HOLISTIC NEW ENGLAND
FALL/WINTER 2017
Inner Power
GATEWAY TO
Get Up And Move It! D 4 Ways To Spot GMO Foods D Feel Less Anxious Interview with Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar D Tarot Wisdom D Intuition Tips The Brain In Your Belly D Inner Power Is Just One Thought Away
2 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
www.spiritofchange.org 3 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 3
Dear Friends, We have some good news for you if you’re into herbal medicine and natural healing. Dr. Ming Wu is now offering 15-minute Distance Herbal Healing Sessions. As a 20th generation herbalist he can quickly determine what imbalances are present in your body using the well-known TCM technique of tongue diagnosis. You can also tell him everything that’s going on and what you are experiencing. He then formulates an herbal formula specifically for you, which will work to effectively address your condition(s). He’ll also connect you to his trusted herbal supplier in NYC, who he has been working with for 12+ years, to source your herbs. His clients across the world have found tremendous relief from their problems with this service, and often one session is all that is needed. You get all this for only $50. If you would like to book a session with Dr. Wu, please text him directly at 978-790-8888. This is the best way for him to respond to you quickly. Simply send him a picture of your tongue (smartphone picture is fine), name, your address, and telephone number. He’ll give you a quick phone call afterwards. Many thanks and wishes of good health, Wu Healing Center
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4 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
www.spiritofchange.org
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 5
MAIN OFFICE PO Box 405, Uxbridge, MA 01569 Phone: 508-278-9640 Fax: 508-278-9641 www.spiritofchange.org ADVERTISING INFORMATION Phone: 508-278-9640 x 1 E-mail: advertise@spiritofchange.org PUBLISHER & EDITOR Carol Bedrosian Phone: 508-278-9640 x 3 E-mail: carol@spiritofchange.org BUSINESS MANAGER Michella Brudner Phone: 508-278-9640 x 2 Email: Michella@spiritofchange.org WEB EDITOR Laurie Johnston Email: laurie@spiritofchange.org CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS Editors of E/Environmental Magazine, Eric Linter, Hilde Larsen, Annie B. Kay BOOK REVIEWS Gail Lord E-mail: SOCBookReviewer@gmail.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION Janice Nadeau, Steve Sedam, Amber Routten-Mitchell PRINTING TCI Publications, Seekonk, MA
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• Vol. 31, No. 137
Departments
Features
Musings
by Carol Bedrosian.................................. 8
7 Reasons to Avoid GMOS…and 4 Ways to Spot Them by Paul Jenkins........................................................................................................24
Starspeak
Distracted Eating by Mark Mathew Braunstein...............................................26
Earth Talk
Three Things You Can Do Right Now To Feel Less Anxious by Maureen Magauran, MD................................................................................... 30
by Eric Linter........................................... 10
Power Up
by Hilde Larsen....................................... 16
Healthy Cooking
by Annie B. Kay ......................................18
Journal of Natural Healing
by Sheila Rajan....................................... 22 Copyright ©2017 Spirit of Change. All Rights Reserved. Spirit of Change distributes 50,000 magazines throughout New England semi-annually (Fall and Spring) and accepts paid advertising as an advertising service. Responsibility for the products, services or claims of our advertisers rests solely with them; advertisers are liable for any claims made against Spirit of Change Magazine as a result of their advertisement. The information in Spirit of Change is intended as a sharing of knowledge about holistic health for educational purposes. Health care decisions requiring medical advice should be made with the help of your health care professional. Subscriptions are $20.00/4 issues. Article and artwork submissions are accepted for review and will only be returned if accompanied by a SASE. To receive bulk shipments of Spirit of Change to distribute to your clients & customers, please email carol@ spiritofchange.org.
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Departments Features
by the Editors of E-Magazine............ 14
Online at: SpiritOfChange.org
62
Book Reviews
The Brain in Your Belly by Lynn Robinson......................................................32 Three Tips to Boost Your Intuition by Lisa K................................................36 Practical High Sense Perception by Barbara Brennan...............................36 Preserving Our Herbal Traditions, Defending Our Health Freedom Rights and Saving Our Plants: An Interview with Rosemary Gladstar by Carol Bedrosian................................................................................................. 40 The Talk by Arienne Thompson Plourde and Amelia Thompson.................. 48
by Gail Lord............................................. 66
Tarot for Wisdom and Wellness by Josephine Hardman, PhD..................52
Calendar.................................................68
Holotropic Frontiers in Inner Power by Tav Sparks....................................58
Classifieds.............................................85
Just One Thought Away by Sister Shivani and Suresh Oberoi....................62
Directories
Cover Art
Yoga Practitioners of New England......................................... 43
“Forest Light ” by Todd Young www.toddyoungart.com
Holistic Marketplace............................ 74 Holistic Logo Directory...................... 75 Holistic Specialties Directory......... 84 Advertiser Index....................................86
6 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
Upcoming in Spring/Summer 2018
Charting Your Horizon AD DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2018
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 7
MUSINGS
BY CAROL BEDROSIAN
“A human quality is useful only if it is being used.” — SISTER SHIVANI
How Much Power Do You Want?
G
rateful for my steady success using holistic medicine over the past three decades to meet my healthcare needs, I’ve earnestly pondered the nature of health and healing during that time. How do we heal? Why do we sometimes not heal? Can we wipe out cancer from within without genetic manipulation? Like a mental Rubik’s Cube, I’ve been twisting and turning these questions and more over in my mind for the past thirty years trying to find just the right combination of answers to make it all fall into place. Obviously, everyone wants to be healthy as much as possible; being sick can be painful, no fun at all, and even potentially fatal. Yet if I take a moment to catalog all the cuts, pimples, and bruises on my body right now, not to mention any of the more complex known and unknown malfunctions that might be lurking beneath the skin — imagine all the energy I’d expend if I had to devote attention to healing each and every wound myself? But I don't, because my body is marvelously intelligent and equipped to heal itself of most injuries and illnesses without me even being aware that repair is taking place. In fact, according to energy medicine pioneer Barbara Brennan’s article in this issue, “The body is a self-healing organism, so it’s really about clearing things out of the way so the body can heal itself.” Barbara first mainstreamed the term “human energy field” in the early 80s, and with it, the framework for understanding advanced capabilities in human self-healing. But just how far does that healing power extend? Perhaps our healing success has more to do with our own beliefs than anything. The first step is to acknowledge that we are all born healers; this title is not reserved just for doctors or practitioners. You are the inner healer who guides your body successfully through a bout with the flu or the mending of a broken bone, regardless of whether it’s set or not. You are that healer, already in possession of great healing skills and knowledge, just waiting for you to open your medicine chest and learn about your tools. My granddaughter is only three and apparently she already believes that healing happens in the doctor’s office because that’s what she pretends in her playacting; she sees this reinforced in books and on TV. Fortunately I’m there to remind her about her own sunshine energy that heals her boo-boos from the inside out. Look honey… you have chakras! Healthcare was meant to be simple, affordable and within our own reach. For emergency and trauma care we have doctors. Start by claiming your healer title and then act on it. 8 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
I recently attended a talk on “Awakening Inner Happiness and Freedom” by motivational speaker Sister Shivani, of the Brahma Kumaris world spiritual organization. Teaching meditation (free of charge) as a way of experiencing peace of mind and a positive approach to life, the Brahma Kumaris is the largest women-led spiritual organization in the world. The Boston BK center has hosted the Experience Meditation Room at the Natural Living Expo in Marlboro for many years, offering the public an exquisite spiritual respite during an exceptionally busy event. During her talk, Sister Shivani shared an anecdote about Dadi Janki, the 102-year-old spiritual and administrative global head of the Brahma Kumaris. When asked how she maintains her inner power, the elder simply replied, “Don’t waste it.” Each of us is a perfect reservoir of untapped power that we simply fail to use. The most important use of that power is quieting the mind. When the mind is still, emotions are calm, insight occurs and a plan of action can take place. Mental disturbances from thoughts and emotions only deplete your power. You are unable to act effectively when your energy is spent churning inside. A question during the talk was asked about how to handle the mental disturbance Donald Trump’s presidency creates for millions of people around the world. The answer was the same: Donald Trump is not disturbing you, but your upset thoughts about him disturb your own peace. Once you have identified why you are upset — maybe you don’t like his policies — then you can take action rather than just churning. Donald Trump is waking up the world so we can learn how to use our will power to create a future we want to live in. When you decide to use your will power to be focused within, you are balanced, you are powerful — you and millions of other people — so powerful that global change can occur. As writer Ursula Le Guin once noted: “We live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable — but then, so did the divine right of kings.” I left the talk that day inspired and invigorated because I can do this. I can flip my switch “On” instead of wasting my power and leaving it off. I can be my own healer, I can experience peace of mind, I can be effective in create changing in the world when I direct my will to do so. “Don’t waste it.” Three little words I heard that day made a lasting impression. It’s up to you: how much power do you want? Carol Bedrosian is the publisher of Spirit of Change Magazine. www.spiritofchange.org.
www.spiritofchange.org
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 9
STARSPEAK
BY ERIC D. LINTER
Astrological Forecast Fall/Winter 2017
"If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one" - Dolly Parton
S
eeking to make sense of today’s world, so much seems uncertain or beyond reason. An elaborate chorale of cosmic forces have dominated recent months. One key motif is a harmony sounded by conservative Saturn and progressive Uranus. We are evolving, no matter how tough the going. High-minded Jupiter has also been opposing Uranus, straining reason and trust. Another major theme, a discordant square between Jupiter and Pluto, spurs endless debates. Disharmony between Uranus and Pluto, though now easing, still reverberates in power struggles and failing institutions. The stars present openings and opportunities, as well as challenges. While the Saturn/Uranus trine points to a brighter future, not everyone is willing to go forward. Saturn represents fears, as well as the commitments we make to ourselves and others. Cautious in nature, the ringed planet respects the ways of the past yet also sets us to the task of patiently overcoming life’s obstacles. Uranus trumpets the promise of equality, liberty and fraternity, as well as the potential of emerging technologies. These days, too much rigidity is detrimental to progress. Jupiter governs principles embodied in laws and religious teachings, as well as learning institutions like colleges and universities. Long distance travel and international relations are also ruled by the giant planet. With
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both Uranus and Pluto testing Jupiter, is it any wonder that so many longstanding relationships between nations and allies are in flux? Or that some of us feel confused? Despite living in an age of instant messaging and too much information, getting to the truth can be difficult. Many of these trends continue into fall and beyond, but changes are afoot. As Jupiter begins a new chapter, entering Scorpio in October, Saturn heads into Capricorn as the year ends. Many new realizations, discoveries and commitments are made over the course of the forecast period. Be diligent and stay informed. Double-check stories and sources. Stand up for cherished principles.
SEPTEMBER
A waxing Moon and a forceful fire sign grand trine between Mars and Mercury, Uranus, and Saturn give the first days of the month plenty of liftoff. The rush is on to squeeze every last bit of summer out of the fading
season. The holiday weekend is fabulous for fun but keep a sharp eye on the road ahead when traveling, especially late Monday night. As we return to work and school be prepared to cope with a succession of testing planetary changes. On busy Tuesday the 5th, the Virgo Sun opposes Neptune. Dreaming is good but some will balk at the prospect of facing workplace routines. Mars with its energizing effect enters Virgo just before dawn, helping many people prepare for the day’s demands. During the early morning, mental Mercury resumes forward motion. A new mindset is called for, one that encourages people to embody their better angels. Later that night, at 3:03AM EDT Tuesday, the full “Harvest” Moon in Pisces is exact. Neptune stands close to the Moon. These stars and the opposing Sun in Virgo are parts of a nettlesome T-square to Saturn. The fire sign grand trine continues to support inspired artistry. Feelings are intense. Gratitude is transformative. There could also be treachery. Look to the future but be wary of those who would divert progress for their own selfish reasons. The Sun continues into a restorative trine to Pluto late in the week. That same Saturday, the 9th, Mercury enters Virgo. Use heightened powers of discrimination wisely over the next few weeks. Know what is good for you and what isn’t. With Venus in a trine to Saturn on Tuesday the 12th, it should be obvious who is a true ally and friend, and who isn’t. If there are any doubts, the Sun’s square with Saturn on the 13th removes them. It is again time to be realistic about likes and dislikes, and break the patterns of self-defeating thoughts and behaviors. A series of uplifting alignments follow. Harmonious Venus aspects to Jupiter and Uranus open and close the jolly weekend of the 16th and 17th. It’s time to play and enjoy life. Moods grow more reflective as the lunar cycle winds down. The Virgo new Moon on Wednesday the 20th is an invitation to set priorities, plant seeds, make plans and with utmost care, start projects. Five planets are in discerning Virgo: Venus, Mars, Mercury, the Sun and the Moon. There is no point in hurrying. Ideas will evolve as horizon lines expand and contract. The Sun enters Libra during the afternoon of Friday the 22nd. The Autumnal Equinox, with its perfect balance of daylight and darkness is upon us but the cosmos is sending mixed signals. One step forward, one step back. Mercury’s Monday morning square with Saturn may snarl traffic, underscoring the need for thoughtfulness. Use delays to reconsider and fine tune plans. Around the 28th, Jupiter’s opposition with Uranus may set off a firestorm of disagreements and revolutionary movements. Pluto resumes forward motion the same Thursday, increasing the likelihood of reordered alliances.
October 2017
November 2017
February 2018
OCTOBER The new month gets an almost instantaneous boost from Mars’ trine to Pluto on the 1st. Those with a will to succeed will not be held back. Partnerships are notably effective this week as Venus overtakes Mars and the two stars meet up at the full “Hunter’s” Moon in Aries on Thursday the 5th. Romantic passions simmer but then cool down over the following weekend. Testing angles leave some lovers feeling star-crossed on Sunday, and when the Sun and Mercury, traveling in tandem, test Pluto on Monday the 9th, a parting of ways could be in the works. Jupiter begins a year-long visit to Scorpio on Tuesday the 10th, good news for native Scorpions. Sharing and healing are facilitated. Expect new insights into the behavior of partners. Look beneath surface appearances while Mars tests Saturn on the 11th, a day when frustrating morning delays can be costly. Mercury takes center stage for a couple of days, zipping into Scorpio and conjoining Jupiter on the 18th. Be a watchful observer of obsessive thoughts and feelings. With a Libra new Moon on the 19th opposing Uranus, evolutionary forces are in play. Leaps in consciousness are likely. Political upheavals are also possible, especially after the Sun enters Scorpio on the 23rd and aligns with Jupiter. Squabbles over money and power may break out later the same week. Draw on inner reserves of strength and courage as you face day-to-day challenges. The Halloween atmosphere, with its Pisces Moon, is suitably spooky. The lunar placement supports being in touch with spirits and delving into the great beyond. Fatigue could be a factor after dark as the Moon goes void-of-course.
NOVEMBER Grace accompanies the waxing Moon as November begins. The Scorpio Sun slips into a comforting trine to Neptune while Venus aligns with Saturn to firm up ties. Not Continued on page 12 www.spiritofchange.org
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 11
FALL/WINTER ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST Continued from page 11
everything is peaceful because Venus is also in an edgy opposition with Uranus. Much comes to a head at the emphatic full “Beaver” Moon in Taurus, exact at 1:23AM on Saturday the 4th. Some partnerships crumble, the allure of freedom too strong to resist. The seemingly endless stream of scandals and corruption could reach new levels of absurdity. It’s easy to follow the money when the Sun makes a sextile to Pluto on the 9th. Saturn forms the last of three trines to Uranus the morning of Saturday the 11th. The angle proclaims the usefulness of technology, provided that progressive voices have their say. Hopes are high and generous impulses flourish over the weekend, when Venus draws closer to Jupiter. The celebratory mood gives rise to strange bedfellows and unexpected partnerships. Appearances may be deceiving as Mercury is at odds with Neptune on the 13th. Don’t jump to conclusions. This and other mixed trends bring minor hurdles until Thursday the 16th when more loving and supportive vibes supply inner confidence. Put your insights to good use, working in tandem with partners on Friday the 17th. A new lunar cycle gets under way the morning of the 18th. The Scorpio new Moon green lights new journeys and ambitions but with Mars testing Pluto, it’s best to proceed slowly and cautiously. Shift into high gear with the Sun’s arrival in Sagittarius on the 21st. Venus’ sextile to Pluto the same day mends hearts and eases rivalries. Mystical Neptune resumes forward motion the morning of the 22nd, leaving Uranus as the sole retrograde planet. It’s all systems go as Thanksgiving nears. The holiday of gratitude unfolds under a void-of-course Moon. The relaxed mood is welcomed, and when the Moon enters Aquarius during the mid-afternoon the spirit of camaraderie is awakened. Mental Mercury’s weekend trine to Uranus spotlights possibilities and hopes, but when the Winged Messenger forms a conjunction with Saturn on Tuesday the 28th, it’s time to translate words into actions.
DECEMBER
The Full “Wolf ” Moon in Cancer is exact the night of the 1st. Excitement is palpable throughout the day. Like an old-fashioned Magic 8 Ball, dreams, reveries and ambitious resolutions arise, fade and resurface. Home and hearth are a cozy backdrop. Social calendars remain busy and seasonal gatherings brighten the first two weeks of the year. Uranus, the visionary but unpredictable planet of community and friendship, returns to forward motion on the 2nd. Expect surprises. The Capricorn Sun and Venus form uplifting aspects with Neptune and Jupiter before joining up with Pluto on Tuesday the 9th. Love is a compelling, transforming force! Life is challenging the weekend of the 13th and 14th. There may be last minute cancellations as Mercury passes by Saturn and first Venus, then the Sun tests Uranus. Be ready to adjust schedules and try to go with the uneven flow. Jupiter’s sextile to Pluto on Monday the 15th is a reminder to do the right thing. We all stand as humble equals before the Creator. The new Moon in Capricorn inaugurates a new achievement cycle on the 16th. Once again it is time to set intentions for the coming weeks. Venus enters Aquarius on the 17th and the Sun follows, arriving in the sign of the waterbearer on Friday the 19th. The deepest part of the winter season is upon us, but the daylight hours are gradually lengthening. Thoughts may easily turn to seed catalogues and dream vacations while restless Mercury forms sextiles to Neptune on the 19th and Jupiter on the 25th. A Mercury/Pluto conjunction on Wednesday the 24th initiates a day of momentous decision-making. Travelers and truth-tellers receive a boost when Mars forays into Sagittarius the morning of the 26th but plans and opinions may abruptly change when Mercury tests Uranus on the 28th. The month ends with a rare blue moon/lunar eclipse. On Wednesday the 31st at 8:27AM the Moon is full in Leo. Plans may again change but don’t let that stop you. Reclaim your joy. Let your light shine. Get in touch with innermost dreams and desires. Express your creative spirit and follow your passion!
FEBRUARY “Social calendars remain The skies are calm as February begins. Friendships and busy and seasonal gatherings community ties are bolstered by three planets in Aquarius, the Sun, Mercury and Venus. However, expect groundbrighten the first two weeks hogs and other prognosticators to disagree the morning of of the year." the 2nd. The Moon is at odds with Neptune and sleeping
Venus darts into carefree Sagittarius during the wee hours of the 1st. Mars is making an explosive opposition to Uranus so it’s best to be on your toes. Look before you follow the longings of your heart. Saturday the 2nd sees Jupiter magically trining Neptune. Artists and mystics are tuned in to their creative guides. Humanitarian impulses are potent. Empathy is keen. Feelings are magnified by the approaching full Moon. The “Cold” Moon in Gemini is exactly full at 10:47AM Sunday morning, December 3. It’s a busy day as Mercury also turns retrograde and the Sun and Moon joust with Neptune. Facts can be misreported or misunderstood. Make a point of communicating clearly. Ask lots of questions. Thoughtfully, with much patience, provide answers. The dust slowly settles. By midweek Mercury is in conjunction with Saturn and sextile to Mars. Those willing to tame their ego in the interest of teamwork can make fabulous headway on the 6th and 7th. Mercury’s subsequent alignments favor a good deal of rethinking and renegotiating during the middle of the month. A fabulous new idea may surface around the 15th. The new Moon in Sagittarius launches a busy new cycle of being and becoming on Monday the 18th. Close by Saturn, it’s time to apply lessons learned and set ambitious goals. Saturn then makes a significant shift on Tuesday the 19th, entering Capricorn for a two-year stay. The importance of institutions, especially the roles governments and corporations play, will be of increasing concern in coming months. December 21st brings the Winter Solstice, the Sun’s arrival into Capricorn and the shortest daylight hours of the year. The Sun is also conjunct Saturn, necessitating a review of priorities and commitments. Some karmic lessons are complete. Be ready to walk away from ideas, things and relationships that no longer serve you. If you’ve been on the fence make up your mind as Mercury resumes forward motion on Friday the 22nd. The direction change is also a plus for weekend travel. Monday the 25th, Christmas Day, sees Venus join forces with Saturn. Long time loves loom large under the alignment. Those who cannot be present are sorely missed, but be grateful for the love you’ve known and shared. As the year comes to a close cosmic energies surge with a waxing Moon. All eyes are on the future during a scintillating New Year’s Eve. 12 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
JANUARY
in may seem like a better option than facing the day’s chores. Social calendars are full the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd but don’t overdo it Saturday night. Enjoy existing alliances and exciting new flirtations under a nifty sextile between Venus and Uranus on Tuesday the 6th. Another weekend brings another round of mind-expanding opportunities. Look, listen attentively and learn when the Sun tests Jupiter on Saturday, the 10th. Far away places and interesting concepts tempt the imagination as the lunar cycle ebbs. More surprises come on Tuesday the 13th. Mercury is at odds with Jupiter while the Sun and Uranus harmonize. A quiet Valentine’s Day is fine for low-key lovers. It’s the last day of the lunar cycle. Keep your options open, as the new Moon of the 15th is also a solar eclipse. Things begun around the time of an eclipse rarely go as planned. Nevertheless, there are hopeful signs from on high. Success could depend on being inventive. The Sun enters mutable Pisces on Sunday the 18th, bringing the first hints of spring. Magic is everywhere on the 21st. Venus conjuncts Neptune during the afternoon and the Taurus Moon gives her support to artistic efforts and expressions of love. Hunker down, simplify and expect a challenging Friday the 23rd. The going gets easier on Sunday afternoon. A gathering of family and close friends can be most enjoyable. Life is again speedily bouncing along, as the Moon waxes full during the last days of the month. Hearts and minds are resilient but be sure a situation is right for you before making a commitment. Keep looking up! Eric Linter offers a complete range of astrological services including readings, classes and his “On Top of the Stars Monthly Guide” for making inspired career and personal decisions. Contact Eric at ericlinter.com and read his daily forecast on the Spirit of Change homepage at spiritofchange.org. Meet Eric at the Natural Living Expo for his talk “Making the Most of Today’s Stars: Guidance For All 12 Signs” on Saturday, November 11 at 11:30am.
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The Session begins with an Intuitive Reading, addressing your questions and concerns. Loved ones in spirit may also have messages for you. Your chakras/energy field are scanned and guidance is given regarding the results. The Healing Ceremony follows, realigning and balancing all of your chakras, while releasing blockages in your energy body that no longer serve you, whether from the present or past lives. Profound shifts have occurred on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels of being. For more information, please visit my website at
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 13
EARTH TALK
BY E- THE ENVIRONMENTAL MAGAZINE
Your Environmental Questions Answered
Endangered Grizzlies and strategies for E-waste
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14 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
Dear EarthTalk: Is the federal government’s decision to take Yellowstone’s grizzlies off the endangered species list good news or bad news for the iconic bear? — Jeffrey Elder, Los Angeles, CA
It depends who you ask. The majority of environmental and wildlife advocates would prefer to keep endangered species protections in place for Yellowstone’s grizzlies, which they consider to be still at risk. Meanwhile, many ranchers, hunters and libertarians applaud the Trump administration’s decision to take the fearsome predator off the list. But why now? According to the National Park Service (NPS), some 690 grizzly bears now roam the greater Yellowstone ecosystem — up from only 136 or so bears in 1975. “The number of females producing cubs in the park has remained relatively stable since 1996, suggesting that the park may be at or near ecological carrying capacity for grizzly bears,” reports NPS. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke considers the delisting decision “very good news for many communities and advocates in the Yellowstone region” and “the culmination of decades of hard work and dedication on the part of state, tribal, federal and private partners.” But the non-profit Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) counters that while grizzly bear numbers in the Greater Yellowstone area may have improved since the animals were first protected in 1975, the bears continue
to be isolated from other grizzly populations and are threatened by recent increases in human-caused mortality. Meanwhile, climate change and invasive species have taken a huge toll on two of the bears’ primary food sources, whitebark pine seeds and cutthroat trout, prompting the bears to prey on livestock outside national park borders, leading to increased conflict with livestock ranchers. CBD maintains that drought and climate change are likely to worsen these problems. Recent scientific data showing a decline in the bears’ population over the past two years as a result of managed kills due to livestock conflict, car crashes and poaching support CBD’s claims. The group’s senior attorney, Andrea Santarsiere, says that the Trump administration’s real reason for pushing the delisting is more about appeasing trophy hunters “who want to stick grizzly bear heads on their walls” than about concern over the health of iconic American wildlife populations. “This outrageously irresponsible decision ignores the best available science,” says Santarsiere. “Grizzly conservation has made significant strides, but the work to restore these beautiful bears has a long way to go.” Overall, grizzlies now occupy less than four percent of their historic U.S. range. European settlement led to the decimation of some 50,000 grizzlies that once roamed the western half of the Lower 48. “It’s incredibly disturbing to see the Trump administration end protections for these beloved Yellowstone bears even as their numbers are falling,” says Santarsiere. “This deeply misguided decision just isn’t supported by the science, so the Trump administration may be leaving itself
vulnerable to a strong legal challenge.” While the Trump administration has not made any noise to date about delisting the other major population of grizzlies in the lower 48 in and around Montana’s Glacier National Park, environmentalists worry that it’s only a matter of time given the relative population stability there too. CONTACTS: NPS Grizzly Bear Ecology, www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/gbearinfo.htm; Center for Biological Diversity, www.biologicaldiversity.org.
Dear EarthTalk: What can we do to solve the e-waste problem caused by so many of us tossing our cell phones out and getting new ones every two years? — Sandy Bartram, Beverly Hills, CA
As more and more of the world develops — and smartphones become ubiquitous — electronic waste (aka “e-waste”) is a bigger problem than ever. Around the world, people generate some 50 million tons of e-waste every year, much of which ends up improperly disposed of in landfills where toxins common in electronics like lead, mercury and cadmium can leach out and contaminate surrounding soils and groundwater. Much of the remaining e-waste gets shipped off to developing countries happy to profit from taking others’ trash despite the environmental consequences, or even worse, just dumped illegally into the ocean. But thanks to consumer pressure to do the right thing, most major electronics manufacturers have started to pay attention to the problem and take action to reduce the flow of e-waste. Apple, for instance, long targeted by Greenpeace and others for lack of concern about the environmental and health impacts of its sourcing and production processes, has made great strides in the last five years in recovering customers’ old products and reusing the constituent parts in new products. In 2015 alone, the company collected some 90 million pounds of Apple-branded e-waste, recovering upwards of 61 million pounds of material, including steel, plastics, glass, aluminum, copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, nickel, silver, tin and gold, to re-incorporate into new products. Environmental advocates who love their iPhones can sleep easier knowing that lead, mercury, beryllium, arsenic, PVC, phthalates and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are no longer welcome in or will soon be phased out of Apple’s supply chain. But most of us upgrade our smartphones every two years, so that means that even today’s greener iPhones still contribute to the e-waste problem. That’s where Europe’s Fairphone comes to the rescue. By incorporating long-lasting design and fair-traded materials, ensuring good working conditions and making products that are fully recyclable, easy-to-fix and reusable, Fairphone hopes to revolutionize the smartphone market with its eco-conscious products. As the electronics industry matures and moves toward more sustainable components, that combined with better design can also help reduce the steady stream of e-waste. For instance, researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have come up with a way to extend the life and boost the productivity of lithium ion batteries — the standard power source in today’s electronics — by treating their electrodes with hydrogen. Such a development could be huge for preventing e-waste, given that most of us toss our old phones within two years when the battery inside starts to deteriorate and underperform. Choosing carefully when it comes to selecting your next smartphone and recycling your old one for free at BestBuy or through its manufacturer are important first steps in becoming part of the solution to the growing problem of e-waste. Becoming an advocate by encouraging others to do the same is another way to greatly expand your positive impact. The non-profit e-Stewards program is dedicated to teaching people how to deal with used electronics, and individuals can pledge to become one of the program’s Envoys to help spread the word about the importance of reducing e-waste. CONTACTS: Apple. www.apple.com; Greenpeace, www.greenpeace.org; Fairphone, www.fairphone.com; e-Stewards, www.e-stewards.org. EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of the nonprofit Earth Action Network. To donate, visit www.earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.Preserving Our Herbal Traditions, Defending Our Health Freedom www.spiritofchange.org
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 15
POWER UP
BY HILDE LARSEN
ditch the sofa, get up andmove it! When you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, start moving.
B
By Hilde Larsen
Sharon R. Doolittle DVM Holistic Animal Healthcare
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16 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
efore cars, trains, airplanes and bicycles, our bodies were always on the move. Running, climbing and lifting were all a part of the daily routine in any ancient culture in activities as diverse as gathering food, delivering messages and dancing. By contrast, our sedentary lifestyle and standard Western diet invite sickness to be our daily companion. The food we eat is harmful to the body, numbs our senses and makes us tired, which also makes us want to move less. For someone who is tired and constipated, there is little will or energy for exercise or physical activity, so the sofa becomes a friend. Get up and move it! No matter where you are at this time in your life, you can always do better. You are always able if you start slow and grow. Ditch the sofa for any kind of activity. Leave the house for some fresh air whenever you can. When you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, start moving. Through simply moving what you can, when you can, that becomes your starting point. Always be thankful for what you can do. Being grateful creates more to be grateful for. At one point in my life I was bedridden. Moving anything at all was very painful. All I could do was sit in a rocking chair so that is what I did. I could sit in the chair and I could lie on my back. While lying down I finally managed to do sit-ups. Then I could walk, then ride a bike. Anything you can do, do it, and then some.
Movement is Vital to Your Health THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM NEEDS HELP to move lymph through its vessels because it does not have a pump like
the blood does. The heart pumps blood through our veins but the lymphatic system, which is vital to our immune system, is powered by our physical motion and muscle contractions. This includes the internal movement of our breathing and blood flow, but the primary lymph mover is our level of activity. Being active is in, couch potato is out. STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART being active with walking, dancing, yard and housework. Your most vital organ needs to be trained to be strong and fit. This increases blood circulation and sends more oxygen to your cells and tissue. It also reduces blood pressure, relieving stress on the heart. Loving your heart means moving your body. MUSCLE TONE and SKELETAL HEALTH NEED ACTIVITY for optimal maintenance. The impact of movement builds strong bones and massages the joints. It also triggers new cell growth and cleansing of stagnant lymph. Simply by walking or running you are reducing the risk of osteoporosis by creating bone growth. BREATHING INCREASES during movement, the lungs are cleared and exercised, and the cells receive more oxygen. The same muscles that help us breathe are also responsible for good posture. Good breath, good posture. DETOXIFICATION TAKES PLACE when we move the body. The lymph, the digestive tract, the lungs, and sweating through the skin are all important elements of the body`s ability to self-cleanse. The lymphatic system is the body’s sewer system. When it becomes stagnant, we suffer. ENDORPHINS ARE RELEASED because it feels good when the body is moving in stride. We are overall happier when we are more active; this is why activity and exercise are known to help with depression.
WEIGHT LOSS BECOMES EASIER when you move. Burning calories, moving lymph and strengthening muscles always produces a positive outcome for weight loss. Not only will the body use its stored fuel, but the health of the glands will improve to aid in a more natural metabolism. BLOOD FLOW TO THE BRAIN IS ENHANCED by exercise. This leads to sharper memory, lower risk of stroke, and a more alert mind. The brain has its own lymphatic system that benefits from our activity.
Daily Movement Suggestions
v
Chi Machine: This became a lifesaver for me, and I am sure it will benefit anyone who is unable to go for daily walks. It is very simple to use. The original model is a Japanese “passive aerobic exerciser.” While you lie effortlessly on the floor with your ankles resting on the machine, it will move them from side to side as it oscillates from right to left, giving the body the oxygen benefit of 1.5 hours of walking in only 15 minutes. This creates a figure-eight motion of the spine, similar to the movement of a goldfish, which has a great effect upon the body in relaxing nerves, improving energy flow, relieving tension and moving lymph.
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v v
Rebounder/Trampoline: A trampoline or small rebounder is a fun place to start a daily movement practice. The up and down motion is great for moving lymph and creating bone mass. The impact is what the bones need, and it will also help you to build some muscle. A Full Body Vibrator: This is another potential movement lifesaver for people with limited movement. As you stand on the machine, it vibrates, transmitting energy to your body, and forcing your muscles to contract and relax dozens of times each second. The first time I went on the machine, I had so much acidic waste stuck in my feet and legs that it actually hurt, bigtime. It was like shaking an open wound. I stayed with it, though, every day for three times a day and the pain gradually left. Step by step, find what works, as not moving is not an option.
v
Walking: My daily walks will always be what I will treasure the most from my road back to health. The day that I could start walking past the mailbox was the best day ever. When it comes to movement, nothing beats walking. It is gentle, natural healing that is a perfect match to our physiology. Work up to walking thirty minutes a day and feel how much energy you generate. Move your arms when walking and break into a brisk walking stride when you can. Take deep breaths and enjoy being outside.
v
Running, climbing, biking and swimming: These are just a few of many ways to move your lymph, build muscle, expand your lung capacity, release endorphins and so much more. Whenever you are experiencing any form of joint issues, water exercises are low impact and gentle on the joints while still building muscle and strength. Running is great for building bone mass, but we were made for running barefoot on Mother Earth, so running on a beach is your best option. Notice how it energizes your whole system.
v v
Yoga: No matter what your level of health, you can do yoga. It is a gentle way to move, simple, and can be practiced at home. Yoga increases range of motion in the joints, massages internal organs, moves lymph and opens the flow of energy meridians in the body. D aily household chores: Whether it’s doing the dishes, trimming the trees, cleaning floors or shoveling snow, the more active and present you can be in your daily routines, the more benefits your body will reap. Be mindful about how you use your muscles, how you bend your back and knees, and find ways to make it a fun part of your life. It is a blessing to be functional and strong, a privilege of being able to move.
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20
Hilde Larsen is an author, a certified health and success coach, an inspirational speaker and raw food teacher. After years of being bedridden with severe chronic diseases, she is inspiring many to take back their power. Visit inspiredbyhilde.com.
04
By ditching the sofa, you are ditching a body suffering from aches and pains. The body is made to be in motion; you will add years to your life and life to your years simply by adding more movement into your everyday life.
S IN
CE
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 17
HEALTHY COOKING
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Fermented foods like sauerkraut are beneficial to your body's immune-enhancing microflora.
