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Awakenings

In his 2006 book, The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People are Changing the World, author Paul H. Ray described cultural creatives as self-actualized individuals interested in spirituality and living in alignment with their core values. Their numbers increased by 2018 as indicated in the film The Revolution - Cultural Creatives (Tinyurl.com/ The-R-evolution) which estimates that 200 million people across the world had joined the movement with the numbers increasing annually by 1 percent per year. Ray noted that these individuals, working at creating a wiser and more sustainable culture, felt they were alone in their work to help raise consciousness. Natural Awakenings wants to let cultural creatives know they are not alone by highlighting the work of others in Southwest Florida that are also working to transform themselves and the world.

Meet Charles Patti, Chief Education Officer at MY Self Wellness

How are things different since your awakening? I used to have a doom-and-gloom perspective and lived in a constant state of fear. My awakening experience shifted me from fear to love.

How or what triggered your shift in consciousness?

My experience was triggered by psychedelics, specifically ketamine. It had staying power. I had an experience of oneness, where I became one with everyone and everything. When I realized everything is connected and I was part of the universe, consciousness, God, I was no longer separate. I look at myself and others differently now. Others are my mirrors. If they do something that triggers a reaction in me, I look within.

Have you had any other significant epiphanies?

Awakenings are the synchronistic flow of the evolution of consciousness. The root all suffering is identification with the self. My story was I’m Charles. I’m 40. I used to be drug addict. My father died when I was young. I was a sensitive empath. Overwhelmed by life, I self-medicated with drugs and alcohol. When I awakened to being an extension of the divine, I had to stop poisoning myself. I was so caught up in my story until the awakening. Now I am manifesting my own reality.

Another epiphany was that, “Cleanliness is next to godliness” is not about cleaning your room. It’s about the body, the temple or vessel in which you live. I also realized that the only person I can save or heal is myself. As I heal myself, I heal the world. There are no coincidences.

How has that affected the decisions you have made since then?

I charged towards healing myself fearlessly because the only way out is to go within. I’m living healthier, exercise and have a daily practice of meditation and breathwork. I can only change myself. I remain positive. I focus on staying at higher state of consciousness, being loving to my family, my work at My SELF Awareness and going to the gym.

Charles Patti is the chief education officer at MY Self Wellness at 3541 Bonita Bay Blvd., Ste. 200, in Bonita Springs. Call 239-908-9958. See ad, page 23.