the adults, too. Christopher Tims has lectured and taught about sound and light throughout the United States, Canada and Australia for over 20 years. Among other places, he is currently holding Mystery School classes, Gates Workshops and varied evening talks at Elemental Crossings in Sanford, Florida. See ad for Elemental Crossings below. Visit: www.elementalcrossings.com, www.soundhealing. org, www.christophertims.com.
They spoke about a high pitch ringing sound and cloud-like patterns of light and colors that they could see with their eyes closed. They liked the sound and the colors, and the way they felt inside. They said it felt like when they played hide and seek — very still but alert and tingly, waiting for someone to find them. “Yes, that’s right!” I told them. “Someone is hiding inside of you, and whoever it is makes that sound and those colors to help you to find him.” “Really? Who?” they asked. “I’ll give you a clue. See if you can figure it out. Who made all of the universe and everything everywhere?” “GODDDD!” they replied in unison. “Right! See how that sounded a little bit like a song when you all answered together? Well, God is all around you and also inside you, singing all the time. That’s how he lets you know that he is always there. “Close your eyes again. No, don’t put your fingers in your ears this time. Do you still hear that sound?” All the little heads bobbed up and down. A few whispered, “Yes, uh huh.” “Well, that is God singing for you. The song never stops. He is singing, ‘I’m here with you. I love you.’ The sound is God’s voice
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everal weeks ago I was invited to facilitate a teacher training program in north Florida, and I gladly accepted the invitation. I realized when I arrived to sit in front of the group, the incredible space that had been created for me to share. My hosts are deeply respected for their contribution in the world of yoga, and to sit with them from a slightly different lineage and background, yet share a common energetic, felt synchronistic. There was a palpable feeling of honor to sit in the seat that so many have had the grace to embrace; a Divine presence filled the room with a powerful, pervasive love. In that moment I realized how, for thousands upon thousands of years, there have been those who have dedicated their lives to sharing and helping others. It was through this authentic sharing that a chain reaction of transformation and transcendent awakening through the ages was created. For instance, in 1893 Swami Vivekananda came from India to speak at the Chicago World’s Fair. The Parliament of Religions had gathered and representatives from many of the world’s faiths and walks of life were scheduled to speak in front of thousands of eager listeners. There were rabbis, priests, ministers, theologians, and many other highly respected scholars.
have been sent to bring the ancient yet dynamic philosophy of Yoga to life than Vivekananda, yet Vivekananda didn’t know he was to prepare a talk, and had never before spoken publicly. What happened, to the astonishment of all, was that he talked with great passion and sincerity, with what they say was a “tongue of flame and language of the heart.” At just age 29, Vivekananda became the sensation of the World’s Fair, spreading his message that the surest way to achieve harmony was through the path of Yoga. Likewise, those who have inspired me along the way have been those willing to be real, to share authentically of themselves.
It was said that no one worthier could
It seems inevitable that we truly long for
the experience of the victory over our human nature of selfdoubt, fear and resignation. We desire to presence ourselves to that feeling of victory over the ego and to be able to relate to and be inspired by others who have experienced transformation. What can make an interaction extraordinary, beyond the norm, is the experience of authentic sharing. Many times authentic sharing can lead to a happening, or a mystical moment, where a soul connection is made that brings illumination between you and those you are with. The soul, unlike the ego, has no personal agenda, and will tend to move and flow in the direction of love and harmony and that which brings greater unity. We can all choose to strive to open, and to find the willingness to share from our hearts and directly experience the amazing contribution that can be made by Be-ing the Authentic You. Shata Ben-Avari, is Director of Yoga Central in Mount Dora, Thai Yoga Therapist and Dance Instructor. Yoga Central is located at 2724 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 in Mount Dora. Please visit www.yogacentral888.com for more information about the center’s yoga programs. Please see Yoga Central’s ad page 6.
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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Reviewing the Latest in Great Music Gary Wright is one of those artists from the 70s who continues to endure to this day. If there were such a thing as a “Love Generation Dictionary,” we would definitely find an entry for Gary Wright in bold.
getic and an outstanding version of the first recording, yet I will never stop loving that original. “Little One” is an intriguing song about the inner child. It tells the story of the child who had feelings when so young yet no one cared enough to listen, to be empathic or even pretend they were. Ultimately, it’s a song about fully embracing and loving that inner child, and conquering internal fears. Now let’s take a journey back to 1977 and “The Light of Smiles” Album (©Warner Bros.). Exciting tracks like “Time Machine” and “Who Am I” provoke us to contemplate our very being, but there is one that tells the story of YOU. “Child of Light,” though recorded in the 70s is truly not only our personal anthem, but the anthem of starseed children being born every day. “You came out from nowhere like the first star at night And the world went on like it never saw you come ...
