NOVEMBER 2023
EDEN T H E
MASTER YOUR
SUBCONSCIOUS
by DR. FRIEDMANN
HOW TO BE IN SYNC WITH EVERYTHING
by ISHA FOUNDATION
SIYERangita
FIGHTS FOR ELEPHANTS
The Eden Magazine
@The Eden Magazine
Photo by Jess Bailey
@The Eden Magazine
3 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e May 2021
DINA MORRONE
Maryam Morrison
ZEE
Susanna Schroadter
JOE SANTOS, JR.
Polly Wirum
EDWARD HAKOPIAN
ALEXIA MELOCCHI
DULCE GARCIA-MORMAN
NIKKI PATTILLO
ARTIN MARDIROSIAN
BRAD WALLACE
SHERRI CORTLAND
JAN WAKEFIELD
LISA JOY WALTON
JOE MAGNANI & JARED SCHLACHET JSQUARED PHOTOGRAPHY
SHERI DETERMAN
BEN ROLLINS
GREG DOHERTY
ISABELLE RUEN
GRETA PAZZAGLIA
4 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
PHILIP SMITH
MEET OUR TEAM
Photo by ISABELLE RUEN
Discover the path to a peaceful life among other living beings. We are all made of vibration and light in the universe to manifest our energy around all livingness.
EDEN T H E
MAGAZINE
Since 2010 The Eden Magazine is a free online publication focuses on spreading compassion to all Sentient Beings living in a healing and peaceful world FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MARYAM MORRISON EXECUTIVE EDITOR/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER DINA MORRONE COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER ALEXIA MELOCCHI CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SUSANNA SCHROADTER SHERRI CORTLAND DULCE GARCIA-MORMAN JOE SANTOS, JR. JAN WAKEFILED NIKKI PATTILLO POLLY WIRUM ZEE GUEST WRITER PHILIP SMITH CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS + MAKEUP ARTIST EDWARD HAKOPIAN LISA JOY WALTON GRAPHICS & PHOTOGRAPHY JSQUARED PHOTOGRAPHY @J2PIX ARTIN MARDIROSIAN (Nexision) SHERI DETERMAN GRETA PAZZAGLIA GREG DOHERTY BEN ROLLINS ISABELLE RUEN WEB DEVELOPER BRAD WALLACE https://bradwallacedesign.com/ 325 N. Maple Dr. Po Box 5132 Beverly Hills, CA 90209
To purchase a copy visit us in www.theedenmagazine.com Eden Magazine is a non-profit monthly online magazine. We aim to create a better environment where we live among other living beings in peace and harmony. We support artists that their work matches our criteria. If you would like to submit your artwork, article or/and your photography for our future issues please contact Maryam Morrison at; maryammorrison@theedenmagazine.com The Eden Magazine reviews article content for accuracy before the date of publication. The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s) opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher and editor. The published material, adverts, editorials, and all other content is published in good faith. 5 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
Table of Contents 8
COLOR CODE YOUR MENTAL STATE TO PREVENT BURNOUT & PERFORM AT YOUR BEST by Katerina Lengold
33
8
40
14
SANGITA IYER An interview by Susanna Schroadter
27
PSYCHEDELICS OFFER A SAFE EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES by Sherry Rais, CEO & Co-Founder of Enthea
33
HOW TO BE IN SYNC WITH EVERYTHING by Isha Foundation
40
46
VETERANS & MENTAL HEALTH BREAKING STIGMAS, EMBRACING SUPPORT by Shannon Walker
46
MASTER YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS by Dr. Friedmann
60
SOUL RESIDING by Sherri Cortland
27
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60
Cover photography courtesy of Sangita Iyer Designed by ARTIN MARDIROSIAN (Nexision)
Life is Essential, Feel it 64
A CAPSULE DEFINED AS CONNECTION by Zee
68
64
DO ALTERNATIVE & METAPHYSICAL PRACTICES BELONG IN YOUR WELLNESS PROGRAM? by Polly Wirum
74
THE CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES OF CLIMATE CHANGES by Dulce Garcia-Morman
80
THESE TIMES by Joe Santos Jr.
68 74
82
86
FALL INTO FORGIVENESS by by Nikki Pattillos
82
96 86
THE DIVINE PATH, DISCOVERING CONNECTION IN BALI, INDONESIA by Jan Wakefiled, M.A.
96
ARE YOU WONDERING WHAT IMPACT THIS PAST SUMMER' HEAT HAS HAD ON SEA TURTTLES? by Jan Wakefiled, M.A.
80
98
THE BEST WAY TO RESTORE ECOSYSTEMS IS TO LISTEN TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE Covering Climate Now
98
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COLOR CODE
Your MENTAL STATE TO PREVENT BURNOUT AND PERFORM AT YOUR BEST
ARE YOU IN THE RED, GREEN, OR BLUE ZONE? By Katerina Lengold
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In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world defined by the pressure to do more than ever before, it's no wonder that today's workforce is in the throes of a burnout crisis. It's this crisis that has, at least in part, led to trends like quiet quitting and the newest rage: Bare Minimum Mondays. But are quiet quitting and its variations the solution? Having experienced and recovered from severe burnout myself, my answer is a resounding "no." My own burnout journey began when I was just a child. I was born in today's Kyrgyzstan, near the border of China. I grew up poor, so I vowed to do whatever it took to have a better life—even if it meant making big sacrifices. I began working at the age of 10, and by 14, I was studying in university. At 16, I owned a business, earning more than my parents. At 19, I got a full scholarship at MIT, and by 23, I sold my space tech startup, having become the youngest exec in the world aerospace industry.
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Sounds like a dream? It didn't feel like one. I was very successful but completely miserable. I was 25 when I realized I couldn't do that anymore. I decided to quit my job and study the human brain instead of sending satellites into space. A major goal was to determine how people can experience joy AND success. That includes preventing burnout. One of the many exciting things I discovered is that we have the power to influence what happens in our brains. But to use that power, we need to understand what's happening. When it comes to burnout, what's happening is that the brain's neurons get overexcited. Their connections go haywire, and our nervous system goes into overdrive. That's why we wind up with those burnout feelings of being overwhelmed, exhausted, and drained. This is, of course, a very big simplification of a very complex process. But it serves the purpose of helping us understand what's happening so we can influence it.
To help myself and others do just that, I created a system for color-coding our mental state at any given moment along a scale of minus 10 to plus 10. I call it Neuro Balance. Imagine, for example, that your neurons are so fired up that you're having trouble controlling your actions and are behaving irrationally, including saying things you will regret later. That state is a plus 10. Plus 2 or plus 3 is an ideal state for getting things done: we're activated but in control. At zero, we are in a place of peace, joy, and openness. We're in the present moment, observing and receptive to whatever comes our way. By paying attention to how we feel, we can gauge what zone of the spectrum we are in and correlate it with the following 3 color-coded zones: Red (+4 to +10): Our nervous system is in overdrive. We feel overwhelmed, anxious, and super-sensitive to our surroundings. It's time to take a step back and breathe. Blue (-4 to -10): Our nervous system is inhibited. Here, we feel disconnected, numb, and disinterested. We need to find ways to re-engage and energize ourselves. Green (-3 to +3): This is where we experience mental balance, allowing for clear thinking, focus, effective communication, and motivation. The ultimate goal is to spend at least 80% of our time in the green zone. The first step to preventing
burnout using this system is to develop self-awareness by stepping back and color-coding your mental state three times a day: morning, lunchtime, and evening. This will help you recognize patterns, pinpoint when you're in the red or blue zones, and make adjustments. The next steps, once you have identified your patterns, are to: Adjust Your Schedule. Plan your day with your mental state patterns in mind. Doing so can help you minimize exposure to stressors and triggers, keeping you in the green zone more often.
Plan your day with your mental state patterns in mind. Doing so can help you minimize exposure to stressors and triggers, keeping you in the green zone more often.
Identify Destabilizing Factors. Keep track of activities or situations that push you out of the green zone. Knowing these triggers allows you to reduce exposure and stay balanced. Explore Balancing Activities. Figure out what activities help you return to the green zone. Whether it's spending time with loved ones, practicing yoga, or going for a nature walk, make these activities part of your daily routine to maintain mental balance. By tuning into your nervous system with the Neurobalance approach, you'll become more self-aware, which will empower you to proactively manage your mental well-being. As you spend more time in the green zone, you'll perform better, thanks to clearer thinking. You'll experience stronger connections, less burnout, and, above all, far more joy.
Katerina Lengold is a former space tech entrepreneur turned brain researcher and mental health advocate. By the age of 23, Katerina sold her space tech startup, ImageAiry, and had become the youngest executive in the world aerospace industry. After severe burnout, she turned her interest from launching satellites to studying the human brain. A graduate of MIT, Katerina started college at age 14 and holds multiple degrees, including in computer science, business administration, economics, and data science. She also received a certificate in interpersonal Neurobiology from the Mindsight Institute.
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The Eden Magazine's continued support and outreach to other Non-Profits includes Theatre West. Established in 1962, Theatre West is celebrating its 61st year as the oldest continually running professional theatre company in Los Angeles. It is a membership collective of actors, playwrights, directors, and technicians. Theatre West’s alum members include Ray Bradbury, Beau Bridges, Richard Dreyfuss, Sally Field, Betty Garrett, Martin Landau, Lee Meriwether, Jack Nicholson, Carroll O’Connor, Sherwood Schwartz, Joyce Van Patton, and Paul Winfield. Theatre West has produced more than 300 plays and musicals. Of these plays, nearly 70% are original works developed in its workshops. Many have led to Broadway, regional tours, and feature films, including A Bronx Tale by Chazz Palminteri, A Very Brady Musical by Lloyd Schwartz and Hope Juber, Our Man in Santiago by Mark Wilding, transferred to Off-Broadway in the Fall of 2022, and our co-production of Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground starring Tony Winner, John Rubenstein went to Broadway in 2023. Storybook Theatre, an award winning children's theatre division, is in its 40th year of entertaining toddlers and children at Theatre West. And the Education program services schools all across the greater Los Angeles area including underserved communities. Theatre West is also supported in part by The Ahmanson Foundation, California Arts Council, Peter Glenville Foundation, The Green Foundation, Kaplan-Loring Foundation, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, Lloyd E. Rigler-Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust, Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, and L.A. Parent Magazine.