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18 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
W
hen we find ourselves on the cusp of fall, it’s back-to-school and life seems to speed up, buckle down and get more serious again. Fall’s harbinger comes as the first crisp wind. We transition from outside to in and think of soup and tea. If catching a cold is your back-to-school ritual, thinking about your immune ecology might help you navigate the season on your feet. The combination of resisting the temptation to overcommit, getting adequate rest, a bit of silent reflection and enjoying nutritious warming foods can go far in creating inner strength this golden harvest season.
work that way. Nutrition is much more wondrous, complex and dynamic than that. Reductionist thinking is critical for scientific medical advancement, but in the art-meets-science world of nutrition, it loses the forest for the trees. Your immune resilience is an ecology. Your digestive tract contains an intricate community of life — your unique microflora — that encompasses most of your immune system. Just as they feed off of and influence each other, microflora are influenced by your personal dietary and environment choices. You can boost your immunity through your choices.
Roots of Immune Resilience
Food and Inflammation
We all need a little protection in this life: we do get by with a little help from our friends — inside and out. The role of your immune system is to protect you from invasion (such as infection, poison, toxins) or injury. Your immune system is fascinating, complex, and through the process of living becomes uniquely your own. When we say this or that is good for the immune system, it often depends on whose immune system we are talking about. Everyone’s system is as unique as the life they have lived thus far. The state of your overall health, infections you’ve encountered, how you “do” relationships, emotional responses and stress, the food, personal and home products you surround yourself with, all tie in to your immune health. Everything connects there. You are continuously tending your immune ecological garden through the environment and experiences of your life. The world of nutrition often gets mistakenly reductive, over-simplified and mechanistic (another good argument for the continued education of well-trained nutritionists). So much of nutrition media coverage is single nutrient-focused: take this for that and that for this. Sadly for those seeking only simple, pill-shaped answers, it doesn’t often
Are you officially terrified of inflammation, convinced it is connected to absolutely every chronic condition, yet can’t seem to shake it? You know how it looks and feels: when you cut your hand, it gets red, puffy, hot and gooey. That’s inflammation. In addition to being an irritation, however, inflammation is the first step of healing. We need inflammation for our bodies to be resilient when we encounter life’s bumps and bruises. Under normal conditions when we get injured or encounter an infection, we get inflamed, and then heal with rest and nutrients. However the fast-paced busyness of modern life has interfered with the rest side of the equation, and many of us no longer have the time to rest or cook the nutritious food needed for healing and recovery. The USDA reports that over 70% of the US food supply is refined. Refined food is more convenient. While some food industry innovators have actually succeeded in making truly nutritious convenience foods, the more a food is processed or refined between its whole state and your plate, the fewer nutrients and fiber it has, and the more chemicals not recognized by your body it is likely to contain. In addition, refined foods act like sugar in your body regardless of what
they are designed to taste or smell like. Too much sugar makes you hungry, tired and wired. Consider the gummy worm or the Twinkie sent down the plumb line of your body. “What the heck is that?! I’d better trigger some protection,” your body says. Inflammation. You need to heal from that gummy worm. A nourishing meal and a good night’s rest, and your body can actually make that gummy worm nothing but a pleasant memory. The problem comes when the gummy worm is followed by a take out dinner, and later by a caffeinated neon colored soda and the latest so-called healthy puffed grain snack. In the morning, it’s a fast food breakfast sandwich and a variation on fries. We all find ourselves in time-crunched, nutritionally challenging food situations. When you layer on unexpected stress, lack of relaxation and low nutrients, inflammation becomes a vicious cycle. That’s how a healthy immune response becomes the chronic inflammation that leads to whatever disease propensity is in your genetic inheritance. It all adds up…and you are so worth saving. How to keep your immune system able to meet the challenges of modern life without getting caught in a chronic response is a hot topic of research. While there’s still much mystery to immune resilience, there are many clues available, like puzzle pieces lying around just waiting for us to put them into place. We know, for example, that people who have consistently low quality diets are more susceptible to infection. There is clear evidence that micronutrient deficiencies, specifically deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E, result in immune impairment. We know that gut microflora impacts everything from our immune resilience to the quality of our skin to perhaps our lovable and not-so lovable personalities.
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Food Tips for Immune Resilience Consider these three basic food tips that will help point your way toward more resilient immunity:
1
Focus on nutrient density and overall balance. Nutrient density is a measure of food quality. It is what it sounds like — bang for your buck — or nutrients per calorie. The most nutrient dense (high nutrient, low calorie) foods in our food supply are vegetables and fruits, herbs and spices. Think of the colors and flavors of what is in season now: orange squash and carrots filled with vitamin C and carotenoids that convert to vitamin A. Think of the dark green leafies in their glory: spinach, chard, and kale. Think of warm spices and tea. Garlic and onions are the great, flavorful healers in the food world. Both contain eye-wateringly powerful phytonutrients that help cool inflammation. In garlic, it’s the antioxidant allicin. When you crush garlic, leaving it to sit for a few moments allows the allicin to become more available. If chopping onions makes you cry, then go ahead and cry, cry, cry. If you have a lemon nearby, its smell may help you. In addition to quality, think about balance, specifically meal timing and plate composition. One of my favorite lessons from my Ayurvedic brothers and sisters is to honor the rhythms of nature and life. Eat at regular times (not at midnight nor 3 am, nor between meals unless there is health reason). Honor the seasons, eating lightly with warmer weather and with age. Let your plate be a nutrient-dense, low-chemical load, balance of vegetables, spices, clean proteins, grains you tolerate, and mostly plant fats.
2
Fermented foods provide natural inoculations. Your gut is a teeming city of microflora. Your immune resilience (and maybe psychological resilience) lies to a great extent in that city of microflora. Some folks carry a city with a high crime rate where no one catches a break, whereas others carry cities of peace, love, light and wonder. The city you carry inside depends upon…everything you ever do! You can become a fantastic, benevolent mayor of your city by growing a healthy diverse microflora and your resilient immunity will thank you for it. Fermented foods are natural probiotics (literally “pro-life”) that populate your gut with healthy microbes through the bacterial action created in their preparation. Making fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurts, pickles, even beer, can be simple, though you need to tend them for a while. Nearly everyone can benefit from a little fermented food every day.
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Enjoy nature’s adaptogens. Certain foods like tulsi (also called holy basil), ginseng, ginger, plus many other herbs and some mushrooms are called adaptogens. Adaptogens work with your adrenal and immune functions to help you adapt to stress. In the season when children reunite to exchange bacteria (a group inoculation, really) they’ve collected over the summer, having these flexible protectors in your diet makes life easier for everyone.
RECIPES on page 20
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Contact Nikki to schedule your session in Newton, MA (617) 332-0890 | www.HolisticOasis.com FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 19
HEALTHY COOKING Continued from page 19
WARM SPINACH SALAD WITH SPICY SWEET POTATOES AND ORANGE VINAIGRETTE GF, DF, V, 40 minutes, serves 4 This is as nutrient dense as it gets. Ingredients 2 sweet potatoes, cubed 2 Tbsp grape seed oil 1/4 tsp chili powder pinch salt & pepper 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 oranges 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced 1/2 tsp cumin, ground 1/2 pound fresh baby spinach Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350F. 2. In a roasting pan, toss together the sweet potatoes, grapeseed oil, chili powder, salt and pepper. Roast for 30-40 minutes until tender and browned, stirring once or twice. 3. Peel the oranges and slice into bite-sized pieces over a medium bowl, catching as much of the juice as you can. 4. In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil, and saute the onion, ginger, and cumin until the onion is soft. Stir in the oranges and juice, and remove from heat. 5. Toss the warm dressing with the spinach, and top with sweet potatoes.
Recipes
GF (gluten free), DF (dairy free), V (vegan)
SHELLFISH CORN CHOWDER
WARM COCONUT CHAI
GF, possibly DF, 45 minutes, serves 6
GF, 20 minutes, serves 6
One reason the Mediterranean pattern of eating is powerfully anti-inflammatory is because it features seafood rich in both protein and healthful oils.
Ingredients 2 cups grass-fed milk 1 cup coconut milk 1 cinnamon stick 8 whole black peppercorns
Ingredients 1 Tbsp grape seed oil or ghee 1 large red onion, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 2 ears raw corn kernels sliced from ear 3 oz uncured Canadian bacon, sliced and cubed 1 small sweet potato, cubed 2 red potatoes, cubed 10-15 littleneck clams, steamed open 2 cups juice from steaming clams 1/2 pound shrimp, clean, deveined and chopped 1 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped 1 tsp fresh sage, chopped 1 1/2 cups unsweetened soy milk Salt and pepper to taste Directions In a soup pot, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Add onion, celery, corn and bacon, sautéing until onions are soft, 3-5 minutes. Add potatoes and clam juice, bring to a simmer and cook until sweet potato is soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in clams, shrimp, and soy milk. Gently simmer for 5-6 minutes until shrimp turns pink. Stir in herbs and season with pepper and salt.
FALL RED CURRY GF, DF, V, 45 minutes, serves 4 Ingredients 1 (13.5 oz) can coconut milk 2 Tbsp Thai red curry paste 1 onion, chopped 6 oz (generous 1/2 cup) raw pumpkin, chopped 12-15 fresh green beans 1 can garbanzo beans (look for brands packed in BPA-free cans) 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 small zucchini, sliced 2 Tbsp fresh Thai basil (any fresh basil will work), chopped 2 Tbsp lemon juice 2 tsp brown rice syrup 2 cups cooked rice Directions Combine coconut milk and curry paste in a wok over medium-high heat, stirring for 3 minutes. Add onion, lemon juice and rice syrup. After three more minutes, add the pumpkin, green beans, garbanzos, pepper and zucchini. If the sauce is too thick, slowly stir in a little water to thin it. Stir in basil and serve over rice. 20 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
TULSI INFUSION GF, DF, V, 20 minutes, serves 1 Fresh or dried herbal teas are most often infusions — steeped in hot water for 10 minutes. Be it tea bags or loose leaf, let this be your new fall ritual. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups boiling water 1 Tbsp fresh or dried tulsi and other complements Here are a few combinations: Tulsi Tulsi and ginger Tulsi, ginger, lemon and honey Tulsi and rose petals Tulsi, cinnamon and cardamom Directions In a mug, place tea (within a tea bag or tea strainer) in justboiled water. Let sit for 10 minutes. Remove tea bag and enjoy.
2 whole cloves 4 cardamom seeds 1/4 tsp ground allspice 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg pinch salt
Directions Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan and warm over medium-low heat. Strain into a mug and enjoy.
VERY SIMPLE GARLIC SAUERKRAUT GF, DF, V, days to weeks, many small servings Ingredients 1 medium head savoy cabbage, sliced thin (about 3 pounds) 1 clove garlic, smashed and left to sit for 10 minutes 2 Tbsp caraway seeds 1 1/2 Tbsp salt 1/4 cup water (if needed to make extra briny fluid) Directions 1. Place sliced cabbage, caraway seeds and salt into a large bowl and massage it with your hands for about 10 minutes. You’ll see the cabbage releasing some of its juices. 2. Tightly pack a Mason jar approximately three-quarters full with the sliced raw cabbage. Add garlic. Pour the fluid that the cabbage released into the jar to cover the cabbage. Place a smaller jar filled with clean stones as weights into the Mason jar to press the cabbage so that it is submerged under the fluid. Add a little water if needed. 3. Check your jar daily, pressing any cabbage that pops up above the fluid line down. Don’t be too alarmed to find a little white mold; say hello, and skim it off. 4. Begin to taste the sauerkraut at 3 days. The longer it ferments, the tangier and stronger it will taste. You can ferment it for weeks, but I find that it’s good between 6-10 days. Once it reaches the tanginess that tastes good, keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator to slow further fermentation. Uncooked fermented vegetables can keep refrigerated for up to 6 months, but enjoying within a couple months is ideal. Annie B Kay, MS, RDN, E-RYT500, C-IAYT is an integrative dietitian, yoga therapist and shamanic plant alchemist who directs programs and retreats at Kripalu and internationally. She has a telehealth private practice in Western MA. www.anniebkay.com
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 21
Journal of Natural Healing Read more natural healing accounts at spiritofchange.org/journal
The Khichri Cleanse By Sheila Rajan
T
here are absolutely no risks in eating a complete, nutritious, gentle and natural food for three days — only potential benefits — so I recommend this age-old cleanse to everyone! Khichri is a basic Indian one-pot dish consisting of lentils cooked with rice, spices and clarified butter (ghee). This dish has ancient origins, deriving its name from the Sanskrit word khiccha, meaning a meal of rice and legumes. It has been documented in texts dating back several hundred years, such as accounts of foreign travelers visiting India, as well royal court documents from the Moghul dynasty. Khichri has survived up until modern times and is still a staple in most Indian households. In addition to being a typical everyday meal, it’s also known as a “sick person’s food” since it is often served to people experiencing stomach problems or general weakness. For a lot of people (including myself), khichri is a “lazy” meal because large amounts of it can be made at once, as well as a comfort food, as it has a way to soothe your body and soul, connecting you back to your family and childhood. Ayurveda (India’s ancient health philosophy) deems khichri as the ultimate detox food, a claim that can now be backed by modern nutritional research. Unlike most foods, it’s recommended for all body compositions at any time of the year. The dish is most commonly made with mung beans, which are easy to digest, low in fat and rich in fiber as well as many key vitamins (B, C and E) and minerals (potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium). When cooked with rice, the two combine to form a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. Turmeric and ginger reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system. The spices in khichri aid digestion. Ghee contains significant amounts of oil soluble vitamins (A and E) and essential medium-chain fatty acids.
Khichri Recipe Khichri is a free-form dish, allowing for many variations. Although any type of lentil can be used, the most common version (prescribed for the cleanse) uses mung beans. White (basmati or jasmine) rice is traditionally used in khichri since it is the easiest to digest, but brown rice can also be used for greater fiber and mineral content. The same is true for the type of mung bean; whole mung beans provide more nutrients while split (unhusked) are easier to process. Any ratio of rice to mung beans can be used. The spices are also variable depending on one’s taste. The consistency can be as runny or dry as desired. The mung beans, all spices and ghee are available in any Indian grocery store. (I’ve included their Indian names to help identify them). Below is my absolute favorite khichri recipe, perfected over several years. Basic ingredients ½ cup whole or split mung beans (mung daal) ½ cup white or brown basmati or jasmine rice ½ inch grated ginger 1 chopped medium tomato ¼ teaspoon turmeric (haldi)
1 medium fresh chopped chili, or 1 dried chili or 1/8 teaspoon chili powder (mirch) Salt to taste Water to fill 3 inches above all ingredients in pot
22 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
Tempering 2-3 tablespoons clarified butter (ghee) ½ chopped medium onion 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera) 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (rai) ½ teaspoon carmon seeds (ajwain) 1/8 teaspoon asafetida (hing)
Garnish Cilantro leaves Lemon
Combine all base ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium/low and continue to cook until the rice and beans are soft (about 30 minutes). Add or evaporate water to attain the desired consistency. Prepare the tempering by adding the ghee to a pan, then heating on medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Add the spices, allow to cook for 1-2 minutes, then add the onion and fry until golden brown. Add tempering to the base mixture. Stir well. Add garnishes to taste. Variations: I recommend trying different amounts and types of ingredients (especially the spices) to personalize it for an extra comfort feel.
Khichri Cleanse
A khichri cleanse consists of eating khichri for breakfast, lunch and dinner for three consecutive days. Oatmeal can be substituted for breakfast. The “cleanser” can eat as much khichri as he/she desires, without overeating. Snacks between meals consist of fruits or cooked vegetables. The theory behind the cleanse it to give the digestive tract a chance to rest, regulate and heal itself. Khichri is the primary food consumed during the cleanse because it provides the body with essential nutrients while being exceptionally gentle on the digestive system. After the cleanse, stagnation in the cleanser’s digestion and metabolism is alleviated, allowing him/her to resume a normal, healthy diet and lifestyle. The cleanser can choose to incorporate a spiritual element into the cleanse by practicing meditation and yoga to tap into the mind/body connection. Additionally, the cleanser should allow him/herself to relax as much as possible in order to rest the entire body.
Let Me Read You,Then Heal You Ross J. Miller has been giving psychic and past-life readings and healing sessions worldwide for over 25 years. During a reading he communicates telepathically with his numerous angels and spirit guides who read and interpret the client’s aura (the spiritual light surrounding one’s physical body). Ross also communicates with the client’s own angels and spirit guides (most people have several of each). These angels and spirit guides then convey the information that is most needed or desired by the client. All of Ross’s readings are positive and constructive in nature. In addition to answering all of your personal questions pertaining to love, health, relationships, soulmates, business, career, relocation, dream interpretation, parents, children, and pets, he covers topics as diverse as: your life’s purpose, your undiscovered talents, as well as your past incarnations and how they relate to this life. Ross can also help you to identify and communicate with your own guardian angels and spirit guides. After your psychic or past-life reading, Ross can then heal the various issues that come up during the reading.
Cleanse Regimen
Drink one cup of hot water with lemon upon awakening. Allow 30 mins before eating breakfast. (Stretching/ light yoga is recommended in the break.) For breakfast, each khichri or oats cooked in water and fruits. For lunch and dinner, eat khichri until full, avoiding overeating. For snacks, eat fruits or cooked vegetables.
Recommendations
• Plan to do the cleanse over a slower weekend (Friday to Sunday) so as to not exhaust yourself. • Remove all temptations from your kitchen and avoid passing by restaurants, grocery stores, etc. • Prepare lots of khichri the day before, or cook fresh for added benefit. • Buy your favorite fruits and veggies. Cook the veggies beforehand or cook fresh for added benefit. • Incorporate a spiritual aspect to improve results.
My Experience
The recommendations above are from my personal experience on the cleanse. Although I didn’t have any digestive problems, I had been wanting to try a diet plan and thought this one was more reasonable than any other diets, juice cleanses or fasts I had read about because there was no element of extreme deprivation. The hardest part was keeping disciplined when sugar cravings hit on the second day and not getting tempted by food when in public places. After the cleanse I didn’t have an opportunity to feel any noticeable difference to my digestion since it was relatively strong before, but I had an improved sense of self-control and connection with my health. I felt a sense of accomplishment having completed a diet plan. It gave me confidence to explore other cleanses in the future. There are absolutely no risks in eating a complete, nutritious, gentle and natural food for three days — only potential benefits — so I recommend this age-old cleanse to everyone!
Journal of Natural Healing Send your personal natural healing account to editor@spiritofchange.org. Read more stories at spiritofchange.org/journal.
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Ross J. Miller
Psychic, Medium Healer
Ross is well-known for healing people of migraines, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety attacks, anger, grief, abuse trauma, drug and alcohol abuse, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, phobias, ADHD, anorexia, bulimia, PTSD and more.
Ross is available for psychic and past-life readings as well as healing sessions in person or over the phone.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit my website at www.TheMysticWay.com or call (617) 527-3583 1075 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02465
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By Paul Jenkins
So Why Are GMOs Controversial? 1. The safety of GMOs is yet to be ascertained. At this time, there are no long-term studies that demonstrate the safety of consuming genetically modified foods. In other words — and especially considering that current research is dramatically divided between scientists who affirm GMOs are perfectly healthy and scientists who warn us against GMOs — we cannot possibly know whether or not consuming GMOs will have negative effects on our bodies in the long run. 2. GMOs encourage the use of toxic herbicides. One of the first traits conferred to plants through the use of biotechnology was to make them herbicidetolerant (HT). This meant that any amount of herbicide could be used on crops, without damaging the resulting produce. Using large amounts of herbicides did, indeed, become the new practice, and the emergence of superweeds was its consequence. 3. GMOs contain Roundup and glyphosate residues. One of the most commonly used herbicides is Roundup, which contains the controversial, harmful glyphosate, as well as other potentially toxic substances that have created numerous disputes. Because Roundup is used in massive quantities on GMO crops, residues of the toxic substances in its composition remain in the soil, on the crops themselves, and are likely ingested by buyers. 4. GMOs could have less nutritional value. It is being investigated at this point whether genetically modified plants have lower nutritional qualities than their natural counterparts. Some evidence already exists in this regard. For example, it has been shown that an inserted gene can cause a plant to produce higher levels of phytate, a compound common in seeds and grains that binds with minerals and makes them unavailable to the human body. If a plant produces more phytate, then its mineral nutritional value is decreased.
7 REASONS TO AVOID GMOS... ...AND 4 WAYS TO SPOT THEM
G
MOs are genetically modified organisms, including foods, whose genes have been altered using biotechnology. More precisely, this means that to obtain a GMO, scientists transfer one or more genes from one organism to another, giving the latter new traits. The technique is similar to, but rapidly replacing selective breeding, a process that has been used by humans for centuries and that has allowed them to breed only those specimens of a plant or of an animal with desirable qualities. If selective breeding was based on a form of natural selection, GMOs are made possible by recent discoveries in biotechnology. 24 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
5. GMOs might increase antibiotic resistance. When modifying a plant through biotechnology, it is difficult for scientists to estimate whether the plant’s genome has incorporated the desired gene or not. To find out sooner, biotechnologists bind the desired gene to an antibiotic resistance gene, and then grow the plant in a solution containing the corresponding antibiotic. If the plant survives, this means that it has, indeed, incorporated the new gene, alongside the antibiotic resistance gene. In recent years, however, health professionals have become alarmed with the number of bacterial strains that can no longer be treated with antibiotics. GMO foods might participate to this development. 6. Cross-contamination is a serious issue for other farmers. GMO plants cross-pollinate just as usual plants do. Unfortunately, this means that if a farmer who wishes to grow organic produce is anywhere nearby genetically modified crops, his or her crops will pollinate with the neighbouring GMOs and inherit their traits. Once a crop is contaminated with GMO strains, these become nearly impossible to eliminate. 7. GMOs ultimately lead to corporate control over seeds. Like resistance to herbicides, the absence of seeds is another common trait conferred to GMO plants. Since crops no longer produce their own seeds, the only way to obtain new seeds is by consistently buying them from corporations who specialize in their production. Because of cross-contamination with GMOs, many farmers who choose to grow organic foods cannot continue to do so, as their plants also cease to result in seeds.
Product Labels Can Be Deceiving Labelling standards for GMOs remain stricter in Europe than in the United States. For example, many American food producers who sell GMO foods would rather hide this fact from the buying population and are legally allowed to do so because of lax US labelling laws. Product labels can often be deceiving, not only in terms of calories contained, but in terms of the actual content, as well. No producer will specify, for instance, that their foods might be contaminated with Roundup because the herbicide was used in growing the GMO plants involved in its production. While the natural conclusion is that it is safer to simply buy organic, even this can be a challenge because of local product availability as well as proposed loopholes in organic labelling laws to accommodate Big Ag that organic watchdog groups must constantly defend against.
4 Ways To Spot GMOs
When buying groceries, look for their PLU sticker. In a supermarket, each fruit or vegetable should be tagged with a sticker that also features a “price look-up” code or a PLU. If the PLU is only four digits long, this means that the produce may or may not be genetically modified. If the code is five digits long and it begins with a “9,” then the produce is organic and not genetically modified. Codes that feature five digits and that begin with an “8” signal produce that was genetically modified, but producers are not obligated to use this tag, so it’s best not to rely on it. If you want to be safe, choose produce whose PLU code is five digits long and begins with “9.”
Look for corn derivatives. Some produce is more likely to be genetically modified than others. These include corn, soy, zucchini and canola. If you buy processed foods, you should read the label for any corn derivatives that were likely extracted from GMO crops. Some common examples are: malt, maltodextrin, malt extract, dextrin, sorbitol, monosodium glutamate, mono- and diglycerides and starch. If the product contains corn derivatives, check to see that it is also labelled organic or non-GMO.
Look for soy derivatives. Some examples of soy derivatives that are likely to result from GMOs are: tofu, tempeh, margarine, soy protein isolate, protein isolate, lecithin, soy lecithin, soy sauce, textured vegetable protein, soy beverages, as well as some mayonnaise and salad dressings. If the product contains soy derivatives, check to see that it is also labelled organic or non-GMO.
Research the producer. A good strategy to ensure that a product is non-GMO is to look up whether its producer abides to a non-GMO philosophy. With vegetables and fruit, you can find out the name of the producer by scanning the PLU code or by searching the code online. Some producers are even guaranteed for by third party organizations, such as the NonGMO Project. Especially with products that you buy on a regular basis, choosing a reliable producer can save you a significant amount of time. Paul Jenkins is the CEO and founder of sports supplements brand DNA Lean. As a free thinker and truth seeker of how the few are enslaving the whole of humanity through corporate governments, oil companies, Big Pharma and industrial agriculture, Paul seeks to change this trend through nutrition education and healthier products. dna-lean.co.uk
www.spiritofchange.org
AnimAl CommuniCAtor i’d like to invite you to communicate with your pets telepathically. • Increase the strength of your animal-human bonds • Effect positive changes in your companion’s health and behavior
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 25
Distracted Eating
Amidst all the distractions of modern living, one can still savor single notes of succulent taste. by Mark Mathew Braunstein
D Tui Na Asian Bodywork Therapies for Back Pain v Neck Pain v Joint Pain Shu Ching (Kathy) Chang & Re-Hao Ni
Tel: 617-682-9328, 760-808-6886
Wu Healing Center, 76 Nason St., Maynard, MA
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26 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
istracted driving endangers everyone on the road, especially when others’ distracted driving in turn distracts us. The sight of motorists texting while driving is frightening enough, and more so when viewed through our rearview mirrors. No less threatening is the distracted driver sipping from his Styrofoam cup of coffee. If he suddenly needed to grab hold of his steering wheel with both hands, he is not likely to relinquish grip on his steaming hot coffee and so more likely to rear end us. Yet traffic cops never ticket coffee drinkers for distracted driving. What about morning commuters noshing on donuts or bagels? Neither do the food police hand out tickets for distracted eating.
Radio Silence Distractions to eating often begin right where we shop for food. Once past the entrance, shoppers typically step into the produce department. The dazzling array of shapes and colors of the fruits and vegetables presents a captivating visual feast that itself can whet our appetites. But in some supermarkets an electronic voice blares over the sound system
“Attention, shoppers!” to hawk a product or publicize a sale, which both distracts and detracts from the colorful display of lemon yellow lemons, green greens, and orange oranges. Pity those shoppers who themselves do the shouting – into their cellphones. Dividing their attentions, they deprive themselves of the sheer joy of shopping for produce, which allows us to indulge our tactile and visual senses without actually buying or eating the produce. Once home with the groceries, soft background music played during a meal can be easily ignored but, if ignored, why even bother playing it? What a waste of music. Spoken word from a radio tells another story. Like the hawker in the supermarket, it cries out for attention, and especially when from a newscast whose news is mostly bad news. Similarly, when we talk at the dinner table we distract ourselves from the meal. Those who choose mindful eating over mindless banter do pay more attention to their meal. Monks of many disciplines eat in silence, but such monks usually commune with each other during the rest of the day outside of the dining rectory. The rest of us mere mortals who actually listen closely to what others say can find talking at the dinner table an even more enriching experience than eating. Thus it is
distracting, indeed insulting, to your dinner companions if you place your cellphone on the table because that means that you can’t wait to interrupt their conversation. Sharing food with family members is a sacrament. Sharing a meal with friends is a pleasure and a joy. But paying attention both to them and to the meal is a lot to pile onto one plate. So don’t expect to pay much attention to the food because, rightfully so, the people with whom you dine should command all your attention. Similar distraction occurs when meat is included alongside the veggies, grains, nuts, seeds, or beans. The meat takes center stage because it still possesses some of the characteristics of an animal. Like the proverbial elephant in the room, a cow, a sheep, a pig, or a chicken, if alive and seated at your table surely would distract you from your meal. Thus some vegetarians get more distracted by an animal in dead mode placed atop their dinner companion’s plate than by a cellphone in sleep mode placed next to that plate.
TV or Not TV When dining alone, the solitary person instead of talking may resort to reading, even if only of the backs of breakfast cereal boxes. Reading while eating at least is conducted in relative silence. Even if you can never really hear yourself think, in a quiet place you can hear yourself chew. Libraries traditionally have been safe havens from both noise and food, but in a recent trend some college libraries not only allow food into the book stacks, but even encourage its consumption by opening cafés right inside their libraries. This promotes both distracted eating and distracted reading, and the distracted reading gets multiplied when the next patron opens a book to find its pages encrusted with the food left behind by the previous patron. Reading books is one thing, watching TV is quite another. Some families decorate their homes with television sets in every room, including the dining room. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst found that couch potatoes who ate while watching TV ate one-third more pizza and two-thirds more mac & cheese than while eating at the dinner table with the TV off. Another study of the eating habits of families with children weighed the people rather than their food. It found that those who ate in front of TVs were fatter than those who dined unplugged, surely a consequence both of too much eating and too much sitting. Researchers have not yet addressed the relation, if any, between binge watching and binge eating. Nor the correlation between the canned laughter beamed on TV airwaves and the canned food and TV dinners zapped in microwaves.
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Salad Undressing In nature, animals rarely eat more than one type of food at a time. When a hawk devours a squirrel or a rabbit, meat is not just the main course, but the only course. When a squirrel gnaws on acorns or beechnuts, nuts are its appetizer, entrée, and dessert. In nature, where all foods are natural foods, only those few edible plants that grow together get combined in the same meal. For most animals, mono meals are the rule. For humans, however, recipe-free mono foods are wrongly associated with monasticism and asceticism. Yet what recipe for guacamole can compare to the luscious simplicity of a perfectly ripe California Haas avocado? After imbibing in fried rice, rice pilaf, rice pudding, rice noodles, Rice Krispies, rice cakes, Rice-A-Roni, rice curry, Rice Chex, puffed rice, rice and beans, arroz con pollo, risotto, paella, dolma, sushi, maki, amazake, and saké, we are sure to find joy in the simple pleasure of a bowl of unadorned brown rice. Variety is known to promote overeating. In a psychology study at the University of Oxford, test subjects ate much more when served three distinct flavors of yogurt (hazelnut, currant, and orange) than when served either three similar flavors (strawberry, raspberry, cherry) or just one, even if that one flavor was their favorite. A wide variety of flavors stimulates the appetite, while a simple or mono meal quiets desires and provides satiety sooner. Same for complicated food combinations with a dozen ingredients. The choice is between savoring a dozen flavors all separately or just one flavor in a single recipe. Yet, most people deprive themselves by choosing the recipe. The next time you eat a meticulously built sandwich, take a bite out of it as served, but then drill down and eat it layer by layer. First the top bun or slice of bread; then the mayo or mustard; then the pickle or sprouts; then the mushrooms or onions; then the lettuce; then the cow cheese or nut cheeze; then the burger or veggie burger. That’s a total of seven singular taste sensations rather than just one. What’s more, the first bite of any dish leaves the most indelible impression. The mouthfuls of the same dish that follow are relegated to becoming but aftertastes. No point in settling for enjoying just one first bite, when you can indulge in seven. Same for salads. Try eating lettuce one leaf at a time. You may be surprised to learn that
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Continued on page 28
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 27
DISTRACTED EATING Continued from page 27
the outer leaf is sweet and tender, while the inner spine is tough and bitter. Then cozy up to an entire cucumber, peeled and sliced if you insist. Then consume a tomato, out of hand like an apple. Then sample a single radish, if you dare. Then a stalk or two of celery, deveined if you must. And finally, to clean your teeth, finish with a carrot stick if not an entire carrot. Eaten singly and whole, each veggie offers its own rewards. A fresh garden salad eaten veg by veg rejects the practice of adding salad dressing, which only distracts from the salad. Instead of smothering a salad with salad dressing, try preparing a salad undressing. Workshop:
Sacred Earth/Sacred Self and the Awakening Rosanne Romiglio Sunday, November 12, 11:30am, Salon C
Booth# 803 Natural Living Expo
Book release: Fall 2017
4winds1breath.com
Chew on This One thing and maybe the only thing about which all nutritionists agree is that we all need to thoroughly chew our food. “Chew your liquids and drink your solids,” sings the muse. Some nutritionists advocate counting at least ten chews per mouthful, others say twenty. But that is more about counting rather than about eating. Counting doesn’t count if instead you close your eyes while eating, which naturally slows down your chewing and your swallowing. (But don’t close your eyes until the food is actually in your mouth, because first looking at each forkful or spoonful enables you to fully appreciate each mouthful.) When you chew with your eyes closed, food will taste better, too. What has changed? Not your food, not your taste buds, but only your undivided attention to the food. The philosophy of Schopenhauer posits the notion that, because we perceive the world through our senses, our senses shape the world that we perceive. The sense of taste is rallied by the combined forces of the tongue’s taste buds and the nose’s olfactory nerves. (Actually, also the eye’s optic nerve, because so often we eat with our eyes.) When you have a cold or if you hold your nose, you greatly diminish your sense of taste. Only a fool would intentionally hold his nose while eating, yet we essentially are thumbing our noses at our food when we pay scant attention to what we eat.
Rehab and Recovery Among a host of dietary excesses, salt and sugar top the list. While most Americans add salt or sugar (or salt and sugar) to most foods, no one needs either. Both are highly refined white substances that detract from the real taste of real food and that can lead to substance abuse. We need to eat some carbs but not sugar, and some sodium but not salt. More than enough of the mineral nutrient sodium is provided just from vegetables. In fact, people on very highly restrictive low-sodium diets are advised to avoid carrots, celery, spinach, chard, and certain sea vegetables. Salt, which inched into the human diet as a preservative primarily for meat, has been rendered obsolete by modern refrigeration. Yet the salt habit persists, and has subsequently raised blood pressures and dulled taste buds. Like an addiction, salt dependency is not easily kicked by going cold turkey but is more effectively weaned slowly and incrementally. For children raised in families that shook off the salt shaker, food prepared with any salt tastes too salty. Once you kick the salt habit, you will understand that salt distracts from the inherent, if subtle, flavors of all the foods that you’ve been slathering with salt. If your only 28 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
tool is a salt shaker, then the whole world tastes like salt. In a similar fashion, piping hot or icy cold foods numb the taste buds. If you are curious to know how your favorite ice cream really tastes, just let it melt. If you allow food from the oven or the freezer to adjust to room temperature, you may be amazed to find that many familiar foods taste much more appetizing. Or disappointing! For instance, coffee and most teas, whether herbal or caffeinated, lose their appeal when tepid. Whereas hot, cold, and salt all dull the taste buds, sugar overstimulates them. Both salt and sugar are pleasure traps. Douglas Lisle explains this principle in his book, The Pleasure Trap. Junk food junkies can skip the book and watch his 17-minute TEDx lecture for the instant gratification of a video quick fix.