Wright has spent more than 30 years shattering conventional ideas about music. His supremely famous “Dreamweaver” album featured the first ever all keyboard synthesizer band. The “Dreamweaver” song itself had more than one ride at the top of the charts when it was spotlighted in the movie, “Wayne’s World.” Wright is one artist whose songs have achieved hit status in three different decades. Wright has played with Fleetwood Mac, Yes and Peter Frampton and was greatly influenced by such icons as Joe Cocker, Steve Winwood and Eminem. George Harrison made possibly the most enormous impact on his musical creativity. He played keyboards on George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” and co-wrote many songs with Harrison. They traveled together to India to visit the musical genius Ravi Shankar where both Wright and Harrison opened themselves to transformation not only in their musical, but their psycho-mystical lives as well. Last year, Ringo Starr invited Gary Wright to become a member of Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band which did thirty shows across the United States and Canada. Wright is currently on tour in Europe. Last December 2008, Wright released an EP called “The Light of a Million Suns” (©High Wave Music). It features four tracks: “Love Is Alive” (recorded with his son, Dorian Wright), “Little One,” “This Heart Might Break Tonight,” and “Hold On.” The first track is a remake of the classic recording and includes rap and a hip hop beat. Hey, it’s updated for today — it’s ener-
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You’re a child of light You were born into a world that lives in darkness ... As you grow old and wiser, you keep more to yourself And when you are aware, your body glows People look to ya,’ as you’re walking through the night They’re hoping you might be the Holy Ghost ... Can’t you see, child of light That the world needs you tonight?
Finally, ambient music lovers, check out Wright’s “Waiting to Catch the Light” album (©High Wave Music) released last November. The disc showcases six relatively long instrumental pieces laden with electronic textures. If you enjoy ambient music, it will definitely enhance your meditation or relaxation experience. The Divine clearly not only weaves it way through the ‘dreamweaver’s’ creative projects, it permeates them. Wright’s music shines as brilliantly as the light of a million suns! Visit www.TheDreamweaver.com.
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
SUGGESTED READING In these troubled times, New York Times bestselling author Neale Donald Walsch arms us with the advice and guidance we need to embrace, change, and expand our horizons. When Everything Changes, Change Everything: In a Time of Turmoil, a Pathway to Peace provides readers with practical tools Hampton Roads for dealing with loss and change and healing Charlottesville, Virginia and growing. The world faces a financial cri- $19.95; 299 pages sis, with long-standing institutions suddenly ISBN 9781571746061 gone — everything changes. The planet is rocked by environmental calamities, with cities inundated by angry waves and savage winds — everything changes. With the world in turmoil, Walsch is a beacon of hope for the downtrodden, teaching his readers to use change to create a new and better life for themselves. When Everything Changes, Change Everything demonstrates that with change and uncertainty comes not only loss, but the potential for growth, and to grow, we must embrace change. Rachel Simon and her husband Hal live in a charming but cramped dilapidated old home. Faced with a difficult housing market, they decide to renovate. Inevitably, they run into disagreements, delays and disaster. But what Rachel isn’t prepared for is the emotional journey that blows open the seal around everything she thinks she knows about herself, her life choices, and the resilience of love. Through Rachel Simon’s brilliant prose in Building A Home With My Husband, A JourDutton New York, New York ney Through the Renovation of Love, home $24.95; 259 pages renovation becomes a beautiful allegory for reISBN 9780525951209 evaluating and repairing those most intimate of relationships — with friends, siblings, parents and spouses — and coming to know the many tools we can use to love each other more fully. Native American Medicinal Plants by Daniel E. Moerman may be the most comprehensive and authoritative listing of Native North American plant use for medicines available. The medicines are used for everything from sore eyes to rheumatism, from kidney illnessTimber Press es to love medicines. Those studying herbalPortland, Oregon ism, anthropology, botany and naturopathy, $29.95; 799 pages as well as anyone interested in natural heal- ISBN 9780881929874 ing and plants and their uses, will find Native American Medicinal Plants a fascinating and valuable resource.