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So Many Stars presents
celebrating
more than the season dreams, friendship, family, love, light and JOY! with:
Paul Cady Harleigh Ford Victoria Lavan Constance Mellors Scottie Nevil Alyssa Rupert Rick Simone-Friedland Michael Van Duzer
Victoria Lavan directed by
guest artists:
Bryce Charles Charles Johnson Vertreace Sanders Jalen Ty’rone Produced by Dina Morrone Stage Manager: David Mingrino
december 2 & 9 at 8:00pm december 3 & 10 at 2:00pm 323-851-7977 theatrewest.org
Tickets: General Admission $40 Early Bird Purchase $35 Senior/Student/Military $30
A
Biologist, Journalist, Documentary Filmmaker, Writer, & Speaker
Sangita Iyer Fights for Elephants Interview by Susanna Schroadter written & edited by Dina Morrone
A
n environmental journalist and filmmaker, Sangita Iyer is known for her work in wildlife conservation, especially elephants, and environmental advocacy. Sangita has been involved in various initiatives and projects to save elephants and raise awareness about their preservation. Her award-winning documentary, Gods In Shackles, released in 2016, focuses on the plight of festival elephants in Kerala, India, and the challenges they face due to various forms of abuse and exploitation. The film, currently streaming on Amazon Prime, sheds light on the conditions in which temple elephants in Kerala are often kept and the cultural, religious, and economic factors contributing to their suffering. Her non-profit, Voices for Asian Elephants leads several projects to save India's elephants.
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Photo by Korby Banner
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How did you find your life's passion? I always felt I wasn't good enough that was instilled in my mind from a young age, so I was scared to pursue my heart's calling. I had a difficult childhood, which I have documented in my book Gods in Shackles: What Elephants Can Teach Us About Empathy, Resilience, and Freedom. But, I also discuss why and how this elephant captivity resonated profoundly with me. All that had been put into my mind since childhood impacted what I wanted to do with my life. I pursued everything, like being a media person, anchoring, broadcasting, and journalism. I accomplished my career goals,but they didn't give me a sense of fulfillment. My soul said, "No, this is not your purpose, but it's okay to detour and do this." Then, in 2012, my whole world turned topsy-turvy. While I was pursuing my master's in environmental education and communication, unfortunately, my father passed away. As soon as I graduated in 2013, I was travelling to India for my father's first death anniversary. But, instead of going to Mumbai, where the anniversary of his death would occur, I took a detour and went to Kerala. As I was chatting with my friend, he received a distress call from a Chief Wildlife Warden, informing him that a Tusker had fallen into a trench, and he asked if we could help rescue the bull elephant. Of course, I said ‘yes’ and we immediately went to help the Tusker, instead of a safari into the forest.
to tranquilize the elephant and give him a booster shot. The jaws of life were on their way to open the trench. Meanwhile, I felt my father's presence the whole time I was there. I had no great relationship with my father, so it was strange. And I was saying to myself, "What are you doing here?" I could hear myself communicating with my father. I looked around to see if anybody saw this mad woman talking to herself. I feel I was divinely guided on this journey. I have been in love with elephants since I was three. My grandparents used to take me to this unique temple where there was an elephant who was shackled. My grandparents would leave me by his feet and go away and do their worship and service, and I would hang out with this Tusker, playing as if he was my best friend, and he would take care of me by putting his trunk and just holding me as if I was his little child. Right then, I developed so much love and affection for them. I asked my grandmother why the elephants had shackles on their legs and why I didn't have anything on my legs and I could walk freely. My wise grandma went out and bought anklets. She said, "Now you can also wear the shackles." But she was unprepared for my next question. "How come his two legs are shackled together, but mine are not?" My grandma was speechless.
We drove rapidly. Thousands of people lined the forested area as we entered. I could smell his dung. Seeing so many people surrounding this poor Tusker was very emotional for me because the Tusker was so stressed. Fortunately, they allowed me to get close to him. The trench was so narrow that he couldn't turn either way, so he had his four legs in the air. The veterinarian was also there, trying 17 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
I was born, they did an elephant census, and in the last six years, the elephant population has decreased by 58%.
You said that the Elephants are deprived of food, water, and shelter. Why? That's a one-million-dollar question. Elephants are considered the embodiment of Lord Ganesh– a Hindu God with an elephant face. On the one hand, elephants are worshipped and revered, and on the other hand, insulted. They do this because they say it's part of the culture. They don't want to feed the elephant that much because they're afraid the elephant will defecate in the temple. They don't want to give them enough water because they will have to urinate. Everything is done for the convenience of human beings. All humans want to do is parade them in the scorching sun. And then, when these elephants are so distressed and so depraved, they go crazy, so they round them up and then torture them. It is so sinister to take these elephants from the wild and train them, which is brutalizing them. These vicious acts are what's going on in India.
I feel I was divinely guided on this journey. I have been in love with elephants since I was three. 18 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
Are there predators that prey upon elephants, or are humans the only predators? Humans are the only predators. Recently, I received the horrible news that in Kerala, the same state where
How can Elephants be saved? Elephants must be saved because they are significant ecosystem engineers. Elephants are the largest living land mammals on the planet, they are megaherbivores that sustain forest ecosystems. That's why they're called megaherbivores. They wander across forest areas for 16 to 18 hours a day. Each elephant consumes about 150 wide varieties of berries, barks, seeded fruits, etc. a total of about 200 pounds of fodder per day and only about 35 to 40% are digested. So, the balance that comes out of their dung is so rich. Each elephant poops some 300 pounds of dung per day. In that rich dung are the seeds and fruits and all those things they consumed, and they spread it across the forest areas where they wandered. I explained this in one of the videos I just produced for National Geographic Society, part of Asian Elephants 101 series. Because they have tall, long, fantastic trunks, they stretch it, pull down the canopy, and open it up, allowing rain and sunshine to penetrate the soil. These ingredients are desperately needed for the hardwood trees to grow; hardwood trees sequester a lot more carbon than softwood trees., So not only are they ecosystem engineers and support the other species, but also, theyare climate mitigators. We are experiencing a raft of climate change. Look at the heat. It's like 32°C here in Toronto. The forestfires from Canada are drifting to the United States. What happens in Canada impacts the United States. Human beings have created borders for countries, but the atmosphere has no borders.
Climate change is borderless. So, what happens in India is going to reverberate across the planet. If elephants are gone, God forbid, it will have a cascading effect. It will create the collapse of ecosystems, impacting not only the people of India but worldwide. This is one of the reasons I was in the United Kingdom. I was trying to explain this to the members of Parliament. What happens in India will return to haunt us because, as I said, climate change is borderless.
Although I'm not an animal communicator or anything, while producing Gods in Shackles, I could feel that they were trying to communicate with me. I could sense it. It was a soul connection that I felt. I love all animals, but elephants, even though they are gigantic animals, they are such gentle beings. And elephants teach us so much. They taught me that, more than anything, we need to be loving, compassionate, and kind. Elephants are very empathetic. Empathy oozes out of them.
I assume you are passionate about all animals. Yes, I am. But I'm most passionate about elephants because they have always been part of my culture, and I feel like they are my soul animals to such an extent that when I see them suffer, I viscerally feel their suffering.
Whenever I see an elephant, my heart is so whole I lose my breath. Elephants are perfect. They are a combination of the masculine and the feminine. Their feminine side is loving, compassionate, and empathetic, and their male side shows they have boundaries and know what helps them. They're the epitome of grace and strength.
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Having the combination of both the masculine and feminine within themselves, what type of society do they live in? Is it matriarchal or patriarchal? I'm glad you raised this question. Elephants live in a matriarchal society, yet this matriarch doesn't get to choose herself. She is selected. She takes care of everyone and carries memories transferred from generation to generation. She knows where the water holds are. She knows where the enemies are, and she'll avoid those pathways. Elephants don't want any conflict. They are so gentle by nature. They're accommodating, incredibly tolerant, and so intuitive. They will assess you from a distance. They are not the type that will come and attack. If they see a stranger, they'll hold back. And this is the matriarch's job. They cooperate and communicate so beautifully in many ways. They will touch softly through tactile communication and alert each other. Elephants are like angels - angelic, divine beings. There's no better way to describe them. They arrived on our planet some 80 million years ago, and modern human beings have evolved only 200,000 years ago, and we have decimated the planet. What can we do to help save them? We need to do everything we can to save elephants because they're ecologically significant, which means they support all
living beings, not merely because they are ecosystem engineers and not simply because they are climate mitigators, but because they have arrived on the planet to teach human beings love, compassion, kindness, thoughtfulness, reflectiveness, how to be gentle with each other, and not take impulsive action. The elephant brain is three times as large as a human brain, and the cortical brain is a seat of consciousness. It is so highly evolved that elephants will only do something rationally. They need to survive. Just like we all need to be able to live and survive on this planet, elephants knock on our doors and say, "Hey, we are here to help you. We are here to save you. Why are you decimating us? Every human action completely decimates them because we have become so self-absorbed in our materialistic world: "I want a big car." "I want a big home." "I want a big palace." We are decimating their habitats. In India, people are encroaching into their habitats. In America, for example, we have bees and bears, and we encroach on their space. We take their spaces, and when they come into what we call "our land" or "our home," which was theirs because they arrived here some 80 million years ago, we hurt and kill them. Yet they are here to help us, and we are harming the same beings that are here to help us. How ironic is that?
Elephants must be saved because they are significant ecosystem engineers. Elephants are the largest living land mammal on the planet, they are megaherbivores that sustain forest ecosystems.
,,
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No animal belongs in the zoo for entertainment, yet many people still travel to zoos for elephant rides or to see them perform in a circus. How can we change this? Yes, we see many tourists traveling to India. We must change this and bring more awareness to everyone. Let me say that some tourists know what's happening to elephants because I make it a point to speak out, talk to individuals when possible, and put it on my social media. An elephant must endure a lifetime of slavery, neglect, and abuse to give you a few moments of cheap thrill. It's a "That's on my bucket list" mentality. Elephants, aged three or four, are taken away at such a young age to begin training. Imagine that happening to a human child. Elephants drink breast milk until they reach the age of ten. When taken, they are deprived of the essential breast milk they deserve. Bull hooks are used to get young elephant babies to cooperate when being taken away. They tie the four legs onto a pole like a bamboo or cement pole, put them inside this little box, open at the top and side, and then poke, prod, and deprive them of water for 72 hours to one week. They are deprived of this until the elephant realizes and accepts that they have to learn and obey commands. For a spiritual person, knowing elephants have been around for thousands of years, what is the deeper meaning of all of this?