One Date at a Time Once upon a time, a young king commanded his entourage of several wise men and wise women to write a single book on the science and fine art of food and nutrition. The wise ones retreated to the desert where they studied and labored to write that book. After much contemplation, they came to understand that good health is attained not just by nourishing the body but also by nurturing the soul, so they included in their treatise a chapter celebrating the benefits of strenuous exercise, moderate sunlight, fresh air, pure water, deep sleep, tranquil rest, periodic fasting, with a dash of yoga or meditation or prayer or chanting, and, lest we forget, reading and learning. After ten years, they completed their writing and elected to send one lone wise woman among them to deliver their tome to the king. But during her solitary return journey, the wise woman realized that animals do not need to read to know what to eat, so if we’re so smart then why do humans? She decided to dispense with reading about eating, which puts us at risk of reading while eating. She deduced that we should eat simply, and when we eat we should do little else but eat. So rather than deliver the book to the king and thereby distract him with something to read, she shelved the book and arrived empty-handed. The king greeted her return warmly and, expecting her to bestow upon him a book, he reached out his hand. Instead she placed into it a single date she had brought from the desert, a royal medjool date, fit for a king. The king cradled the date in his palm. Then, in slow succession, he inspected it, raised it to his mouth, and ate the date, chewing thoroughly, first consuming the skin, which was slightly bitter, then the flesh, which was exceedingly sweet. After licking bare the pit like a child sucking on hard candy, he saved it for later to plant and grow into a tree. For his first time, he understood the delicacy of a single date, and he recognized the potency of its single seed. At the same time, he was struck with an epiphany. He needed no book to teach him how or what to eat, but needed only to eat slowly and deliberately and without distraction, savoring one date at a time, one day at a time. Mark Mathew Braunstein is the author of three books on food and nutrition, and contributes articles to many holistic health magazines, including three times previously to Spirit of Change. MarkBraunstein.org.
HEALING • GUIDANCE • INSIGHT
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 29
UsUi-TibeTan enhanced, KarUna & shamballa reiKi
Priscilla Gale, reiki Master/teacher 978-897-8846
sacredsongreiki@yahoo.com
In your Clairvoyant Reading I look at your soul’s wisdom, learnings and your current life path.
Three Things You Can Do Right Now to Feel Less Anxious A holistic psychiatrist’s quick tips that take only a few minutes each day By Maureen Magauran, MD
A
ccording to the American Psychological Association seventy-five percent of adults reported experiencing moderate to high levels of stress in the past month and nearly half reported that their stress has increased in the past year. As this stress builds up so does our anxiety. What can we do about it? How can we feel more healthy and relaxed? Here are some quick tips you can do anywhere. Incorporating them for even minutes in your daily routine will make a big difference.
have powerful effects. It is important to use a phrase that has meaning, that you can at least begin to believe for yourself. Post it on a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or places you will easily see it to remind yourself of how you can switch into a calmer mindset.
1. Connect With Your Body
3. Prioritize Your Time
So often when we are feeling anxious we are disconnected from our body and the grounding it brings, without even realizing it. Our bodies naturally ground us to the earth and to ourselves, while getting lost in thoughts and worries seems to lift us up out of our bodies, away from the parts of ourselves that feel more solid. Start with noticing your breath. Consciously take in a few deep breaths, filling up your belly and filling up your lungs, then holding it there for a few seconds before breathing out. Try putting a hand on your belly to feel it move up and down with the breath. Notice how you begin to feel more grounded as you connect to your breath. Find regular ways to not only connect with your breath, but to feel your body and have a body awareness. Start with playing your favorite dance song and letting yourself sway your hips and move the way your body wants to move. Try to get your heart rate up as the blood pumping brings another level of grounding in your body and calm. Go outside and be in nature. Feel the grounding of the earth on your feet and the beauty of the flowers and the trees. Make it a priority to do these things even for a few minutes each day or as often as you can. Let yourself enjoy it, too, as that allows the endorphins and good feelings to flow.
Ask yourself the difficult question of what would you do if you knew you only had a month to live. How would you live your life? What is most important to you? If that question feels too hard, ask yourself if there was only one thing that could happen today, what would it be? Consider if you only had one hour what would you do? What would bring you the most pleasure or rejuvenation today, and then make that a priority. We get so bogged down in the small details of life that it is easy to get carried away on tasks and things that have no meaning for us or are not productive.
“The body always leads us home . . . if we can simply learn to trust sensation and stay with it long enough for it to reveal appropriate action, movement, insight, or feeling.” — Pat Ogden
2. Become Aware Of Your Thoughts Notice when they start to take off in the direction of anxiety and worry. Do you wake up feeling anxious or have anxious thoughts? Create a grounding thought or mantra for yourself to counteract the negative train of thoughts. It can be something as easy as “I am grounded.” or “I love myself.” While these thoughts may seem simple, they can 30 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” — Buddha
“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” — Stephen Covey Sometimes life throws us stressful situations as a way to awaken to life. A friend was recently hit by a car and was forced to slow everything down, to re-prioritize her life. Hopefully you will not have to go to that extreme, but it is important to recognize that your worry or sadness may be letting you know that the way you are living your life needs an adjustment. Do you need to slow down? Do you need more time for yourself or your health? What is important for you? Ask yourself these questions and listen as you would to a close friend or child. You are important and what you find out from these questions can lead to living a calmer and richer, more connected life. Maureen Magauran, M.D., is a board certified physician specializing in holistic psychiatry and meditation, who is highly sought after for her unique, holistic approach to treating anxiety and depression. Through her one-onone work she helps moms of young children overcome stress and anxiety to feel more joy. (978) 464-6494. maureenmagauran.com
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 31
The Brain in Your Belly Tough decision? Go with your gut.
H
By Lynn Robinson
ave you ever had a knot in your stomach? It’s a commonly accepted indicator that something is amiss. You’re stressed about a decision. It’s a warning of sorts. Perhaps you’re about to hire the wrong person or take your team into perilous territory. The tension in your belly is part of your intuitive physical system communicating, “Danger ahead. Redirection is needed!” Many scientists believe we have two brains: the one between our ears, and the lesser known, but equally important one in our gut. They communicate with each other. When your head gets upset, your stomach takes notice and vise versa. The next time you’re faced with a decision, large or small, check in with your gut. Does an option you’re considering
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feel off, or right, in your belly? Is your stomach tied in knots at the thought of making an offer to the person you just interviewed or does it feel relaxed and at ease? Here are some questions to ask: • Is there an alternative that feels better? • Is this the right time to make this decision? Does waiting a few hours, (days, weeks or months) feel better? • Do I need more information before making this decision? • Does the whole thing feel wrong? Or just part of it? • What would make this decision feel right? Is there a question or issue that keeps coming to mind that you’ve been dismissing? Pay attention to it. Bring it to your conscious awareness and check in with your gut. It may provide some valuable information about the correct course of action. Intuition is a skill that, when practiced, can be honed to perfection. Imagine having a reliable gut check meter you can use each time you need to make a decision!
It’s More Than Your Gut The term “gut feeling” is often used generically for a whole host of other body sensations. Physical sensations are a huge part of our intuitive guidance system. When I asked people to describe their gut feeling in more detail, I received a surprising variety of answers. • A vibration through my whole body • Goosebumps on my arms • A mild electric zing • My left knee hurts • Chills up and down my spine • My stomach knots up • I get cold feet • Indigestion • A buzzing around my head • A warm surge of energy though my body • Generalized tension in my body that wasn’t there previously There were many more answers, but suffice to say, the body’s owner was aware when they were receiving an intuitive communication. One entrepreneur I spoke with said she was contemplating taking on a new piece of business. However, whenever she picked up the phone to dial the prospective client to say “yes,” she felt like “someone pulled the plug on my energy.” She ended up turning the client down. Later she overheard someone at a networking event talking about this client and describing how incredibly difficult they were to work with. “It was like my mind was telling me to go ahead. But my body was smarter.”
Pay Attention to the Physical Cues So, how do you learn to interpret these physical messages? First, simply be aware of what’s going on with your own body. Think back to a successful decision you’ve made over the past few days. How did it feel in your body? Where did you feel it? How would you describe the sensation? Repeat this same set of questions with an unsuccessful decision. Example #1: You’ve got a sales call to make. You’ve been dreading this call all morning. At around 11:30 you feel an odd surge of energy in your body and decide to pick up the phone and make the call. It turns out you reached the client at just the right time and she was happy to hear from you. Example #2: You wake up on Tuesday morning. The thought, “I should get into the office early today” pops into your mind. You override this idea by telling yourself you’ll work late instead. You notice your stomach hurts. As you pull out onto the highway you hear the traffic reporter for your radio station announce major delays on your route to work. If you had left thirty minutes prior you would have avoided it all. Begin to check in with your body when making small decisions. • Who should I call to get background on this issue? • Is this a good time to make that phone call? • Is it important for me to be at that meeting? • Which restaurant should I choose? • Should I work with Joe or Mary on this project? • Which book would be most helpful in getting up to speed on this topic?
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THE BRAIN IN YOUR BELLY
Three Tips to Boost Your Intuition By Lisa K.
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Continued from page 33
It might be a good idea to keep a journal of your decisions. What was the decision? How did it feel in your body? Was it a good, bad or neutral decision? When you become comfortable with the way you receive insight on small decisions, you’ll be surprised at the speed with which you’ll be able to get accurate intuitive information on larger decisions.
More Ideas for Following your Gut
veryone can be highly intuitive. There is no exception to this because intuition is a part of your biology. If you want to improve your intuition skills you will need to exercise your intuition. Intuition exercises are the quickest way to build your mastery. The key to success is knowing the right way to exercise. Here are three characteristics of a good intuition exercise.
uWHAT’S GOT YOUR ATTENTION? If something keeps nudging you and you can’t get it out of your mind, take some steps towards the idea. You don’t have to know the whole path or the destination. Trust that your intuition is guiding you via the next step to take.
A good intuition exercise has a trigger that your intuition can respond to. The simplest trigger is to ask your intuition a question. Asking your intuition a question is a good trigger since it will always respond with an anvswer. The intuitive thought is short, specific and distinct, and provides a definitive next action step to take. Non-intuitive thoughts are random, vague and changing all the time.
uSHAKE THINGS UP. When you’re feeling insecure and uncertain, you usually want to stay in your comfort zone. Who wants more uncertainty?! Resoundingly, successful gut trusters said they had to move beyond safe, routine and secure activities. What does that look like? Email someone you’ve admired and ask for their advice. Take a class in a field related to your interest. Introduce yourself to a stranger at a meeting or party. When you begin to do this, you’ll put yourself in the milieu where connections and opportunities can occur. You’ll be surprised at the number of helpful folks out there in the world.
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A good intuition exercise has results you can validate. Pick a question where you can validate the answer and repeat the results. The kind of question you ask is the key to your success here. An example of a poor intuition exercise question is, “What do I need in my life right now?” or “What is that stranger over there thinking?” You can’t easily or definitively validate the answer to these questions. Try asking your intuition to tell you what your husband bought for lunch today. You can validate the answer later by asking him. Another good intuition exercise is to use your intuition to get information about a news headline. For example, “Three Teenagers Cause School Cafeteria to Close. News at 11.” You can ask your intuition about that news story before you see it, such as the gender of the three teens, what happened, where the school was located, and so on. Then you can watch the story at 11 to validate.
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A good intuition exercise is simple and neutral. When you exercise your intuition use questions that are simple and not laden with heavy emotional meaning. Questions such as, “Should I move to another city?” or “Should I find another job?” are not good intuition exercise questions because they are complex issues and you can’t validate your answers. Instead, when you are out walking or driving, exercise your intuition by asking your intuition to predict where the person in front of you will go. Right, left, straight ahead? Use your intuition to “see” where they are no longer in front of you. Or the next time you want to know the time, before looking at a device, use your intuition to pick up on what the time is, then check your results. Give yourself a chance to build your skill. Develop your own favorite intuition exercise and then keep practicing it! Lisa K., PhD, is a teacher, author and intuition expert, who has taught hundreds of people intuition development in workshops and seminars. Her latest book is Intuition On Demand. Visit LMK88.com. Lisa is presenting “10 Key Secrets to Intuition” at 3pm on Sunday, November 12 at the Natural Living Expo. See page 3.
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uIT’S NORMAL TO FEEL UNCERTAIN. Very few people feel 100% confident that they have the right stuff to reach their goal. If they’re honest, most will tell you that they feel scared, fearful and lacking confidence a good part of the time. Figure out a strategy or philosphy that keeps you going when your conviction wavers. Possibilities include talking to a mentor or a coach. It could also come through inspirational reading and through a spiritual faith.
The next time you’re faced with a decision, large or small, check in with your body for information that may lie just below your conscious awareness. uIGNORE THE RULES. There will be a lot of naysayers when you learn to trust your gut. “You can’t do that.” “It’s not done that way.” “To succeeed in business, you need to ___.” The successful business people of tomorrow will be the ones who did things differently today. They trusted their instincts and created new rules, the ones that work for them. If you fail, consider it a detour. Learn from your mistakes, pick yourself back up and move forward again. If you aren’t experiencing setbacks at least some of the time, you’re not truly trying new things. u MAKE A LIST OF YOUR CHOICES. Get out a pad of paper. Think about your goal or intention. In can be an intangible one such as wanting more fun or happiness. It could be a tangible goal such as a job with a specific title, salary or industry. Now write down a dozen or more possible courses of action you could take to meet this goal. After you’ve finished your list, step back and take a look. Which one leaps out at you and makes you want to begin right now. That’s your intuitive answer. Now go do it! Reprinted with permission of the publisher from Put Your Intuition to Work © 2016 Lynn A. Robinson. Published Career Press, Wayne, NJ. All rights reserved. Lynn A. Robinson, M.Ed., is a leading expert on the topic of intuition. Voted “Best Psychic” by Boston Magazine, she’s also a bestselling author of Divine Intuition: Your Inner Guide to Purpose, Peace and Prosperity, and her latest book, Put Your Intuition to Work. To learn more about her books and intuitive readings visit LynnRobinson.com.
Meet Lisa K. at the Natural Living Expo
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Practical High Sense Perception
H
The seven levels of the auric field
By Barbara Brennan igh Sense Perception (HSP) is perception that extends beyond the range of what is considered to be normal perception. Normal perception works through the physical body’s perceptual organs and nervous system. High Sense Perception works through the human energy field’s perceptual organs that are part of the chakras. When I was beginning to observe the human energy field and the human energy-consciousness system, being a physicist by training, I also observed how I was observing them with High Sense Perception and how High Sense Perception functions through the human energy field. With High Sense Perception, we have more senses than the normal five senses we are used to. Each chakra of the human energy field has a particular High Sense Perception sense. While chakras take in bioplasma for energy to charge our four dimensions from the surrounding natural fields of bioplasma, they also take in the information the bioplasma contains. Bioplasma is full of information. Most people in the modern world are not aware of the existence of natural bioplasma fields all around us, yet they do unconsciously respond or react to them as the bioplasma moves through them. One can also refer to the bioplasma as energy consciousness. The energy consciousness that we sense, and of which our four dimensions are composed,
is not just bioenergy and information; it is a signature of who we are. Actually, it is more than a signature: it is us. While perhaps you do not yet experience it as you, you can learn to experience your bioplasma as consciousness with energy, or, in short, energy consciousness. The energy consciousness that is taken in by the chakras of the human energy field carries an enormous amount of information. Unfortunately at this time, most human beings are not consciously aware of the information coming to them through the chakras, yet most human beings do unconsciously react to it in some way.
Chakras Are the Sensing Organs for Specific Types of High Sense Perception The chakras are sensing organs. The chakras sense the information in the bioplasma as it moves into them. We respond or react to this incoming energy consciousness, whether or not we are consciously aware of our response or reaction to it. Re-creating your life requires becoming aware of your responses or reactions to this life process that is constantly moving through you. Illustration by Aurelien Pumayana Floret and Bona Yu
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The following is a list of how each chakra receives information through a particular High Sense Perception sense: The first chakra senses touch, body movement (the kinesthetic), and body position and stance (the proprioceptive sense). The second chakra senses emotional feelings. The third chakra gives us a vague sense of knowing (intuition). The fourth senses love and loving kindness. The fifth chakra senses hearing and taste. The sixth chakra gives us the ability to see the human energy field, the hara, and the Core Star, as well as the spiritual worlds within which they exist. The seventh chakra gives us the ability to know the high spiritual worlds and can be used at the same time as all the other chakra senses to integrate the physical and spiritual worlds, thus propelling us to another realm.
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When first witnessing or trying to use High Sense Perception, most people make the assumption that it is like physical perception. To some extent this is true, but most of it is not; some of the senses are the same, others are not. High Sense Perception requires that you run energy consciousness through your brain differently than you are accustomed. All of us have been programmed by our upbringing, culture and schooling to run energy through our brains in a certain way. Anyone who went to school will have received teaching that molded the way they use their brain. This molding includes how the energy consciousness flows within the brain as well as the frequency ranges in which the brain is run. In the United States, Europe and many other countries of the world, emphasis has been placed on learning through memorization and deductive reasoning. This charges the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain and increases the frequencies to beta waves. Eastern countries such as India and Tibet have, in the past, focused on a tradition of contemplative learning meditation, which creates a very different frequency range and flow of energy consciousness through the brain. This results in the center of the brain being charged more and at very low frequency ranges — alpha, theta, and even sometimes delta waves. One’s experience of reality makes a huge shift as one moves from the beta wave reality into the slower alpha and theta waves of meditation. Both methods of gathering knowledge are perfectly legitimate and useful. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one of the most ancient texts on Earth. It delineates five states of mind: 1. Restless, wandering, can’t focus 2. Stupefied, dull 3. Distracted 4. Pointed, a constant flow of awareness toward one thing for any length of time, which can penetrate to the essence of anything 5. Still, complete clarity, completely focused, can connect with the real self, intuitive wisdom arises
KN
Changing the Way You Use Your Mind to Process Information
It is easy to recognize the first three states of mind that Patanjali points out. The fourth is a state that can be reached fairly easily in meditation by focusing on an object or mantra and continuing to return your focus to that object or mantra each time it wanders. The fourth state of mind is also used by natives who live in the jungle of the upper Amazon. They use it in group meditation led by a shaman. With the fourth state of mind, they observe the life habits of animals to make it easier to catch them. The fourth state of mind is focused on in meditation as practice to eventually move into the fifth state, which takes years of practice. If you want to know how close you are to the fifth state, just think of a number such as one or ten without thinking another thought for 10 seconds!
Dancing Between the Active and Receptive States of Mind for High Sense Perception High Sense Perception can be seen as a dance between the active and receptive states of mind. More specifically, High Sense Perception uses Patanjali’s fourth state of mind in a dance with the rational mind in the receptive state as well as the active states. To do High Sense Perception successfully, you must learn to move rapidly between the witness state of mind and the active state of mind of focused intent, traveling through the body on purpose
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PRACTICAL HIGH SENSE PERCEPTION Continued from page 37
by following your curiosity and actively going for what you want clarified. The more you practice the better you will get. Ultimately the big question is, are you projecting or perceiving? This knowledge will come with feedback. The more your High Sense Perception is verified, the clearer you will become about how it feels, how you see (what it looks like when you see with High Sense Perception), and how you hear (how it sounds when you hear with High Sense Perception).
EXERCISE: Learn How to Make the Kinesthetic Connection for High Sense Perception 1. Sit down and close your eyes. Be sure not to look at the ceiling before you do this. Keep your eyes closed until you get to the part of the exercise when it is time to open them. 2. Reach up with your arm and feel something on the ceiling with your hand. Keep trying until you can feel something. 3. After doing this for a while, just note (don’t look) what you are doing with your hand. How are you using it? Are you using your fingers and/or your palm? Is your palm facing up or down? 4. Are you feeling the ceiling up on the ceiling or down in your hand? Keep checking this out until you can tell. 5. If you are feeling the ceiling down in your hand, purposefully try to feel the ceiling up on the ceiling rather than pulling the information down into your hand. Keep it up on the ceiling. You can do it this way. 6. Make your perceptions simple in the beginning. Here are questions to ask yourself: a. Is it rougher or smoother than the area around it? b. Is it warmer or colder than the area around it? c. Does it protrude down from the ceiling or is it recessed up into the ceiling? d. Is it metallic or organic? e. Do you like to feel it? f. Is it associated with air, water, heat, electricity, or light? g. Guess what it is. h. Point at it with your finger; look at what you are pointing at to verify your perceptions. i. How many questions did you answer correctly? 7. Now repeat the same process in the following way: a. Reach up and feel the ceiling. b. Once you are connected with the ceiling, slowly move your arm down, placing both hands palm down on your lap, while maintaining your connection with the ceiling. c. Now repeat the ceiling exploration steps you did the first time, while keeping both hands in your lap. d. Then, after answering all the questions about what you found, and still keeping eyes closed, once again point at what you have found and open your eyes to verify what you perceived. e. Practice this until you succeed. 8. Now repeat the same process without ever lifting either hand off your lap. 9. Next do the same thing long-distance. a. First get permission from a friend with whom you would like to do this. b. Make the kinesthetic connection to a friend and observe them remotely. c. Ask yourself simple direct questions about them. d. Note the time of your observations. e. When you get a chance, call them to verify your perceptions. Reprinted with permission of the publisher from Core Light Healing @ 2017 Barbara Ann Brennan. Published by Hay House. All rights reserved. Barbara Brennan, founder of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, is widely regarded as the most influential pioneer in the field of energy medicine. Her theories of the human energy field are still widely quoted and have been adapted and woven into the overall narrative of energy healing today. Barbara is the author of Hands of Light and Light Emerging, both classic texts in the field of energy medicine. barbarabrennan.com. 38 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
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Preserving Our Herbal Traditions, Defending Our Health Freedom Rights and Saving Our Plants An interview with herbalist Rosemary Gladstar by Spirit of Change publisher Carol Bedrosian
resh off a rejuvenating weekend at the International Herb Symposium in June, I was fortunate a few days later to interview Symposium founder and grandmother herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. This year marked the 13th such gathering, which is held every other year at Wheaton College, in Norton, MA, and features herbal traditions, teachers, healers and plant lovers from all around the U.S. and abroad. Rosemary defines an herbalist simply as anyone who works with plants. That must be why the gathering draws such a rich and enthusiastic crowd — everyone has at least some affinity for the green stuff all around us that provides food, shade, medicine, beauty and, of course, oxygen for us to breathe. Notably, many of the two hundred workshops, weed walks, healing and art activities over the weekend featured themes of at-risk plant conservation and sustainable harvesting, but first and foremost, awareness and appreciation of the plant kingdom we live within. Rosemary says the first thing she does when she lands in any new location is to look around for friends growing from the ground to help orient herself. A plant lover, herbal healer and visionary teacher embracing all of the planet through its greenery, Rosemary’s learning and love of plants sprouted early in childhood from her Armenian grandmother, Mary Egithanoff, whom she spent countless hours with in the garden and kitchen. She still uses most frequently those perennial favorites of her grandmother’s — chickweed, dandelion, purslane — abundantly available, sustainable, and useful in so many ways. From her profound plant intelligence and sensitivity, it’s plain to see that Rosemary listens to and speaks the language of plants. Her herbal enthusiasm and green reverence is simply contagious. A dedicated translator and bountiful provider, Rosemary has opened the magical door of herbal wisdom to thousands through decades of teaching, planting, event leadership and writing. She is the founder/director of Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center in Vermont, founding president of the medicinal plant conservation organization United Plant Savers, and former director of the Internation40 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar and mother, Jasmine Karr, at the International Herb Symposium.
al Herb Symposium and The New England Women’s Herbal Conference (now in its 30th year). She is also the co-founder of Traditional Medicinal Tea Company, for which she did all the original formulations, and the founder of the California School of Herbal Studies, the oldest running herb school in the country. Rosemary is the author of eleven books, including the classic text The Science and Art of Herbalism, an extensive study course that can be used at home or with an apprentice group, and her most recent book, Herbal Healing for Men, Remedies & Recipes (reviewed this issue). By “signing her name in service to the plants,” Rosemary’s passion for preserving plants and herbal traditions has not ended at the garden’s edge. Recent efforts to secure health freedom rights not only for
practicing herbalists, but for all American citizens, as well as protect herbal legacy products against trademark restrictions have required her time and courageous leadership. With the same thoughtful and patient attitude one takes in planting a seed and expecting a sprout, this grandmother of American herbalism has turned her efforts to securing legal protection for the tradition of herbalism. I have no doubt she would rather be out in her garden weeding, but grandmothers hear like no one else does: “We need you.” Meet Rosemary Gladstar at the Natural Living Expo, Sept 11, 2017 in Marlboro, MA at 12:30pm for her keynote and author booksigning — “Herbal Medicine for Everyone: Using Herbs for Health, Healing and Radiant Well-Being.” See page 3.
Carol Bedrosian: How did the International Herb Symposium get its start? Rosemary Gladstar: We had been doing conferences and events since the mid 1970s. I think they had a very powerful influence on the growth of American herbalism. Through those conferences, when these young herbalists came together — and we were all around the same age, all learning together —we had special elders that we were sharing since there weren’t a lot of people teaching at the time. We’d all go see Norma Meyers and Dr. Christopher and various elder people; we sort of grew up together. In sharing that kind of community and learning together, it created an open heartedness that we see today manifested in the herbal communities across the country. There’s a friendship and a camaraderie, and in many ways a kind of humbleness with everybody, because when you all start together and none of you are experts, it changes the whole way that things evolve. So while that had been going on really well for twenty-something years, I was thinking it would be wonderful to expand that same sense of sharing and learning together with our global herbal community and try to bring other ways of being and other people into the circle. It really had that conscious intent. Let’s spread this community that we have created here that’s so vibrant and so eclectic and bring in people from other countries to share their teachings and their wisdom to grow this community in a more global way. And it really has worked. The International Herb Sympoisum bring plant lovers and herbalists together from around the world to share knowledge and information. Carol Bedrosian: What was happening with herbalism in America before your early conferences? Rosemary Gladstar: The very first herb conferences, as far as we can tell, were these eclectic professional meetings in the 1800s and early 1900s. When herbalism became illegal to practice and went deeply underground, you didn’t see gatherings or classes, so there really wasn’t a lot happening as far as educational resources in communities. Carol Bedrosian: When was herbalism illegal? Rosemary Gladstar: In the late 1800s when the AMA [American Medical Association] was formed, they basically outlawed any other form of healing that wasn’t sanctioned and approved by the US government. At that time, that meant just allopathic medicine, so even things like herbalism, homeopathy and acupuncture became illegal. It still is illegal to practice herbal medicine because it’s not a government-sanctioned
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healing profession. There’s always that discussion that it should be legalized and while I absolutely agree it should be available, I’m not sure the “legal” route will give people the access they hope for. Americans, as free citizens, should have the choice to choose whatever systems of healing that we want to choose. But the way it’s written in the law, in fact, that’s not true. You get to choose what the government says is okay. Even within the licensed professions, like being a medical doctor, you only get to do what the government says is okay. Many of the alternative forms of cancer treatment that have excellent outcomes and reputations, that have been vigorously studied and have as much validation as government-approved treatments, they’re not allowed. Some of the doctors who practice those have been arrested or have even left the country. So we are trying to change that, but not necessarily by going through government standards. What we see happen when the government makes the standards for us is that so much red tape is created that it actually becomes more difficult to treat. That’s clearly demonstrated in our modern system of healing, which is completely tied up by red tape and the dictates of insurance companies. So the glimmers of the great healing system that it could be are tied up by the very government restrictions that make it legal to practice. We don’t want to see that with American herbalism. I feel the way to go is through health freedom rights. There’s a wonderful organization called the National Health Freedom Coalition that’s been working since the late 1990s to bring health freedom to the American public so that you and I as citizens of a free country have the right to choose the kind of healing we want. How health freedom rights will benefit herbalists is it will allow us to practice our profession without fear of prosecution, so long as we practice within the realms of our herbal profession. Sometimes people ask, “What happens if you have no standards of practice?” There definitely are standards of practice, but they come from within the community, not something that the government establishes for us. Called Safe Harbor Exemption Laws, these health freedom bills have the ethics written into them and require a certain amount of professionalism to be able to practice, but that comes from within the community and the professionals themselves. Another very important part of health freedom is assuming that you and I are intelligent
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ROSEMARY GLADSTAR Continued from page 41
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enough to make our own decisions about what we want to do for our bodies; that we don’t need the government owning our bodies and telling us what we can and can’t do. People don’t even realize they don’t have health freedom rights. When this government was formed, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a medical doctor, was one of the first signers of the Constitution. He tried to get health freedom rights written into the Constitution because he said that if we leave that out, the time will come when medicine will restrict the art of healing to one class of men. And Thomas Jefferson said we will be like a tyrannical country where the government will decide what you can eat and what you can take and what you can use as medicine. And sadly, we’ve allowed that to happen without even knowing realizing it. Carol Bedrosian: How many states have Safe Harbor Laws now? Rosemary Gladstar: There are nine states that have passed Safe Harbor Exemption Laws and there’s nineteen states pending. That’s exciting because it takes a lot of lobbying and a lot of coming together to create these laws. The National Health Freedom Coalition has been very active. They advocate for the freedom of choice for vaccinations. They are neither for nor against vaccinations, necessarily, but they do advocate that it is an individual right and a parental right. The government does not have the right to tell people they have to be vaccinated, especially in light of all the vaccination controversy on both sides. They also advocate for citizens to have the right to use raw products, like raw milk products. They advocate for citizens to be able to choose alternative health care if they want it, both from licensed and non-licensed practitioners. They advocate for the non-licensing of people like herbalists and massage therapists. In other words you don’t have to have a license from the government that says that you are a professional massage therapist, but it is required that every non-licensed practitioner clearly display where you studied, who you studied with and how long you studied, along with your personal statement of purpose. When the law licensing midwives was passed, some of the best and most experienced midwives in this country — which is one of the oldest health professions around — couldn’t practice anymore because they weren’t licensed nurses. It created a huge rift in the midwifery community. And the same thing happened with massage. It’s wonderful to go to school, be professionally trained and get certified, but there are really good massage practitioners who’ve learned from apprenticeship situations that aren’t necessarily certified by a school. And these individuals aren’t allowed to practice in our country as a result of current laws. The National Health Freedom Coalition’s main focus is to promote access to all health care services and treatments that people deem beneficial for their own health care, and to promote the right for citizens to choose the kind of healing one wants. They organize an annual conference that brings different health freedom groups together, and they actively work to promote legislative reform of the laws that restrict our health access. They’ve been very active with the supplement issue, standing up for DSHEA [Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994], which is the law that protects our supplement industry that is always under attack by the pharmaceutical industry. Two women, Diane Miller and Jerry Johnson, formed the Health Freedom Coalition in the late 90s. They were both lawyers who worked pro bono on a case in Minnesota for a farmer who was giving colostrum to his neighbors for health purposes. He was arrested for practicing medicine without a license and sentenced to jail. They won the case and because of the attention focused on that case, people in Minnesota decided they wanted to pass a health freedom law. Gerry and Diane worked really hard to pass that first health freedom law in the United States, and because of growing interest from other states, decided to form The National Health Freedom Coalition. I am very proud to say that the Minnesota herbal community, including Matthew Wood and the Minnesota Herbal Guild, worked very hard to help pass that first health freedom bill. Carol Bedrosian: Do you know if any of the New England states are involved in these efforts? Rosemary Gladstar: Rhode Island is the only one that has a health freedom bill that was passed. I look at Vermont and I’m thinking, if Oklahoma can pass one and Rhode Island, then why not Vermont? We tried and had meetings but we just couldn’t get enough people in Vermont interested. It takes a lot of time and a huge amount of commitment to pass these bills, so I’m sorry to say we have not moved forward. I think it’s because we’re not in crisis mode. It’s like preventative medicine; most people don’t think about preventative medicine until they are sick. But we need to pass health freedom bills now before a
YOGA DIRECTORY Yoga at the Ashram, Millis, MA
MASSACHUSETTS
Bridgewater
Maha Yoga Center, 992 Bedford St. (Rt. 18), Bridgewater, MA 02324. Yoga all levels, Hatha, Ashtanga, meditation, massage. Yoga teacher training (Yoga Alliance). 508-697-3273 mahayogacenter.com.
Easton
Easton Yoga Center, 50 Oliver Street, Ste 208, Easton, MA 02356. Yoga for all levels. Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Beginners, Yin. Private Yoga and Reiki sessions available. 508-276-0315. eastonyogacenter.com.
Holden
Opening Lotus Yoga. An eco-green studio. 465 Main Street, Holden, MA, 01520. Gentle to vigorous, all levels. Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin. Vibrant health courses. Yoga health coaching. 508-829-7435 openinglotusyoga.com.
Framingham
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Opening Lotus Studio, Holden, MA
Millis
Worcester
Yoga at the Ashram, 368 Village Street. Free early AM practice, daily classes, workshops, internationally acclaimed trainings, guest space. Strengthen the meditative mind. YogaAtTheAshram.org. 508-376-4525.
Worcester Yoga Center. Ann Bissanti. Over 30 years teaching experience. Trained in India by B.K.S. Iyengar. New location: 21 West Street, Worcester, MA. 508-829-6300. worcesteryogacenter.com
The Yoga Studio. A tranquil, welcoming healing center. Daily classes for all levels, private yoga therapy, and 200/500 hour YTT. First class free. 508-376-8508 theyogastudiomillis.com.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Princeton
FrogPond Yoga Centre. Classes in the tradition of Raja Yoga for all levels of practitioners. 200 and 500-hr classes are ongoing. frogpondyoga.org.
Westborough
Westborough Yoga for transformation, healing and spinal health. Offering Svaroopa yoga, meditation, private Yoga Therapy and Embodyment. Contact Michelle (Kamala) Gross, 508-341-6424 westboroughyoga.com
critical situation arises, before somebody does get arrested for practicing herbalism. Carol Bedrosian: So along with this effort for health freedom, self care and using herbalism comes the issue of preserving these herbs and the herbal tradition. Rosemary Gladstar: Yes, preserving our traditions. I love that word “traditions.” I looked it up in Webster’s because I sometimes hear it referring to modern or allopathic medicine, which is based on an ancient Greek tradition that credits Hippocrates as being the father of modern medicine. In fact, when you graduate from some medical schools, one is still required to recite the Hippocratic oath to “Do no harm.” But Hippocrates was an herbalist; he was actually a simpler, an old-fashioned word used to describe an herbalist. He primarily used vinegar, honey, water and herbs — the most basic form of medicine. He believed in true health practices — sunbathing, swimming in the ocean, eating simple foods and using herbs. Unfortunately, most of these traditional practices are no longer followed by our modern conventional system of healing. Though it’s a powerful system of healing that has saved millions of lives, allopathic or conventional medicine is not really a traditional system of healing, at least as defined by Webster. Webster’s says “traditional” is generally an oral tradition that’s passed down through genwww.spiritofchange.org
Maha Yoga Center, Bridgewater, MA
Bethlehem
Balance Bethlehem. Public classes, 200-hour, Blooma Prenatal & ChildLight Yoga Teacher Trainings. Host your next workshop, retreat or training at our modern, eco-friendly healing center. balancebethlehem.com RHODE ISLAND
Cranston
Raffa Yoga and Urban Sweat. 19 Sharpe Drive, Cranston. 401-463-3353. Three state-of-the-art yoga studios, steamrooms, saunas, salt grotto, therapeutic and spa services. raffayoga.com.