With more than 3,000 plants listed, this engaging read covers 82 categories of medicinal uses, ranging from analgesics, contraceptives, gastrointestinal aids, hypotensive medicines, sedatives and toothache remedies. It is an easy to use reference perfect for the home library. The face of addiction and alcoholism is a face that many have seen before — a celebrity, a colleague, or even a family member — and the damages from addictive behaviors ruin lives and rend families apart. Yet there is hope, even for those who haven’t found longterm success in traditional twelve Beyond Words Hillsboro, Oregon step programs. By approaching addiction at $16.00; 292 pages its source, author Darren Littlejohn brings ISBN 9781582702230 about a deep healing in The 12-Step Buddhist: Enhance Recovery from Any Addiction, a book that bridges mainstream recovery and spiritual understanding. Working within the 12-step philosophy, The 12-Step Buddhist by Darren Littlejohn incorporates exercises, meditations and inner dialogues that validate all aspects of the recovery process. Littlejohn’s approach makes Buddhism accessible for addicts and the twelve steps understandable to anyone, without the Christian emphasis of traditional 12-step programs that make many addicts uncomfortable. The 12-Step Buddhist also addresses why addicts struggle with relapses and how they can address the deepest aspects of themselves to find healing and wholeness. There is a simple philosophy that can be used to lessen people’s impact on the planet and give them the tools to make more human choices. Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life by Zoe Weil boils down the ways to live a sustainable life into a set of easy-to-follow principles. Beyond Words For example, one of the ways you can live the Hillsboro, Oregon $15.00; 203 pages MOGO way is to “live your epitaph.” Deter- ISBN 9781582702063 mine what you want your brief life legacy to be and live that way now! Weil states, “The more we endeavor to [live our epitaph]... the more we discover peace within ourselves and the greater our positive impact on the world.” Most Good, Least Harm is the book you may have been waiting for. Filled with practical advice and tips, it will empower you to put your feet on a solid and livable path toward a more humane and peaceful world.
Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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The Sound and Light of Heaven
by Harold Klemp, Spiritual Leader of Eckankar Excerpted from “The Eckankar Journal,” reprinted with permission of Eckankar.
Teachers of contemporary religion are innocent about the true nature of Soul. Missing vital experience in the higher states of consciousness via Soul Travel, they cannot speak with authority about the golden keys to heaven, the Sound and Light of God, which lead Soul to freedom. But the ECK Masters can. These are the wonderful travelers that the ECK, or Holy Spirit, empowers to enliven the spiritual consciousness of man: first in the dream state, then in full awareness during Soul Travel which is simply one’s expansion of consciousness through the different planes of God. These Masters acquaint those who desire wisdom with the transcendent Sound and Light, the two features of the Holy Spirit that give life and breath to Soul. The Mahanta, the Living ECK Master is head of the spiritual order of ECK Masters. The ECK Masters routinely cross the borders of life and death; they travel freely in the heavenly worlds because they are the agents of God, whom they know as the Sugmad. [Sugmad is neither masculine nor feminine; It is the source of all life.] These Masters entrust the secret of God to anyone who sincerely wants to overcome the fear of death, gain true knowledge of God, and become a God-directed individual. One must love God more than the air he breathes before the ECK Masters will even approach him with the ECK message of spiritual liberation. They may appear at the most unexpected times but always to give a blessing, if one is ready for it. A member of Eckankar I’ll call Heather hears the divine Sound of God. She knows that God communicates to mankind through this Sound and Light. The sounds of ECK are many, but the one she heard recently was a clicking sound, which then became a medium pitched tone that rose to an ever higher pitch. The Sound of ECK, however It is heard, spiritually lifts anyone who is so fortunate to hear this celestial melody. One is twice blessed who both hears the Sound and sees the Light. Another time Heather was in contemplation, and the Light came to accompany the Sound. Her Spiritual Eye opened to a soft white light. At first she moved toward the light. Then the white light began to pour into her in huge waves. The Sound and Light were purifying her of karma, so that she would never need to return to earth in the seemingly endless cycle of death and rebirth.