Elephants have been around for 80 million years. I'll bring back Lord Ganesh. Lord Ganesh is worshiped because he's considered the remover of all obstacles. Elephants clear up the obstacle. Lord Ganesha is the wisest God and grants us wisdom. An elephant's brain is three times as large as a human brain. Their cortical brain is highly evolved, and they are very wise. When you look into their eyes, you see wisdom oozing out. They are reflective and thoughtful. All these gifts are what people worship Lord Ganesha for, so elephants embody Lord Ganesh. And yet, it is the exact embodiment that is being brutalized to please Lord Ganesh. It's such a tragic paradox. On the one hand, they're worshiped and revered. On the other hand, they are defiled, treated like rotten creatures, and brutalized.
On behalf of Voice for Asian Elephants Society, I was invited to ring the Closing Bell at Nasdaq on August 10th - to commemorate World Elephant Day that occurs annually on August 12th. And the news made media headlines across India, which is where we're trying to make an impact.
And so, I describe elephants as: Empathetic. Loving. Enduring. Patient. Humble. Aware. They are the most aware beings. Nimble. They are so flexible, and agile. Tolerant. All these qualities are what I have learned from elephants. We would all be so much better human beings if we could even implement just a few of them.
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What a great way to describe these beautiful creatures. We all need to learn more about how amazing their life is. Yes, it's not just about putting out this article or any literature on them, but about coming together and serving the collective good. We need to raise enough funds to purchase land in India and give it to the elephants for re-wilding. If anyone would like more information about my organization Voices for Asian Elephants they can check out our website https://www. vfaes.org/meet-sangita-iyer-team It seems you live your life from the point of pure intention. Pure intention and guidance. When it happens, intention comes to fruition, and that is where surrender comes into play. I surrender, and I follow. Given the production of Gods in Shackles, I never knew I would one day produce a film, let alone have the film being nominated for The United Nations General Assembly and winning 13 International Film Festival awards. I didn't expect any of that. I don't care about any of the accolades. I just wanted the atrocities against elephants exposed. When I set out on this journey of making a documentary, I didn't know how I would produce a film. After all, I was a broadcaster, not a film producer, nor did I go to school to be a
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filmmaker, yet here I am today, a documentary filmmaker. When you wake up in the morning, do you have a plan? A ritual? Or do you go with what your heart feels? That's a beautiful question. I wake up in the morning, and the first thing I do is go to my altar and light the lamp. Hinduism is a philosophy. It's not a religion. It's a way of life. I do yoga and guided meditation. Then, I spend about two hours every day in the natural world. I walk outside and listen to \affirmations and meditations ingrained in my subconscious mind. There's a small patch of forest here in the valley where I live in Toronto. When I walk there, I feel the spirit of the forest, and it makes me feel like a different person. I touch the earth, take the mud, and put it on my head, neck, arms, and face. I hug the trees, and when I see the earthworms, I rescue them. I listen to the creeks, the water, and the breeze, and I feel the sun shining down on me, and I say, "Give me your energy." As far as my diet, I'm a pure vegan. I love Thai food. And I love Tofu. Special Thanks To: Sangita Iyer Voices for Asian Elephants All Elephant photos courtesy of Sangita Iyer All photos of Sangita & Elephants by Kerala Forest Department
Photo by Ann Dailina/unsplash 26 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
Psychedelics Mental Health Issues
Offer A Safe, Effective Approach to Addressing
Sherry Rais, CEO and Co-Founder of Enthea
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Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (PAT) aligns with modern healthcare's emphasis on personalized, holistic medicine and patient-centered care. The treatment is tailored to the individual's unique needs, focusing on their personal experiences, traumas, and aspirations.
L
isten to the words of Alex Earle, CEO of Onnit Gym, who regards his Company as a temple for community and self-improvement that fosters a motivational environment where everyone wants to be physically and mentally stronger in all aspects of life. "We are on a mission to empower as many individuals as possible with a holistic philosophy regarding physical, mental, and spiritual well-being," says Earle. "I believe that if people have access to the best tools and knowledge, they will be able to achieve their fullest human potential, leading to a global movement for the good of all." One of these tools is ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT), now offered to full-time employees as a mental health benefit. The decision to provide this progressive approach therapy is based on Earle's confidence that psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is a safe, effective way to address mental health issues and alleviate persistent feelings of anxiety and depression. "It's a treatment option and an opportu nity for intra-personal self-healing that creates new neuro-pathways of thinking to sustain well-being," adds Earle. "We see PAT as an innovative, value-added approach to mental health that benefits the wellness of our individual employees and contrib-
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utes to the vibe of our company team." Addressing a National Mental Health Crisis The United States is experiencing a mental health crisis as 22.8% of U.S. adults (57.8 million) experience a mental health illness. Our nation's mental health significantly impacts the workplace in terms of employee wellness, attendance, and productivity. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, untreated mental illness costs U.S. companies up to $300 billion annually. The advancement of PAT is bringing hope to millions: an approach that combines the administration of psychedelic substances, such as ketamine, with a structured and supportive psychotherapeutic framework. To ensure safety, the process is facilitated and administered in a controlled setting, monitored, and accompanied by clinical support. What is Psychedelic Medicine? PAT introduces a safe, proven mental health treatment that deviates from traditional pharmacological interventions. Clinical studies are proving that PAT, including KAT, can be very effective in relieving symptoms of severe anxiety, substance abuse, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a wide range of behavioral health conditions.
By combining the administration of psychedelic compounds, such as ketamine, with therapeutic support, PAT is demonstrating remarkable efficacy in treating mental health conditions often resistant to conventional treatments. Psychedelics encourage the growth of new connections between neurons in the brain, and as dissociative drugs, they temporarily alter a person's mood, thoughts, and perceptions. Patients report feeling strong emotions and experiencing vast changes in how they perceive reality. Similarly, psychedelics can help restore an individual's sense of rhythm and balance. PAT accelerates the therapeutic process by facilitating deep introspection, emotional breakthroughs, and heightened states of consciousness. The experience can help individuals gain new perspectives, access repressed memories, and confront underlying emotional traumas. This accelerated process can potentially lead to profound insights, personal growth, and lasting therapeutic benefits. Therapeutic Use of Ketamine Ketamine has been in worldwide use as an anesthetic for more than 50 years, with an incredible safety record. Classified as a dis-sociative anesthetic, Ketamine is a synthetic pharmaceutical com - pound that is one of the most widely used drugs in modern medicine. Ketamine was developed in 1963, approved by the Food and Drug Administration for certain surgical procedures in 1970, and adopted by many hospitals and medical offices because of its rapid onset, proven safety, and short duration of action. Ketamine became
commonly used clinically for induction and maintenance of anesthesia and associated pain management. During the 1990s, the National Institute of Mental Health explored the antidepressant potential of ketamine while looking for alternatives to selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). The research found that subanesthetic doses of ketamine may be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions. In conjunction with this growing body of research, ketamine clinics, and clinicians proliferated across the U.S., offering ketamine sessions for psychiatric disorders either using ketamine-only treatments or ketamine in conjunction with psychotherapy. Today, KAT is recognized as a mental health breakthrough treatment where patients receive this care through a clinician, combined with or followed by therapy and integration sessions. This combined process allows the patient to get to the root of their traumas while also amplifying and prolonging the curative effects. In subanesthetic dosages, ketamine serves as an adjunct to psychotherapy, providing an opportunity to temporarily soften psychological defenses, which may result in deeper selfreflection and psychotherapeutic processing. This helps break long-standing, deeply ingrained thinking patterns associated with a variety of mental health conditions and, in turn, develop new ways of thinking and being.
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Clinical research reports dramatic improvements and reduction of mental health symptoms after just one ketamine therapy session. In comparison, traditional use of antidepressants can take four to six weeks to take effect, and for some patients, they don't work at all. While no long-term data are available, in early small studies, KAT significantly and rapidly reduced depression symptoms in about 50-70% of patients. Alignment with Holistic, Patient-Centered Care Today, mental health is a priority and is being integrated into every aspect of healthcare, from prevention to early intervention to accessible and evidence-based treatment options. The long-term benefits of this PAT approach to mental health are significant, given a shared understanding that PAT is highly effective and should be accepted into standard mental healthcare practice. PAT aligns with modern healthcare's emphasis on personalized, holistic medicine and patient-centered care. The treatment is tailored to the individual's unique needs, focusing on their personal experiences, traumas, and aspirations. This personalized approach recognizes the multidimensional nature of mental health and aims to address the underlying causes rather than merely suppressing symptoms. PAT holds the potential to revolutionize approaches to mental health and advance the healthcare industry, leading to more personally tailored, effective treatments. Enthea is the first and only licensed third-party administrator (TPA) of psychedelic healthcare in the United States. As an emerging innovator in healthcare, Enthea brings together the worlds
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of PAT and workplace benefits, which is a relatively unexplored intersection. The Company is dedicated to providing access to safe and affordable PAT, beginning with KAT. Key to Enthea's mission is its advocacy for the safe and effective clinical use of psychedelics and ensuring affordable and equitable access to this life-changing therapy. Wider Adoption Dr. Bronner's, the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America and a leading brand worldwide, is leading the way as an early adopter and advocate of psychedelic medicine. The USbased, family-owned company expanded its healthcare benefits as a first step in prioritizing its support of employee mental health and wellness. Its partnership with Enthea represents the first arrangement between a health plan administrator and a large employer to offer ketamine-assisted therapy as a workplace benefit. KAT is 100% covered by Dr. Bonner and is administered through Enthea's national provider network, which includes Flow Integrative. Flow Integrative offers ketamine treatment through its integrated model in Encinitas, CA, and the SF Bay Area. At this time, Flow Integrative is the only treatment provider covered by Dr. Bronner's health benefit in collaboration with Enthea. Michael Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner's, explains, "The health and wellbeing of our employees is the primary driver in how we think about benefits and compensation. Offering coverage for ketamine-assisted therapy is in the interest of providing tools to our workforce to have the best quality of life and best options for mental health care."