Include your studio. Next ad deadline is January 31, 2018 email advertise@spiritofchange.org
erations, either through the family or through communities. This really speaks to herbalism because herbalism is the oldest system of healing and is used by people around the world, and generally is passed down from one generation to the next. When I go into my herbal apothecary and mix up an herbal formula, I am participating in this ancient tradition that my grandmother did and her grandmother and you could track that forever back through time. Even the ways that we prepare medicine is based on the old ways. Every once in awhile there’s a “new method” that starts circling around, but usually it’s based on an old alchemical way of preparing herbs. We just continue to rediscover what we already knew, which is all part of our ancient tradition of practice. Of course, traditions are always changing and evolving. The best of what we learn today we pass down as a living tradition. There is a large responsibility that comes with being part of a living herbal tradition with how and what we carry forward. There’s a lot of honoring in the herbal community of our elders and their teachings. There’s a real reverence for the spiritual nature of plants that has matured in the herbal communities, and a deep sense of respect for the different ways that
Continued on page 44
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 43
ROSEMARY GLADSTAR Continued from page 43 THESE TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN USED TRADITIONALLY TO: • Strengthen digestive organs and functions • Open circulation to the pelvic organs • Encourage flushing of toxins from the abdominal and pelvic areas • Regain prostate health • Reposition the uterus to relieve menstrual and reproductive problems • Support nerve function • Improve blood and lymph flow to pelvic and abdominal areas • Help prevent progression of symptoms to chronic disease
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44 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
people practice their healing arts. One of the biggest ways we can help preserve our herbal traditions is by preserving the plants that the traditions are based on. I would venture to say that up until 1994 there was very little consciousness about where all these plants were coming from that we were using in our products and plant medicines. But as our herbal community matured we began to think of these matters. Many of our amazing medicinal plants have become threatened in their native environments, in part due to the growth of herbalism in this country, but mostly because of habitat destruction and urban sprawl. In 1994 a small group of herbalists came together to form formed United Plant Savers (UpS), which has become the voice for medicinal plant conservation and cultivation in the US. For most of us, when we first discover medicinal plants, there’s just this sense of overwhelming gratitude that they can help us with our illnesses and somehow, magically, make us feel more joyful. When you’re out working with plants there is a wonderful, joyful feeling that starts to grow in you from the exchange. Yes, plants make us feel wonderful, but quite honestly, I think the biggest reason we see this growth in herbalism and plant medicine is because plants help us; we need them. But I think it has as much to do with the plants needing our help. They are in danger; wild gardens are disappearing and who better to protect them than the people who love them. We need them for health and healing. They need us to turn towards them and help protect them by replanting the wild medicinals into our gardens so that the native pollinators are being fed again. We’re part of that movement — the herbalists — because we recognize that we are stewards as well as users of plants. It’s really about having that reverence for the plants. From what we know about the native teachings and the native people who lived here, and because they still demonstrate such incredible reverence for the plants, we know that they really saw the plants as relatives to themselves. Their responsibility was to use them and to care for them and to love them like we do one another. That’s one of the great teachings that the native people offered us — how to be in sacred relationship with all living beings — but most of those teachings we lost shortly after the early settlers arrived. We still have remnants of those teachings available to us if we learn to listen. Some people call it a lost language, what the plants have to say to us, but I think it’s a forgotten language and we just need to learn to listen again. The plants are the best teachers of that language. It’s really about just being with them, being present with them, and singing to them. That’s one of the ways the plants really hear us because there’s a difference in our octave when we sing. The voice changes, the vibration changes and the plants know that vibrational sound. We lost so much of our North American traditions when we destroyed the native communities here — the two legged communities — but that tradition lives on in the plants. The plants hold the traditions and the teachings of the plant, and once we go directly to them in reverence and in that spirit of relationship, they begin to teach us. That’s what I see has happened to so many herbalists. They work with the plants directly. They may not use the language about sacred plant medicine or communicating with plants, but that’s what is happening. Just by being with the plants that reverence grows in us, and that perhaps is the biggest healing they offer us. They offer us that pure connection again. That soul loneliness that so many people have because we are so disconnected from nature, from our mother, from our source of life, when we don’t have that connection, we become spiritually ill. We do the horrible things that people do today to one another because we are not fully being human anymore when we are not functioning in relationship to all of our relations. Carol Bedrosian: What is an herbalist? Rosemary Gladstar: I have a very broad definition of an herbalist because I don’t want it to get narrowed down to mean just a medical or clinical practitioner. To me, herbalists are people who work with plants on many levels. When I looked it up in Webster, it just said “people who work with plants,” and then more specifically “healing plants.” All plants are healing plants, and healing itself can take so many forms. It’s really good for us to think of ourselves as herbalists, plant lovers, people who work with plants, and people who work with healing. I like to keep the term “healing” very broad. It’s the same with things that makes us sick. It’s not just the unhealthy things we put into our body, it’s the news we listen to and the horrible energy on the freeways when everybody is honking and beeping at each other. All of that can make people really disconnected and make their nervous
systems agitated; then they become ill. So to me, herbalists are people who work with plants in all the very many capacities available. Herbalists can be farmers who are healing Earth by healing the soil organically and putting healing plants into the soil. There are clinical or medical practitioners of herbs, the village or community herbalist. Carol Bedrosian: Do you see a vision for herbal healing working with western medicine? Rosemary Gladstar: Holistic medicine includes the best of everything that works. I don’t necessarily think there is one system better than the other. There are systems better for situations at different times. While it may be true that native people used pine pitch and made specials casts using natural things, they didn’t have the same success that our modern medicine has in setting bones and dealing with serious life threatening situations or terrible accidents. No matter how good our burn salve and aloe might be, for someone with a broken leg or burns all over their body, modern medicine is amazing. I definitely would use the gifts of modern medicine when it’s the best choice and you need it, but the majority of situations that occur are things that we’re very adept at treating with non-invasive, non-polluting, non-expensive medicines at home. The majority of non-emergency health issues, such as colds, coughs, first and second degree burns, rashes, upset stomachs, headaches, these have all been successfully treated with home remedies that people have cultivated, grown and made into products for literally thousands and thousands of years. To not recognize the value of herbal medicine and its effectiveness is
ridiculous. It would be as ridiculous as not recognizing modern conventional medicine for the wonders that it does. We have different systems of healing because they work for different situations, however they can and should be used harmoniously together to create the best healing system possible. Modern medicine is not so good at prevention and it’s not about self care. It’s crisis medicine that is really good for life saving and threatening situations like accidents, battlegrounds and symptom suppression. It’s very good at taking care of symptoms, but that’s not as good as treating the underlying causes. We know how to stitch people up and put in new hearts and realign arteries, but how do we keep people from having heart attacks in the first place? Do I see them working together? Absolutely. I just think that they both need to get out of each other’s way and recognize the main thing we want to do is to help people feel well, be well, and be vital again. I’ll give you an example. When I was in my early twenties and the herbal movement was just starting, the basic thought among us was that we weren’t going to use modern medicine for anything. We wanted to use our herbs, which we believed can do everything. So I was run over by a motorcycle and I got really clear that though my beloved comfry might help heal my torn tissue and bones, it wasn’t going to knit my bones together. It wasn’t going to do what that very competent surgeon could do. I noticed that when some of my herbal friends would be seriously ill and the herbs weren’t working for them and they went to
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Whispers FROM HEAVEN
ANDREA ALLEN, THE HEALING MEDIUM
OCTOBER 6, 2017 7 PM TO 9 PM TICKETS: $50.00 Reconnect with your loved ones in spirit as Andrea Allen, internationally recognized healing evidential medium, delivers two hours of messages from audience members’ loved ones and illustrates how we are all connected to the Spirit World and that love never dies. Following the gallery reading, Andrea will be available to answer questions from audience members.
Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center 219 Littleton Road Westford, Mass www.spiritofchange.org
Purchase tickets at: www.andreaallen.com
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 45
ROSEMARY GLADSTAR Continued from page 45
see a doctor, they didn’t want anybody to know. That’s when I began to realize there’s really something wrong with this picture, you know? It’s our egos that are preventing us from recognizing that many different healing systems were needed to work together for the greatest healing. The conventional doctors probably had the same thought. They were trained at the university for 12 or 6 or 8 years that their system of healing would do everything and the rest was just quackery. So they have also had to mature and recognize that their medical system is very excellent for certain things, but it doesn’t touch other things. In order to be a great service to humankind we don’t have to be experts in all of the systems. We can’t be. We just have to know what we know, but also be humble enough and wise enough to know when others know more. So the glorious day will come when we really truly have healing temples again, hospitals that are painted bright, beautiful colors that make people feel well, where wholesome, organic food is served. That’s starting to happen. They’re starting to actually have organic gardens in hospitals now, and you have herbal tea instead of just coffee and cheap black tea — I mean, my goodness. The American public is being educated. They’re not afraid to take their supplements and their herbs with them when they go to the doctor’s anymore, and the doctors are asking to see what they are taking. The citizens of this country are making that change. It’s really our responsibility to demand it. Carol Bedrosian: How would you recommend somebody start the herbal journey? Rosemary Gladstar: It’s not so difficult anymore because in almost every area there’s going to be herb classes. Start by taking an evening class, or even better, a four or six-week beginner course. To actually sit in with people when they’re teaching is just great because there’s so much magic that happens when learning about herbs with other people. There’s also wonderful books geared towards beginners, and several online programs geared towards beginners. But really, nothing beats learning with an herbal teacher and with the plants themselves. So online programs are good, but books are better and taking classes and going on herb walks even better. See who’s doing herb walks in your community, because there’s no better way to learn about the plants than to actually learn from the plants and to see them. If you want to become a professional clinical practitioner there are several schools that are now offering in-depth clinical programs. But learning to be a family or community herbalist, it’s in our genes. It’s almost as easy as learning to walk and talk, because from the very beginning of time humans have been practicing and working with plants. I have taught literally thousands of people in my 45 years of being an herbal educator and what amazes me is how easy it is for people to grasp herbalism once they open their hearts to it. To me, the joy is you start talking a little bit, and you see people recognizing something. They think they might be recognizing something that their grandparents taught them but it’s much older than that. It’s in their bodies. All I am doing is opening a door a little bit and that genetic information comes forth. It’s so awesome, this relationship that we have in knowing plants. If you live and work and love plants, it’s really like being in service to them. They work through us, and seem to delight in teaching us. Carol Bedrosian: As herbalism is becoming more popular, some of these plants are being over harvested. What’s the solution there? Rosemary Gladstar: The answer is organic cultivation actually, because you’re not only protecting at-risk plants, but also another endangered species: the American farmer. The herb industry is growing and the price paid for organic herbs is more than the price for oats or corn. It can be a viable alternative for farmers. I’m talking about organic cultivation because that’s also restoration for the soil. It’s also ensuring that we are getting good medicine, especially with any of the at-risk plants that are listed with United Plant Savers. Plants on the UpS At-Risk list should not be harvested from the wild, but should be coming from organically cultivated sources. We have to steward these plants that are in the wild and cultivate them organically by our American farmers. We also have to be willing to pay more for those plants. Though herbs may seem expensive, they are far less than the cost of pharmaceuticals and/or vitamins. I’m talking here about our at-risk native plants, not necessarily about our abundant weedy plants like nettle, burdock and dandelion that grow all around us. They grow in disturbed soils, seed with thousands of seeds and are very hardy. Those are our wonderful, everyday 46 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
nourishing plants. We need to use those and we can still wildcraft those plants, for sure. But as people are becoming interested in eating wild food, they like to go to grocery stores and purchase wild fiddlehead ferns and ramps and wild mushrooms. It concerns me to see the amount of wild mushrooms and other wild plants that are being sold in grocery stores. There’s just not enough of it to supply the American public. If we’re going to be selling ramps and fiddlehead ferns, and wild mushrooms to the masses, we have to make sure they are coming from cultivated sources. Ramps are already being protected in most of the Southern states where they’ve been harvested for decades, and I’m sure we’re going to see the same with mushrooms. Unfortunately, we are loving these plants to death. With a little care and responsibility we can ensure that we will have these wild species to pass down to our grandchildren. Carol Bedrosian: You can even plant them in your own yard. Rosemary Gladstar: You can absolutely plant them in your own yard. One of our biggest messages through United Plant Savers is to restore wilderness by bringing in a few of the native plants and putting them amongst your cultivated plants and your lawn; plant some areas that are just your native plants. Create a little wildness in your back yard. It’s so incredible to witness what happens. In one or two seasons, you’re going to have more migrating butterflies and birds and insects — the natives ones — native species stopping over and feeding on the nectar that’s growing because it’s their indigenous food. They need it. Being an herbalist is not something that you have to graduate from school for because then we’ll lose what herbalism is. Herbalism really is about people who are practicing using herbs at home and using plants in their garden. I also wanted to mention that when we talk about preserving our traditions, we are also talking about preserving our herbal legacy products — products that have a long history of being made and shared by herbalists. We need to ensure that these traditional herbal products do not become trademarked, because otherwise, products that have been made and sold for decades, sometimes centuries, will no longer be available for herbalists to make and sell. Unfortunately that’s already begun to happen in the herbal community where several products with a long history of being made and sold have been trademarked. Why should this matter? Within the herbal community there has always been an open sharing of recipes and formulas. This will change if people can trademark and claim ownership of well known products, such as four thieves vinegar, which has been around for over 500 years, and fire cider, which has been around and marketed for almost four decades. Carol Bedrosian: Are four thieves and fire cider trademarked? Can other people make them? Rosemary Gladstar: People can make the products but you can’t sell them, not even at your local co-op, farmer’s market or Etsy shop. We are currently petitioning to get the trademark dropped on fire cider, a very popular and widely shared recipe. We’ve been involved in this process for over four years now, since the company that claimed the name and took on the trademark filed a lawsuit in federal court against three herbalists who were making fire cider years before it was ever trademarked. We tried other means of resolving this such as mediation, but since the trademark company will only accept terms that everyone give up the name, we felt the battle was worth it. There has been no fight yet to reclaim the four thieves names. But what we plan to once the court case is over with fire cider [scheduled for 2018], is to create an Herbal Dictionary of commonly used herbal products and names so there will be a reference that trademark lawyers can refer to when searching to find if products have a history of being made and sold. We could use help with this if anyone is interested. Carol Bedrosian: So an herbal dictionary could become a part of our culture then. Rosemary Gladstar: Yes, it actually almost has to be, otherwise we’re going to continue to see many of our traditional herbal products trademarked. But I’m cheering the younger herbalists on to take on this work. I feel like that’s my role right now as I get older and have less energy. There’s a whole generation of new herbalists stepping up. You sign your name in service to the plants and they just work through you. As long as you stay aligned with them, you’re taken care of, you’re fed, you’re nurtured, you are blessed and blissed out. So that is really place I want to be at now in my life, in service to those who are stepping up for the Green Nations. For more information about Rosemary Gladstar visit www.sagemountain.com. Meet Rosemary at the Natural Living Expo, November 11, 2017 in Marlboro, MA for her keynote presentation and booksigning. www.spiritofchange.org
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 47
The
Talk
Two Notre Dame alumni shed light on the discussion that many Americans are unaware of.
By Arienne Thompson Plourde ‘04 and Amelia Thompson ‘08, Notre Dame Magazine
“M
ommy, the darkest people get shooted and killed and sometimes the little bit lighter ones, too,” 4-year-old Quest McEwen mused a few months ago as his mother, [Notre Dame alumna] Tessa McEwen ’05, listened in shock. “So, that’s why I want to be good,” he continued. “Maybe I shouldn’t talk like this so I don’t get died.” Quest wasn’t done fretting, however, when on a more recent morning, he worried aloud that he didn’t know “if Daddy’s dead,” because his father, Jelani McEwen ’05, had come in late the night before following after-hours volunteer work in their Chicago neighborhood. Like scores of black and brown families throughout the United States, the McEwens are struggling with the delicate-but-brutal balancing act of protecting their children’s innocence, while educating them about the realities of what it means to be black in this country. For these parents and their children, The Talk has nothing to do with birds and bees. It is about surviving police encounters, being aware of your rights and learning how to live within a complex, systemic, centuries-old framework of race-based prejudice, violence and discrimination.
48 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
The Talk is akin to a rite of passage for many African-American children, especially boys and young men. Essentially, they are taught how to behave in the presence of police to mitigate potential harm: no sudden movements, don’t question why you’re being stopped, comply with all verbal commands, never raise your voice. Make it home alive. It is a discussion many black parents consider a necessary evil, dreading the day when their children go from innocents to threats in the eyes of a historically racist society. And it is a discussion many of their white co-workers, friends and neighbors may be ignorant about. “I had a conversation about The Talk with two of my neighbors — and I don’t get into this with a ton of people, especially white people,” says Christy Greene ’96, who lives in East Amherst, New York, with her husband, Allen Greene ’00, and their daughters Rian, 11, and Seneca, 4, and son Samuel, 9. “They said, ‘Are you going to have a conversation with Samuel about this? Are you really worried about this?’ They gush over him because he’s playing at their house, and they think he’s handsome and polite and his parents are professional and have advanced degrees. But it matters that his skin is brown and that the perception of that could cost him his life. Am I going to have a conversation with him? Does it upset me? Yes. But I want my kid to come home! If this is about whether Samuel winds up in the hospital or
winds up in the morgue, that is real. He has got to come home to me.” Tessa McEwen, who is Filipino American, and Jelani, who is African American, say they were shocked to hear the heartbreakingly adult musings of their son — not because of what he said but because he was only 4. Quest, now 5, and his 8-year-old sister, Via, are already growing acutely aware of how instances of police brutality, injustice, violence and racial discrimination impact children — and parents — who look like them. “Hearing him wonder am I dead — I was floored to hear how aware they are,” says Jelani. “They’re aware that some of the people who get killed have kids. They saw Alton Sterling’s son crying, and we talked about that. They are aware of all these things going on with black dads and black parents. As they grow, they need to know about the America that will not accept them for who they are, yet you want them to be committed to living life on their terms in the face of these things. I wrestle with how explicit and how concrete I want to be. They’re sponges and we, as adults, undervalue how much they’re really hearing.” And really feeling. When the McEwens asked Via this summer what she understood about Black Lives Matter in the midst of the protests and outrage that ballooned following the police killings of several unarmed black men, she responded abstractly about a concrete concept: inequality. “I’ve only seen the signs, and I think it means that white people think they’re better than black people,” she told her parents. “I think Black Lives Matter means that black people should be free and they matter just like white people.” Tessa reports that Via also weighed in on the presidential election. “I am sad that Donald Trump is president. He’s so mean. And he said things that weren’t true,” the young girl commented. “I think that he would take away my family’s jobs and black people’s jobs.” Turning to her brother, Via told him, “He doesn’t like us.” Black parents struggle with explaining this sense of antipathy and inequality while ensuring, in turn, that their children remain both self-confident and accepting. “It’s been a really fine line to walk, explaining the reality of the situation but not scaring them — not making them so distrustful of white people or cops,” says Christy Greene. “I think it’s wise to be open, but when they walk away from you and go to their rooms, or get on the bus and get to school, they’re repackaging it all in their minds, and we’re not there to help them unpack.” Christy, whose mother is black and father is white, is especially concerned about her son, who might not always be seen as the child that he is. “It’s sad that I tell my son, ‘When you’re walking home with your buddies, be careful’ . . . They weren’t old enough to remember Trayvon [Martin], but I explained to my son that this boy was just a little bit older than you — he had a Gatorade and Skittles, like you sometimes do — and just because he had a hoodie on and just because his pants were sagging, he was killed. I hate that as much as I try to give my kids a voice, I have to teach them they have to silence that voice sometimes.” Jelani remembers having in his teens a similarly disheartening conversation with his father. “He walked me through all of the situations in life where I need to make myself smaller to be safe. He told me, ‘You cannot give police a reason to go any further with you. If they pull you over, be compliant, don’t raise your voice, don’t ask questions. Just do what they ask of you.’ I was frustrated because it was unfair. I was 16 years old, just out of boarding school, and I’d just come home to Chicago. He’s still coaching me on how you can’t be your biggest, boldest self.” Phyllis Stone ’80 and Jim Stone ’81 of Somerset, New Jersey, gave their son, Alex, 30, the same talk when he was younger, and they are seeing the cycle repeat itself as he raises his two teenage stepsons. “It never occurred to me that several generations later, he would be in a position to have the same conversation with his sons. That’s a surprise to me, for sure, even though we’ve come a long way and racism has changed over the years — but it’s a surprise to know that generations later, The Talk hasn’t changed a whole lot,” says Phyllis, a member of Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees and the University’s second African-American cheerleader. “We’re told do all of these things — keep your hands where police can see them — but those things don’t even apply anymore. So there’s a little bit of confusion.” Confusion even for their grown son, whom the Stones say has been brutalized — and traumatized — during encounters with police officers on several occasions throughout his life. “There are stories about him being stopped, and being physically and verbally abused and being roughed up that he can’t even tell me,” Phyllis says. “With all of the events in the Continued on page 50
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 49
THE TALK
Continued from page 49
media of black men getting killed by policemen — I forget which incident it was — he called me one day and said he was scared to come out of the house. He is clearly going through something right now that’s a little bit different from when he grew up, even though he was stopped by the police countless times and wasn’t charged with anything, ever.” Jim Stone says he has experienced trauma similar to his son’s, being rendered “speechless” when police pulled him over and harassed him as he was en route to a high school homecoming dance in his hometown of Seattle in the 1970s. “Obviously I’m dressed up and my date was dressed up and they asked my date if she was with me of her own free will. That was an eye-opening situation,” he says, even after his father had given him and his four brothers The Talk. “I was roughed up a little, both mentally and physically, and it took me a while to get over that. It might have been a year or two after college that I felt strong enough to talk about it with my parents. My dad had several conversations with me that something like this might happen.” The Talk is both a protective tool and an equalizer of sorts, as black parents must explain to their children that disproportionate police brutality is something that can and often does happen to black men and women, regardless of their income level, education or status in society. During his remarks at the convention of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in San Diego in October, Terrence M. Cunningham, president of the organization and chief of police in Wellesley, Massachusetts, acknowledged “the actions of the past and the role that our profession has played in society’s historical mistreatment of communities of color.” In an email to The Washington Post following that speech, Cunningham continued: “Communities and law enforcement need to begin a healing process and this is a bridge to begin that dialogue. If we are brave enough to collectively deliver this message, we will build a better and safer future for our communities and our law enforcement officers. Too many lives have been lost already, and this must end. It is my hope that many other law enforcement executives will deliver this same message to their local communities, particularly those segments of their communities that lack trust and feel disenfranchised.” However, that feeling of invalidation is one of the intangibles black parents are tasked with explaining to their children — even when they haven’t come to terms with those emotions themselves. Braynard “Bobby” Brown ’00, ’06J.D., who lives in South Orange, New Jersey, with his wife, Emily Bienko Brown ’00, ’03J.D., and their sons Braynard II, 6, and Thatcher, 4, recalls how defeated and helpless he felt during his first encounter with police as a teenager in his hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “I had a weapon drawn on me in high school, as an All-American two-sport athlete, hearing from everyone that I’m the best thing in the world,” he says. “I was taking my girlfriend home one night, and I wasn’t that familiar with her neighborhood. I literally took a wrong turn down an alley, and the first thing the officer does is draw his weapon. That was a totally life-changing moment.” During the encounter, Bobby says he drew upon the lessons he learned during The Talk to help guide his actions. “Saying all the right things, hands on wheels — all the things my mother taught me — which made the officer even more volatile. I was physically and emotionally shaken; I had this gloss of naiveté. I’ll never outgrow that — I remember that like it was yesterday. It was this time in my life when I thought I had done everything right. I came from a tough neighborhood and had done well academically, but, to him, I was dangerous. He wanted to belittle me and take away any dignity that I had. I can still hear his voice, because he truly wanted me to feel that I was an inferior human being. I was blessed to have a mother who always reminded me that I could do all things.”
Instilling self-confidence, reinforcing positivity and letting black children know they matter is another key component of The Talk, says Marcus Jackson ’06, a widower with a 3-year-old son and 14-year-old stepson. “The Talk with [my stepson] was more about looking at history and where we are today and reminding him that you’re at the age where people won’t like you and it won’t be justified,” says Jackson, a native of Hammond, Louisiana, now living in East Windsor, New Jersey. “You can’t let it slow you down. Even with all of that hate, we as black people have always been overachievers. I tell him to make sure you’re in the right at all times, because we’re not afforded the same room for mistakes.” But even the light of positive messaging can be dimmed by the darkness within our society, he adds. “As I look at my children, I see that sense of hopelessness. We’re trying everything to show we’re not a threat, and we’re still a threat. That hurts the most.” Jelani McEwen knows that hurt well, explaining that even young black children are seen as threatening, something he thinks about both figuratively and literally when it comes to his size. “I am 6-foot-2-inches, 270 pounds — I’m a huge person, and I’m probably one of the sweetest, kindest men, yet when I walk forward, people are afraid of me and I see it. My dad’s words did help me — what it means to walk around in my body and how people observe that. I have that talk with my dad still to this day about how to make myself digestible for people.” Meanwhile, other physical attributes have come into play for the Greene family, where Christy, who is fair-skinned, says her children not only notice the spectrum of skin colors within their brood, but equate darkness with potential danger. “Allen is as a dark as they come, and they know Daddy travels every single week. I let them know that when Daddy is on the road and if anything happens, Daddy is going to think and be smart. They’re asking me, ‘What do people do to get shot?’ and I’m telling them they weren’t doing anything that warranted their being shot and if Daddy ever gets pulled over, he knows how to handle himself. Absolutely, they know the cities where things have happened, so they ask me where Allen is going.” Because Christy is the lightest member of their family, her children don’t worry about her well-being in the same way. “I had to go to Charlotte for a funeral and took my youngest daughter with me. Rian said, ‘Mom, are the cops killing people there? Because I don’t want them to hurt Seneca.’ My kids don’t think anyone is going to hurt me because I’m a ‘peach’ person. They know my mom is black, but they think I’m immune to this.” Jim Stone says no one — black or white — should feel immune to these issues, even when The Talk or any other discourse about race becomes uncomfortable. “When I think about Notre Dame and how that’s had a big impact on my life, if Notre Dame is going to be what they say they are, we need to have the conversation. When you have the conversation, people look at you like, Are you serious? And I say, ‘Yes — it’s happened to me.’ It’s hard for them to realize when it hasn’t happened to them.” Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is key to catalyzing positive change when it comes to attitudes about race and racism, Bobby Brown adds. “The risk for me is real; this isn’t a myth. I have no reason to lie about this. We can find all of the reasons to poke a hole in certain demonstrations, but at some point we have to have a real conversation,” Brown says. “We have to start taking this seriously, or else we have failed ourselves as a country and as a faith. It’s that binary: We either start taking steps to create a solution or we fail. And how many more generations are we going to fail?”
Instilling self-confidence, reinforcing positivity and letting black children know they matter is another key component of The Talk
50 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
Arienne Thompson Plourde and Amelia Thompson are sisters from Memphis, Tennessee. This article was originally published in Notre Dame Magazine, Winter 2016-17, a quarterly magazine of the University of Notre Dame, and was reprinted in Utne Reader, Summer 2017, a quarterly magazine reprinting the best of the alternative press.
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 51
TAROT for wisdom and wellness
The images and ideas depicted on the tarot deck reflect timeless patterns of human thought and behavior that transcend cultures, religions, value systems and beliefs
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By Josephine Hardman, MA, PhD
he subconscious mind communicates primarily through images. When we dream, we receive visual messages from deep within ourselves, from the places we can’t access when we are awake. But what if we could speak to our subconscious minds in return? What if we could transform this kind of communication into a two-way street? With its primordial and universal imagery, the tarot deck can allow us to do just that: to intentionally and deliberately communicate with the subconscious parts of ourselves. This includes the parts that have been programmed by past events, memories, and experiences, which we often must rewire and reprogram with new ideas, beliefs, and affirmations in order to release old patterns and behaviors. Because the tarot expresses itself through mysterious and evocative images, our subconscious aspects resonate with the tarot’s imagery more powerfully and directly than our conscious minds. Tarot master Alejandro Jodorowsky explains in The Way of Tarot that the true tarotist must eliminate the illusion of reading the future, thereby transforming the tarot into a psychological tool for self-knowledge. Using the cards for fortune-telling is a sort of parlor trick, and one that doesn’t do justice to tarot’s complexity and healing potential. The cards in any deck — the classic Rider Waite Smith, the Thoth, the Marseille, or a modern iteration such as the Wild Unknown Tarot or the
Continued on page 54
52 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
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TAROT FOR WISDOM AND WELLNESS Continued from page 52
Individual Card Descriptions 0. THE FOOL helps us take a leap of faith, begin a new project or endeavor, and release any shame, guilt, or feeling of not being good enough. 1. THE MAGICIAN heals us of inadequacy and helps us release any fears that we can’t manifest what we most desire. Assists us in focusing our intentions so we can materialize our dreams. 2. THE HIGH PRIESTESS helps men and women connect to divine feminine energy. Stimulates and develops intuition, wisdom, and internal knowing. 3. THE EMPRESS helps us release resistance and become receptive to abundance. It blesses creative and artistic endeavors and helps us flow with the natural cycles of life. 4. THE EMPEROR helps men and women connect to masculine, active energy. It brings order out of chaos, awakens our inner strength and determination, and bolsters us so we may become the CEOs of our own lives. 5. THE HIEROPHANT helps us develop our capacity to hear divine guidance more clearly. It heals any remnants of negative patterns inherited through organized religion, culture, family, or formal education. 6. THE LOVERS teaches us how to fall in love with ourselves, and heals us of subconscious patterns of poor decision-making. It can repair and strengthen romantic relationships, inspiring greater transparency and clear communication between partners. 7. THE CHARIOT invokes courage and helps us put our higher self in charge of our physical bodies and experiences. It heals addictions and karmic issues. 8. STRENGTH helps us confront our inner shadows and purifies the subconscious mind. Strength assists us when we are afraid of making the right choice or taking the next step in any endeavor. 9. THE HERMIT shows us how to use our own light and wisdom to help others, and guides us on the path towards enlightenment. 10. THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE helps us with life transitions (i.e. switching careers, the physical death of a loved one, moving into a new phase of life). It provides focus
and strength to finish what we start. 11. JUSTICE heals any sense of personal or global injustice. It helps us to accept and release past trauma and to let go of any tendency to play the victim. 12. THE HANGED MAN teaches us to let go and surrender, particularly when we’ve already done everything we can possibly do. It helps us achieve inner peace in the midst of difficulty. 13. DEATH helps us release fears of major changes and transformations, and assists us in moving along with the flow of life without resistance. 14. TEMPERANCE helps us to balance opposite or contradictory aspects of ourselves. It brings sanity, grounding, and new possibilities. 15. THE DEVIL helps us confront and dispel fear, and become aware of the areas in our lives where we are giving away our power. It heals us of the temptation to identify with ego illusions or blame others. 16. THE TOWER helps us to overthrow existing conditions in any unfulfilling or stuck area of our lives. It brings revolution and helps us build something new. 17. THE STAR is the best card to release stress and purify our physical and energetic systems. The Star helps us get back into alignment. 18. THE MOON helps us explore our subconscious aspects and achieve a deeper level of self-discovery and self-understanding. It brings self-limiting patterns to light so we may address them. 19. THE SUN brings total regeneration and returns us to a state of childlike simplicity and contentment. It dispels any sense of restlessness or dissatisfaction with life. 20.JUDGMENT teaches us that only we can judge or condemn ourselves; no one else holds that power. Judgment functions as a spiritual wake-up call, compelling us to practice forgiveness of self and others. 21. THE WORLD brings dynamic balance and helps us complete unfinished projects, recognizing our own achievements and celebrating who we are and where we are on our journey, without comparing ourselves to others. Brings closure to unresolved situations.
Linestrider Tarot — can help us embark on a profound journey of self-discovery, personal and professional expansion, and healing in specific areas of our lives. The images and ideas depicted on the tarot deck reflect timeless patterns of human thought and behavior, passing down to us the great universal lessons that transcend individual cultures, religions, value systems, and beliefs. The tarot’s Major Arcana — a set of 22 cards from The Fool (0) to The World (21) — presents us with an organized journey through archetypal figures imbued with unique energies. When we work with a deck and select a card intuitively, that card mirrors back to us where we currently stand and which strategy, choice, or idea would best serve us at any given moment. By absorbing, gazing at, meditating on, and working with a particular card, we can effectively send a message to our subconscious minds to activate, heal, increase, or decrease the primordial energy represented by that card. Working with The Empress, for instance, opens us up to a nurturing female energy pregnant with creativity and receptivity. On the other hand, The Emperor can help us invoke the courage we need to stick with our convictions, to set healthy boundaries, and to better organize our lives. Through approaches including contemplation, intentional questioning, journaling, and visualization, each Major Arcana card can help us heal a different aspect of ourselves. Exploring all 22 cards as they relate to our own lives is therefore a productive and profound way to heal ourselves and return to wholeness.
Healing with the Major Arcana: A Brief Guide
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s always when doing spiritual work, the first step is to set a clear intention for healing. We must use the tarot ethically and responsibly by only asking questions about ourselves, never attempting to control or pry into other people’s lives. Intentional questioning means asking focused questions, such as, “What do I need to know right now to return to my center?” or, “What kind of energy would be most helpful for me to release?” If we come from a place of honest self-exploration and alignment, the tarot deck will always respond accurately and provide us with the card that perfectly matches our vibration and answers our inquiry. Presented here is a guide for working with the Major Arcana, outlining each card’s uses and healing purposes. You will add your own ideas and interpretations to each card as you work with them one-on-one. Tarot interpretation is fluid, flexible, and subjective, so this is simply a good place to start. I recommend working with the Rider Waite Smith deck if this is your first time, since its symbols are fairly accessible and it has been used as the basis for so many modern decks. As a caveat: there are no “positive” or “negative” cards. All tarot cards are neutral. Some may ask us to work with our own shadow parts more directly than others, but the purpose is always to bring more light into our lives, to release what doesn’t serve us, and to become deliberate creators of our own realities. The guide will walk you through the 22 Major Arcana cards in their upright positions. Individual readers must determine if they will incorporate reversed cards into their readings. In my personal and professional tarot work, I include upside-down cards because they add an extra layer of depth and insight to any spread. Generally, I read reversed cards as indicating an imbalance with the card’s upright energy. For instance, if the High Priestess represents a strong sense of intuition and inner knowing in its upright position, a reversed High Priestess can suggest a resistance to developing one’s intuition or an excessive reliance on external knowing (i.e. other people’s opinions or ideas) in making decisions. Reversed cards usually indicate (1) resistance to the card’s upright energy, (2) a stagnation of that energy, or (3) an unhealthy excess of that energy. There are, of course, additional ways of reading upside-down cards. The reader’s intuition and skill must determine which of these categories apply to a particular card. Case Study #3 below demonstrates how to perform a reading of a reversed card. The personal work I suggest with the following one-card readings is focused on the Major Arcana and its universal and archetypal themes. The cards in the Minor Arcana are more suitable for exploring day-to-day situations, and for assisting us as we navigate our daily experiences in the third dimension. When we work exclusively with the Major Arcana, we are able to access and heal the primordial core of the governing patterns and conflicts in our lives. The purpose behind working with individual cards rather than multi-card layouts is to invoke the primary and unique energy of each Major Arcanum to heal a particular aspect of ourselves. Because the tarot is universal, we all contain the essential energies depicted Continued on page 56
54 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
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TAROT FOR WISDOM AND WELLNESS Continued from page 54
in the 22 Major cards. Conflict, resistance, confusion, and suffering arise when those essential energies within us are in a state of imbalance (deficient, suppressed, excessive, and so on). It’s important to work with the cards individually to heal as many parts of ourselves as we possibly can. When we add a second or third card to a spread, the cards’ individual energies begin to meld as they both amplify and dilute each other. In a multi-card spread, the High Priestess is no longer simply the High Priestess in her individual essence; she becomes the High Priestess + The Lovers, or the High Priestess + The Lovers + The Moon reversed. In other words, additional cards read in conjunction with the High Priestess transform its individual meaning into a collective one. The purpose of the exercise outlined throughout this article is to access and correct (wherever necessary) the undiluted, unique, primary energy of each Major Arcanum as it manifests in our own lives.