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Purification by Sound and Light is the only way for Soul to enter the higher kingdoms of God. The individual is instructed in the laws of Spirit. How he uses this knowledge is what determines how soon he enters the joyful state of God Enlightenment, which can be attained while still in the human body. If someone who loves God wants the divine melody and celestial light, he may sing HU, the sacred name of God. This word, pronounced like the word hue, raises Soul to an awareness of the Sound and Light of the Holy Spirit, the ECK. Together, the Sound and Light provide Soul with the way home to the Kingdom of God. But if one is unsuccessful with HU, he may use another term in its place, Wah Z. Another woman I’ll call Janet was new to ECK. Singing HU as directed produced no conscious experiences of either Sound or Light. A friend suggested she try singing Wah Z. One night, just before going to sleep, Janet felt a strong need to sing Wah Z, which she did not then know was the spiritual name of the Mahanta, the Living ECK Master. When she sang it, a wondrous feeling of peace came upon her and a heavenly sound drifted down over her. It seemed “as though a chorus of angels and every beautiful sound in the universe had combined” to reassure her that she was not alone. The very essence of her room had changed. So had she; tears of bliss and joy streamed down her face. Ever after Janet would hunger for that Sound, because It was the Voice of God calling her home. This kind of spiritual experience is highly uncommon, except for secondhand reports from the lives of saints. But members of Eckankar are quite familiar with such experiences with the Holy Spirit. The Sound and Light are the heart of the ECK teachings, which say that love, and love alone, can give us the key to heaven. ECK is love, and love is all. Harold Klemp, spiritual leader of Eckankar, is the leading authority on past lives, dreams, and Soul Travel. He is the author of more than sixty published works todate. For more information about books by Harold Klemp or Eckankar, visit www. Eckankar.org, call 1-800-LOVE GOD or write to P. O. Box 2000, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2000 USA. The public is invited to the 2009 Florida Eckankar Seminar, “Spiritual Tools for Life’s Challenges,” July 10-12 in Lake Mary, Florida. SEE AD PAGE 59. The program will include speakers, creative arts, workshops, and discussions with information and spiritual exercises that anyone can use to experience the Light and Sound of God within themselves. The featured guest speaker will be Julie Olson from Iowa. In 1986 Ms. Olson had a near-death experience which transformed her life, and for the past 35 years she has made a study of her dreams and spiritual adventures. A long-time student of the ECK teachings, she has been the featured guest speaker at spiritual seminars in all over the world. Topics to be addressed include past lives, karma, Soul Travel, spiritual experiences, the Light and Sound of God, and divine love. The seminar will be held at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, 1501 International Parkway, Lake Mary. Florida. All public events are free to the public. For more information please call 407-894-3967 or go to www.ECK-Florida.org or http://www. meetup.com/Spiritual-Tools-for-Life-s-Challenges-Fla-Eckankar-Seminar/
Secrets For Living A Magnificent Life
New LYNX Services Improve Efficiency LYNX Public
by William Fay Communications Officer
LYNX took another step toward its goal of operating a more efficient, user-friendly transit system by creating the first east-west bus route in Seminole County and expanding its flex-service operations to include lightly-served areas of Orange and Osceola County. Link 434, which tracks much traveled State Road 434 in Seminole County, started service the last week in April. At the same time, LYNX initiated PickUpLine service for Ocoee, Bithlo and Buena Ventura Lakes, giving residents in those areas smaller vehicles that provide curb-tocurb bus service. “We’re adapting to the changing economy and changing needs of the communities we serve,” LYNX CEO Linda Watson said. “We recognize that people in these areas need public transportation and we’re trying to accommodate those needs within the budget constraints everyone is facing.” Link 434 stretches 24 miles from it origin at Oviedo Marketplace on the east side of the county, to the Rosemont SuperStop in northwest Orange County. It passes through Oviedo, Winter Springs, Longwood and Lake Mary, giving residents in those areas their first taste of an east-west connector route. “Link 434 is going to mend this county together better than ever before,” said Seminole County Commissioner Carlton Henley, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors for LYNX. “We’ve always wanted more and more east-west transportation and this route should provide maximum service to all of our communities.” The new route will accommodate students at Lake Brantley and Winter Springs High Schools; shoppers at Winter Springs Town Center, West Town Shopping District and Oviedo Marketplace and employees at workplaces like South Seminole Hospital in Longwood. “Whether it’s the job force looking for a way to get to work or people looking for health care or consumers just looking for a place to shop, we need to offer as many transportation options as possible,” said Florida State Senator Andy Gardiner at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Link 434. Continued next page 60 Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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“LYNX” continued from page 59 Making sure residents had choices was the impetus behind the new PickUpLine service in Ocoee, Bithlo and Buena Ventura Lakes. Each of those areas was previously served by a regular LYNX fixed-route bus, but that service was eliminated because of budget reductions. In its place, LYNX introduced a fleet of 22-foot coaches that carry ten to twelve passengers. Customers simply call in two hours in advance of when they want to leave their home and the PickUpLine van picks them up right at their driveway. Customers can then go anywhere in the designated PickUpLine service area or be taken to a fixed-route stop where they can transfer to regular bus service anywhere in the LYNX system. “I think the customers in these areas will find it a more efficient and convenient way to travel,” Watson said. “We’re going to pick them up right at their home and take them back when they’re ready. I think it’s really going to be popular.” For route information and maps of all LYNX services, go online to www.golynx.com.