Sherry Rais, CEO and Co-Founder of Enthea, has helped dozens of startups, non-profit organizations, academic/research institutions, and small businesses raise funds, operate according to their mission and values, and implement processes that enhance their overall efficiency. Sherry believes in living and working in alignment with purpose and is currently focused on expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapy to alleviate human suffering. Before this, Sherry consulted for over 10 years with the United Nations and World Bank, implementing cash transfer programs at the national level in over 35 countries. Sherry holds a master's degree in public policy and administration from the London School of Economics and a bachelor's degree in psychology and international development from McGill University. She also completed the Certificate in Psychedelic Therapies and Research from CIIS in 2021. In addition to being Enthea's CEO, she is the Executive Director of the Boston Psychedelic Research Group and the Grants Manager for CIIS.
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Sadhguru, Isha Foundation
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How to Be in
Sync with Everything
S
adhguru: This is something you may not want me to say, but every moment of your life, you are getting a little closer to death. We will bless you with a long life, but death is getting closer by the day by the minute. The two most significant dimensions of our life are time and energy. If you manage your energies well, because of the enhancement of energy, in your experience, time will also be enhanced. If your experience of life becomes sweet, the sweeter it becomes, the faster time seems to be rolling away. You wake up in the morning, and before you know it, the day is over – that means you are doing well. If time sits heavy on you, if it does not go, that means you are doing very badly. It is important for you to get some understanding of how time plays within your body or how you experience time as a human being, at this time, on this planet.
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The Human–Earth Synchronicity Many dimensions of your body are in sync with the fundamental aspects of time-making on this planet. The most fundamental sense of time is, of course, the planet is going around the Sun – that is a year. The Moon is going around the Earth – that is a month. But our most fundamental sense of time comes from the revolutions of the planet. It spins once, and we call it a day.
As a human being, you have the highest level of neurological development. That means a human being is the most sensitive life on this planet. Sensitive means you are able to sense everything that is around you.
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The length of the equator is 21600 nautical miles. These 21600 nautical miles amount to the number of breaths that you take in a day. If you divide this by 1440, which is the number of minutes you have per day, you will get 15. That means if you are breathing approximately 15 times per minute, you will be exactly in sync with the revolution of the Earth. If your heartbeat is in the range of 70 to 72, then your heart is also in sync with the breath, and the breath is in sync with the revolutions of the Earth. This is a simple way of bringing an absolute sense of harmony in the physical system. If you do this, the compulsiveness of the body will go away. Compulsiveness or Consciousness? It’s Your Choice. A whole lot of people spend their entire lives making arrangements for the compulsions of their body – what to eat, where to sleep, whom to sleep with. This is just attending to the compulsions of the body. The compulsive nature of the body is there; you cannot deny it, but how much time and energy do you want to dedicate to this dimension of your life? I want you to look at this with a sense of openness. I am not interested in making any aspect of your life ugly or meaningless, but the problem is, every moment of your life, you are getting closer to your death.
Life is a limited amount of time. For this reason, it is important to address this question: how much time and energy in your life is dedicated to satisfying your physical and psychological compulsions? If you try to reduce the compulsions of your body and mind without being in sync with the basic forces in nature, then it looks like you are sacrificing or renouncing everything. This is not Sanyas. Living for Life, Not for Body and Mind Sanyas means to consciously choose to keep the time you spend on the compulsions of the body to a minimum. This comes from a certain dimension of intelligence. This is not renunciation, sacrifice, or giving up life – this is absolutely pro-life. Because you are for the life that you are – not for the body that you have gathered, not for the mind that you have gathered, you are not going to become a sanyasi tomorrow, and I do not want you to. But arranging your life a little better, syncing your life with the natural cycles of life around you, syncing your life with the planet itself, which has made this life the way it is, is important. For you to come to a certain state of equanimity, for you to live in some sense of inner harmony, for you to be in absolute harmony with all the inputs with which you are living – like water, air, food, fire, warmth, and of course life energy, we have taught Yogic practices. But with so-called education, people have gotten into this madness of “What will I get?” People think life is about getting something. Competition versus Competence When you make life into a mere transaction, then being in harmony does not arise because right from childhood, from kindergarten, you have been told to be competitive.
To be in competition means you have no sense of your own competence. Maybe you could fly, but you are happy that you are walking one step ahead of someone else. What a tragedy it is! Competition means you will lose all sense of harmony within you because there is no sense of anything about you – it is always about how someone else is doing compared to you. Enjoying other people’s failures is sickness. But right from kindergarten, you have been trained to believe you must be number one. I do not know why everyone aspires to be the smallest number. At least you could upgrade yourself to a zero. If you are always in a mode of transaction in life, if it is “What will I get?” all the time, this will not allow you to be in sync with the natural elements that make you. Greed versus Ease If you are not in sync, your competence, your genius, and your intelligence will never find full expression. It cannot, simply because you never come to ease. If you do not come to ease, you will not find full expression of anything. To be in harmony with everything around you, psychologically, there is only one thing you have to do: You must remove just one thought in your mind – the rest of the nonsense can go on. Only one thought – “What will I get?” If you take away this one thought,
then you will see you will naturally be in sync with everything around you. Sometimes, you have done this. There was no concern about what you will get; you were absolutely in sync with everything. The moment “What will I get?” comes up, transactions start. Once transactions happen, we are only trying to be better than someone else. We are no longer trying to be ourselves. The moment I want to be better than you, I cannot be myself. I will do a little more stupid things than you do because I am in competition. This is, as I see in today’s world, because of the kind of food that you eat, the kind of air that you breathe, and the kind of water that you drink. Crippling Poison We are spraying poison on the food that we eat and putting poison into the water that we drink, and we think we have found some great science. This is not science; this is silly nonsense. Unfortunately, we have made a science out of senselessness. On this planet, for all life – from a single-celled organism to the most complex form, which is you – fundamentally, the basic construction is the same. If something poisons a bacteria, it also poisons you. Maybe the dose is not strong enough to kill you – yet, but it is still poison. These poisons are crippling you. I am not just talking about physical health – you want this life to blossom to its fullest possibility.
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You want this life to find freedom from everything. How is it possible when you are poisoned? If you lived in pristine natural conditions, the amount of practice and the amount of conscious effort that you have to make would be much less. But now we are living in these kinds of conditions. Because of this, being conscious and doing the necessary things to be in sync with everything around you becomes all the more important.
Infrastructures to Raise Human Consciousness
Experience Yoga in its classical form at Isha Yoga Center Los Angeles and Isha Institute of Inner-sciences. Established by Sadhguru, the centers serve as powerful spaces for inner transformation and raising human consciousness. Located in northern Los Angeles County and Tennessee respectively, the centers offer an array of Yoga and meditation programs within a vibrant and conducive ambience. You are invited to Free Yoga Day, a monthly open-doors event at the center. On this day, we offer a variety of free sessions dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to take charge of their wellbeing through simple but powerful practices sourced from the Yogic tradition. Learn more at ishausa.org/la
Syncing Breath and Heartbeat How to be in sync? Here is a simple thing you can do: If you cannot do it all the time, maybe once an hour, or at least every two hours, no matter how busy you are, you can take a minute. Go sit somewhere, and make sure your breath is in sync – approximately fifteen breaths per minute. Try to keep it that way all the time. You will see gradually, your heartbeat will also sync with everything else. This is very important for you to live as a normal human being. If you want to be a Yogi, you have to lower the number of breaths, but you cannot do that by force. You have to build up your lung capacity in such a way you have to bring your body to such a level of relaxation that it will become slower by itself, naturally. In the Yogic lore, there is a colorful expression, which is not to be taken literally, but it is true in a general sense: If your breath becomes between eleven and twelve instead of fifteen, you will know the language of all the creatures on this planet, the birds and the animals. If your breath goes down to nine, you will know the very language of Mother Earth. Becoming Sensitive Means Becoming Sensible The meteorological department, for example, is trying to read what Mother Earth is saying in some way. In that sense, and in a deeper sense than that, you could know
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what Mother Earth is saying if your breath naturally becomes around eight to nine per minute. If your breath becomes six to seven per minute, you will know everything that is worth knowing – simply because all the unnecessary static that you are creating in your body and your mind is gone. Everything is absolutely clear to you as it is. Because neurologically, you are the most evolved creature on this planet. As a human being, you have the highest level of neurological development. That means a human being is the most sensitive life on this planet. Sensitive means you are able to sense everything that is around you. Being sensitive does not mean for everything, you will get hurt. Sensitive means you are able to sense all that is there to be sensed. If you are sensitive, you will naturally behave sensibly. If you are sensitive to everyone around you, you naturally behave sensibly. No one has to teach you any morals, ethics, ideas, spirituality, or scriptures. How Yogic Kriyas Help Even if you do not know the language of the planet or its creatures, at least become a sensible creature. If you do practices like Shakti Chalana Kriya and Surya Kriya [practices offered in various Isha Yoga programs] on a daily basis, it will naturally happen. Do at least this much: try to sync the breath with the natural movement of this planet. If you do that, you will become a far more sensitive and sensible human being. A lot more sensible human beings on the planet are not only welcome but badly needed. Editor’s Note: A version of this article was originally published in Isha Forest Flower magazine in July 2019.
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Here are several ways to use raw coconut oil in a beauty routine: 1. Facial moisturizer: Apply a small amount of coconut oil to your face after cleansing for natural hydration. Dignity Coconuts is a brand dedicated to creating a positive social impact in the coconut industry. By providing fair wages and career opportunities, they empower locals and combat financial insecurity in the region. Their mission goes beyond economic empowerment, as they actively work to train farmers, educate employees, provide clean water to the community, and ultimately eradicate modern-day slavery and human trafficking in the coconut industry. The goal is to build a more ethical and sustainable future. By purchasing products from Dignity Coconuts, customers help end the modern slavery of coconut farmers in the Philippines. These farmers fall victim to predatory and deceptive loans that trap their families in extreme poverty for generations. Dignity Coconuts has helped 156 families escape slavery and poverty and has given 114 people good jobs at their manufacturing plants, where they also get continuing education and life-skills training. With the help of Dignity Coconuts, the community has received multiple medical clinics for thousands at a time and dental clinics. They have given clean water to over 100 families and, after typhoons and COVID, 336 homes were rebuilt, and relief goods and financial assistance were provided to farmers who lost crops. Through this sale, the brand is allowing more people to participate in their mission. As customers increase, Dignity Coconuts can increase its impact. 38 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
2. Hair conditioner: Apply coconut oil to the ends of your hair or use it as a mask for deep conditioning. 3. Body moisturizer: Use coconut oil directly on your skin after a bath or shower for optimal absorption and moisturization. 4. Makeup remover: Gently rub coconut oil over your face to dissolve makeup, then rinse off with warm water. 5. Lip balm: Apply coconut oil to your lips for a natural alternative to commercial lip balms. 6. Shaving cream: Use coconut oil for a smooth shave and natural post-shave skin soothing. 7. Cuticle oil: Rub coconut oil into your cuticles to keep them soft and pliable. 8. Foot scrub: Mix coconut oil with sea salt to create a moisturizing and exfoliating foot scrub. 9. Under-eye cream: Apply a small amount of coconut oil under your eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles. 10. Body scrub: Combine coconut oil with sugar for a homemade, all-natural body scrub. 11. Frizz tamer: Use a small amount of coconut oil to smooth frizzy hair and add shine. 12. Teeth whitening: Swish coconut oil in your mouth for 10-20 minutes (a practice known as "oil pulling") to promote oral health and potentially whiten teeth. 13. Eyelash and eyebrow serum: Apply a small amount of coconut oil to lashes and brows before bed to support strength and growth. 14. Sunburn relief: Apply coconut oil to soothe and hydrate sunburned skin. 15. Acne treatment: Due to its antibacterial properties, coconut oil can be used to treat acne. However, as it's also comedogenic, it can block pores and might not be suitable for those with oily skin.