Case Study #1: Career —The Chariot
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n this scenario, the querent or seeker (whoever is asking the tarot for guidance) is a 40-year-old woman considering a career change after many years with the same company. She feels hopeful and excited to leave a job that no longer challenges her, but she’s also nervous about the transition and wondering if she will be successful. To become receptive to the tarot’s messages for her, the querent finds a quiet place where she will not be interrupted, sits comfortably, and takes 10-20 deep breaths, focusing on exhaling any potential resistance within her. She visualizes her heart chakra opening at the center of her chest, preparing to receive the wisdom and guidance the cards will offer. These preliminary steps are crucially important, since our ego mind will often try to interfere with the process of receiving intuitive messages. This is especially true if the messages we receive are necessary for us but not exactly what we wish to hear (for instance, that it’s time to leave a long-term relationship or job). After centering herself and becoming as open as possible, the querent asks the Major Arcana: “How can I heal my feelings of anxiety about the unknown and move confidently through this transition?” She shuffles her deck of Major Arcana and pulls The Chariot. This card sends a clear message to the querent about self-esteem, confidence, and willpower. The Chariot is a card of movement and action, of taking the reins of our own destinies with determination. The querent is being advised to work through her self-esteem issues and to become an active participant in her own life. Perhaps she entered her previous career due to family pressures or financial obligations, but this time she is being called to make a choice from her heart: what does she truly want for herself? How can she integrate her true passion with profitable work that will pay the bills? This card — with its imposing charioteer standing beneath a canopy of stars — reminds the querent of the importance of putting her higher self in charge of her experiences on the earthly plane. The querent must work towards a dynamic balance between actively driving forth movement and progress in her life and surrendering to her higher, spiritual self to ensure that her action steps are aligned with her soul’s mission. Since The Chariot also helps us resolve issues of addiction and past karma, the querent is being called to heal any compulsive tendencies to control and/or worry about past, present, and future situations. She must learn to trust that the universe will provide her with whatever she needs whenever she needs it.
Case Study #2: Family —The Hanged Man
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he querent is a 60-year-old man trying to support his adult daughter through a number of health issues. His daughter is contemplating her options, including switching medical providers and undergoing a fairly invasive surgery. The querent is naturally worried and trying to counsel his daughter as best he can. To become 56 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
receptive and release resistance before working with the cards he meditates for a few minutes, sitting quietly with eyes closed to consciously pull his energy away from the world and back into himself. 10-15 minutes is ideal, but 5 minutes will do in a pinch. Like the querent, we all have energy cords (I often imagine them as tentacles) attached to people, things, and situations in the external world. By releasing those attachments at least for a few moments, we can become more fully present and focused. After a 10-minute meditation, the querent asks the tarot cards: “What can I do to help my daughter make the right decisions?” He shuffles the Major Arcana and draws The Hanged Man. The querent’s desperation and desire to help are natural and understandable, but the card strongly suggests that he must let go and surrender to higher power in this situation. The Hanged Man is a clear indication that he’s already done everything that is in his power to do; it is now advisable for him to allow his daughter to make her own choices. He must retreat, in a sense, and become a stable and grounding force not only for his daughter but also for himself. If he is tempted to lecture or convince his daughter to have the surgery (or not), he must practice the art of sitting on his hands and supporting her through her own decision-making process. The Hanged Man suggests to the querent that he must become a sounding board for his daughter and keep his strong opinions to himself, at least until after he has listened to her own reasoning. The querent could tell her he trusts her judgment and will support her choices. The lesson here is about letting go of resistance, control, and any tendency to play savior in other people’s lives. The querent must acknowledge his limitations: even though he feels he must save and heal his daughter, he must begin to accept the limits of his power. In addition, the querent is being called to cultivate inner peace and stillness even in the midst of difficulty and pain. He owes that to himself, and he will set a great example for everyone else in his life.
Case Study #3: Relationship —The Star (Reversed)
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he querent is a 19-year-old woman who is currently dating a fellow college student (a 20-year-old man). She is attracted to this young man and feels they could have a solid relationship, but the man doesn’t want to commit. The woman decides to journal about the issue, writing about how she feels, what she’s currently getting out of this relationship, and what she wants to get out of a fulfilling relationship. The writing process helps her explore her confusing thoughts and feelings, and also leads to her formulating an insightful question for the tarot deck: “Is this the best relationship for me at this time?” (Note that asking “What can I do to get so-and-so to commit?” or “How does so-and-so feel about me?” would veer into unethical territory, since we can’t use the tarot to read other people’s minds or control their behavior.) The querent shuffles the Major Arcana and pulls The Star, reversed. Immediately, the card’s upside down position indicates to the querent that her current relationship is not in clear alignment with who she really is and what she needs in this moment. The Star in its upright position is a card of total self-realization and connection to Source. The woman’s unabashed nakedness on the card represents her freedom and self-confidence; she doesn’t feel the need to hide any aspect of herself. Since The Star is reversed, the card suggests to the querent that she is not being her true self in this relationship. She feels she must hide in order to be liked or accepted. Moreover, this is a significant source of stress and will likely take an emotional and/or physical toll on her. In order to get the card’s energy back to its upright position, the querent must
meditate honestly on her needs and desires and make the healthiest choice. The clear water on the card indicates to the querent that she must be transparent with herself and her boyfriend, and that her life will begin flowing more effortlessly if she takes the necessary steps to release anything that doesn’t serve her.
Zandalee
Reading the cards for ourselves is an insightful and fairly accessible way to begin healing patterns, habits, and beliefs that no longer serve us. However, if we’re dealing with major issues or a high degree of resistance, scheduling a multi-card reading with a seasoned reader is highly recommended. An experienced tarotist is not only an interpreter of cards; he or she can take on the role of spiritual advisor, therapist, wise counselor, and sounding board. Receiving input and guidance from a professional frequently makes the difference when we fail to make headway on our own illumination.
Further Recommendations For the self-taught tarotist who wishes to continue exploring the tarot, I recommend the following books:
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Kim Huggens, Tarot 101: Mastering the Art of Reading the Cards, Llewellyn Publications, 2010 Rachel Pollack, 78 Degrees of Wisdom, Thorsons, 1997 Paul Fenton-Smith, Tarot Masterclass, Allen Unwin, 2008 Barbara Moore, Your Tarot Your Way: Learn to Read with Any Deck, Llewellyn Publications, 2016 Benebell Wen, Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth, North Atlantic Books, 2015 (for intermediate to advanced tarotists)
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Holotropic Frontiers in Inner Power The culture-changing shift from power over to power with to power within has already begun. By Tav Sparks
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he first of the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths states that all life is, or contains suffering. No kidding. Here is a principle on which we can all agree. The second truth says that that suffering is caused by unfulfilled desire or craving. Stated informally, the Taoist Lao Tzu offered that the Great Way is easy if we are not addicted to our preferences, to our personal desires. Almost all spiritual systems — as well as many modern psychotherapies — agree that one of our most basic and powerful human drives is the search for true happiness, freedom, and empowerment. Most systems propose, in one metaphor or another, that one of the core causes of our suffering is that we are deeply mistaken about how to go about finding this lasting, authentic happiness. We all wish to confront this looming tragedy of disempowerment that has for millennia gripped planetary civilizations. As Morpheus told his disciple in the movie The Matrix, before he “unplugged” him from his imprisonment in the Matrix: “You’ve been living in a dream world, Neo.” What seemed to make this movie series so wildly popular was that it struck a universal, or archetypal, chord. It sounded a note that so many of us either consciously or unconsciously feel — most of us for our entire lives. This is that we have been misled by the current world dream. Because of this, we are unable to find our way to freedom. The glamour that binds us is daily rewoven. It is a spell of global magnitude. It is consciously or unconsciously reinforced by systems of thought, where the primary directive seems to be to prepare each new generation to be continually slotted into some subservient role in the global cultural dream experiment. What fuels this so-called dream experiment? At least part of it seems to be the result of
58 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
a wild, unchecked exercise in greed and power. This exercise is itself the result of a deep longing for happiness that has gone horribly awry. The dream experiment is what world teachers have been referring to in all spiritual systems in one way or the other. Some say that this world is nothing but an illusion — that it is false altogether — and that the purpose of life is to free ourselves from it completely. This proposes a great mystery for which, it seems, there can be no one answer. We might encourage a seeker to find out for herself, through her own authentic power within, the answer to this and other cosmic riddles. Others say we need to awaken from the dream of Maya — to get free by recognizing that Maya is a great delusion or illusion. We also hear and read that this world as we see it is only an appearance of limitation and falsehood. We are assured that — perhaps freed from the bonds of linear time — we have the ability to experience it in a glorious perfection of which, at this point, we can only dream. And once having awakened, we can then be moved to serve others — to do what we can to help them be free of suffering as well. Still others say that we live in a desire-fueled shadow play, a program, a matrix, a fixed, limited operating system, or a “dark city,” as the modern film classic of this name suggests, fed by this addiction to power and greed. The result of this collective hypnosis is that we are blinded by the light of false promises that we are guaranteed can be fulfilled in our frantic pursuit of various addiction-dreams in the external world. Here is one of the most cruel of these false promises: If we just work hard enough, we can wrest from life, from the resources of the planet, and from other human beings, whatever we feel we want or need to bring us lasting happiness.
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Two Possible Tragedies The main problem with this fantasy was addressed in a quote by Oscar Wilde, and most teachers of spirituality would agree. “There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” In the case of the former, if we don’t get what we want, we will be unhappy because of the pain of our continued wanting, our grasping, and the emptiness we feel when we don’t receive the fulfillment of our desires. The other sorrow is getting what we want. And why would this cause us suffering? Because if we have it, we will always be afraid we will lose it — something which inevitably occurs in our pursuit of happiness. Or else we will become addicted to it and crave acquiring more and more. In either case, we suffer. This is exactly the situation that we face on the planet today. There seems to be a great dream woven by the relentless pursuit of countless threads of egoic and material greed and obsession. As we said, there is a global culture now, more and more enmeshed and fueled by cyberspace — a formidable, shadow-generated experiment in electronic dream weaving. On the one hand, we have at our fingertips a whole array of information, knowledge, and opportunities to pursue the eventual reality of planetary transformation. So many of us would long to play a part in a drama which sees us each undertake what some Sufis call moving “toward the One: the perfection of love, harmony, and beauty.” Sufficient means for everyone to live in health and safety are gifts all humanity deserves. It seems to be all possible, here and now. Perhaps one day we will utilize world resources toward these goals. Yet instead, most of those in power seem driven to successfully manipulate other members of the world human community toward their own ends, so that power and wealth are increasingly acquired by fewer and fewer individuals and consortiums. And one of the ways they do this is through an insidious manipulation of the electronic dream machine. We are taught to go get it, to fight for it, to be radiantly healthy, cool, and beautiful. We are schooled to acquire more and more of whatever it is we think we need, even though what we think we need is changing almost hourly due to the cyber-fuelled advertising barrage promising the newest happiness craze. This fantasy is being beamed at us relentlessly through a thousand forms of an instantaneously available and ubiquitous multimedia. The message: that it is possible for us all to get it all. We become stultified and stupefied by cyberspace, even as we may walk through a grove of sacred trees. Yet we are forever overlooking one major flaw in this trajectory. If we are pursuing our dreams in the external world — the ones we are promised that we deserve — we have to realize that so are the rest of the seven billion people on the planet. Therefore, it is inevitable that we will be in constant competition with a number of these people throughout our lives. Sometimes we will succeed, and sometimes we will fail. Then, at the end of our lives, as we look back on our Earth adventures, if we have come anywhere close to experiencing the fulfillments of our desires half the time, then we can consider this to be about as successful as we could expect. A certain statistical percentage
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 59
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HOLOTROPIC FRONTIERS IN INNER POWER Continued from page 59
on a graph on some website: for all our struggles, do we really want to be satisfied with this return on the investment of our dreams and ambitions? Ought this be the final reward — the result of a lifetime of want, craving, and a pervasive sense of lack — of never enough?
Breaking Through The good news bears repeating: there is a way to find a true lasting freedom, independent of outside circumstances. Within us all along has been a force more powerful than any the outside world can offer. This unlimited power goes by such a diminutive, unassuming name that it is easy to overlook it in our frenzied search outside ourselves for happiness. But the search, though sometimes difficult, is just not that complicated. As you may have guessed by now, this unlimited power is none other than the inner healer, the power within. Many true spiritual paths in one way or the other lead us to our inner selves and the power latent there. Yet even though it is the promise of virtually every form of therapy, many of these psychotherapeutic and transformational systems can often be misguided as well. Instead of recognizing the inner healer and supporting us to discover the true resources of a power within, they often direct us, consciously or unconsciously, to rely instead on them — to look outward to the therapists who become their priests and priestesses. Most of us, at some point in our lives, will recognize and confront the need for a download of some kind of true personal power. Without power, it is impossible to reach a level of worthwhile fulfillment, be it for any kind of outer or inner riches. In this search for power, and if we are fortunate, or some might say blessed, three things may happen. First, we may become disillusioned with the ability of any outside person, system, or circumstance to know what is best for us, or be able to provide whatever that panacea may be. Second, we may then arrive at a disconcerting existential crisis. In this crisis, we can have the experience, based on whatever operating system of the false self we are using, or constricted lens through which we see ourselves, that these limited tools of the ego, for all intents and purposes, are simply powerless to fix us. The third event that may occur is a milestone, a true breakthrough. This one can happen either spontaneously, or through some deep experiential method like Holotropic Breathwork, meditation, psychedelics, shamanic practices, a spiritual emergency, and the like. The transformation seems, at least in part, to be a flowering of what philosopher Macy has called the culture-changing shift from “power over” to “power with.” Yet the dynamic of power with is still just one essential, important element on the trajectory toward the fulfillment of any exploration of true power. Of course, it is not far-fetched to propose that a cornerstone of any new transformational millennium will be the evolution from power over to power with. But, perhaps, even at that point of great shift, there is a further, deeper horizon of power that must be embraced for there to be a culmination of the true human dream experiment. We have, in the manner of a mantra, referred to it already. This further horizon is what we are calling a radical, full-bodied, mental and emotional turning inward to the treasure of power always, already within. Through this gift, we are able to get in touch with and to activate a previously untapped dimension deep within ourselves. This inner resource can then become a constant catalyzing agent for true empowerment, with the absolute potential to lead us to our evolutionary fulfillment as human beings in this planetary cycle. We now have very real means to embrace freedom, power, and wholeness in our lives, one moment at a time. This is the basis of a holotropic paradigm.
Through this gift, we are able to get in touch with and to activate a previously untapped dimension within ourselves.
Excerpted and adapted with permission from The Power Within: Becoming, Being, and the Holotropic Paradigm by Tav Sparks, Muswell Hill Press, 2017. Visit holotropic.com for New England holotropic events in spring 2018. 60 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
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BOOK EXCERPT
Just One Thought Away Sister Shivani in conversation with Suresh Oberoi
A
n international daily TV talk show, Awakening with Brahma Kumaris, is changing people’s lives all over the world. The purpose of the show is to give an insight into how and why we think and behave in certain ways. This TV show, which is a household name airing in over 160 countries across five continents, has helped millions of people overcome mental stress, depression, addictions, low self esteem and unhappy relationships, as they take responsibility for their lives, alter their outlook towards challenges, and become solution-oriented. The source of knowledge on the program is the Brahma Kumaris, an international NGO (non-governmental organization) in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The Brahma Kumaris teaches Rajyoga Meditation as a way of experiencing peace of mind and a positive approach to life. With its global headquarters in Mt. Abu, Rajasthan, through more than 8,500 centers in over 133 countries, the Brahma Kumaris offer a wide range of courses and programs to people from all religious and cultural backgrounds to explore their own spirituality and learn skills of reflection and meditation. All courses, seminars and workshops are offered to the public free of charge, as a community service. Sister Shivani is a world-renowned student and teacher of Rajyoga 62 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
Meditation. Since 2008, she has become increasingly popular in India and among the Indian diaspora as the star of “Awakening with Brahma Kumaris.” Suresh Oberoi is an internationally recognized Indian film actor with over 250 films to his credit. He has a keen interest in exploring and experiencing spirituality in practical life. Together they create a daily touchstone of calm, focus and inspiration that anyone around the world can tune into. Happiness Unlimited: Awakening with the Brahma Kumaris is the first book released adapted from this acclaimed TV series. “Just One Thought Away” is a chapter excerpted from that book. Suresh Oberoi: I read somewhere that peace and happiness almost go hand-in-hand. The writer says there is peace in the smile of a child, in the tender touch of one’s mother; it has got nothing to do with God or religion but everything to do with the state of one’s mind. Sister Shivani: Absolutely. In both instances, the author is talking about the vibrations of the being. The smile of the child emanates vibrations of purity and innocence, and the touch of the mother has vibrations of love and unconditional acceptance. When we experience these gestures, more than the act, it is the vibration in the energy that we experience and that’s why there is peace. And wherever there is peace, there will be happiness. Suresh Oberoi: So the mother and the child are so natural. For elders you have to make an effort. Sister Shivani: That’s what it’s all about; about making it natural. The effort happens
when you are trying to do it for the other person, while the natural is when you are just being yourself. If I am trying to do things according to what I think will make you happy, then it is an effort; but if I am just being myself, then it’s natural. Suresh Oberoi: You mean to say being myself or being natural is peace, love and happiness. Sister Shivani: Yes. I just have to be in that awareness that these are my natural qualities. Thse are not qualities that I will acquire when I do something; it’s my natural personality, my natural sanskar. It’s my original state of being; I just have to remember it and let it flow — not look for it outside. Suresh Oberoi: All my life I have been hearing people say, “Look, I am a December born.” “I am a January born.” “I am a Leo.” “I am a so-and-so.” “I am a short-tempered person, my husband is so-and-so, my wife is sweet.” It’s so easy to attribute things to one’s birth and say “I am like this.” Now we have got to learn that all of this is wrong. Sister Shivani: There’s a very beautiful word in Hindi — sanskars. It’s the personality trait. Every being carries five types of sanskars and that’s why it’s important to understand the being, because it is a package made up of these five types of sanskars. The first set of sanskars we get from the family. We are within the vibration of the family members, so that energy is automatically influencing us. The second set of sanskars comes from my environment, my country, my religion, caste, city, school and friends. We have always heard, “You will be colored by the company you keep.” The environment and the people around you, the energy around you, the belief systems around you, these create sanskars. The third type of sanskar is sanskars of the past. When I understand that I am a spiritual being and so I don’t die — I just change costumes and my journey is through each and every costume. Then there are certain sets of sanskars which I have created in my past costumes. Today I am in this costume, I am doing a lot of actions, it’s creating an impression, it’s creating a sanskar. It’s time to leave this body but the sanskars don’t get erased; it’s like a recording of songs on the CD which was created, and you take that CD and put it on another player, but you are still carrying those songs. Suresh Oberoi: Let’s forget about past life since we don’t know how many of us believe in it. Sister Shivani: It’s not about believing in it; it’s because we don’t understand it that we have a lot of conflicts today. You know, the biggest conflict today in a family is that parents expect all their children to be the same. “Oh, I have given the same upbringing to both my children, then why are they so different?” The parents are the same, the family is the same, the environment is the same, so they naturally expect the sanskars of all the children to be the same. Yet, two children can be twins, born under the same zodiac sign, on the same date and at the same place, and they may go to the same school, grow up in the same environment, but their personalities will be different. Because few years back when they were in two different costumes, they were not in the same family, they were not in the same country, and they were not in the same environment. They have had a different past, and they are carrying their pasts. We cannot ignore the fact of the past life’s sanskars because they are a dominant factor in determining the present. We are not able to understand people because we are only seeing them in their present costume; we are unable to see that they are carrying a past. Suresh Oberoi: It’s a nice way for parents to understand their child. Sister Shivani: We keep saying, “Look at your brother; you should be like him.” We don’t understand that they are two different personalities like the two CDs with two different recordings, which have come to our house and we are trying to make one similar to the other. Suresh Oberoi: I have heard mothers telling their children, “Look at the other boy and look at you. I often doubt that you are my child. You may have been replaced in the hospital.” How hurting these words must be. Sister Shivani: She fails to understand from where her child has gotten the sanskars that she hasn’t given to the child. It’s tough for the child, too, because even he doesn’t know why he has these sanskars. For example, a child could have a sanskar of stealing. He comes from a wealthy family and has everything at home, yet when he goes to school he will pick up another child’s pencil. It’s something that comes instinctively to him; he doesn’t do it logically. That’s because the being, the spiritual energy, the soul has carried some sanskars. When we are unaware, the sanskars will come into play automatically. Suresh Oberoi: Sister Shivani, it’s difficult to reach this level of awareness. Often there is such a small gap between a thing happening and my reaction. In that split second how will I remember that I should not react like this? I used to see many gurus, there would
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FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 63
SISTER SHIVANI Continued from page 63
be a huge explosion during Diwali and his eye would not even blink. How do we reach that stage? Sister Shivani: It comes with attention and practice. Earlier if I was conducting a workshop and somebody’s mobile phone rang, I would get disturbed. There I was talking to the gathering about stability, but inside I was disturbed. Suresh Oberoi: So it was one step leading to another? Earlier you were disturbed, another time you must have said, “It’s okay; they are like that.” Next time you are not even bothered if they are “like that” or not; it really doesn’t matter to you. It doesn’t distract you anymore. Aren’t these the stages then? One has to go through stages; one cannot go straight to your stage. Sister Shivani: Some people will say, “It’s going to take years and years.” No, it doesn’t take years; it’s just one thought of awareness — otherwise I can get irritated by a mobile phone for a lifetime. We can live our lives getting irritated by the mobiles that are ringing around us. Suresh Oberoi: What is the meaning of one thought of awareness? Sister Shivani: One thought is: “How can I allow one unimportant ringtone to disturb my mind?” This is just one thought. I don’t think about the opposite person because it is not the ringtone that disturbs us; it’s the thoughts that I create after listening to the ringtone. Why did they not switch off their mobiles? Don’t they know that they are in a public program? It’s courtesy that you switch off your mobile. So it’s not the ringtone that irritates me; it’s the thoughts that I create in response to the ringtone that irritate me. The ringtone is just a trigger. I have to realize what is disturbing me. It is my own thoughts. My thought is that they should be polite enough to switch off the phone. Now I change my thought; it’s their choice whether they want to switch it off or not, and I respect their choice. Suresh Oberoi: I used to get disturbed even if somebody walked in front of me while I was acting my scene. Now I can see so many people moving around, and now I am learning to accept it. Sister Shivani: Now this is where we are creating the fourth type of sanskar. Getting irritated was one of the past sanskars, whether it came from the past birth, or from the current environment. With awareness we can change our sanskar. This is creating sanskars with our own will power. So we cannot keep blaming — oh, I can’t help it; this must be a past sanskar. It’s all about awareness. Suresh Oberoi: You are saying that awareness will bring will power. Sister Shivani: Yes. It’s will power that I will use to create a new sanskar. See, every time I say “This is because of you;” “I’m getting irritated because of this;” I imply that I am not powerful and others can overpower me. Will power means I have the power to choose, to think and be and do what I want. Every time I use that power, it’s will power. Many times we feel we don’t have will power. Everyone has will power, everyone has the same amount of will power; it just depends on how much we are going to use it. It depends on how we are going to sit back and stop blaming others. We disempower ourselves by not using our will power. Suresh Oberoi: I met someone who took two days to quit his habit of drinking of 30 years. You mean to say I have the same amount of will power as him? If yes, then why is it that I am unable to see that I have will power, or what is it that’s stopping me from using it? Sister Shivani: It’s simple: I am not using it. A human quality is useful only if it is being used. Suresh Oberoi: But what if I don’t know whether I have a quality or not? I don’t know how to see or use this quality. Sister Shivani: That’s why we are learning. It’s that area of life on which we now start focusing attention. If we say we don’t have time for spirituality, we don’t have time to meditate, then we are choosing not to use the powers that we have. We are choosing not
to apply the tools that are there. It’s like I have a whole lot of property in my locker but I refuse to open it and use it for myself and helping others; rather, I go around begging people for love, peace and happiness because I don’t want to use the time to go into my own locker, open it and use it from there. Suresh Oberoi: So your locker is meditation? Sister Shivani: It’s here in the mind and the key is with us, and only we know how to open it. Suresh Oberoi: So there is no need to go to anyone for getting my locker opened, for developing my powers. Sister Shivani: If we go somewhere, somebody out there could be instrumental in telling us how to open it, but finally no one else can open it for us. No one can activate the will power for us; that someone can only help us realize that we have this power. A simple example is when we want to give up our addiction. Someone may want to give up alcohol, or cut down on their TV watching time, or Internet surfing. We create a powerful positive thought: “Today I will watch TV for only an hour.” We are aware of this positive thought we create, but we are not aware of so many negative thoughts we create immediately. “It is difficult for me…I love watching TV…I have tried many times but I always fail…It’s my habit…Can’t go in one day…Obviously it will take time.” Now we created one positive thought to empower ourselves, and then followed by so many negative thoughts that will disempower us. Once you have decided to do something, just create one single thought and start working on it. Suresh Oberoi: If we all have the same will power, then how is it that some are able to give up their addictions sooner than others? Sister Shivani: Everyone has equal will power because everyone is a powerful being; realizing my own will power depends on how much I am aware that I am a powerful being and how much I use it. Of course, the people around me also make a difference. You know, we are largely responsible for reducing the will power of those around us, especially our children. Let’s say your child spends too much time on the Internet and you tell him that from tomorrow he is going to be on it only for an hour. Your words are affirmative, but your thoughts are of doubt and failure in giving up the addiction. Suresh Oberoi: Internally I am so sure that my child will not be able to do it. Sister Shivani: Every thought that I create is the energy that I am showing or radiating to the child. Suresh Oberoi: But why should the child get disturbed by the energy of the parent? Sister Shivani: We get influenced by the thoughts, words and actions of other people. We have to be very strong and protected and that can happen if we practice not getting influenced by the energy around us. Right now we are quite vulnerable. So everything that’s happening around us creates an impact. We should take care of ourselves and the people around us; if someone is trying to do something, do not create a single thought of doubt or negativity. If we create thoughts of doubt and fear for the child, we disempower the child. Let us create only powerful thoughts: “You can do it, we have faith in you.” Even if the child does not have the power, he will get empowered by the parents and succeed. Today in the corporate sector they are saying we motivate our people. Motivation will not happen with words. Your subordinate is late every day; you motivate him by saying, “I am sure you will do it.” But your thinking is, “I know him. He is not going to come on time; he will always be like this.” Thoughts and words are different. So when we say we are family and we are friends and we are there for each other, let it not be just words. There should be harmony between thoughts and words, and that’s the simplest thing to take care of in relationships. Let there be no conflict between what we are thinking and what we are saying. When there is a difference, there is also a conflict in the energy that the opposite person receives. Remember that the thought energy travels faster. Suresh Oberoi: Don’t you think today’s world is like this? We say, “Wow, you are wearing such a nice shirt!” Inside we are thinking, “He doesn’t have taste.” Sister Shivani: Why did we say, “Wow, you are wearing a nice shirt?”
Everyone has the same amount of will power; it just depends on how much we are going to use it.
64 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
Suresh Oberoi: A lot of people talk like that. We pick it up from everyone around us. Sister Shivani: But why do I say to you that your shirt is very nice? Suresh Oberoi: To please people. Sister Shivani: To please people. This is extremely important. We are saying it to make people happy. Now, happiness is not words; happiness is energy, it is vibrations, it is feelings. I am sending a word out by paying a compliment to your shirt, and I am also sending other thoughts saying horrible shirt, horrible choice, no taste at all. So what’s the total energy that comes to you? In fact, vibration reaches faster and is much more powerful than words. Suresh Oberoi: He will know that I did not like his shirt. Sister Shivani: He won’t be able to catch your thoughts. We can’t catch people’s thoughts. The mind needs to be really very silent to be able to catch people’s thoughts, but we can catch the feelings, the vibrations. That is why sometimes after meeting people and having a polite conversation, we still feel, “I don’t feel they really meant what they said. They were nice to talk to but I don’t feel anything nice after they left.” The foundation of this relationship is false, so it’s no relationship at all. If I send this conflicting energy to you, you will doubt my intentions and then you will always doubt my intention. Then there is no trust in this relationship; one word and the relationship is over because there was no foundation. So we need to ask ourselves what are we doing. One option is: I don’t say that you are wearing a nice shirt if I am not convinced that it is nice. If I don’t feel it’s nice, I shouldn’t say it’s nice; it’s integrity. If at all I still want to say it’s nice, first let “me” understand that it’s nice by creating a thought: Okay, I might not like a white shirt but that’s just my choice; your choice is nice for you. Create this thought and then say it. I keep working on myself until my thought and words are in harmony and then I communicate. That is communication. Suresh Oberoi: If I say you are wearing something nice and actually I do not mean it, what happens to me? What am I doing to myself, to my soul, to my personality? Sister Shivani: I am cheating myself. I am not honest to myself; what I think, I don’t do. There is disharmony between my thoughts, words and actions. I think something else, I say something else, and I do something else. There is disharmony and this disharmony will then continue. Again I will think I have to do this, but my words and actions will not follow, which will reduce my will power. It’s going to be damaging for us and that is why our will power is low today. Suresh Oberoi: We understood the four types of sanskars; which is the fifth type? Sister Shivani: The fifth sanskars are the original sanskars. When I understand my original sanskar, it is easy to take care of the other four. Past birth sanskars — not in my control; sanskars from family — not in my control; sanskars from the environment — not in my control; will power — in my control. I can create new sanskars through my will power, but even will power gets activated when I understand my original sanskar, my original nature, and that’s the original natural of every human soul on this planet. Every being is originally pure, affectionate, peaceful, blissful and powerful. Every being has this nature and we are looking for it outside because we have forgotten that this is my nature. Spirituality shifts our belief from I want happiness and peace to the truth that I am a peaceful being; I am a blissful being; I am a powerful being. And then it becomes natural and the whole perspective will change. If I want peace, then I am always seeking outside. If I understand I am peace, then I become a giver. So it ends our looking for happiness, asking for love, and we start sharing our peace, love and happiness with all. It automatically flows from us to the people around us. Like when we are stressed, we don’t have to consciously give it to others. All who come in our energy field automatically receive it and are influenced by us. Similarly, by being in our natural state of peace and happiness, we don’t have to give it. It will naturally radiate and will be felt by family and friends. Energy is like an infection — we catch it from the people around us. Suresh Oberoi: Thank you, Sister Shivani. You have told us something beautiful: I am peace. I am love. I am knowledge. I am bliss. Reprinted with permission of the publishers from Happiness Unlimited: Sister Shivani in conversation with Suresh Oberoi. ©2015 God Media. Published by Pentagon Press in association with Manjul Publishing House, Bhopal, India. All rights reserved.
For information or to find a local Brahma Kumaris center visit brahmakumaris.org. Visit the Brahma Kumaris Experience Meditation Room at the Natural Living Expo, November 11-12, 2017 in Marlboro, MA. See page 3. www.spiritofchange.org
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 65
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BOOK REVIEWS Ravensdaughter
Mandalynths: Celtic Art for Stress, Anxiety and Attention Management Ravensdaughter Design, Crestline, CA 2015
What do you get when you combine the endless patterns of mandalas with the woven paths of labyrinths? Created by Ravensdaughter, an artist with a decidedly Celtic influence, Mandalynths is a visually engaging experiential tool for focusing and calming the mind. To work with a mandalynth simply use anything that points, a capped pen, stylus, or even your finger to trace along the twisty unbroken lines of the design. You can begin the tracing at any point on the design, retrace your path or move ahead in any direction. Switching hands and tracing the mandalynth with your non-dominant hand is a great mental exercise, and easier than you may
Nada Milosavljevic MD, JD
Holistic Health for Adolescents: How Yoga, Aromatherapy, Teas and More Can Help You Get and Stay Well W.W. Norton and Company, New York, NY 2016
Adolescence is a time of amazing growth. Body and brain changes combined with external societal pressures, including today’s constant bombardment with technology, can leave teenagers fatigued, stressed and depressed. For some, these symptoms are severe and require intervention. Many treatments delivered to adolescents are based on adult research. Parents question the potential long-term effects of medications their kids are taking, and for many of the new meds the answer is, “We just don’t know.” While a firm believer and advocate of western medicine’s ability to save lives, allopathically trained Dr. Milosavljevic says there is a moral quandary in “prescribing health solutions with short-term benefits that might produce more long-term problems.” Intuitively, she felt there was another option for improving adolescent mental health, but her science mind needed proof. Holistic 66 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
By Gail Lord
think. By isolating hand-to-eye coordination, tracing focuses the mind. Just like walking a labyrinth, there is no hurry or instruction, no right or wrong way to experience this easily accessible meditative art. With no decisions to make, you are simply quiet and observant. Mandalynth designs include the relaxing and somewhat hypnotic Simple Trinity, good for stress and panic, the more complicated Wolf pattern for attention issues, and the tightly woven Celtic Eagle for individuals with intense but curious mindsets. Clinical psychologists, working in both individual and group settings, find that combat veterans in the stabilization phase of treatment can be assisted by mandalynth work. Among the complex issues of combat trauma is emotional disregulation — emotional responses that are poorly modulated and don’t fall within the conventionally accepted range of emotive response. Combat veterans report feeling able to quickly regain calm and focus simply by tracing a mandalynth design. Children with a range of attention issues are also drawn to working with the designs.
Health for Adolescents is a toolbox for teen wellbeing full of evidence-based holistic treatment methods that work. They are cost-effective, versatile, and, since teenagers can learn and apply these methods on their own, empowering. Utilizing all five senses, the exercises combine acupuncture, aromatherapy, yoga and sound/music therapy to address such issues as low mood, headache, focus, and substance abuse. Along with exercise, regular nutritious meals and enough sleep, the common problem of low mood responds well to the smells of clary sage, bergamot and tangerine. Acupressure points to use are LV3 Liver Channel (at the base of the first and second toe where the bones meet), PC6 (two thumb widths down from the crease of the wrist) and the Stomach Channel ST41 (on the front of the foot in the crease of the ankle joint). Saffron, though very expensive, used in small amounts is very effective for mild depression, and ginkgo tea increases serotonin levels and restores optimal brain function. Listening to upbeat tempos and energizing music is good for lifting mood. Though still unclear why, actually participating in music making, for example just clapping along, is even better. Yoga postures for low mood are Fish Pose and Legs Up Wall, while Downward Facing Dog is a chance to see the world from a fresh perspective.