What Is Positive Psychology? (Part 2) by Alan D. Keck, PsyD and Gilda Grace, LMHC
“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” -- Sir James M. Barrie (author of “Peter Pan”) About 15 years ago I (Alan) was talking with a minister from a local Unity church. Knowing my profession, and having studied some psychology in college, he said, “You know, spirituality is just practical psychology.” At the time, this seemed like a refreshing angle on the subject, but I would now have to say that he had it backwards. I believe that it’s more accurate to say that ‘psychology is practical spirituality.’ The history of Positive Psychology has some of its roots in the world’s great spiritual traditions, and this science is now in the midst of rediscovering, and even refining spiritual principles that have been practiced for millennia. In a previous issue, we began introducing you to Positive Psychology with a brief overview. The field of Positive Psychology covers qualities such as character strengths and happiness, a subject that everyone is interested in. Ironically, what we’ve found is that focusing too much on attaining happiness — a problem in our society over the past few decades — turns it into just another hedonistic commodity. This approach led many to try to achieve a happy life by stringing together a series of brief pleasurable experiences, a recipe for addiction for some. The truth is, we tend to live lives of greater joy and satisfaction by approaching happiness indirectly, by using our character strengths and/or working on causes that we value. Have you noticed how talk about the character strength of gratitude is suddenly everywhere? It’s not just about “The Secret,” but this emotional convergence of spirituality and science turns out to be one of the most powerful forces for improving our mood, attitude, and quite possibly, overall quality of life. I was delighted recently to hear Dr. Wayne Dyer on public television recommending a practice that I’ve been teaching to clients for several years now: spend some time focusing on gratitude at the end of the day. If you’d like to keep your mind-body system circulating the positive thoughts and feelings which we now know to be so beneficial, experiment with this exercise: Every evening, just before bedtime, spend a minute or so bringing into your awareness something for which you feel grateful. It doesn’t have to be fabulous, just something you’re glad about, or even something that you would miss if it were gone. Hold a slight, relaxed smile on your face. Think about what you appreciate, and most importantly, allow yourself to experience the positive emotions as fully as possible. If you’re spiritually minded, this is a good time to give thanks. Some people incorporate this process into their prayers. This is a great way to send yourself off to sleep each night, and you’re likely to find wonderful benefits if you’re consistent. Gilda Grace is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been in continuous practice of psychotherapy since 1990. Her focus addresses relationships, life transitions, anxiety, depression, stress, pain management, and trauma. Dr. Alan Keck is a Psychologist since 1974. He specializes in helping people cope with normal life stressors and heal from traumatic stress. See ad, left.
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by Dr. Cay Thompson “We can work together for a better world with men and women of goodwill, those who radiate the intrinsic goodness of humankind.” --Wangari Maathai When Wangari Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, “Her unique forms of action have contributed to drawing attention to political oppression — nationally and internationally. She has served as inspiration for many in the fight for democratic rights and has especially encouraged women to better their situation.” In one of the photographs taken at the award ceremony Maathai is radiating a joy and power that seems incredible for someone who has been knocked unconscious for protesting, thrown in jail for being outspoken, attacked for her beliefs, and vilified by her government and husband. Most photographs of her show a radiating joy that seems to light up everything around her. She is quoted as saying, “All of us have a God in us, and that God is the spirit that unites all life, everything that is on this planet.” In 1976 Maathai introduced the idea of planting trees to prevent soil erosion, and since then 30 million trees have been planted in that project. What causes you to radiate joy and light? What does the God in you unite you with? Rev. Cay Thompson, D.D. has been a Science of Mind (SOM) Practitioner for 47 years, a student of SOM for 51 years, a Religious Science Minister for 19 years, and a United Church of Religious Science (UCRS) Ecclesiastical Representative (Eastern/Mid-Western US) from 1999-2002. She was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity. Please see ad for Golden Triangle Center for Spiritual Living this page. Velocity Magazine | Sound and Light | July • August 2009
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