WHY CHOOSE DIGNITY COCONUT OIL 100% Raw & USDA Organic: USDA Certified Organic, Unrefined, 100% Raw, Non-hexane, Non-GMO, Chemical-free, no heat, no moldy coconuts. Centrifuge Extracted: Milk and oil are separated with a centrifuge machine spun with a g-force. Never heated or treated with chemicals, always crafted below 118F to retain micronutrients. This gives you 4x more nutritional benefits in every scoop. Neutral Taste: Our process gives us a neutral and mild coconut flavor so as not to overpower your food (or taste buds). Antibacterial: Studies found that coconut oil can act as a natural antibacterial, best used for skin issues like eczema and staph infections or in the mouth, like oil pulling. Powerful Antioxidants: Our coconut oil has 4x more antioxidants than cold pressed! Why is that a big deal? Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals and can aid in disease prevention. Lauric Acid: Lauric Acid is a
unique asset in coconut oil. It only naturally occurs in two things: Breastmilk and Coconuts. It contains powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties, helping fight infections like the flu or common cold. Dignity Coconuts preserves between 49.75%-50% of the original lauric acid! MCT: Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are the "good fats" that make up the oil component of a coconut. MCTs are easy to digest and absorb, making them readily available for energy. Dignity Coconuts preserves 62% of its original MCTs.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING A FORCE OF GOOD IN THE WORLD BY MAKING THE BEST PRODUCTS, CARING FOR THE EARTH, AND BRINGING FREEDOM TO PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAPPED.
Vitamin E: Not only are there benefits to eating coconut oil, but your skin will benefit, too; the combination of fatty acids, antioxidants, MCTs, and vitamin E work together to calm red, itchy, and rash skin. We have many success stories treating eczema, especially in babies and kids! Bottled at the Source: Organic coconuts harvested from our backyard are cracked open and poured into jars in 24 hours for ultimate freshness.
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Veterans & Mental Health Breaking Stigmas, Embracing Support By Shannon Walker
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V
eterans Day is not only a time to honor the bravery and sacrifices of our servicemen and women but also an opportunity to shed light on the critical issue of mental health within the Veteran community. The mental health battles Veterans often face upon returning to civilian life can be insurmountable, as the transition from military service to civilian hood can be fraught with unique challenges. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 20 Veterans commit suicide each day. That's over 8,000 lives lost each year. The Mental Health Landscape for Veterans: Many American Heroes return home to find their greatest battle still awaits. For a Veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the battle is never over. They come home and find everything has changed because they have changed. Veterans frequently grapple with a range of mental health challenges stemming from their service experiences. Conditions like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other trauma-related disorders are not uncommon. These conditions can manifest in various ways, impacting Veterans' daily lives, relationships, and overall well-being. The stigma surrounding mental health in the military community can make seeking help a daunting prospect. Concerns about the potential repercussions on careers and personal lives often deter Veterans from accessing the support they need.
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The mental health struggles encountered by Veterans highlight the crucial role of resources like service dogs in their recovery journey while emphasizing the importance of eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health. Breaking Down Stigmas: One of the most significant barriers to Veterans seeking mental health support is the persistent stigma surrounding mental health issues. Many Veterans fear that acknowledging their struggles will be perceived as a sign of weakness, potentially jeopardizing their businesses or careers. It is imperative that we collectively work to challenge and dismantle these stigmas, creating an environment where seeking help is not only accepted but encouraged. This Veterans Day, let us not only honor the sacrifices of Veterans but also recognize the importance of supporting their mental health. By embracing resources like service dogs and advocating for open conversations about mental well-being, we can help Veterans embark on their path to recovery. Together, we can create a culture of understanding and support, ensuring that no Veteran feels alone in their journey towards mental wellness.
These specially trained animals offer not only practical assistance but also solace and healing. For Veterans, a service dog is an amazing tool to mitigate the symptoms of PTSD so they can live their lives post-service.
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The Role of Service Dogs in Recovery: Healing the Invisible Wounds of War Service dogs have emerged as invaluable support tools for Veterans battling mental health challenges. These specially trained animals offer not only practical assistance but also solace and healing. For Veterans, a service dog is an amazing tool to mitigate the symptoms of PTSD so they can live their lives post-service.
Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate the effects of mental health conditions. They can sense signs of distress and provide grounding, offer physical support during anxiety-inducing situations, and even intervene during moments of crisis. The constant support of having a service dog in even a Veteran's darkest hours provides a profound source of mental health support, which can be crucial in the healing process. Shannon Walker, CEO of Northwest Battle Buddies, is addressing mental health challenges within the Veteran community, a non-profit organization committed to gifting professionally trained service dogs to Veterans battling PTSD and helping them regain their freedom and independence.
At the core of Northwest Battle Buddies' mission lies the remarkable use of service dogs in treating and handling PTSD in Veterans. Shannon Walker recognizes the unique bond between humans and animals and how canines provide unconditional love and support. With the support of an NWBB service dog, Veterans can overcome the debilitating symptoms of PTSD and start living the life they deserve, with freedom and independence.
You may ask, what is a Battle Buddy? In the United States Army, soldiers are assigned a partner – or "battle buddy" – as a friend and ally to assist one another in and out of combat. Northwest Battle Buddies are not only for companionship and to watch one another's back but also for being able to key into negative thoughts and feelings and stepping in to help when no one else is around. Northwest Battle Buddies is based on the principle of mutual assistance — a service dog and Veteran depend on one another for support and care. "Service dogs can be the difference between life and death. I've listened to stories from other Veterans, and I hear the pain in their voices and see it in their eyes. As an empathetic person, I feel their pain almost like it's my own. And having the presence of a service dog to help buffer those feelings of pain - it's powerful," says Combat Veteran DL, whose companion is Northwest Battle Buddies service dog Atlas. Many American Heroes return home to find their greatest
battle still awaits as they battle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the debilitating effects that often lead to thoughts of suicide. Service dogs make a difference. There is no cure for PTSD; however, with a Northwest Battle Buddy by their side, veterans with PTSD can reduce their symptoms with life-changing results. These professionally trained dogs perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a chronic disability who cannot perform the work or task independently from him or herself, help a person to redirect their emotions, and calm a person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack. These actions by the service dog include waking their Veteran from nightmares, interrupting anxiety attacks, redirecting flashbacks, alerting on adrenaline, providing a social barrier in public, performing pressure therapy, and providing a constant feeling of safety. The service dogs spend 5+ months in intensive training, then are carefully matched with a Veteran handler for five more weeks of training and bonding, creating the ultimate partnership. Many service dogs are rescued from animal shelters.
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Michael's Story: The inspiration behind Northwest Battle Buddies Operation Never Quit Project is Michael, an American hero who found hope and healing with a service dog: "Exactly one year prior to getting River, to the date, I attempted to take my own life. The pressure became too much. The vertigo and headaches from my TBI were excruciating. I felt like a failure, worthless…. Why was I spared over the husbands, fathers, and friends I served with that didn't come home? The guilt was too much to handle. I tried all the meds…they did nothing. Drinking became my numbing agent, which only made things so much worse… 3 years, no booze now. The hardest part is 10 years later, I still get calls telling me another army brother has taken his own life. These were some of the toughest men, fathers, and sons I've ever had the pleasure to meet. The pressure was too much. My hyper-vigilance made me feel like every rooftop had a sniper, and every trash bag on the road was an IED. My innocence was stolen from me at 18 when I had to kill or be killed for the first time. During my attempt, I had everything. I bought my first house and just got married to the love of my life a couple of months before all this; it makes no sense, I know… I should've been on cloud nine. But my PTSD took over that day. I was having a bad day to start because I had just lost another friend. I drank down a 24-pack of beer, pulled my hidden Remington 870 out of the attic, put down a tarp, grabbed a chair, and put the barrel in my mouth; tears were rushing down my face as I was thinking about my wife and family and what I was about to do to them. Now, I move my finger to the trigger. As I do this, Lindsay comes in to check on me. Her jaw dropped, and without skipping a beat, she used unreal strength to get the rifle from me. She saved my life! After this, she put me into a PTSD program that I went to twice, and she found Northwest Battle Buddies. Now she can relax somewhat. I have River, who is now saving me daily.
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Shannon's Message: Shannon urges Veterans to "Never quit, never give up." She says, "It is our hope that the day before a Veteran meets their service dog is their last worst day… and the day they meet their service dog it is their best first day." How the Public Can Help: • Join Operation Never Quit (ONQ22) and pledge $22+ monthly to provide a professionally trained service dog to a veteran. • Additional volunteer options found at northwestbattlebuddies.org include Amazon Charity List, custom fundraisers, fostering a puppy, the Freedom Gala, memorials and registries, becoming a sponsor, requesting a speaker, and more. Northwest Battle Buddies was founded to support veterans. They have been gifting professionally trained service dogs since 2012, with over 200 working teams. Visit https://northwestbattlebuddies.org
Shannon Walker CEO & Founder of Northwest Battle Buddies Shannon Walker is the CEO & Founder of Northwest Battle Buddies, a nonprofit providing service dogs to combat veterans with PTSD. Inspired by her father, a veteran, Shannon's passion for supporting veterans runs deep. In 1997, Shannon established Mans Best Friend – Dog Training, impacting both dogs and owners positively. Recognizing the importance of service dogs, she trained Police K9 units for seven local departments starting in 2002. As an expert, Shannon delivers TEDx talks like "PTSD and Service Dogs: Beneath The Surface," shedding light on their profound impact. She's a sought-after speaker on nationally-syndicated News Radio stions.