Men and boys increasingly want to be active participants in their own health care, and Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Healing for Men is a superb resource. Whether you want to tone and nourish your body by making herb “candy” balls, or are feeling depleted and in need of Male-Vital-Tea, this easy-to-follow herbal compendium offers tasty recipes profiling herbs that promote whole-body health while also managing specific male issues. Self-care tips spanning from puberty to andropause (age-related hormone decline) promote men’s total wellness. Along with many new recipes, Rosemary includes an oldie but goodie, her popular fire cider, a zesty immune-stimulating health tonic that’s simply a mixture of horseradish, garlic, onion, ginger, cayenne, honey and raw cider vinegar. “You can buy different versions of it in stores,” Rosemary says, “but I recommend making your own. It’s easy!” Many men, and others, try to use their bodies in forceful ways, pushing onward through pain and injury, leading to muscle, tendon and ligament injury. While rest and gentle stretching is probably best for healing those types of issues, natural remedies such as St. John’s Wort liniment can reduce pain and trauma. Turmeric is another great choice; it sensitizes the body’s cortisol receptors with its fantastic anti-inflammatory properties, making it an effective treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis and osteoarthritis. Usually turmeric is taken internally in the form of teas, tinctures or capsules; applied topically it turns the skin (temporarily) bright orange. Cannabis is still illegal in many states, which is unfortunate, since it’s by far the most effective remedy for musculoskeletal pain. Scientific studies confirm medicinal varieties of cannabis are more effective than pharmaceutical painkillers, and they’re non-addictive and harmless when used in moderation (and even when not). Topical use of cannabis cream or taking cannabis internally can relieve severe inflammation, and many doctors and holistic practitioners are advocating for its use. A male health guide certainly needs to include the P’s — penis and prostrate. Prostate Health Formula #1 or #2, taken as a tea or tincture, soothes inflamed, swollen prostate with corn silk, nettle root, cleavers and uva ursi. For potency situations, there’s Pan’s Boner Toner, a tincture featuring horny goat weed, milky oats and rhodiola. The body has its own wisdom and sometimes it’s sending men signals that shouldn’t be ignored. While the herbal therapies covered from heart health to headaches to anxiety are excellent to use at home, there are also suggestions for when seeing a holistic health practitioner, herbalist or medical doctor might be considered. Much of Rosemary’s understanding about men’s health issues and concerns comes from her vast experience as an herbalist, questioning men and then actually waiting for their responses. In her experience, men generally answer sensitive questions about health and healing honestly and candidly, but sometimes struggle a bit in giving their heartfelt replies. She finds that giving time to answer, not jumping to conclusions, and then taking the time to listen carefully is the best way to get men to open up and share their health concerns, which is good advice for anyone, regardless of gender!
Nancy Smith
Divine Love Affair: An Akashic Journey Angelscapes Publishing, North Andover, MA 2016
You are loved more than you can imagine and your soul has a plan for your life. The Akashic is the energy of creation supporting us throughout our lives and beyond, the constant brain wave that pulses within us. Akashic energy is divine love; it helps us find our way, guiding us exactly where we need to go. The Akashic records are stored in a vast library, accessible by going deeply into your soul, meeting your angels and guides, and listening for guidance. In the Divine Love Affair medium and artist Nancy Smith shows you how to connect to this loving guidance through the Akashic records. Nancy’s journey began as child in touch with helping angels. But her religious upbringing, like that of many, told her she wasn’t worthy of the love God was giving her. As an adult in search of divine love, she let go of many things besides the conflicting messages of her childhood religion: her health, her marriage, and for a time even her mediumship
Walter Ling, MD
Mastering the Addicted Brain: Building a Sane and Meaningful Life to Stay Clean New World Library, Novato, CA 2017
Considering the subject matter, Mastering the Addicted Brain is easy to understand and refreshingly hopeful. Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Walter Ling, on the frontlines of addiction treatment since the Vietnam War heroin epidemic, calls out addiction for what science has proved it to be: a chronic, relapsing brain disease. Altered and diseased through repeated drug exposure, the addicted brain can be treated, says Dr. Ling. Understanding the true nature of addiction tells us why people don’t, or can’t, stop taking drugs. It also helps us understand the detox process, the power of drug memories, and a way to establish new patterns for a meaningful life. Memories get etched in the brain with each drug use. The more frequent the drug use, the more powerful the memories. It’s these drug memories that create the must-have-it-nowno-matter-what drug seeking behavior. Erasing the drug memories would end the addiction, but unfortunately there is no way to erase memory. So the drug memories need to be outnumbered by nondrug memories. Even if you’re not doing drugs, if you’re around drugs or places you did drugs or people you did drugs with, you’re reinforcing drug memories. Willpower or trying to be stronger than the drugs can’t change the brain memories. You need to overpower them by creating more nondrug memories. While some disagree with using the diseased brain as a framework, it’s only a framework for solving the problem of addiction, and currently, says Dr. Ling, it’s the best one we’ve got. If a new framework arises, then we’ll modify or replace the framework. “If you live long enough, practically everything that you think is true will probably be www.spiritofchange.org
abilities. Recovered, she learned the principles of prayer and meditation to open the Akashic records, confirming what she’d always sensed: she was gifted with seeing the divinity in others. She also learned that angels, most often associated with religion, existed long before religion did, and can be called on at any time. The protocols for working with the Akashic take time and repetition, with most exercises taking somewhere around twenty to forty minutes to complete. With your team of angels and experts around you, which may include Quan Yin, Jesus, or White Buffalo Woman — the specific master will come to you when the time is right — start your exercise with deep breathing. Establishing a rhythmic breathing pattern creates calm and relaxation, reminding your mind, body and spirit that all is well, that you are safe in the present moment, the moment where all creativity, awareness and healing happens. Each journey into the Akashic begins with a five-part prayer. Repeating the opening prayer often while staying honest and open hearted will strengthen your connection to the Akashic. Once connected, the meditations and inspiring exercises in the Divine Love Affair will guide you step-by-step to meet your many personalities, reclaim disowned parts of yourself and even take a quick journey to a past life.
proved wrong, but so what?” says Dr. Ling. As his wise mother told him, people once thought the world was flat, and they still fell in love and enjoyed happy productive lives, despite being completely wrong about the cosmos. Mastering the Addicted Brain is about putting a plan in place to create a sane and meaningful life. The hard work of recovery depends on creating a healthy mind and a healthy body, but that’s not enough. Staying off drugs — relapse prevention — is primarily what overcoming addiction is about. Triggers need to be avoided as much as possible. Difficult emotions can benefit from using STOP, an acronym for Stop what you’re doing, Take deep breaths, Observe what’s going on, and Proceed with consideration of others. Also, try smiling. Though it sounds simple, maybe even unreasonable, it interrupts charged emotions and releases a bonding hormone. The only way to stay off drugs is to turn chaos to order. Before the addicted brain can be mastered it needs to detoxify. Most people assume the process of detoxification is so difficult because nasty toxins and drugs are purging from the body. In reality, detox is simply just allowing the effects of the drugs to wear off. Usually taking a few days to a week or two, people initially get sicker during detox, not healthier. The severity and length of the addiction is what determines the magnitude of brain change and the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. There are short-term meds for relief of some of the symptoms, but mostly the brain needs time to heal. And that’s the beginning. Detox is the first step toward brain change, and it’s a great accomplishment. Sadly, it’s where most people stop. “Detoxification may be good for a lot of things, but staying off drugs is not one of them,” says Dr. Ling. The rest of the lifelong journey requires relapse prevention. His simple wisdom is instructive to anyone, on any journey, searching to create a meaningful life: “Nothing lasts forever, life is full of hassles, and you can’t take anything with you. Love yourself, but give others equal consideration.”
Jo Jayson
Self-Love Through the Sacred Feminine Expression of the Goddess Harrison, NY 2016
Artist Jo Jayson intuitively traveled through time and the cosmos gathering strong Goddesses to guide and heal herself and other women. Working within the archetype of the divine feminine, Self-Love Through the Sacred Feminine reveals the thirteen powerful Goddesses Jo painted, channeling their wisdom. The process was an unfolding of meditations, prayers and healing stories, and lead to the discovery of self-love and self-compassion. The first in the series is Guinevere, formidable Queen to the legendary King Arthur. Guinevere teaches self-respect. She holds the sword of truth close to her naked heart. As a crown-wearer, Queen Guinevere reminds us to honor our own majesty. We are each born wearing our own crown of divinity. Guinevere calls to us each day to put on our crown, and keep it on our head, being mindful not to let it fall to the ground. Our crown slips every time we bow our head in shame, or carry feelings of unworthiness, blame or fear. The key to keeping our crown secure is to walk as Guinevere does, not with arrogance or superiority, but with awareness that our daily actions and thoughts are in accord with our magnificent and self-compassionate birthright. She is closely connected to the faerie kingdom, and though her day of honor is spring’s Beltaine, May Day, you can tap into her noble energy anytime your crown needs adjusting. Brighid, Goddess of fertility and midwifery, is the Goddess of cycles and change. She is the Goddess of Sun and fire, hearth and home, healing and plant medicine. She represents all aspects of womanhood — maiden, mother and wise one. Her warrior energy protects us as we go through the various cycles of womanhood. The youthful maiden learns through trial and error and grows in hope for the future. In the mother stage we become less self-engaged, and whether we have our own children or not, we give of ourselves and possibly care for another. As we cycle from maiden to mother we find many blessings, but also challenges. Caring for others is hard, and includes loss of freedom, yet through the relationships we forge and deepen during our mothering stage we find our biggest growth. As we move on to wise one, we live from experienced gained. We know our own truth. For many, this is the stage of liberation. Goddess Brighid carries the lesson of nature and her changing seasons. Pain comes from resistance, so do not cling. Brighid encourages us to flow with the spiraling cycles of life, embracing the creative force of womanhood.
Gail Lord is a freelance writer living in Massachusetts. Please send book review copies to 51 North Street, Grafton, MA 01519 or email socbookreviewer@gmail.com. FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 67
FALL/WINTER
CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 9/9 — REIKI I CERTIFICATION. Newton, MA. Libby Barnett, MSW. 38 years experience. Reiki Energy Medicine author. Notebook, pin, certificate awarded. Credit cards accepted. CEU’s/contact hours. Call (603) 654-2787. www.reikienergy.com. Reiki II: 9/10. 9/9 — IMMUNITY FROM THE INSIDE OUT with Kathleen Maier. Learn about the impact of lingering infections, the causes of autoimmunity, and how to address Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes with herbal protocols. Boston School of Herbal Studies. (781) 646-6319 or bostonherbalstudies.com. 9/11-10/16 — THE REAP HEALING METHOD 6-WEEK CERTIFICATION TRAINING live online, Mondays, 7-9pm ET. Register now to master intuition, learn activation and practice application of the transformative healing of REAP through intuitive energy medicine and energy psychology. www.reaphealing.com 9/13-FALL OPEN HOUSE AT BAYLIGHT CENTER FOR HOMEOPATHY. Join us for wine and cheese. Our faculty + staff will be on hand to answer your questions about homeopathy and our programs. Next intro course begins 9/30. 5:30-7pm. 222 Saint John Street, Suite 238, Portland, ME. info@baylighthomeopathy.com. (207) 774-4244. BaylightHomeopathy.com. 9/9-9/10 — MARCONICS LEVEL 1 SPIRITUAL ALCHEMY “NO TOUCH” PRACTITIONER TRAINING. Barre, MA. This training takes place over two
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days and offers students the opportunity to become certified as a level 1 Marconic “No Touch” Practitioner with other like-minded seekers. To register visit marconics.com. 9/16 — REIKI I CERTIFICATION. Wilton, NH. Libby Barnett, MSW. 38 years experience. Reiki Energy Medicine author. Notebook, pin, certificate awarded. Credit cards accepted. CEU’s/contact hours. Call (603) 654-2787. www.reikienergy.com. Reiki II: 9/17 9/19 — LYME DISEASE PRACTITIONER TRAINING with Tommy Priester. This class is designed to help practitioners address Lyme disease and co-infections in an effective and comprehensive way. Clinicians will learn to work with protocols to ease symptoms and help people to return to normal functioning. Boston School of Herbal Studies. (781) 646-6319 or bostonherbalstudies.com. 9/23 — 3RD ANNUAL CENTRAL MASS LYME DISEASE CONFERENCE. Learn about treatment, research and testing advances. Worcester Technical High School, 1 Skyline Dr. 9am-4:30pm. $10 in advance. $20 at the door. Contact Michele Miller at CentralMassLyme@gmail.com or (888) 511-LYME. www.CentralMassLymeConference.com. 9/23 — AN AROMATHERPY CERTIFICATION COURSE with Linda Patterson. Learn how essential oils work to heal body, mind and spirit. This comprehensive course addresses the body systems, their common ailments and the essential oils most helpful for each condition. Boston School of Herbal Studies. (781) 646-6319 or bostonherbalstudies.com. 9/23 — 20th KUNDALINI YOGA & MUSIC FALL FESTIVAL! Blissful day of renowned teachers: yoga,
Ayurveda, mantra, gong relaxation. Food court and bazaar. Kids Fest too! www.YogaAtTheAshram.org. (508) 376-4525. 9/23 — GRAND OPENING: PORTAL CRYSTAL GALLERY. New storefront at 489 Mass. Ave. in Arlington Center, MA, featuring the largest crystal showroom in town, classes, practitioners and session rooms, as well as an art gallery. PortalCrystalGallery.com. (781) 859-5397. 9/24 — RHYS THOMAS INSTITUTE ONE DAY ADVANCED ENERGY TRAINING INSIGHT EVENT. How long does it take to change your life? The blink of an eye! Learn two spiritual secrets to success and walk out the door at 6pm into a new life! 12-6pm. Doubletree Hotel, Milford, MA. $25. Registration and info at InsightLiveEvent.com/spirit 9/24 — THE REVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS. Healthy living, healthy planet lifestyle expo includes vendors, hands-on bodywork, labyrinth meditation, workshops, local food cafe, food trucks and a screening of the not yet released documentary film, HEAL. Film will be followed by a panel discussion with producer, Adam Schomer and transformational healer, Rob Wergin. Plenty of free parking with T and MBTA public transportation nearby. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door: TROC.eventbrite.com. TheRevolutionOfConsciousness.com. 9/25 — WOMEN’S CLAIRVOYANT TRAINING PROGRAM. 18-month immersion course for the awake soul with Rev. Michelle Renee Pelletier, founding director of the Center for Psychic Healing. 248 Main Street, Harwich, MA. (707) 849-7793. Centerforpsychichealing.com Continued on page 70
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Begin your journey to Wellness with our Massage, Acupuncture, Reiki and Reflexology services! Call today Massage, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Reiki, Cranio-Sacral, Cupping, Eden Energy Medicine, Chakra balancing, Angelic Life Counseling, Wardrobe Consultation/ Coaching, Holistic Health Coaching, Yoga, Ear Candling... and if all that wasn't enough... Crystals & Gifts too!
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Bringing Body, Mind and Spirit into Balance Colon Hydrotherapy: Detox with state of the art “Open System” providing complete privacy. I-ACT & National Board certified Energy Healing — in office or long distance via Emotion Code and Body Code release. • Massage Therapy • Energy Work • Herbal Medicine • Ear Candling
• Q2 Ionic Footbath • Infra-Red TheraSauna • Kinesiology (Muscle) Testing • Nature’s Sunshine Health Products
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September 10-24, 2018 — Join Sandy Corcoran and Indigo Ronlov traveling throughout Egypt’s sacred sites, including 9-day private Nile sail and Fall Equinox ceremony between the paws of the Sphinx. See Upcoming listing or www.starwalkervisions.com.
CALENDAR Continued from page 68
For everyone. CEUS for professionals including nurses. From recovery to self-discovery. www.YogaAtTheAshram.org. (508) 376-4525.
Baskin. HeartSong Wellness, 23 Pine Street, Milford, MA. 7 p.m. Bio/Info: www.shiftofheart.com. www.heartsong.info.
9/30 — WELLNESS DAY. A day of wellness discussions, meditation, and mini sessions of Reiki, massage, acupuncture, card readings, and more. 10-5pm. $40 pre-register, $60 at the door. Bhavna’s Wellness Group, Shrewsbury, MA. (508) 970-5620. BHWellnessGroup.com.
10/7-10/9 — YOGA NIDRA WEEKEND. Wellfleet, MA. With Joann Lutz, E-RYT, C-IAYT. Practice four varieties of Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) in a beautiful environment. $150 early registration. Visit www.yogainpsychotherapy.com.
10/13-10/15 — YANG STYLE TEACHER TRAINING with Master Fukui Yang, Rick Barret and Abdi Assadi. In this seminar, three teachers/healers with over 120 years of martial arts/clinical experience teach Taijiquan from the inside out, showing not just how to feel the qi, but what to do with it. Eastover Retreat Center. Eastover.com. (866) 264-5139.
OCTOBER 10/6 — WHISPERS FROM HEAVEN: GALLERY READING with internationally recognized evidential healing medium Andrea Allen. Reconnect with your loved ones in spirit. 7-9pm. $50. At the Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center. Purchase tickets at www.andreaallen.com. 10/7-7/13 — SUPERHEALTH®: YOGIC SCIENCE TO BREAK HABITS AND ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR SPECIALTY PROFESSIONAL TRAINING. SuperHealth® is on the cutting edge of breaking habits and addictive behavior. The system addresses alcohol, drugs, smoking, food issues, co-dependency, gambling, work, computers and includes stress, depression, fatigue and anxiety. Developed byYogi Bhajan, the approach combines the ancient wisdom of yogic science with the innovations of western sciences.
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10/8 — WOMEN OF WISDOM PSYCHIC AND HOLISTIC FAIRE. Psychics, mediums, angel readers, spirit art. Reiki, chair massage, IET, Gaiadon Heart, crystal healings, etc. Sign yourself up for a few appointments and bring your friends! Appointments recommended/ walk-ins welcome! Call to book! (508) 230-3680. www.womenofwisdominc.com 10/11 — CLASSES BEGIN AT THE BARBARA BRENNAN SCHOOL OF HEALING at Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Florida. Join a life-changing adventure of healing and personal growth. Learn from our skilled and compassionate teachers and experience the incredible community that is the Barbara Brennan School of Healing. (800) 924-2564. www.barbarabrennan.com. 10/12 — INTERACTIVE HEART-CENTERED CONCERT: “THE HEALING VIBRATIONS OF MUSIC AND WORDS” with song healer and author, Cheryl Melody
10/14 — REIKI I CERTIFICATION. Concord, MA. Libby Barnett, MSW. 38 years experience. Reiki Energy Medicine author. Notebook, pin, certificate awarded. Credit cards accepted. CEU’s/contact hours. Call (603) 654-2787. www.reikienergy.com. Reiki II: 10/15. 10/14 — HEALERS DONA YSABEL AND DONA OLINDA from Peru are offering a special shaman’s Seguro workshop, followed by separate Masada evening ceremony. Scheduled private healing sessions all week. Contact: sandy@starwalkervisions. com or Sandy Corcoran: (508) 435-2681. 10/15 — CRYSTAL WISDOM AND WELLNESS GATHERING. All-day retreat, including meal, movement, morning and afternoon experiential sessions. At the Portal Crystal Gallery, 489 Mass Ave., Arling-
ton, MA. Limited spots, pre-registration required. Email Kyle@PortalCrystalGallery.com or visit PortalCrystalGallery.com. (781) 859-5397.
11/4 — REIKI I CERTIFICATION. Newton, MA. Libby Barnett, MSW. 38 years experience. Reiki Energy Medicine author. Notebook, pin, certificate awarded. Credit cards accepted. CEU’s/contact hours. Call (603) 654-2787. www.reikienergy.com. Reiki II: 11/5
10/18 — THE MAGICK OF ARCHANGEL MICHAEL. Christopher Penczak discusses how you can call upon Michael for aid in your own life and to help the planet. Considered St. Michael the Protector by some, he is also known as the archangel of the element of fire, the Sun and Mercury by magicians. Andover, MA. www.circlesofwisdom.com. (978) 474-8010.
11/10-11/15 — SHENG ZHEN HEALING QIGONG, the qigong of unconditional love, with Master Junfeng Li, a rare opportunity to spend seven days with a qigong master capable of receiving teachings from divine spirits in meditation. Eastover Retreat Center. Eastover.com. (866) 264-5139.
10/18-10/20 — GODDESS, PRIESTESS, WITCH 3-night workshop with Renee Starr. Ladies, reclaim your sacredness, awaken your devotion, and become the magic you seek. At ZuZu’s Healing Arts in Melrose, MA. Details at www.goddesspriestesswitch.com. 10/19 — AQUARIAN TEACHER KRI LEVEL ONE CERTIFICATION IN KUNDALINI YOGA BEGINS. In this 220-hour, one-year program with lead trainer Hari Kaur, you will become an instructor and learn the fundamental principles and practices of Kundalini Yoga. Yoga At The Ashram, 368 Village Street, Millis, MA. (508) 376-4525. Yogaattheashram.org. 10/20 — CORE ENERGETICS ACADEMY. Certification in Core Energetics with directors Karyne Wilner, PsyD and Charles Corley, Med. For heart-centered psychotherapists and body-mind healers. Training begins October 20. Middletown, RI. (401) 316-7401. karynew@aol.com. Drkarynewilner.com. 10/23-10/29 — SPIRITUAL SEXUAL SHAMANIC EXPERIENCE. ISTA Level 1 Retreat. Experiential weeklong training. Clear the physical and emotional body of shame, guilt, and fear related to sexuality and authenticity. Angel’s Rest Retreat Center, Leyden, MA. $50 discount if you mention this ad. https://neistatrainings.com/level-1-mass 10/28 — ENERGY IMMERSION RETREAT. (Reiki I Certification or re-attunement to Reiki I included). Engage the tools of Reiki and yoga to bring balance and stress-reduction. All who are interested in connecting with healing energy are welcome. If you are new to Reiki, you will receive guidance, attunement, and instruction for a Reiki I certificate. If you are familiar with Reiki and looking for a chance to re-connect, explore, and more deeply practice, you will receive a re-attunement to the Reiki I energy. Learn and practice ways to blend Reiki healing into a yoga practice in order to facilitate healing and clearing on all levels. Healthy lunch included. Lisa Rockenmacher, E-RYT 500, is an intuitive energy healer, experienced yoga teacher, and Reiki master. 10am-4pm, YogaLife Institute in Exeter NH. For more information visit www.yogalifenh.com or call (603) 969-8968.
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10/7-13 — Discover Superhealth®, a combination of yogic science developed by Yogi Bhajan blended with western science to break habits and addictive behavior. See October listing or YogaAtTheAshram.com.
10/28 — GURUNAM SINGH IN CONCERT. 7-9 pm. Chant your way to bliss, balance and an open heart, and humor to soothe the soul. www.YogaAtTheAshram.org. (508) 376-4525. 10/28 — NEW SEEING WITH THE HEART CLASS beginning this autumn. “Frankenstein’s Monster & Stone Soup”, a free men’s circle Oct 28. Go to www.spirithollow.org for details and registrations. 10/29 — HALLOWEEN COSMIC FAIR. 11am-5pm at the Purple Cat Vineyard and Winery, 11 Money Hill Rd, Chepachet, RI. Sponsored by The Cosmic Cat. For details: (860) 963-9500. www.thecosmiccat.com.
NOVEMBER 11/1-11/4 — HEALING FROM THE BODY LEVEL UP™ 1 TRAINING. Healing Trauma and Installing Boundaries. 9am-6pm each day. With Judith Swack, PhD. Learn how to heal PTSD. HBLU™ integrates the best of biomedical science, psychology, spirituality, applied kinesiology, NLP and energy psychology techniques along with original research to rapidly transform and heal your clients and yourself. (781) 444-6940. www. hblu.org. info@hblu.org. Early Bird deadline: September 29 to receive $150 off if you register with a friend. Special one-day add on: History Trauma: Learn How To Heal PTSD, Sunday Nov 5, 9am-6pm.
11/11-11/12 — 11TH ANNUAL SPIRIT OF CHANGE MAGAZINE NATURAL LIVING EXPO. Royal Plaza Trade Center. 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlboro, MA. Saturday 9-6; Sunday 10-5. Featuring 275 exhibits, 90 workshops, readings, shopping and fun. Enjoy the spacious Healthy Foods Tent for delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner meals throughout the weekend. Shopping, readings, mini healing sessions, sound healing, yoga, free Natural Products Sample Bar to try out new products. www.NaturalExpo.org. 11/11 — REIKI I CERTIFICATION. Wilton, NH. Libby Barnett, MSW. 38 years experience. Reiki Energy Medicine author. Notebook, pin, certificate awarded. Credit cards accepted. CEU’s/contact hours. Call (603) 654-2787. www.reikienergy.com. Reiki II: 11/12 11/11-11/12 — ZTARF ARTS LLC INVITES YOU TO BOOTH #60 at the Natural Living Expo. See original poetry, art, and the original, flagship jewelry line, the Traveling Peace Pendant. Wear it and make a difference in the world! www.ztarf.com. (508) 553-9922. 11/17-20 — SERGIO MAGANA PRESENTS TWO SEPARATE WORKSHOPS: Pleiadian Bands and Obsidian Tools, Tol/Mexica techniques used for healing. Discounted 4-day price. Contact: sandy@starwalkervisions.com or Sandy Corcoran: (508) 435-2681. 11/17-11/19 — WOMEN’S QI CULTIVATION: WHOLISTICALLY CREATING VITALITY, BEAUTY, BALANCE AND NUTRITIONAL HEALTH with Susan Krieger, LAc, MS. Learn secrets of rejuvenation from an experienced healer who has worked with masters of Asian medicine for over 35 years. Eastover Retreat Center. Eastover.com. (866) 264-5139. 11/18 — WOMEN OF WISDOM PSYCHIC AND HOLISTIC FAIRE. Psychics, mediums, angel readers, spirit art. Reiki, chair massage, IET, Gaiadon Heart, crystal healings, etc. Sign yourself up for a few appointments and bring your friends! Appointments recommended/walk-ins welcome! Call to book! (508) 230-3680. www.womenofwisdominc.com Continued on page 72
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 71
CALENDAR Continued from page 71
11/18-11/19 — 2-DAY HEALING WORKSHOP PRESENTED BY GEOZUWA. Awaken your third eye and all of your metaphysical abilities. Eliminate any negative thought patterns, fears, trauma, obstacles and blockages using self-hypnosis and NLP techniques. Learn how to easily and quickly achieve your goals. Geozuwa is a certified master hypnotist, and a certified hypnosis and NLP instructor. He is adept at teaching others to master the same metaphysical skills and abilities that he possesses and at guiding people to the other side and back. He is the founder of the Society of White Light dedicated to remote healing and directing and abundance of love and light into the world. For information on the 2-day workshop or to register call (646) 606-9935 or www.ascendedhealer.com 11/18-11/19 — 42ND ANNUAL WORCESTER MINERAL CLUB JEWELRY, GEM, FOSSIL AND MINERAL SHOW. National Guard Armory, 701 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA. Sat 9:30-5pm; Sun 10-4:30. 16 dealers, exhibits, demonstrations, hourly door prizes and more. For more information www.worcestermineralclub.org.
DECEMBER 12/2 — INTRODUCTORY PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT, ANGEL COMMUNICATION AND PAST LIFE REGRESSION WORKSHOP with Ross J. Miller, psychic healer, medium, regression therapist. In this unique, experiential workshop you’ll learn how to identify your guardian angels and spirit guides by name and receive their guidance, healing and inspiration; discover your soul’s life purpose; experience two of your past lives and heal the residual karma from them; give psychic readings to others in class and more. 10am-5pm, Newton, MA. To register for the workshop or to schedule a psychic or past-life reading or healing session in person or over the phone, visit our website TheMysticWay.com or call Ross J. Miller (617) 527-3583. 12/3 — CRAFT AND WELLNESS FAIR. Gifts for the inside and out. BWG practitioners will provide mini sessions in addition to a range of crafters and vendors selling wonderful items for your holiday gift giving. 10-3. Free to the public. Bhavna’s Wellness Group, 512 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA. (508) 970-5620. BHWellnessGroup.com. 12/5-12/7 — HOLY FIRE II REIKI CERTIFICATION TRAINING. Three day training including new techniques for Advanced Reiki Training, Reiki Master Training, and Holy Fire II Upgrade. Includes discussion, demonstrations, practice time, manual and teaching certification. 10am-6pm. $1025 ppd. Women of Wisdom. (508) 230-3680. womenofwisdominc.com.
72 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
October 23-29 — Join Laurie Handlers, Frank Mondeose & Kamala Devi McClure for a weeklong experiential International School of Temple Arts Level I training in Leyden, MA. See October listing or www.neistatrainings.com.
12/16 — HOLISTIC HEALTH AND PSYCHIC FAIR. 10am-5pm. Free admission. Sponsored by the Canton Spiritualist Church. Held at the Blue Hills, Canton, MA. Psychics, mediums, readings for a fee. Free healings. (617) 469-2568.
UPCOMING 2018 2/2-2/4 — ECKANKAR, THE PATH TO SPIRITUAL FREEDOM. Getting answers from God through past lives, dreams and soul travel. Free seminar, Friday-Sunday. Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, Springfield MA. See ad in this issue, visit www.eckinmass.org or call (508) 754-9042. 2/18-2/23 — 4TH ANNUAL MIRACLES RETREAT: MIRACLES, MANNIFESTATION AND MARY MAGDALENE. Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, Calistoga, CA. With Rev. Michelle Renee Pelletier, founding director of the Center for Psychic Healing. 248 Main Street, Harwich, MA. (707) 849-7793. Centerforpsychichealing.com. 3/1-5/1 — 100-HOUR HYPNOTIST CERTIFICATION TRAINING. Learn how to hypnotize, how to use hypnosis to help clients, and how to turn hypnosis into a profitable business. Instructor John Koenig has practiced hypnosis since 1998. Contact GreaterRhodeIslandHypnosisTraining.com. (401) 374-1890. 3/17-3/24 — IYENGAR YOGA IN PARADISE 2018. Escape to our 3rd annual retreat with Iyengar yoga instructor Rose Goldblatt at the luxurious Bodhi Tree
Yoga Resort in Nosara, Costa Rica. Deepen your practice and renew your body, mind and spirit. For more information visit www.balancebethlehem.com/workshops 4/15-4/16 — DAMANHUR PAST LIVES WORKSHOP. Shama Viola from Damanhur, Italy presents. Study uncovers information to clarify this lifetime’s issues. 16 participants only, registration closes a month before class. www.starwalkervisions.com or Sandy Corcoran: (508) 435-2681 4/20-4/21 — INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF TICK-BORNE DISEASES. Westin Baltimore Washington International (BWI)) Airport. Providing valuable insight into diagnosing and treating tick-borne diseases and associated health concerns using an integrative medical approach. Join us for this exceptional conference experience! www.integrativelyme.com 5/4-5/7 — BLOOMA PRENATAL YOGA TEACHER TRAINING. Blooma’s Yoga Alliance approved prenatal yoga education is all about finding the goddess within. This training is specifically designed to empower and prepare women for their journey through labor and childbirth. For more information visit www.balancebethlehem.com/workshops 5/25-5/28 — OLD KING FARM’S 9TH ANNUAL SPRING FLING ECO-SPIRITUAL FESTIVAL. Save the date! Four days of learning, earth healing, music,
meditation, dance and delicious organic food! All are welcome! www.oldkingfarm.com. 6/15-7/2 — QI GONG MASTER MANTAK CHIA at Eastover in Lenox, MA. Universal Healing Tao Teacher Training, USA Center. Session i: Inner Alchemy Tao Basic. Session II: Fusion I & II. Session III: Women’s Qigong and Health. Register for all or part. Also, Jun 29-Jul 6: Eastover Medical Qi Gong and Eastern Medicine Symposium. Info and registration at eastover.com. (866) 264-5139. 9/10-9/24 — ALCHEMY OF MA’AT, EGYPT. Join Sandy Corcoran and Indigo Ronlov traveling throughout Egypt’s sacred sites, including 9-day private Nile sail. Private Fall Equinox ceremony between paws of the Sphinx. Limit 15. Details: www.starwalkervisions.com. (508) 435-2681.
ONGOING BOSTON SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES. Arlington, MA. Herbal apprenticeship programs, advanced training, aromatherapy certification and Lyme disease practitioner training. Call (781) 646-6319 or visit bostonherbalstudies.com FREE MEDITATION CLASSES. Four-week classes in Arlington, MA. Easy for beginners, all others can deepen your meditation experience with the heart chakra meditation of Sri Chinmoy. Guided visualizations, concentration and breathing exercises, chanting mantras and music for meditation. For directions, pre-registration and downloadable guided meditations: freemeditationboston.org. GREATER BOSTON CHURCH OF SPIRITUALISM. Services Sunday mornings 10:30: No service on Labor Day weekend. Spiritual development classes, Mediums Days last Sunday of the month. Visit our website for current events and location information: www.greaterbostonchurchofspiritualism.com. LOVING KINDNESS MEDITATION. Sundays, 4:30 pm -5:30 pm. Spend a relaxing hour bringing peace to yourself and others through this powerful Buddhist Meditation. Held in a beautiful sanctuary, Milford, MA. www.heartsong.info HILLSIDE HERBALS WORKSHOP SERIES. Saturdays from 2-4pm. Held at Opening Lotus Yoga in Holden. September 30: Healing herbs for infants and children; make a medicinal emergency kit. October 28: Healing herbs in the kitchen: make teas, syrups, shrubs and sprinkles. November 18: Healing herbs for muscle and joint pain; make an herbal healing salve. December 9: Healing herbs for winter health; recipe share for immune supportive soups, syrups and tinctures. February 10: Healing herbs for mind and mood; make a tincture for sleep or love potion! March 10: Spring tonic herbs; make your own bitters! April 14: Healing herbs for seasonal allergies.
www.spiritofchange.org
November 10-15 — Learn the Qigong of Unconditional Love with Master Junfeng Li at Eastover Estates in Lenox, MA, to relax the body, quiet the mind and open the hearts of all humanity. See November listing or Eastover.com.