MASTER
YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS By Dr. Friedemann
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Dealing with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem can feel like a never-ending battle. But what if we told you that your survival patterns might be the real culprits holding you back? Have you ever questioned why you play it safe, constantly procrastinate, or bend over backward for others' approval? These are survival tactics ingrained in our subconscious to shield us from rejection, failure, and pain. Yet, living in this subconscious "survival mode" has its drawbacks. It disconnects us from our true selves and hinders our potential to live a life of purpose, fulfillment, and unshakable confidence. In this game-changing guide, Dr. Friedmann Schaub, M.D., Ph.D., dives deep into breaking free from the six most common survival patterns: the victim, the invisible, the procrastinator, the chameleon, the helper, and the lover. He shows you how to engage the very part of your mind that created these patterns in the first place - your subconscious. Drawing from 20 years of experience and backed by scientific research, Dr. Friedemann reveals how you can tap into the healing power of your subconscious to liberate yourself from self-sabotage. It's time to transform these patterns into the six keys to self-empowerment, allowing you to seize control of your life with unwavering confidence. Discover the secrets of harnessing your subconscious mind to become the captain of your destiny. Learn how to break free from survival mode, embrace selflove, and radiate authenticity and confidence daily.
A
physician and personal development coach shows us how to overcome an over worked "inner protector" and reclaim our essential power. Let me ask you: How often do you feel powerless in just one day—overwhelmed by obligations and unrealistic expectations, stuck in situations that feel impossible to change, or victimized by people or emotions you can't control? Yet, we're born with unlimited potential to grow, adapt, and succeed, making us innately powerful. Just the fact that we learned how to crawl and then walk, that we figured out how to use our mouths and vocal cords to form words others can understand, and that we developed skills to relate to the world around us proves that we are innately powerful. So, when and how do we end up losing our power? Despite (or maybe due to) the enormous technological advancements of the last few decades, the demands of modern-day life have become increasingly challenging. As we push through our busy weeks, driven by intense pressure to gain job security, maintain a certain lifestyle, or just make ends meet, there remains very little time to relax, reflect, and recuperate. Add unprecedented global challenges, such as climate change, gun violence, COVID-19, inflation, and war, and it is no wonder that stress, anxiety, and depression have been called "the epidemic of the 21st century."
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The Role of Our Inner Protector Because of this level of overwhelm, our inner protector, the subconscious mind, is left rushing to the rescue. To help us cope with life's challenges, this deeper part of our mind employs two survival modes: avoiding and pleasing. Both strategies aim to protect us from what the subconscious considers dangerous threats, such as criticism, failure, and abandonment. The survival modes of avoiding and pleasing consist of six distinct survival patterns: the victim, the invisibility, the procrastinator, the chameleon, the helper, and the lover. Our subconscious mind developed these survival patterns early in our lives when we depended entirely on the adults around us. It doesn't take significant trauma, neglect, or abuse for the inner protector to doubt our safety. We may have had a completely ordinary upbringing on paper, and our siblings may still reminisce about the good old days. Still— perhaps because some of us are more sensitive—relentless teasing, disappointed looks when we didn't get straight A's, or a friend ditching us signified that life is scary and we need to watch out to avoid getting hurt. Our subconscious uses these emotionally charged memories as reference points for the future by condensing them into beliefs that define our perspective of ourselves and the world around us. The most common ones are "I am not safe,"; "I am not good enough,"; "I don't belong,"; "I am not lovable," and "The world isn't a good/safe place." How Our Subconscious Mind Sabotages Us Due to the chronic stress we are living with, our subconscious is
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on continuous high alert, scanning for any potential danger similar to what we've experienced in the past. Once a threat is detected, our subconscious cross-references the current experiences with memories of similar events and launches us into survival mode by pulling out old limiting beliefs to convince us we're about to be abandoned or shamed. Caught in this survival loop, we shift from being competent adults to behaving like we did when we were children. We shrink like kids when we feel criticized, overextending ourselves to get approval and hiding under a blanket to avoid uncomfortable tasks. Even though we may rationally understand how we should handle challenges, our subconscious survival patterns continue to override any logic or reasoning. In the short term, falling back on old patterns can give us a sense of safety or belonging. But when survival patterns become our default ways of being and make us approach life in constant self-defense, we face two significant downsides: • We become even more powerless because we believe our safety and well-being depend on others instead of finding peace, strength, and validation from within. • Since we don't slow down to listen to our thoughts, face our emotions, or ask deep questions, such as "What do I really want?" "What is my purpose?" or "What is the meaning of life?" we never develop strong self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-worth. We eventually become more than powerless— we become disconnected from ourselves.
Depression and hopelessness set in when we realize that no matter how many people or situations we avoid and how much approval we receive, we still end up stuck, powerless, and unsure of who we are and whether we matter. This is why survival patterns, in contrast to their intentions, ultimately don't ease our struggles with stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem but instead intensify and prolong them. Ways to Escape the "Survival Loop" Now for the good news: We can switch out of the survival loop for good. We are not powerless, and we actually never give our power away. Let's take a look at some common examples of how we might feel we give our power away when we are in survival mode: • We consider outside opinions more seriously than our own. • We follow others' advice even though we don't want to. • We prefer to stay quiet and unnoticed. • We let people talk down to us without pushing back. • We never say no to what others want us to do. Though these all sound deeply disempowering, we must consider: Are we giving our power away, or are we not asserting our power? If we believe more in what others say, it's because we have yet to figure out what we believe in. If we prefer to stay voiceless, it's because we haven't fully embraced the gifts that make us unique. And if we don't respect our own boundaries, it's because we haven't become our own source of safety. In none of these everyday examples have we given anything away. We feel powerless because our subconscious keeps relying on familiar survival pat-
terns, assuming we're still small and helpless. And since our subconscious believes we're powerless, our conscious self does too. Before you rush to blame your subconscious, remember that it keeps on treating you like a child because the only reference points it has are the memories and limiting beliefs from your childhood. But, like using a map from 1965 to find your way around New York City, navigating through life with outdated beliefs will not get you to a place of happiness and fulfillment. In addition, these old limiting beliefs usually aren't based on who you are but on how you've been treated by others, which generally says more about them than it does about you. "...like using a map from 1965 to find your way around New York City, navigating through life with outdated beliefs will not get you to a place of happiness and fulfillment." The solution to empowerment is to keep our power intact because we can't give it away. The solution is to make accessing and harnessing our innate power our default way of being. For this, we need to update our belief system so that our subconscious no longer merely reacts in self-defense. To get out of survival mode and become empowered, we need to learn to know, appreciate, and love what is authentically ours. Once we do, we can create a meaning-filled life by choosing freedom over safety, integrity over invisibility, and purpose over comfort. After all, considering the world's precarious state, we can't afford to let anxiety, insecurity, and powerlessness get the best of us. Explore these three ways to start believing in yourself.
Dr. Friedemann, a physician with a Ph.D. in molecular biology, left his career in allopathic medicine to pursue his passion for helping people overcome fear and anxiety without medication for more than twenty.
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Photo by By Pajaros Volando AdobeStock
GO VEGAN
"Animals have souls Don’t put them in your bowls" 51 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
KCoulter endra
Kendra Coulter is a Professor in Management and Organizational Studies at Huron University College at Western University and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. In her book Defending Animals: Finding Hope on the Front Lines of Animal Protection, Coulter takes readers across the different landscapes of animal protection to meet people and animals of all kinds, from cruelty investigators to forensic veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators, and conservation leaders to animal lawyers and entrepreneurs, each working in their ways to defend animals. Bringing unparalleled research and a distinct and nuanced analytical viewpoint, Defending Animals shows that ani-
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mal protection is not only physical, intellectual, and emotional work but also a labor so rooted in empathy and care that it just might bridge the vast divide between polarized people and help create a more humane future for us all. From the streets of major US cities to remote farms and tropical forests, Defending Animals is a gritty and moving portrait of the actual work of animal protection in communities, courtrooms, and boardrooms. Please enjoy the excerpt from Defending Animals: Finding Hope on the Front Lines of Animal Protection.
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I
t was a warm summer evening when I spotted a furry little brown and black body curled up on the side of the road. My stomach dropped, and I quickly pulled over to see what had happened, as did another woman. We found a young raccoon with blood on her face, alive but barely moving. Raccoon mothers and babies will stay together for nearly a year, but mom was nowhere to be seen, and I feared the worst.
"Defending Animals is essential for everyone who wants to build a more just and humane world for humans and nonhumans alike."
The other woman's husband quickly lost patience and left, but she gently cradled the youngster. At the same time, I contacted two wildlife care and rehabilitation centers that had accepted animal patients from me before. Neither would take raccoons. I was frustrated but unwilling to leave an animal in pain on the side of the road to suffer and die. The woman and I put the little creature in a bin, which I placed in a quiet area at home. I consulted the government of Ontario's list of recognized animal rehabilitators and called every single one within my area code. They were all either full or not accepting raccoons. "I'm way overfull, but I can send your name and number out on the listserv if you like," one rehabilitator offered. "Yes, please," I said. I was losing hope, though. The little raccoon was alive but lying still. Her soft snores sounded like our dog Sunny when she slept. I contacted all the local veterinarians I know personally and searched online to find someone who could assess the young raccoon and provide care. I took to social media. "Why is it so difficult to get care for wild animals in this country? Is this the best we can do?!" Followers near and far offered suggestions and asked to be kept in the loop. They were rooting for this little raccoon and sharing my frustration. I finally called the local emergency
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veterinary clinic. Its hours have fluctuated because of staffing shortages, but it was open that night. While the clinic could not treat a wild animal, it could euthanize one. Given that I had exhausted all possibilities, sadly, that was the most humane route. Ten minutes into the drive, my phone rang. It was someone from a rescue that specializes in raccoons, and they had seen the details sent out over the listserv. They wanted to assess the raccoon! My husband and I did not drive the young animal to her certain demise. After quickly arranging for dog care, we embarked on a 3.5-hour drive to the raccoon rescue center. En route, we named the raccoon Regan after Regan Russell, an animal advocate who had been killed after being struck by a truck hauling pigs into a slaughterhouse just days before. It seemed like a fitting tribute to a woman who had lost her life bearing witness to animals' suffering. We arrived at Mally's Third Chance Raccoon Rescue and Rehabilitation Sanctuary at nearly midnight, but the furry patient was stirring and more alert. The rehabber met us on his front porch and apologized for his "COVID hair." He put on gloves and picked up little Regan. "Hi there, little one," he said, examining her body gently. He had to get up early for his day job and had another raccoon due to arrive just after midnight; still, he answered all my questions and promised to keep us posted. The dogs were thrilled to see us when we finally got home after 3 a.m. We were exhausted but felt cautiously hopeful. The next afternoon, my phone buzzed. When I opened the message, my heart sang: The little patient was doing much better, and the prognosis was good. This young raccoon would likely be able to return to the wild, where she belongs.