Make an herbal steam. May 12: Local healing herbs from our fields and forests. Herb walk and mindful wild harvesting. June 9: Healing herbs for hormone balance, women’s and men’s reproductive health. Make a safe household cleaning product. Series/ Friend discounts. For more info contact herbalist Rachel Ross, RN CNM. (508) 847-8615. Hillsideherbals.com. NORTHEAST REIKI CENTER FREE COMMUNITY REIKI CIRCLE. Second Sunday of every month, 2-4:30pm, Framingham, MA. Learn how we all have the ability to heal with our hands and also experience a free Reiki session. (508) 808-5696. northeastreikicenter.org CLASSES IN CHANNELING AND SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION with ascended master Vywamus, channeled by Andrea Seiver. Have a personal reading/ Enjoy Evenings with Vywamus: September 7, October 5, November 2. (617) 332-1541, www.andreaseiver.com. VISIT THE SPIRITUAL JUJU COMMUNITY at The Village Psychic Fair. September 23rd, October 28thand December 9th from 10am-4pm. The Yard Restaurant, 1211 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester, NH. www.spiritualjuju.com. www.TheVillagePsychics.com. All things metaphysical: vendors, readings, healing. THE ECLECTIC INSTITUTE OF AROMATHERAPY AND HERBAL STUDIES offers an introduction to European based Aromatherapy Certification course beginning in: Arlington 9/23 and 1/20; Sturbridge 9/24 and 1/21, Westborough 1/28. Level II beginning in: Arlington 2/17; Sturbridge 3/25. For details visit www.aromatherapyandherbalstudies.com.
YOGA WITH ANN BISSANTI. Mon, Multi-level, 6-7:30pm; Tues, Basic 6-7:30pm; Wed, Basic 2/Int 9-10:30am; Thur, Int/Exp 5:40-7:10pm; Fri, Basic 9:30-11am and Gentle Yoga 11:40-12:50; Sat, Basic 10-11:30am. Worcester Yoga Center, 21 West Street, Worcester, MA. (508) 829-6300. Worcesteryogacenter.com. WORKSHOPS TO CREATE EXTRAORDINARY HEALTH. Restore is rooted in knowing how to access and activate the intelligence of your body, enabling it to work efficiently and effortlessly. Learn how at Restore for life: September 16-17 or October 14-15. restoreforlife.com. DOWN TO EARTH CRYSTAL FAIRS. Held monthly: September 24th, October 22nd, November 19th, December 10th, February 26th, March 25th. Cape Cod Center for Whole Health, 116 State Road, Sagamore Beach, MA, 10am-3pm, (508) 680-6195. Free admission, 10%-20% discounts! Quality crystals, minerals and jewelry! downtoearthcrystals.com. capecodcenterforwholehealth.com. WELLNESS ROUNDTABLE HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS NETWORKING GROUP. Please join us at our monthly meetings, second Wednesday each month Sept-June in Northborough, MA. A welcoming community working for the greater health and wellbeing of all. Contact marilyn @confident-directions.com. PRANIC HEALING WORKSHOPS, MEDITATIONS, AND HEALING SESSIONS with Miriam Smith, Certified MCKS Pranic Healing healer/teacher. Level 1: Sept. 22-24. Level 5 and 2: Oct. 6-8. Level 3 Dec. 8-9 (978) 807-1634. mgsenergy@comcast.net. PranicHealingNE.com.
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 73
New England Company With A ‘Bee Cause’ Whimsical, Inspirational Greeting Cards, Journals, B-shirts, Onesies & More! Eco-friendly: recycled paper, orgnanic cotton & local printing. We support and donate to the ‘Save The Honeybee Foundation’.
www.JustBeeAndMe.com Wholesalers call 617.510.8479 or go to the website to fill out an application.
Natur Living Exalpo
Vermont’s Premier Bead store
Booth 818
BEADNIKS Open everyday ~
21 Years
and Growing!
did you know? Beads are pandemic and pulsing with stories; they represent political, social, religious and cultural beliefs. According to Webster’s dictionary, a Beadsman/ woman is “one who prays for another’s soul”.
Home of the Budrose Center for Spiritual Growth Two Year Healer Program set to begin in January, 2017
Use yoUr mUse, feed yoUr spirit:
Beads • Crafts • Gems
Stop by and browse our Crystal Boutique www.blossomhealings.com Topsfield, MA
115 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT
(802) 257-5114 • www.beadniksvt.com
Yoga Classes: Hot, Vinyasa, Yin Rent-able Space for Workshops or Classes Interested in Teaching? Contact the Studio 206 Washington St. Pembroke, MA • (781) 826-9642 agelessyoga206@gmail.com • www.ageless-yoga.com
74 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
NEW ENGLAND’S
HolisticDirectory FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 7
Categories Acupuncture and Asian Medicine . . . . . . . . . .75
Colon Hydrotherapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Herbs and Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Astrological Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Consciousness Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75-76
Counseling and Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78-79
Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82-83
Children's Health & Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Crystals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Salons and Spas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Classes, Certifications & Schools . . . . . . 76-77
Healing and Bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79-81
Spiritual Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Coaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77-78
Healing: Combined Modalities . . . . . . . . 81-82
Acupuncture & Asian Medicine ACUPUNCTURE OF WORCESTER Holistic Health since 1974
Dr. Yvonne Chen, Lic. Acupuncturist One of the first practicing acupuncturists in the United States, Dr. Yvonne Chen began her acupuncture practice in Washington, D.C. in 1973, moving to Worcester one year later. Trained in China as a medical doctor, Dr. Chen’s years of study and research included in-depth work with both traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Her approach to health incorporates keen knowledge on the nature of disease, use
of energy balancing, nutritional counseling and the promotion of spiritual well-being. Acupuncture is especially effective in the treatment of: • Pain: migraine headaches, stress relief, tendonitis, arthritis, lower back pain, neuralgia, whiplash, accident and trauma injuries and TMJ syndrome • Improving bodily functions: respiratory ailments, insomnia and impotency • Nervous system disorders: Bell’s Palsy, paralysis, multiple sclerosis and stroke recovery • Behavioral changes: weight control and smoking cessation. Located at 110 June Street, Worcester, MA 01602. For an appointment or for more information, please contact Dr. Yvonne Chen at 508-755-5557.
Astrology
&
Esoteric Psychology Monique Pommier, M.A., Ph.DE
Astrology illuminates one’s psychological landscape and journey. It times life developments and reveals their designs for the soul. I offer astrological services and ongoing psychospiritual counseling with astrology, Jungian and esoteric psychology as a comprehensive ground of exploration and guidance
Centers
Astrological Consulting
?
Questions? Astrologer Eric Linter has answers. Changes in relationships, career, health, finances or spiritual practice are inevitable. Eric’s clarity will help you stay on the right path. His insights help you better understand and appreciate life’s challenges. His clients say Eric Linter is “profound and enlightening” and “one of the best astrologers on the East Coast.”
www.spiritofchange.org www.spiritofchange.org
Eric, a professional astrologer for 25 years, works with individuals, couples and businesses. Specialties include career moves, personal creativity and karmic relationships. Consultations are available in person, by telephone, or on cassette. Eric also offers classes, lectures and appearances at parties and special events. For more information and to schedule a private session, contact Eric by email or call: stars@ericlinter.com X 508-541-4115 X
“I learned more from one session than I did from 5 years of analysis.”
on current issues and lifelong questionings. By accessing the deeper order of your life, you gain transformative insights into the evolutionary meaning of particular challenges and new perspectives to direct your choices. My background includes an MS and PhD in Esoteric Psychology and Philosophy. Jungian psychology, Eastern and Western Traditions are key foundations in my approach. I have been in practice for 25 years. U Astrological Consultations U U Psychospiritual Counseling U www.astrologicalpsychology.com 617-524-7072
SCHOOLS OF WISDOM
Celebr
ating
20+
Holistic Practitioner and Professional, Earth Medicine, Angel Alignment; Holy Fire II Reiki; Akashic Soul Mastery, Hypnotherapy, Mediumship, and Animal Communication; Training for Reiki, IET, Gaiadon Heart, etc., plus workshops daily
Years!
Women of Wisdom HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER
Usui & Karuna & Holy Fire Reiki Hypnotherapy G BARS G Massage Crystal Healing G Past Life Regression Integrated Energy Therapy Akisni G Inner Child Healing
GIFT SHOP
Unique Jewelry G Healing Tools G Statues Crystal Bowls G Ritual Items G Angels Mediums or Psychic Readings Hours: M-F 10 am-8 pm, S/S 10 am-6 pm 118 Washington Street, N. Easton, MA womenofwisdominc.com 508-230-3680
- J.G., Cambridge, MA
Centers, continued
FALL/WINTER2017 2017| |Spirit Spiritof of Change Change 75 75 FALL/WINTER
Centers, continued We are a nonprofit Center devoted to teaching meditation and exploring Advaita, the spiritual tradition of self-realization. To learn more about us, go to our website or visit us at our lovely, historic house in Waltham. Wednesday Evening Open Meditation Introductory Classes Reading Groups and other Activities
Ample parking and wheelchair accessibility. 28 Worcester Lane, Waltham, MA 02451 info@advaitameditation.org www.advaitameditation.org G 781-647-0020
Classes, Certifications & Schools RHODE ISLAND HYPNOTIST
March to June 2018 $300 early enrollment discount—call today 100-Hour National Guild of Hypnotists Approved certification course
CERTIFICATION TRAINING
Includes 1 year free NGH Membership as a Certified Hypnotist
You will learn: 1 How to hypnotize
1 How to use hypnosis to help clients
4 Retreats and workshops
make personal changes
4 200-hour yoga teacher training (Yoga
1 How to turn hypnosis into a profitable
Alliance)
4 Blooma prenatal teacher training
4 ChildLight Yoga and Mindfulness
Nestled in the scenic White Mountains of New Hampshire, our state-of-the-art, eco-friendly facility houses two pristine yoga studios, five healing arts treatment rooms and a teaching/demonstration kitchen. Host your next workshop, retreat or training in our breathtaking space.
OUR SERVICES b Acupuncture b Aesthetics & facial rejuvenation b Bowenwork b Craniosacral Therapy b Massage therapy b Reiki b Yoga - Restorative and Gentle (Chair)
teacher training
4 Public classes 4 Healing arts
Certified Instructor John.Koenig.Hypnotist@live.com GreaterRhodeIslandHypnosisTraining.com 401-374-1890
part-time or full-time business
Instructor John Koenig has practiced hypnosis in Rhode Island since 1998—his work featured on National Television and author of The Hypnotic Coach.
4 Nutrition and cooking
2087 Main St, Bethlehem, NH
603-869-2125 4 balancebethlehem.com
We offer an inclusive selection of holistic health services provided by credentialed, compassionate practitioners. Our centers embrace the benefits of scientifically-proven treatments along with the healing modalities of touch, movement, energy, and mind-body techniques. All of our serene, convenient locations promote harmony in the mind-body-spirit and offer educational opportunities for your wellbeing journey. 31 Main Street, Plaistow, NH 270 Lafayette Road, Rye, NH 944 Calef Highway, Barrington, NH
Eclectic Institute of Aromatherapy and Herbal Studies Instructor Linda Patterson offers over 20 years of experience in the science, art and principles of herbalism and aromatherapy.
www.aromatherapyandherbalstudies.com 978-297-4502
“Everyday Conversations” A signature program of studies for the 6th Sense
Professional Psychic-Mediums, Authors, Teachers
• Book and workbook: “The Key to the Contemporary Medium” and “The Student Guide to the Daily Medium” (available on Amazon.com) • Workshops and certification in Evidential Psychic-Medium Studies • “Your 6th Sense Today” presentations • Demonstrations of mediumship and exclusive “Double-Double” PsychicMedium reading services
…helping you walk into your own “a-ha” moment
Rochester NY | 585-427-8110 PurpleDoorSoulSource.com
To learn more or to make an appointment: 603-974-1630 info@stillpointwellbeingcenter.com stillpointwellbeingcenter.com Visit us on Facebook and Twitter!
Connie Wake & Susan Fiandach
Children's Health & Services
Ongoing certification courses offered throughout the northeast including: ✴ 7-Month Herbal Certification ✴ 4-Month European-Based Aromatherapy Introduction ✴ 4-Month Advanced Aromatherapy Course ✴ 3-Month Conscious Nutrition Course ✴ Palmistry a tool of diagnoses
Touchstone offers:
Touchstone Community School offers a progressive, child-centered approach to education. For more than 30 years, we have nurtured and inspired children to be creative, independent partners in their learning.
Small, mixed-age classes Thematic studies that integrate subjects Dedicated, expert teachers A diverse community and highly positive culture Parent-teacher-child partnership in educational development To learn more about our holistic approach to education for children ages 4 to 14: www.touchstoneschool.com 508-839-0038
New England Institute of Reflexology & Universal Studies ~ Now teaching throughout New England ~ www.walkinbalance.com v 508-317-3044 v
v
v
v
Approved Continuing Education in Reflexology, Massage, and Reiki Integrative techniques strengthen foundations and create a balanced treatment style NCBTMB provider
Our goal is to act as a bridge between complimentary and conventional medicine through the training of qualified holistic practitioners. Join us! Classes, Certifications and Schools, continued
76 Spirit of Change Change || FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER 2017 2017 Spirit of
Classes, Certifications and Schools, continued
CHANGE YOUR LIFE RESTORE WORKSHOPS Restore is rooted in knowing how to access and activate the intelligence of your body, enabling it to work efficiently on all levels. Take your ability and insight to the next level for health—physically, mentally, and emotionally—to support everyone.
UPCOMING HERBAL CLASSES
Learn how to reset dysfunctional patterns right from the root cause, to reconnect and repair all aspects of healthy body function through the neurological system, meridians, lymphatic system, fascia and its matrix. Live your life in a way you never thought possible. For workshop dates, locations, and to register, visit our website: restoreforlife.com i
603-770-6177
i
Immunity from the Outside In – Sept. 9, 10 Lyme Disease Practitioner Training begins Sept. 19 AFFORDABLE HERBAL EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR v
Intensive 7 Month Herbal Apprenticeships
v
Advanced Training
v
Aromatherapy Certification
v
Lyme Disease Practitioner Training
c c
Spiritual Wellness Community Center Located in a beautiful spiritual sanctuary with free parking. 23 Pine Street, Milford, MA heartsongspiritualwellness.com
Loving Kindness Meditation Hatha Stretch and Strengthen Beginner Line Dancing Programs for Peace, Happiness, and Fun
Workshops, Seminars, and Classes Sound Healing c Zentangle Mindfulness c Chakra Workshops Personal/Spiritual Development Workshops Guest Speakers c Retreats & More…
TRAIN. Acquire essential skills. Earn your certification as a Transformational Life Coach and open new doors to meaningful professional work.
Looking for… Purpose? ~ Meaning? ~ Direction?
2017-18 Psychosynthesis Training The Will To Grow: Transformational Life Coaching Fully Accredited Life Coach Training Program Intensive Weekend Sessions Beginning this Fall STUDY. Learn the theory and methods of Psychosynthesis, a holistic model based on principles of spiritual psychology. Find a deeper, more authentic expression of self in the world. GROW . Exceptional opportunity for self development and personal growth. Let new dreams, possibilities and ways of living inform your path towards wholeness and health.
YOU. You are drawn to a life fully lived. You want to help people thrive, to reach their highest potential. You may be in the field of mental health and wellness, education, social services, management, or any of the helping professions. You want to make a difference and make your own best contribution to those around you. Psychosynthesis training prepares people to work in the expanding field of life and business coaching and its many variations. The training process itself is deep and rich, supporting each participant in stepping fully into the field, through personal and shared processes, experiential training and co-coaching practicum. Learn more about the Synthesis Center’s upcoming professional training programs and how you can get involved. Our teaching staff is available to answer questions and explore program options, including in person groups (southern Vermont, Florida and San Francisco), independent study, and online, distance learning formats.
Massage | Aesthetics Polarity | RYSE Ipswich • Plymouth • Westboro You deserve an education that honors who you are and who you are becoming. A great education is spiritually transforming: You overcome your limitations and realize your highest potential, at the same time you learn the foundation and skills to succeed. Excellent education is not by chance; it comes from years of listening to employers, graduates and students to find the best way to teach the most valuable information to make you successful. As a leader in energy medicine and
training@synthesiscenter.org synthesiscenter.org V 413-256-0772
energy based education since 1980, Nancy Risley recognizes that your education is a transformational healing process. As a successful therapist, author and teacher, her vision is to help you realize your dream of work that is creative and supports all aspects of who you are. Whether you work in a spa, clinic, or have your own business, you gain the required skills to create satisfaction as well as increased flexibility, control and income. The next step to fulfilling your future is to call for a no obligation, information interview with our Career Advisor. We look forward to meeting you and learning about your future. Programs take from 4 to 12 months, depending on your schedule: Full-time, mother’s hours or part-time evenings. Accredited. Licensed. Financial Aid available for qualified students. 800-262-8530 v www.spatech.edu
Coaching REIKI R LIFE COACHING YOGA R CRYSTAL HEALING MEDITATION LISA HASSETT Reiki Therapist, Life Coach, CYT
HEALING F O R B O D Y, M I N D & S P I R I T
find “us” again with Come Back to Love Coach™
THE SYNTHESIS CENTER A leading center for psychosynthesis education and training in North America since 1980
Natural Approaches to Major Mental Health Issues – Oct. 28, 29
For more information on all of our classes, see bostonherbalstudies.com Arlington, MA v 781-646-6319
Weekly Programs
c
Aromatherapy Certification Training begins Sept. 23
Private Coaching, Intimate Puja Circles, Workshops
160 School St., Suite 1-1, Waltham, MA reikiofgreaterboston@gmail.com www.reikiofgreaterboston.com 508-335-3814
Rediscover the true connection that ignited your passion for each other when you met. Tantric intimacy coaching and psychotherapy tools will help you find the “us” again in your relationship. www.RobynVogel.com phone/text: 508-380-9254
Coaching, continued
www.spiritofchange.org
FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER2017 2017| |Spirit Spiritof of Change Change 77 77
Coaching, continued
CHERYL WRIGHT
Life Coach
G Eliminate your stress, fears, and tensions
LETTING GO
G
can free you from hurt, anger and fear. Face whatever happens with a new feeling of inner strength, ease, and confidence.
You will learn:
Benefits of the Sedona Method® G
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Belief Inspection 1 Chakra Balancing Energy Tune-ups 1 Emotional Flushes
Improve your relationships
Karma Correction 1 Magnetic Blue Print
Be radiantly healthy
Have financial security
Trinity Synthesis 1 and much more...
Drop addictions and bad habits
G Gain emotional wellness and intelligence G
barrycosta.com/soul-mechanic
Have inner peace, joy, and happiness Offices in Watertown, MA and Cumberland, RI
Coaching Using the Sedona Method®
What is the Sedona Method®?A simple, powerful, easy-to-use technique that shows you how to tap into your natural ability to let go of any uncomfortable or unwanted feeling in the moment.
Andrea Seiver, Ph.D.
Available in-person, by phone, or Skype
617-448-8749 www.WrightHereNow.com
Colon Hydrotherapy DEBRA GRAHAM, ND, CT I-ACT Certified (Advanced) NBCHT Certified 2 Narrows Road Suite 104 Westminster, MA 01473
Channeled Readings Classes Have you spoken with an ascended master recently? Vywamus, channeled by Andrea Seiver, is a master and teacher who is working to help all humans make the shift into the higher levels of consciousness. Readings with Vywamus cover your life work, relationships, past lives, and other
Call Today
Experience the Angel of Water, the premier colon hydrotherapy system.
413-522-0061 q deb@drdebma.com www.drdebma.com
HELPING PEOPLE
live better lives
GLENN BIGONET, M.A.
Experience colon hydrotherapy in a safe, relaxed environment using state-of-the-art FDA registered equipment.
Mental Health Counselor Clinical Hypnotherapist
Glenn Bigonet brings a rare level of compassion, acceptance and hope to his work. As a relationship specialist, his clients report increased connection, intimacy, better communication, and more joy. In addition, he is skilled at helping clients with trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, self-esteem, anger, and co-dependency.
Lexington Medical Building 16 Clarke Street, Lexington, MA
Initial consultations are free.
Counseling Individuals, Couples & Families Weekly Group G Workshops Offered
Conveniently located in Wellesley. Just a short drive from Rte. 128/I-95.
www.CompassionateAcceptance.com 617-462-6642
stephanie@healthyspiritcleansing.com 781-860-5116
Holistic Counseling Concepts Trish Whynot, D.C.Ed.
* The Inner Path to the Cosmic NO RELIGION - THE FREEConsciousness SPIRIT! – Into the All-unity with People, Nature * The Inner Path to the Cosmic and the Animal World. Consciousness
– The Path to God in Us – The Level of Order self-healing forces in you, through the * direct Find the Primordial Lightray in You and mighty divine of Christ. * Nearer to God in You * Where Living and Order Where to KeepAm Living * Did Dying I ComeinFrom? I Going? * The Path of Forgetting – The Microcosm Check out the bookstore website in theforMacrocosm these titles and many more! Universal-Spirit.org * 800-846-2691 P.O. Box 2221, Deering, NH 03244 * Divine Prophetic Healing – Awaken the
The Word – The *Universal Spirit 800-846-2691 Universal-Spirit.org publishes the 2221, prophetic wordNH of the present P.O. Box Deering, 03244 time given through Gabriele, the prophetess and emissary of God, in written, audio, and visual form.
Available Now! The Next Big Bang: The Explosion of Human Consciousness A Vywamus Book Read more at www.andreaseiver.com
COMPASSIONATE ACCEPTANCE
Consciousness Transformation
The Free Universal Spirit is the Teaching of Love for God and Neighbor Toward People, Nature, and Animals
For information, contact Andrea at 617-332-1541 • www.andreaseiver.com
Stephanie Dumas
I-ACT Certified Colon Hydrotherapist, Owner
Cleansing for the body, the mind, the spirit
Other Classes: Learn to Channel • Advanced Channeling
Counseling and Therapy
* Reasonable Rates * Flexible Hours
COLON HYDROTH E RAPY
issues with his characteristic warmth, humor, and practical advice. Channeled Classes and Spiritual Tutoring help you personally evolve and begin to live in a state of higher consciousness. Evenings with Vywamus: Vywamus shares his energy and discusses your questions on topics of general interest. Donation $10.
Doctor of C.O.R.E. Education Dr. Trish Whynot’s way incorporates
ASAT™ C.O.R.E. Counseling, meditative
techniques and wise guidance that comes through the Mineral Kingdom.
Eliminate the root of physical, social, and financial problems: Discover, address, and release issues blocking health and wealth. G View relationship discord and illness as opportunities for growth and change. G Open to an array of extraordinary futures. G
Learn perspectives for living and loving that expect opportunities even during challenging times. You can’t thrive on problems but you can thrive on the wisdom, understanding and compassion gained from them. Dr. Trish Whynot is a holistic counselor, speaker and author of “Why Me? Why Now? WHY NOT? Finding Opportunity in Your Obstacles.” Paperback and electronic versions available. “What impressed me about Dr. Trish Whynot was her ability to see through the chaos of life’s web and identify the root cause of any problem.” — Bob Olson, Editor, OfSpirit.com Workshops and Sessions Available In Office, Phone or Skype Windham, NH G trish@trishwhynot.com www.TrishWhynot.com G 978-314-4545 Counseling and Therapy, continued
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Counseling and Therapy, continued
Center of the Heart Whole Health Integration
Joan Holzman, Psy. D. Lic. Psychologist, Lic. Marriage and Family Therapist Dance/Movement Therapist From the time we are very young we take life’s experiences to heart. Over time we may forget our core, hurts and feelings, but they remain with us. Our heartfelt experiences help shape our sense of self and our interactions with others.
Barbara Madden Johnson M.A., C.A.G.S., L.R.C., L.P.C. Do you have a belief that, inside of you, you have the potential that yearns to be released? For most, a fleeting glimpse is all they’ll ever have. For others, there is a way. Just imagine…releasing your true potential. Working together, one-on-one, you can over-
I offer a variety of modalities such as: EMDR, Sandtray Therapy, Relaxation Techniques, Therapeutic Movement & Psychotherapy to help heal our core issues and attain a more integrated sense of health and well being. I look forward to meeting you. Client Comments: s Sandtray – “Sand tray therapy helped me see my life more clearly.” s EMDR – “I had insights I never had before.” s Therapeutic Movement – “It was great to feel the freedom in my body after working with you.” 42 Thoreau Street, Concord, MA 01742 978-369-6138
come problems that have kept you from achieving your goals and desires. Unlock your potential! Restore inner balance! Come alive! Barbara Madden Johnson, M.A., C.A.G.S., L.R.C., L.P.C., a certified master practitioner and licensed trainer in Neuro Linguistic Programming, has over 25 years experience helping individuals with: u Career and identity issues u Immune and autoimmune illnesses u Chronic fatigue syndrome u Depression u Learning disabilities and ADD u Relationships u NLP Certification Training Program u Belmont, MA. Some insurance accepted. For an appointment, call 617-484-1716.
Body-Centered Psychotherapy Listen to your body…follow your heart. The heart is the first organ to form in the body, and is the organizing factor for physical formation, including brain formation. Trauma, deprivation or neglect creates heart wounds, which keep us from accessing our deepest selves. Emotional-Kinesthetic Psychotherapy (EKP) facilitates an emotional, energetic rewiring, helping us activate and express the power of the heart. Emotional safety,
Holistic Psychotherapy Lori Miller-Freitas, LICSW Get to the core — Transform your life! You are on this earth to be happy and realize your true potential. EMDR R TAT R Hypnosis R Reiki
I use a combination of traditional, body centered and energy therapies to increase the speed and deepen the level of holistic healing.
PATH TO THE PRESENT Diane Spindler, LMHC, LMFT Healing and teaching for over 25 years h Relief of PTSD and depression h Elimination of phobias h Reduction of anxiety, panic attacks,
unexplained body pain, nightmares, flashbacks, and dissociation
www.spiritofchange.org www.spiritofchange.org
Certifications: LICSW, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, National Board of Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists. Visa/MC acccepted. 294 Pleasant St. R Ste. 103B R Stoughton, MA www.eaglespirittherapies.com 781-297-2003 Psychotherapy clients have reached a point where they know why they feel badly, but don’t know how to release these bad feelings that keep them attached to their old stories and in the past. Using Gentle Reprocessing and other leading edge therapies, I help clients let go of these old stories so they can move on to a happier future. If you’re a veteran, a first responder, a victim of physical, mental, or sexual abuse, a victim of a disaster, a person with a traumatic background, a person who has anger issues, or a person who is afraid of public speaking, this process could be for you. h 508-886-0007 h
www.GentleReprocessing.com
Books: Living with Vision, and Healing the War Between the Genders Blog: www.heartspacecafe.com/blog Mediation for couples and families. Coaching for soul-centered living. Body psychotherapy groups. Apprenticeship training. Newton, MA www.healingheartpower.com LSMHEART@aol.com 617-965-7846
Crystals Crystal Concentrics
R Open Houses
Bringing Crystals into your Life
R Meditations and Workshops
Learn how to work with crystals
R Free Webinars R Individual Sessions R Large Showroom Sales R Winter, Spring, and Fall Retreats
Kyle@CrystalConcentrics.com 617-771-5119 R CrystalConcentrics.com
KYLE RUSSELL, FOUNDER
Brainspotting A neurobiological tool for releasing traumatic/emotionally-charged issues within the brain. Holistic Psychotherapy Clinical Consultation Using extensive professional experience to resolve issues related to: Trauma, Grief, PTSD, Anxiety and Phobias.
words, touch, meditation, movement, presence and silence facilitate verbal and non-verbal expression. Meaningful work, fulfilling relationships, self-esteem, purpose and passion, love, intimacy and sexuality follow. Straight, GLBT and poly-friendly. Coaching for soul-centered living. Body psychotherapy groups Sunday nights in Newton. Apprenticeship training.
Healing and Bodywork Greater Boston Medical Associates Exceptional care. Every patient. Every time.
Introducing the Health and Healing Network, a new network of highly skilled professional healthcare practitioners who will help you stay focused on your health goals, give you support, and provide a more comprehensive healthcare experience.
22-Strand DNA Activation
Bring your Divine Blueprint into Physical Plane Manifestation and experience greater empowerment, improved health (mental, emotional physical and spiritual), increased utilization of your brains potential, greater creativity, and increased energy and clarity.
Services include:
G Acupuncture
G Massage Therapy
G Exercise and Weight Loss G Mental Wellness
G Facial Rejuvenation
54 Hopedale St, Hopedale, MA 01747 508-473-2022 GreaterBostonMedicalAssociates.com
Also, bring forth your greatest talents and abilities, clear many karmic and genetic patterns, hold greater amounts of light in your physical body, and much more. Great for those who feel ready to shift out of those “stuck” areas into tremendous empowerment, improved health on all levels, and living your higher destiny agreements and highest potentials. Rev. Claire Luft Master Teacher/Master Healer Ancient Mystery School Guide & Ritual Master Heart's Singing Healing Center, Woburn, MA 781-281-2888 v www.heartssinging.com Healing and Bodywork, continued
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Patricia Warren Reiki Jin Kei Do
Union, returning 13 times, as well as to thousands of people in medical, religious and educational settings throughout the Caribbean, Europe and Middle East since 1989. ✦ ✦
InternationallyExperienced
New Englands most InternationallyExperienced Reiki Master since 1989 Patricia has taught healing techniques of Buddhist, Sikhs and Christians for over 25 years. She is the appointed East Coast representative of Reiki Jin Kei Do ~ Buddho Healing, authentic and advanced teachings of Usui Reiki in the lineage of Buddhist Monk Seiji Takamori. Patricia was the first woman to teach Reiki in the former Soviet
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All Levels of Reiki Jin Kei Do Training Buddho Healing (advanced Reiki classes) “His Garments Hem” Christian Healing Touch Gung Fu Chinese Tea Ceremonies Past Life Regression Justice of the Peace Spiritual Director S
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Patricia Warren, Reiki Master Teacher 508-528-5888 ✦ warrenhealing@gmail.com www.patriciawarren.com
Bringing complimentary and alternative care to our community... We are a dedicated and professional group of practitioners providing compassionate care to assist our clients on their journey to wellness.
38C Park Street, Medfield, MA 02052 holisticwellnesscenter.org 508-359-7400 Look for our spectacular new location in Medfield on Route 27 this Fall!
THE JOHN HARVEY GRAY CENTER FOR
Reiki Healing
Lourdes Gray, Ph.D. Awaken your healing skills immediately and be a powerful channel for Reiki energy! The John Harvey Gray Center for Reiki Healing was established by John Harvey Gray and Dr. Lourdes Gray in 1996 to empower and develop a student’s capacity for healing. The Center offers the most thorough Reiki healing training available, ‘with no cut corners’, as it was taught by Mrs. Hawayo Takata. John Harvey Gray received his entire Reiki training from Hawayo Takata. He was one of the original 22 Reiki Master Teachers trained by her. He was also the longest-practicing Reiki Master Teacher in the Western Hemisphere until his passing into spirit on January 12, 2011.
Northeast Reiki Center
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Feel the healing love of the Universe whenever you need it
Our offerings include massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, reiki, IET, holistic health coaching, cranial-sacral, cupping, gua sha, angel card readings, energy healing, shamanic journeying, ear candling, wardrobe consultation and coaching, special events, workshops… and if all that wasn’t enough... crystals and gifts too!
Lourdes was initiated by John Harvey Gray as a Reiki Master Teacher in 1996 after intensive one-on-one training by John Harvey Gray. As a Reiki Master Teacher, Lourdes has taught over 700 Reiki workshops and trained more than 8,000 Reiki students to date and serves as the director of the John Harvey Gray Center for Reiki Healing. Each workshop consists of two full days of learning and hands-on practice. You will immediately be able to effectively channel Reiki healing energy for yourself, others and pets. In Reiki First Degree you will:
Experience Reiki free, second Sunday of month
Take control of your health and moods with the healing and self-care benefits of Reiki. Learn how to use the natural, loving, renewing energy of the Universe to feel less anxious and more content in life. Our one-day, comprehensive, training provides the instruction and in-class practice you need to confidently bring Reiki’s healing to yourself, your loved ones and pets. Receive training in the inspiring tradition in which it was meant to be taught, from a Reiki Master-Teacher with 14 years experience. Receive a manual, your Reiki practitioner certificate, and ongoing afterclass instructor support. Reiki-certified, but feeling something is missing? Deepen your practice by learning original Japanese Reiki techniques that help you rediscover your spiritual true self.
Deborah Strafuss is a dedicated practitioner committed to the health and wellness of her clients, and a devoted teacher gently guiding her students into their own experience of Reiki through attunement and training. WHAT HER CLIENTS SAY:
DEBORAH STRAFUSS
Reiki Master and Teacher, Usui Reiki Ryoho Creating a Personal Path to Inner Healing through Reiki Crystal Reiki offers traditional Usui Reiki, Crystal Chakra Balancing, Space Healing and Clearing and Reiki Training, Shares and Classes for those desiring to incorporate Reiki into their lives and work.
“Deborah is a caring professional who puts a - Brenda new client at ease.”
“I felt so at peace last night. I slept through the night and am still at peace this morning.” - Steff WHAT HER STUDENTS SAY:
“I love your space, the location, the energy of it, how prepared you were. I think you are a very professional and comforting presence.” - Bonnie Find Crystal Reiki at The Gentle Place Wellness Center in Framingham, MA R 508-353-5136 R www.CrystalReikiEnergy.com
Divine Intervention is “Where the Impossible Becomes Possible.”
Divine Intervention
Spontaneous Remission Advanced Energetic Hands on Healing from the Mayan Lineage. Miraculous Healing for all issues that require attention.
Rev. Claire Luft is a Master Healer and Master Teacher of Divine Intervention Healing. This healing technique is sacred, powerful, and produces Physical Plane Results. Heart’s Singing Healing Center Woburn, MA 781-281-2888 u www.heartssinging.com
✴ Quickly and easily develop your natural,
intuitive powers. Within minutes, be able to scan and feel a person’s aura and chakras for analysis. ✴ Effectively treat any condition with Reiki energy— physical, emotional or spiritual, chronic or acute. ✴ Immediately be an effective Reiki healer, confidently bringing comfort and calm to family, friends, clients and pets ✴ Receive a training manual & certificate. The John Harvey Gray Center for Reiki Healing P.O. Box 696, Rindge, NH 03461 Visa/MC Accepted
See Full Class Schedule: www.learnreiki.org ✴ 603-899-3288
Reiki Inspired Healing REIKI FOR PEOPLE & PETS K A R E N TA L B OT
Usui/Holy Fire II Reiki and Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher Offering Reiki Sessions in office or remotely for both people and pets. Also unique combined sessions with parent and child, or parent and pet. Large Animal Reiki also provided at homes/barns. Prices determined on an individual case basis.
REIKI CLASSES
Usui/Holy Fire II Reiki I Reiki II z Advanced Reiki Training Master/Teacher and Karuna Master Teacher Levels Centrally located in Central Massachusetts 232 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA Above the Living Earth store By appointment only ReikiInspiredHealing@gmail.com www.ReikiInspiredHealing.com 774-272-2717 Healing and Bodywork, continued
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Libby Barnett, MSW, RMT Awaken Your Healing Touch Libby is a gifted, knowledgeable Reiki Master with 38 years experience. Libby learned Reiki from John Harvey Gray in 1979, and is the longest practicing Reiki Master Teacher on the East Coast. Her book, Reiki Energy Medicine, Bringing Healing Touch into Home, Hospital, and Hospice has sold over 75,000 copies in five languages. Use Reiki to create more joy, ease, and happiness. Let Libby’s warm, heart-centered approach help you take your next step toward self-love and inner peace. Reiki brings balance and harmony, supporting you doing the work you were born to do. Reiki facilitates transitions, promotes creativity and wisdom, and accelerates spiritual growth, helping you manifest your magnificence. Libby has been teaching Reiki at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health for 15 years. She has taught medical and nursing students at Harvard, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brown, Tufts, and Yale, as well as staff at Mass General, Brigham and Women’s, Beth Israel, Mt. Auburn, Emerson, DartmouthHitchcock, Southern New Hampshire, New York Columbia Presbyterian hospitals, and social workers at the University of Maryland. Libby was featured in a Reiki segment for the PBS nationally televised series, Body and Soul. “Libby has a beautiful way of teaching and creates a perfect atmosphere for healing and learning.”