I am someone with extensive knowledge of the organizations involved and the protocols to follow. It took hours of me relentlessly negotiating a labyrinth in search of somewhere that could provide care, combined with a seven-hour round trip, only possible because one rescuer checked their email on a Sunday night and called me, literally minutes before the young raccoon was to be euthanized. My frustrated question sent out on social media remains: Why is it so difficult to get care for injured wild animals? Many Indigenous people have long seen themselves as one part of a larger, multispecies community and sought to defend the water, land, and forests. Tensions can emerge between Indigenous people seeking to engage in traditional practices like trapping and hunting and non-Indigenous people who want to protect animals. Indigenous people assert their rights to such practices, whether for subsistence or seeking to generate income. Some people argue that there are animal protection battles within non-Indigenous cultures that should be the focus for non-Indigenous people—and some animal defenders agree. Others disagree, prioritizing animals' lives and suffering, regardless of who is causing it. How non-Indigenous communities view and treat the animals who live in their own neighborhoods also varies. Most efforts revolving around wild animals concentrate primarily on species as a whole. Both nonprofit and governmental natural resource management and conservation agencies exist the world over. Frontline workers, including rangers, guides, and educational officers, are tasked with delivering programs and enforcing whatever the laws of their area dictate is permissible and prohibited, including when it comes to permitted hunting, fishing, and trapping. Policies may require them to kill some animals directly. There are species-specific programs that preserve animals
of all sizes; some have brought species and places back from the brink, some have failed, and some have net-neutral or still-to-be-determined results. But many individual wild animals become injured because of us. Birds crash into windows. "House cats" are allowed outdoors to stalk, maim, and kill chipmunks and songbirds. People drive into and over frogs, lizards, squirrels, rabbits, deer, skunks, gophers, raccoons, opossums, foxes, badgers, and countless other species who are simply trying to live their lives, care for their young, find food and water, and escape predators in terrains that our species has made even more challenging with high-rises and concrete, not to mention droughts and fires. What exists to help those animals if they survive? It varies, depending on the type of animal and where they live. Publicly funded animal services may or may not receive wild animals, or that responsibility may fall to fish and wildlife services or equivalent government bodies. Most of these agencies do not provide therapeutic health care for the animals. As a result, many wild animals simply suffer in pain until they are killed or die in the cold, wet, and heat. Yet there are people committed to protecting animal neighbors by helping individuals in need: wildlife rescuers and rehabilitators. Some rehabbers work within or have formed organizations, while many provide care out of self-built facilities, often on their property. Most do not receive government funding for their work but instead rely on donations or simply self-fund. Mally's Third Chance Raccoon Rescue and Rehabilitation Sanctuary, where little Regan Raccoon went, receives donations. Still, the founders spend nearly C$200,000 (approximately US$160,000) each year to cover the costs of staff, food, veterinary services, medication, utilities, 55 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
and facility maintenance. Rehabilitation involves nursing wounds or feeding youngsters every two hours, 24–7 hours. It includes treating skin conditions, other infections, and frostbite, as well as creating splints and casts. And it means freeing animals from tin cans. In some cases, especially when a relatively larger organization has a veterinary clinic, surgeries are performed. I had gotten advice from wildlife rehabilitation experts, including about what to do when one young chipmunk who had been expelled from mom's burrow (which is what happens after a few weeks) was clinging to the wall in fear (the answer was to do nothing right away—and the wee one did come down and move on the next day). Some animal patients I have brought to rehabbers have survived. Rereleasing a young dove after he had spent a week healing at the rehabilitation center was wonderful. Some injured animals I tried to help were euthanized, like a finch whose wing had been broken in two places that could not be properly repaired with a cast. "They will never be able to fly again and are in a lot of pain," the rehabber explained. It still hurt. I had watched the bird working to survive on the ground for two days before I was able to reach the rehabber and obtain approval to collect the feathered patient and bring them in. I had witnessed the bird's will to survive. This health care is provided while trying to keep the animals as wild as possible. At times, this is easy—and administering the care is the challenging part with evasive, skittish, and/or defensive animals. In other cases, the animals, especially if they're young, are desperate for affection and warm touch. Rachel Parsons is a licensed rehabber in Maine with more than a decade of experience. "I always wanted to work with wildlife but didn't know this career existed until I found a skunk hit by a car in January of 56 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
2008," she says. "I called Maine Fish and Game, and they directed me to a wildlife rehabilitator who became my mentor." She created a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and works from her home. Parsons exemplifies the multidimensional nature of this labor, working "closely with fish and game wardens, animal control officers, animal damage control personnel, and the veterinarians who agree to help take care of wildlife in need," guiding members of the public about animals they encounter, and providing appropriate housing, food, and treatment when animal patients are admitted. She specializes in small to medium-sized mammals, including squirrels, voles, moles, woodchucks, opossums, porcupines, skunks, raccoons, and foxes, not necessarily popular or beloved species, but each with their distinct attributes and worthy of care in Parsons's view. A mole we named Vanderbilt has lived behind our house for two years. Moles have limited eyesight and can only see light and movement. Vanderbilt's ability to avoid roaming house cats, hawks, and owls and survive through all seasons is inspiring. A useful resource has been developed to assist people seeking to get help for wild animals in the United States. In 2012, the Colorado-based nonprofit Animal Watch created Animal Help Now, a centralized, searchable database accessible online and through an app that streamlines the searching process. Understandably, the highly uneven patchwork of regulations, laws, and funding is a concern on the rehabber side. "Each state has different standards for licensing and training rehabilitators, and there is no base standard for the level, quality, and maintenance of education regarding raising, treating, and releasing wildlife," Parsons says, and the lack of data about many aspects of wild animal care compounds that situation. Neither of these problems is unique to the United States.
There are also growing "rewilding" movements around the world. The importance of having more spaces for wild animals to survive and thrive with minimal human contact is clear. Wildlife rehabilitation is challenging but also affirming work. "It's incredibly rewarding to watch an animal that would otherwise have died return healthy to its home," Parsons says. "The harmful effects of humans on this planet are evident everywhere, and often it's the connection between wild animals and humans that enables us to educate people on that effect and how to make a change for the positive." The people at Mally's Third Chance argue that "the word overpopulation floats around, but we have not found where real facts or studies can validate this." They suspect instead that people may not want to coexist with some species. But if we reduce populations of coyotes or foxes, as some may feel they are "overpopulated," then the number of rats and mice may increase. When this happens, rats and mice become "overpopulated," so people use poison. The poison then spreads up and down the food chain, including to raccoons or birds that may eat the carcasses, offsetting the balance of nature even more. Not to mention the pain and suffering caused. Everything is connected. And everyone. Despite the challenges, it is remarkable what rehabbers are able to do for animal neighbors. For example, parasitic mites that cause intense itching and hair loss and weaken animals significantly (called mange), thereby endangering their ability to seek out food, can be treated successfully in rehab facilities and the wild in certain circumstances. Rabbits, chipmunks, and birds who Suffer from cat attacks
can sometimes be successfully treated and re-released. Some organizations directly engage folks who want to proactively help animals, including insects, and provide guidance or even free seeds to help people build humane yards and grow beneficial gardens. In my country, for example, the David Suzuki Foundation's Butterflyway Project helps train neighborhood volunteers who encourage the development of plant "highways" for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators through their communities. There are also growing "rewilding" movements around the world. The importance of having more spaces for wild animals to survive and thrive with minimal human contact is clear. The premise is that areas that have been damaged can be allowed to regenerate, and animal and plant species can repopulate. At times, it can be guided and can include the deliberate reintroduction of particular species and/ or the work of other animals, such as donkeys, to help trample seeds. At times, rewilding happens when people leave areas for any number of reasons (natural disasters, human-made disasters, or economic closures). As is the case for all work considered in this book, there are different visions of how rewilding can and should occur. I relish images that are captured when animals move back into places formerly dominated by people and when green plant life erupts from the cracks in our concrete. It is a powerful illustration of survival and the will to live. Photos by Vasillis Karkalas, unsplash, Adobestock 57 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
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Welcome to our Contributor Writers ' neighborhood
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Spiritual Growth Checkpoint: By Sherri Cortland, ND
SUL O
Residing
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Photo by AdobeStock
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It is what you do today, in the present moment, that FORMS your future.
T
his month, I thought I would turn this column over to my Guide Group, the "GG," for some wisdom. I have found that no matter how well I'm doing from a spiritual growth standpoint, they have a certain knack for getting me on track or helping me stay on track. Here we go. "There are so many ways that you can go about putting good into our life and that of others, and really, they all revolve around the old adage, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' As more and more adopt this practice, positive changes will happen for all.""Pay attention to the little things in your life. They are likely more important than the earth-moving moments. The smile you give and receive and the little things you do are more important than you may realize. A successful incarnation is lived in the moment. So, practice awareness. Your vibrational energy will increase based on the positive energy you produce each moment of each day---especially the ones that may seem to be insignificant."
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"Because you aren't fully awake to who you truly are, it's easy to forget your power and ability to effect great change. Be aware that you are a powerful soul residing in a human body and do one thing today to make the world around you a better place." "Let us speak today about kindness, which is truly the result of being aware and controlling your thoughts, words, and actions. How so? Let's say that you are busy and you are interrupted. How do you react? Do you glare at that person, or do you put down what you are doing and ask how you can help with a smile on your face? The difference in your reaction is the difference between creating positive or negative energy. It is the difference between being aware of and in control of your words and actions OR allowing circumstance to dictate your response. Kindness is a form of positive energy, and a moment of kindness will always be remembered. Kindness is an impactful way to effect positive change."