One of Libby’s passions is teaching hospice staff and volunteers. Fueled by Reiki energy, their healing touch is enhanced, creating greater effectiveness in calming agitation, soothing pain and providing comfort. In class, a powerful slide presentation captures the essence of Reiki and highlights the latest research. Reiki stories from Libby’s extensive experience will uplift and inspire you, showing how anyone can learn Reiki. You receive attunements and practice giving and receiving Reiki. You leave class with an illustrated notebook, certificate, and Reiki pin, fully trained and certified to do Reiki on yourself, family, friends, and animals. “Hands on, Reiki’s on.” "My commitment to teach the Usui System of Reiki Healing in the authentic, traditional manner inspired me to visit Japan to retrace the roots of Reiki. I am dedicated to teaching this sacred healing art to promote health and conscious living on the planet. I invite you to give yourself the gift of Reiki. It is an easy, effective self-care tool to love, heal, and empower yourself. I look forward to meeting you and sharing Reiki.” Reiki I, Boston Area Classes: Newton, MA: Sept. 9 or Nov. 4 Concord, MA: Oct. 14 Reiki I, Wilton, NH Classes: Sept. 16 or Nov. 11 Reiki II Class: on day following Reiki I Class
Reiki Master, Wilton, NH Class: Oct. 7 Graduates of other Reiki teachers welcome. Reiki I, Reiki II, and Reiki Master classes offered at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in October. Additional Reiki training dates can be found at: reikienergy.com All credit cards accepted. Social Work, Nursing and Massage contact hours/CEU’s available. Reiki Master Teacher Training info available on request. To register or for more information: reikienergy.com reiki@reikienergy.com • 603-654-2787
Healing: Combined Modalities Barbara Fe Spirit / Psychic Medium Inspiration Coach Environmental Balancing intuitivebarbarafe@gmail.com barbarafe-inspire.com * 207-619-0581
CAROLYN JENKINS
Hypnotherapist Aromatherapist 781-608-6462 a EssentiallyHoly.com carolyn@essentiallyholy.com
Both aromatherapy and hypnotherapy work at the level of the subconscious to bring healing and hope to troubled areas of the body, mind, emotions, and soul. With specialties in weight loss, smoking cessation, inner child work, spiritual practice and development, I also support general vocational and personal growth and development goals. Call today to schedule your private appointment.
Please e-mail or call Jay for an appointment
Shamanic Practitioner Received Altomesayoc Initiation from Q’ero Paqo Don Sebastian in Peru
Chakra Illumination G Soul Retrieval Entity Extraction G Object Extraction Cord Cutting
intuitive HEALING
Wendy Marks
M.Ed, C.A.S., FAPA R Medical intuitive sessions, energy heal-
ing and integrative therapy
R 30 years of experience in traditional and
complementary healthcare
LIGHT & LOVE
HEALING Reconnective Healing® The Reconnection® and Reconnective Healing® with Animals
$80 per hour ~ Sliding scale available healingshamanic.com G 617-340-9593 G healingshamanic@gmail.com
R Improve your physical, mental, and
spiritual health
R Works with individuals to develop their
own intuitive skills “By healing ourselves we create changes that have a ripple effect on the world around us.” Looking for practical guidance to create your own spiritual path? You’ll find it in Wendy’s book Your Soul’s Companion, available on her website and at amazon.com. www.wendymarks.com R 781-449-5368 wlm922@wendymarks.com
Give yourself, a loved one, or beloved animal a Reconnective Healing,® uniquely customized by the intelligence of the universe, whereby you or they will receive what is needed — emotional, spiritual or physical healing, not merely just what you think you should have. The objective of The Reconnection® is to return the body to balance, while tapping into the universal healing intelligence. www.lightandlovehealing.com RUSSELL RICCIO r 603-935-9106
What is keeping you from the joy you desire? Barbara specializes in using her intuitive gifts to inspire and uplift; remove emotional and physical blocks, work through loss, and balance the environment you live in. Also, learn how to tap into your innate abilities through classes and mentor sessions. A session with Barbara over the phone, or in your home in Southern Maine or New Hampshire will empower you and help you re-align with your soul’s path.
LIFE FORCE
REIKI &
PAULINE KOSOWAN
Reiki Master Practitioner and Teacher Aromatherapist
AROMATHERAPY Mind Body Spirit Well-Being with Reiki and Essential Oils
67 Coddington St, LL2, Quincy, MA 02170 508-737-1384 G lifeforcereiki.com pauline@lifeforcereiki.com
Healing: Combined Modalities, continued
www.spiritofchange.org
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HEALING
with Lisa
Assistance with weight loss, addictions, Arthritis, Lyme disease, PTSD, allergies, sleep issues, focus, pain, chronic health conditions, depression, sleep apnea, anxiety, public speaking anxiety and relationships.
LISA SEMLE
Health, Life and Nutrition Coaching
Energy & Mind/Body Healing, Nutritionist, Medical Intuitive Life & Wellness Coach
Uxbridge, MA Lsemle@msn.com 978-877-1226 G healingwithlisa.com
Readings Nancy Johansen RN, CCH, RMT
Connecting you with your Angelic Dream Team, creating your Happily Ever After Angel Readings S Past Life Regression Angel Therapy® S Reiki S Hypnotherapy
at Angeltouche
Psychic Intuitive S Angel Therapy Practitioner ® b Bring well-being and a renewed sense
Private sessions in person or distance by phone and e-mail. Classes and workshops ~ North Attleboro, MA Nancy@Angeltouche.com www.Angeltouche.com S 508-577-4552
of self.
Light Body Healing – Shamanic Energy Medicine Cathy Stubbs, RN, Shaman, Certified Light Body Healer eagleflighthealing@gmail.com 203-535-8849 eagleflighthealing.wordpress.com
b Feel present, positive, peaceful, able
to dream and live consciously in the moment.
b Release constricted emotions from past
events and traumas that influence our choices and behaviors.
b Mention this ad to receive a 30% discount
on your session.
Sessions offered remotely via Skype or phone.
Herbs and Gardens
Hillside Herbals Rachel Ross, RN, CNM Classes, Herb Walks, and Consultations 30 Wahlstrom Lane, Jefferson, MA 01522 508-847-8615 k hillsideherbals.com
Hillside Herbals offers healing through herbal care for the whole family. I craft healing teas, tinctures, and skin care from certified organic herbs, locally grown herbs, and mindfully harvested wild herbs. Herbal Workshop Series Sign up for one or all. This series is content-rich and intensive. Held monthly on Sat.’s from 2– 4 pm at Opening Lotus Yoga in Holden. $40 drop in. Pre-registration/ Series/Friend discounts available. Sept 30, Oct 28, Nov 18, Dec 9, Feb 10, Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12, Jun 9
Nutrition
Light and Love
Readings readings by angel Visit October’s Angel at Booth #72 November 11-12 in Marlborough, MA
KELLE SUTLIFF
BETH COLON, M.S., HHP Nutrition and Wellness Counselor Certified GAPS Practitioner Specializing in digestive wellness and gut repair.
Come on a journey with me to improve your health with holistic nutrition.
PROGRAMS FOR: S Practical Nutrition
S Digestive Wellness S GAPS
S Cancer Recovery Nutrition S Brain Health
S Detoxification
978-340-0448 www.HolisticNutritionServices.com
V Tea-Leaf Readings V V Tarot Readings V
V Angel Card Readings V V Dream Interpretation V V Astrology Charts V
Like us on Facebook.com/amythstmoon V octobersspirit.com V
she is having a one-on-one conversation with you. She shares her world, making it relatable to your own life, and connecting you to loved ones. Her book has won two very prestigious awards, “Reader’s Favorite” and “Mom’s Choice.” It is available through her web site, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble book outlets.
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PSYCHIC MEDIUM | NEW AGE AUTHOR $225 for an hour appointment. Call for Readings: Z 978-420-8213 Z
psychicmediumkelle.com
Holistic Nutrition Services, LLC
HEALER, TEACHER, GUIDE
Kelle Sutliff’s work has been seen on ABC, CBS, and FOX, and in The Boston Herald and The Boston Globe. Kelle’s psychic predictions for 2016 were #1 on Google out of 1.5 MILLION psychics making predictions for the new year. Her award-winning book, Listen UP! The Other Side is Talking has influenced people around the world, showing them how to connect to their loved ones. Kelle writes like
“I am a psychic medium, author, psychic investigator, and former radio show host who has been practicing for over fifteen years. As a psychic investigator, I have provided accurate information in missing person cases using my expertise for private investigators, individual families, and national missing persons organizations. My show “Psychic Cup of Coffee” was affiliated with CBS radio and Transformation Talk Radio for three years. I am currently connected with the #1 talk show host in Boston as a permanent guest on “Night Side With Dan Rea” on WBZ radio.
I conduct in-person readings at my office at 505 Middllesex Turnpike, Suite 13, in Billerica, MA. I also take appointments for national and international readings via phone and Skype. I look forward to having the opportunity to read for you.” ~ Much blessings, Kelle
Readings, continued
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Readings, continued READINGS AND SESSIONS IN ✦ ✦
by
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…In the presence of loving Angelic energy Connecting to Spirit for inspiration, sustenance and support for your life’s journey
Spiritual mediumship Spirit portraits of loved ones in Spirit Akashic record life readings Group sessions and classes Free “Wing Tips” at angelscapes.net
Nancy guides you into a connection with spirit and your soul for guidance, healing and direction. If you want to connect with a loved one who has passed, or work through questions and challenges, allow spirit to inspire you in a reading session with Nancy. North Andover ✦ nancy@angelscapes.net www.angelscapes.net ✦ 978-835-0005
Spiritual Practices The Greater Boston Church of Spiritualism Arlington Masonic Temple 19 Academy St., Arlington, MA (off Mass Ave., easy access by T via Harvard Sq.) Our mailing address: 40-44 Spring St., Watertown, MA 02472 An affiliate of the Spiritualists United Network
(SUN) and the International Spiritualist Federation
Clairvoyant Healing Arts Specialist VARINIA DEL MORAL Bilingual (English/Spanish) Phone and In-Person Sessions Greater Boston, Westford and Salem
In a healing and peaceful environment, I empower you with clarity on key decisions pursuing the authentic life and relationships of your dreams. In the presence of angels and spirit guides you’ll be provided insight, guidance, and support so that you are clear and confident during times of personal transformation or uncertainty. As a fourth generation clairvoyant of Taino Caribbean descent, I offer angel, tarot, and mediumship readings and Angel, Usui Reiki, and AromaTouch therapies. variniadelmoral.com v 608-520-0487 thesailingpsychic@gmail.com
Salons and Spas You will LOVE your glowing, smooth, healthier looking skin after a gentle and nourishing Holistic Facial with Ellen at ‘Love Your Face!’
Ellen O’Donnell
Licensed Aesthetician & Reiki Master 20% off first-time clients Reiki Facial a Perfect Pumpkin Phyto Facial Seasonal Phyto 5 Facial a Anti-Age Phyto Facial a Decadent Chocolate Phyto Facial
Creative Strands HAIR
&BODYWORKS
Chill Out, Ease Stress & Restore Balance Treat yourself to the ultimate in relaxation!
www.spiritofchange.org
This is a deeply relaxing experience and a perfect time to start caring for your skin. Facials are preventative wellness for the skin…you are worth it! No parabens, sulphates or chemicals.
617-923-4334 GreaterBostonChurchofSpiritualism.com
When we change... the world changes. Methods of achieving stability and clarity of mind become more and more essential as our social, political, and economic structures change dramatically. Raja Yoga is a simple but powerful form of meditation that can help you to develop peace of mind, resilience, and inner strength. The Brahma Kumaris is a worldwide spiritual organization, affiliated with the UN and recipient of seven Peace Messenger awards. Classes include meditation and a range of other practical tools for self-transformation. Workshops, group meditations, and retreats are held regularly. All activities are offered free of charge, as a community service.
To schedule your appointment:
Check out our monthly specials on our website, www.creativestrandsllc.com, or check out our page on Facebook at Creative Strands Hair and Bodyworks. 3 Boston Road, Sutton, MA www.creativestrandsllc.com i 508-865-1141
Please contact us or visit one of these New England locations: b Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace
75 Common St, Watertown, MA 617-926-1230 • bknewengland.org boston@us.brahmakumaris.org
b Inner Space Meditation Center & Gallery
1110 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 617-547-1110 • innerspaceharvardsq.org info@innerspaceharvardsq.org
b Shrewsbury @ ATFS Center
433 South St, Shrewsbury, MA 617-926-1230 shrewsbury@bknewengland.org
b Providence
123 North Main St, Providence, RI 401-354-2693 providence@bknewengland.org
b Manchester
575 W. Willow St, Ste 209, Manchester, NH 603-622-5500 manchester@bknewengland.org
The Oneness Blessing frees the senses from the constant chatter of the mind, bringing clarity and spontaneous feelings of love, joy, peace and inner silence. It dissolves negative patterns, releases traumas stored at the cellular and energetic levels, and facilitates deep emotional physical healing. Eventually the process brings a permanent end to personal suffering and full Awakening to the very highest states of consciousness.
978-457-1431 a ellen.design16@comcast.net 110 Haverhill Road, Amesbury, MA www.healinghands-ellen.com
Skin care and hair care products for all skin types and hair care needs. Our whole team continues to keep up with the latest trends and state of the art techniques.
The Greater Boston Church of Spiritualism embraces a religious and spiritual belief blending ancient wisdom with contemporary thought. Services are held at 10:30 am every Sunday, with mediumship, live music, inspirational talks, and healing by laying on of hands. As an evolving spiritual community, The Greater Boston Church of Spiritualism offers weekday evening classes in mediumship, healing, and meditation; mediums days are the last Sunday of the month; and seminars and workshops through the year. For a brochure with upcoming events, or to speak with the Pastor, call us. Visit our website for current events or more information.
Start your Neurobiological Shift www.onenessma.org/awaken The Oneness Blessing is a direct transfer of intelligent sacred energy, which causes the heart to flower and the mind to quiet. It initiates a neurobiological change in the brain.
We have regular large group events and smaller blessing circles within the Oneness Massachusetts group – check our website: OnenessMA.org for details and locations. Sign up for our newsletter and get email invitations to our large events. Meet us at the Natural Living Expo, November 11-12. Visit Booth #16.
FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER2017 2017| |Spirit Spiritof of Change Change 83 83
Directory of Holistic Specialties ANGELS
EMF PROTECTION
READINGS
Ross J. Miller, psychic. Meet your angels
The Rejuvenizer®, protection from EMFs and other
Rachel Perry, Psychic Medium. (508) 681-0320.
and spirit guides. 617-527-3583. Visit www.The MysticWay.com
ANIMAL SERVICES MASH Integrative Veterinary Care, since 1982.
Dr. Margo Roman & Associates. 508-435-4077. MashVet.com
damaging frequencies. www.lighthealing.com. 512-301-2999.
FENG SHUI Urban Eden. Transform and empower your home/
work spaces. 401-351-5632. karenfeldmanurbaneden.com
Feng Shui Services of New England. Julie Pelletier-
ASTROLOGY Eric Linter, over 25 years experience. Readings,
classes, daily forecast. stars@ericlinter.com. 508-541-4115.
CERTIFICATIONS Hypnotherapy, NLP, Reiki, IET and Crystal Healing.
508-539-2885. Clinics and crystal fairs. www.capecodcenterforwholehealth.com
CHILDREN’S HEALTH Touchstone Community School. Education for ages
4-14. Grafton, MA. 508-839-0038. www.touchstoneschool.com.
COLON HYDROTHERAPY Genesis Alternative Health. 34 years of experience.
From Your Home/Aura. Ross J. Miller, psychic
Classes, retreats, one-on-one, crystal showroom. Kyle@CrystalConcentrics.com, 617-771-5119
DEPRESSION & ANXIETY TREATMENT Healed in 2 Hours. Ross J. Miller, psychic healer. 617-
527-3583. www.TheMysticWay.com
author. 38 years Reiki experience. 603-654-2787 www. reikienergy.com. CEU’s.
603-899-3288. www.learnreiki.org
medium, healer. Call 617-527-3583. www.The MysticWay.com
Sacred Song Reiki and Sound Healing. Priscilla
Spirit Attachments & Hauntings. Amy Major,
Northeast Reiki Center. All levels of traditional Reiki
Rescue Medium. 18+ years experience. AmyMajor.com. (603) 818-8349.
HEALING Barbara Foss, CH. Kinetic Chain Release. Reiki.
Moxibustion. hynotherapycomfortzone.com. 207-934-4133
Gale, Reiki Master/Teacher. SacredSongReiki.com. training. www.northeastreikicenter.org
Holy Fire II Reiki. Women of Wisdom. Katie
Malloy Ramaci, Holy Fire II RMT. 508-230-3680. WomenofWisdominc.com
RETREAT CENTERS Wild Dolphin Swims. Yoga, healthy food, Atlantean legends. www.wildquest.com. 800-326-1816 Brahma Kumaris Peace Village Retreat Center.
Sue Singleton. 20+ years accurately finding Root
Haines Falls, NY. 518-589-5000. www.peacevillageretreat.org
Intuitive Healing with Wendy Marks.
SOUND HEALING
Over 25 years of experience. 781-449-5368. www.wendymarks.com
PAIN RELIEF Pat Lebau, MA, ERYT-500, Kripalu Yoga teacher,
Kyle Russell, 30 years experience.
Libby Barnett, MSW, MSW, Reiki Master Teacher and
The John Harvey Gray Center for Reiki Healing.
Cause. 978-834-0341. TheWayToBalance.com
CRYSTALS
REIKI
GHOSTS REMOVED
Debra Graham, CT, ND. I-ACT and NBCHT certified.
certified. 508-868-3624. www.bodybalancingcenter.com
readings. 978-835-0005. www.angelscapes.net
Patricia Warren, Reiki Master Teacher. All levels of Reiki Jin Kei Do training plus Buddho Healing. 508-528-5888. PatriciaWarren.com
MEDICAL INTUITIVE
Body Balancing Center. I-ACT and National Board
Nancy Smith, spiritual medium and Akashic life
Rutkowski, MS, RN. Consulting and education. www. FSSone.com.
I-ACT certified instructor. NBCHT certified. 603-347-1861. detoxgenesis.com Westminster, MA. 413-522-0061. drdebma.com
www.RachelPerryMedium.com.
SoundAlchemy.org with Nina. Gongs, singing bowls,
meditation. Groups and private. 978-874-0005.
YOGA
offers Integrated Positional Therapy sessions. Discover how to relieve your pain. PatLebau.com
Raffa Yoga and Urban Sweat. Plus residential healthy
PAST LIFE THERAPY
Worcester Yoga Center. Ann Bissanti, CYT.
Ross J. Miller. Relive past lives and release blocked
energy. 617-527-3583. www.The MysticWay.com
living retreats. Cranston, RI. 401-463-3335. www. raffayoga.com. 30 years experience Iyengar yoga. 508-829-6300. worcesteryogacenter.com
Add your listing! Next deadline: January 31, 2018. Email advertise@spiritofchange.org. 84 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
Place your Classified ad! Email: Advertise@spiritofchange.org Spring issue deadline: Jan 31, 2018
AKASHIC RECORDS
BEAUTY CARE Tadah Garden Colors 100% natural blush and eye shadows. Ingredients from the garden. Colors are soft and natural. Brochure. Sales. Inquire to: jmarkarian0235@charter.net
CLASSES Upper Cape Tech in Bourne, MA, near Cape Cod Canal is a leading provider of career and wellness training offering Culinary Arts, Health Careers, Nurse’s Aide, Real Estate, Computers, Aromatherapy, Professional Reflexology, Art, Jewelry Making, Releasing Stress, Weight Loss and Smoking with NLP. 600+ online courses and more. Visit www.uppercapetech. cc or call (508) 759-7711, ext. 211 for details.
COACHING “Helping people find understanding.” Contact Linda at A Creative Insight. (781) 599-8275.
CONSCIOUS AGRICULTURE Learn Integral Agriculture: The Alchemy of Ecology in Organic is only the first step. Train in practical ways to support a healed Earth via Biodynamics, Pranic Agriculture, Eco-Shamanism and Vedic Agriculture. Internships and volunteer opportunities available at: www.OldKingFarm.com or call (908) 656-4375.
DOWSING All About Dowsing. Through dowsing discover more about yourself and your health. Self-instructional DVD’s, books, instruments. www.dowsing.com. (805) 6495721. Catalog: PO Box 30305, Santa Barbara, CA 93130.
ECO-SHAMANISM Vermont Institute of Buddhist EcoShamanism. Learn ageless techniques to bridge Nature and Humanity, re-establishing right relationship across dimensions. Variety of training options available. More info: www.okl.guru www.spiritofchange.org
HYPNOSIS
SELF STUDY
Kathryn McGlynn Hypnosis. Past life regression and metaphysical hypnosis. Schedule your private session today or gather your group together for an illuminating experience. (781) 340-2146. http://www.hypnosis.ws
Take the next step in mindfulness, using chi-energy awareness. Learn to connect to your brain’s “peaceful spot.” Create 3-dimensional holograms inside your brain, so you can consciously explore your past, present and future experiences. Connect to your internal intelligence that activates deeper abilities within you. For more info, see the website of energy awareness teacher Walter Ness: www. InteractiveMindfulness.com. ClickTraining, Click-Adee.
PSYCHICS Zandalee Psychic Life Coach. Call (929) 2620342. Email zandaleelistens@outlook.com. Internationally and nationally recognized clairvoyant that guides with accurate readings. 34 years experience in healing and addressing all questions in love relationships, career goals and intuitive healing. Http:// misszandaleepsychiconline.com. 5-minute free consultation. Take the first step today toward realizing your potential and achieve clarity! $1 per minute! (first-time caller special). Highly accurate live psychic readings! Love/ money/success — what does your future hold? Call now: (877) 657-0488
PYRAMIDS All About Pyramids. Wellness, meditation/ experimental tabletop models. Worldwide research. (805) 649-5721. www.dowsing. com. Catalog: P.O. Box 30305, Santa Barbara, CA 93130.
RADIO
MINIMUM WAGE MEDIA TWO LOCAL RADIO STATIONS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
TROUBADOUR 1710
Folk/Acoustic/Americana & overnight New Age Music www.t1700.net
LIBERTY & JUSTICE 1640
Populist talk/Natural Health and Living www.libertyandjustice1640.com
REFLEXOLOGY Rosalie Cryan, Reflexology, advanced certification. Reiki Master. Promoting balance and stress relief for 15 years. Experience bodywork for the first time or change your current routine. Only the feet are exposed. Quincy, MA. (617) 471-4190. Mention this ad: $60. Quincymassage.com
SCHOOLS Institute for Applied Metaphysics. Begins programming for serious seekers. Apply this winter for 2018 classes: www.okl.guru.
SPACE FOR RENT Newly renovated office space available in Arlington. Perfect for massage therapist with a waiting room area. Approximately 250 square feet. Call (781) 648-9867.
SPIRITUAL GOODS Beautiful hand painted angelic and spiritual wall hangings, banners and altar cloths. Divine designs and mandalas with a magickal twist! Visit www.etsy.com/ shop/MysticalBanners, email Marsha: reikimsdm@gmail.com.
TRAVEL
SPACE FOR RENT Stoughton, MA.
Seeking experienced licensed or eligible to be licensed naturopaths or health practitioners. Two bright and sunny spacious 210 sq. ft. and 230 sq. ft. offices for lease in five-office suite. Suite amenities: client waiting area, kitchenette and bathroom. Join our growing community of fifteen independently owned health practitioner businesses.
Love Ireland? Native to Ireland and founder of Spiral Journeys, LLC Ann Quinlan consults, designs and leads small group (max 14) land journeys in her homeland, Ireland. Since 1988 Ann shares Hidden Ireland while imbuing the traveler with mythology, folklore, megalithic history, nurturing organic food and the welcoming culture of her people. www.spiraljourneys.com. ann@ spiraljourneys.com. (207) 899-2606 for a chat with Ann.
VOLUNTEER
Pleasant Health Center for the Healing Arts, 294 Pleasant Street (Route 139), just minutes from Routes 24, 128, 138 and 27. Amenities: 1000 sq. ft. function room, and a conference room. Visitors always welcome.
Contact John P. Ando, Sr. at Eggrock Realty Corporation,
294 Pleasant Street, PO Box 745, Stoughton, MA 02072. (781) 341-3416. Email eggrockrealty@gmail.com.
Make a Difference and Become an Ascend Hospice Volunteer in Massachusetts
Contact one of our Volunteer Supervisors for more information Lisa O’Clare: Lisa.oclare@ascendhealth.com Jenn Fenuccio: Jennifer.fenuccio@ascendhealth.com
Please visit us at www.facebook.com/ PHCHAStoughton.
Newton Center Office Space For Rent. Full-time/part-time availability. Inviting, furnished psychotherapy suite includes private office, waiting room, clerical space and bathroom. Contact Chris Gruener (617) 965-6552, crossroadscounseling-services.com, chris.gruener@ comcast.net. Beautiful space for rent in the center of Shrewsbury for practitioners of body and energy work, consultations, classes, meetings, etc. Full, part-time and hourly rates available. Please contact Krista at Bhavna’s Wellness Group: (508) 970-5620.
Visit our website to learn more about our specialized hospice care and services AscendHospice.com
WILD DOLPHIN SWIMS Swimming with Wild Dolphins. The ultimate human-dolphin connection. Meditative, healing Caribbean Island retreats. Yoga, healthy food, Atlantean legends. www.wildquest.com. (800) 326-1618.
YOGIC WISDOM Institute of Sacred Knowledge of Esoteric Yoga. Class schedules available this fall. Open to conscious seekers of Yogic wisdom. www.OKL.guru
FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 85
Jay Cern Phua.................................................. 81 Pleasant Health Center For The Healing Arts.............................................. 85 Monique Pommier.......................................... 75 Purple Door, The............................................. 76 Pyramid Books................................................ 35
A Abra Therapeutics........................................... 61 Acupuncture of Worcester............................. 75 Advaita Meditation Center............................. 76 Ageless Yoga..................................................... 74 Alternatives for Health................................... 63 Alternatives For Healing................................. 65 Andrea Allen.................................................... 45 Angelic Star Healing....................................... 28 Angels Teach.................................................... 53 Angelscapes................................................61, 83 Angeltouche..................................................... 82 Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute....... 41 Arvigo Massage................................................ 44 Ascend Hospice............................................... 85
Index of Advertisers Fall/Winter 2017
B Balance Bethlehem..............................16, 43, 76 Barbara Brennan School................................... 9 Libby Barnett.................................................... 81 Baylight Homeopathy..................................... 10 Beadniks........................................................... 74 Bhahma Kumaris............................................. 83 Bhavna’s Wellness Group................................ 31 Glenn Bigonet.................................................. 78 Blossom Healings............................................ 74 Body Balancing Center................................... 69 Boston School of Herbal Studies, The........... 77 Mark Braunstein.............................................. 69 Bronte Moon.................................................... 25 Susan Burdick.................................................. 77 C
H Genevieve Hackett........................................... 46 Healing Choices............................................... 65 Healing from the Body Level Up................... 39 Healing with Lisa............................................. 82 Healthy Spirit................................................... 78 Heart Headed Entertainment........................ 58 HeartSong......................................................... 77 Helfand Retreats, LLC..................................... 14 Hillside Herbals............................................... 82 Holistic Nutrition Services............................. 82 Holistic Oasis................................................... 19 Holistic Wellness Center................................ 80 Joan Holzman.................................................. 79 Hug Patrol........................................................ 74
D
I
Developmental Alphabiotics............................ 7 Dr. Sharon Doolittle........................................ 16
Infinite Source Hypnosis.................................. 5 Inner Traditions............................................... 69 Integrated Psychotherapy............................... 37
E Eagle Flight Healing........................................ 82 Easton Yoga Center......................................... 43 Eastover Estate and Retreat............................ 51 Eclectic Institute of Aromatherapy and Herbal Studies, The...................................................... 76 Enchanted Fox................................................. 57 Enlightenings................................................... 19 Essentially Holy............................................... 81 F Barbara Fe......................................................... 81 First Church of Christ Scientist..................... 26 Four Winds One Breath................................. 28 The Fourwinds Society................................... 27 FrogPond Yoga Centre.................................... 43 G Arthur Gertler.................................................. 18 Deborah Graham............................................. 78
J JLJ Spiritual Healing........................................ 46 Jo Jayson............................................................ 59 John Harvey Gray Center............................... 80 Barbara Johnson.............................................. 79 Joy de Viv.......................................................... 63 Just Bee and Me............................................... 74 K John Koenig...................................................... 76 Pauline Kosowan............................................. 81 L Pat LeBau.......................................................... 42 Lou Lessard...................................................... 60 Light and Love Healing.................................. 81 Light Unlimited............................................... 87 Eric Linter......................................................... 75 Lisa K................................................................ 35
86 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2017
R Raffa Yoga & Urban Sweat.............................. 43 Regina’s Connection........................................ 55 Reiki of Greater Boston.................................. 77 Relax Sauna...................................................... 35 Rhys Thomas Institute.................................... 88 S
Living Earth, The............................................. 58 Lotus Flower Living........................................ 26 Love Your Face Holistic Skin Care................ 83 LoveLight Illuminations................................. 46 Claire Luft...................................................79, 80 Lyme Disease Association of Delmarva....... 45 M
T
Marconic Recallibration................................. 11 M.A.S.H............................................................ 17 Maha Yoga Center........................................... 43 Tina Marian...................................................... 25 Linda Marks..................................................... 79 Wendy Marks................................................... 81 Massachusetts Satsang Society, Inc............... 29 Massage Envy..................................................... 2 Jacqueline Mathers.......................................... 55 Eileen McKusick.............................................. 38 Med Tech.......................................................... 10 Medical Associates of New England............. 29 Metrowest Thermal Imaging.......................... 16 Barbara Meyers................................................ 59 Ross Miller............................................23, 55, 60 Lori Miller-Freitas........................................... 79 Minimum Wage Media................................... 85
Karen Talbot..................................................... 80 A Touch of Magic............................................ 55 Touchstone School.......................................... 76 MaryLee Trettenero......................................... 33
January 31, 2018
Canton Spiritualist Church............................ 18 Amy Caparco................................................... 74 Celtic Art Therapy........................................... 74 Center for Psychic Healing............................t30 Central Mass Lyme Foundation.................... 74 Kathy Chang..................................................... 26 Yvonne Chen.................................................... 75 Circles of Wisdom........................................... 32 City Compost................................................... 14 Copper Beech Institute................................... 51 Cosmic Cat....................................................... 57 Barry Costa................................................14, 71 Creative Strands Hair & Bodywork.............. 83 Crystal Concentrics..................................35, 79, Crystal Reiki..................................................... 80
Quantum Wellness Center............................. 53
Sacred Song Reiki......................................30, 38 Sailing Psychic, The......................................... 83 Salve Regina University.................................. 23 Sanctuary for Celestial Empowerment, The...................................32, 53 Science of Spirituality..................................... 65 Andrea Seiver................................................... 78 Soul Mechanic.............................................58,78 Spa Tech............................................................ 77 Spirit Hollow.................................................... 42 Spiritualjuju.com............................................. 60 Stillpoint Wellbeing Center............................ 76 Maureen Sullivan............................................. 57 Kelle Sutliff........................................................82 Synthesis Center, The.......................................77
Spring/Summer 2018 issue advertising deadline: Andy Grant....................................................... 29 Greater Boston Church of Spiritualism........ 83 Greater Boston Medical Associates............... 79 Groton Wellness Center................................. 47 Gracelyn Guyol................................................ 65
Q
N Natural Living Expo.......................................... 3 Nature’s Rite...................................................... 61 NE Institute of Reflexology............................ 76 New England Forever Aloe............................ 18 Dr. Jody Noe..................................................... 26 Northeast Reiki Center................................... 80 O October’s Angel................................................ 82 Olson Media Group........................................ 13 Oneness............................................................. 83 Open Spirit....................................................... 43 Opening Lotus Yoga........................................ 43 P Bonnie Page...................................................... 55 Passage to Inner Joy........................................ 74 Path of the Shaman......................................... 13 Path to the Present.......................................... 79 Pets and Spirits................................................. 25
U-V-W Tina Vesely....................................................... 28 Robyn Vogel..................................................... 77 Pat Warren........................................................ 80 Way to Balance, The........................................ 15 Wellness Roundtable, The.............................. 17 Jane Wentzell.................................................... 85 Westborough Yoga.......................................... 43 Trish Whynot................................................... 78 Karyne Willner................................................ 65 Wisdom of the Ages........................................ 33 Women of Wisdom...................................37, 75 Worcester Mineral Club................................. 53 Worcester Yoga Center................................... 43 The Word, The Universal Spirit..................... 78 Cheryl Wright.................................................. 78 Wu Healing Center............................................ 4 X-Y-Z Yoga at the Ashram...................................43, 49 Yoga Studio, The.............................................. 43 YogaLife Institute............................................. 25 Your Health Matters........................................ 19 Zandalee........................................................... 57 Ztarf Arts, LLC................................................ 59 Zuzu’s Healing Arts......................................... 44
Contact Us: (508) 278-9640
advertise@spiritofchange.org
THE REJUVENIZER Phyllis Light, Ph.D & Telepathic Healer
®
A LIFETIME OF HEALING AND PROTECTION
“Since wearing the Personal Rejuvenizer, I’ve seen a real difference in my health and energy level. When I’m around people who are sick with colds and the flu, I don’t get sick anymore, like I used to. Also, I used to be so tired, I’d practically be dragging myself around, and I don’t feel that anymore.”
THE REJUVENIZER IS DESIGNED TO HELP :
• Protect you from EMFs and other
R.R., Manchester, Connecticut
damaging frequencies
(from computers, cell phones, microwaves, TVs, satellites, wireless internet, etc.)
BEFORE
• Combat fatigue, headaches, and eyestrain
• Protect you from other people‘s negative energies
• Strengthen the
This woman had only a few hours sleep the previous night and felt exhausted at the time this photo was taken.
immune system
• Uplift you spiritually
AFTER
and more!
After wearing the Personal Rejuvenizer for only 20 minutes, she reported feeling more awake, energized and refreshed.
Light Unlimited www.spiritofchange.org
(512) 301-2999
www.lighthealing.com FALL/WINTER 2017 | Spirit of Change 87