"The decisions that you make each day are based on energy. The decisions you make are what will help you move forward spiritually or remain stagnant. All entered bodies with the intention of learning and growing; this is necessary for the very growth of our souls. Learning and growing are energetically charged. Change is energy, and change is necessary for the growth of our souls. Embrace change, learn, grow, and move yourself forward—you have the power to do so." "As a being of energy, it is important to understand that your decisions are energy, and every word you speak produces energy that affects not only your own journey but also the journey of those around you. We realize that we speak often about the power of positive and negative energy in relation to raising vibrational energy and the effects of positive and negative energy in relation to planet Earth. These are macro-consequences of producing energy. The micro-consequences include the ways in which your thoughts and actions affect your daily life and the lives of those around you. You have far-reaching effects that you may never know about. The word consequences, as in 'The consequences of your actions,' sounds threatening and perhaps negative, but it should not. As Lightworkers, it is important to be aware that our thoughts, words, and actions do have consequences and that we may never know what they are. Take the time to understand how important you are and how powerful you are." "Let us speak briefly of being in the here and now. Living in the
present, living in the moment, being aware, and paying attention to what you say and do BEFORE you say or do them—this is what will allow you to move forward much more quickly. The past is important as a marker and as a history lesson that you can learn from, but to dwell in the past, to live in the past, will absolutely keep you from progressing. It is good to have a plan, but living with your head in the future will not help you grow. It is what you do today, in the present moment, that FORMS your future. "Never give up. If you are moved to learn something, take a trip, or have a particular experience, it is probably because it will help you move forward in the way you planned for yourself when you were outlining the chapters for this incarnation. That inner desire, or gnawing at your psyche to do something, is because it is important to your soul and is somehow connected to your overall plan." It's me again! Do you see a pattern in these messages? Here's what I know from the GG: Planet Earth is one of the most difficult places to incarnate due to its heavy, dense energy. Because of this, it's a place where our job to attract and hold the light as Lightworkers is that much harder. We're often surrounded by negative energy and challenges, but those are things that influenced our decision to be here on this planet and at this turbulent time in history. Who has the power to make positive changes that will affect us, those around us, and the planet? We do. As my Guides like to say, "Go in peace." Namaste.
Sherri Cortland has been communicating with her Guide Group, the “GG,” since 1987 via automatic writing. Much of the information she has received is included in her four books, which were originally published by Ozark Mountain Publishing and are currently available on her website and on Amazon. On Sherri’s website, you will find several free classes and meditations, along with more articles and workshops on video. https://www.facebook.com/Sherri CortlandAuthor www.Sherri-Cortland.com
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By Zee
A
CAPSULE DEFINED AS
CONNECTION C
onnections, the unlimited powers they hold and unleash on the human physic. They have sprouted into every aspect of one's daily life. They have got us by our short and curlies. Connections make us feel good, wanted, and accepted. It's those moments, hopefully in our everyday life, when we share with another, or a group of accepted fellow humans, or not. It's when our freedom of choosing to express ourselves freely with like-mindedness that a feeling of self-satisfaction emerges to drown one in a wonderous spirit of self-beingness. It appears we live in an immutable world with a bunch of so-called natural laws that govern this earthly space and all that dwell within the realms of this 3D existence. The big question you wonderful regulars are all waiting for is, do these laws also apply to humans who mostly think and act from a 2D perspective? Whose needs, wants, and desires are as long as the length of their nose, and yet whose actions give birth to far-reaching future consequences.
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Photo by AdobeStock
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Consider the limitations of a 2D thinking mindset; of course not, it's limited, yet the human mind believes it is the smartest thing since sliced bread. Caught in its own created trap, we are. Yes, humans set goals, and yes, we do reach them, but at what cost is the result of such genius creative mindsets? Are these ideas within one's singular realm of endeavors, or do they wander across other boundaries and penetrate, reap havoc on thousands of unsuspecting humans, nature, and our planetary universe? Not a consideration. Creative containments and consequences function as a partnership that tends to go unnoticed in today's human mindset before any actions are considered, which may affect our (the word our refers to "humans and planet") environment. Or was the effect already calculated and then bypassed, ignored for the "purpose" of continual financial growth? The unfortunate consequences are these actions may go unnoticed, unseen within the sector of human awareness, but never in the seen reality of what transpires, the consequential results in the real world of our 3D human existence. If you think 3 hours is too long for a movie, how do you feel about the one you are living in, and you are in the lead role? Your cast is made up of………
Photo by Amir Esrafili
Firstly, it was recently discovered that all trees are connected. And as this earth's planet is governed by all the natural laws, then it stands to reason the same natural laws apply; all humans are also connected. Like trees and fungi, their mycelium absorbs CO2; ours floats under the name OXYGEN. Therefore, trees are one of the leading role characters in your human "like to
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stay alive" dream-time movie. Who is up next? It's the combo we have been led to believe, our all-time favorites, never to be separated from "cause and effect ." Cause couldn't just be a free and open expression in the moment unconditionally. Oh no, that wouldn't fit with our stated predetermined natural laws. Cause has to have a shadow partner. It's like a marriage functioning in a one-sided definition. No escape, that's all there is. It's time to get intimately acquainted with this pair, cause and effect. Cause is defined as an action which gives rise, is rising towards an action which gives rise to an effect which populates a consequence, now having risen. It's basically the same as one plus one equals one. Now, stay with this. Additionally, a cause can have an Affect on someone or something, which then creates an Effect. Both of these create instant consequences, and yet, it was a consequence that made the cause to be instigated in the first place. Therefore, it stands to reason that cause, Affect, effect, and consequence are all the same as they reincarnate each other via a "thought-to-action language" that allows each to exist in our 3D dreaming world. Talk about karma; this is a karmic in-your-face connection if ever there was. Now, taking this to the next level, there is nothing, not one single spark of energy, word, symbol, cause, thought, affect, effect, action, or whatever in this "our" universe that is not a creator producing an outcome. Now, in their cyclic form, ALL the above becomes a creator, reproducing the next itself, effect instantly, bam. BREATHE
We talk about the importance of connections, yet there are connections most would like to avoid when there is no escaping those consequences we birthed into being. It could be in the area of wellness or that face-to-face conversation in a relationship that we have avoided for far too long; also, due to how some of the world's issues have been horribly mismanaged. They now have an indirect connection effect on the masses, which creates confusion and instability within all human mindsets right around the globe and continuing with no end in sight and no concrete solutions. Options are Connections. Looking out into the future, the personal connection that one has with one's identity has been given over to an outside influence dictating a sheeple configuration continually needing an upgrade. How does one identify with oneself from an external perspective which has no foundation, it can only lead to….. AM, I LOST WITHIN THE ASSUMPTION OF MY EXPERIENCES? In this counterfeit world of assumptions and delusion, we find ourselves and this coming generation engrossed in a need to belong. How did this all come about? Is there now a lack of human ability to stand before one's guilt, shame, and fears so frightening that one chooses to live in a vacuum of absolute avoidance by engaging in life as a host to parasitic idealisms? The difficulty in being able to release consciously from our personal and collective beliefs and past experiences is the reason we are who we are today. One never wants to let go and dive into the abyss. In reality, does that long list of "save me" pills, breath, yoga, meditation, and whatever release us from our personal and ancestral trauma connections we
were all born to inherit from birth? Or are we journeying into escapism under the belief umbrella that this massive real-estate wellness and socalled spiritual practices only deliver? If I feel good, it must be working. We are like clouds floating across life, not knowing where we are headed. Over time, we slowly disappear into the ocean of existence, only to fall again like raindrops from the heavens above back into this world of enormous beauty and endless wonders. When remembered, the natural laws by decree state all that beauty and wonder existing externally must also exist internally within each and every human being. Never lost, only covered over by the dirty shadows of doubt, fear, lost love, and the inability to know how to love. Ah, but we do "love" our coffee! Connections give humans a sense of self-value. Why is this so important? Society has taught us without value; we cannot be valuable; therefore, we cling to anything we are told, which feeds our worth and avoids the essence of our natural given values. Remember, all connections are messages we listen to, may follow, may need, attach to, and believe, which removes us from predetermining the choices of our own volition. Self-recognition is our foundation lost in the consumption of the "wanna-be." Still, the big questions remain, always seem to remain. "How do we arise out" from our fixed, believed, and solidified experienced reality, which will allow an individual's self-awareness to disassociate one from our cause-effect traumas and fears. Which are the capsule connections continually holding all humans hostage in our one-sided 2D mindset while living in this physical 3D reality! Think about it.
The difficulty in being able to release consciously from our personal and collective beliefs and past experiences is the reason we are who we are today.
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A Guide to High Vibrational Living By Polly Wirum
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Do
Alternative
& Metaphysical Practices Belong in Your Wellness Program?
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Are alternative practices part of your wellness plan? Metaphysical healers and shops have become increasingly easy to find online and brick-and-mortar stores. You can easily book a session with a psychic, life coach, or shaman. You can also buy crystals, essential oils, and tarot cards in various settings. I love that people recognize different ways to embrace wellness, but part of me wonders if we need some parameters in place to maintain a safe balance of hard science and lesser-known practices. Metaphysics, Psychics, and Life Coaching: What Are They? Metaphysical practices are based on beliefs outside of material reality. Some examples are crystal healing, astrology, and Reiki. They believe in a higher power, miracles, healing energy, and the unknown. The best practices are self-empowering, and the worst practices pitch a guru to support. Life coaches offer guidance through challenging times. They are encouraging and often help with accountability. They basically help people create a life they are happy living. Psychics are metaphysical and can tap into energy and the other realms for answers. This is helpful when a client seeks confirmation or needs help looking at the bigger picture of life. My Balance of the Nontraditional Years ago, I became certified as a life coach. The certification is not required to work as a life coach, but it potentially carries some credibility. Most of the course material was common sense, and my
background in nursing helped me. I discovered many of the students had a variety of skill sets, experiences, and sometimes unresolved trauma. They all had the desire to help others. I also received training as a reiki master, astrologer, and other skill sets. I like the learning process; it allows me to offer more to my clients. Ultimately, my years of practice, not training, have improved my abilities and allowed me to continue helping my clients create a life they love. What I offer as a psychic and life coach has evolved over time. My services are a direct reflection of what people are seeking and what my strengths are. I have never needed to do gimmicky advertising or hard sales in my practice. I include Western medicine, acupuncture, life coaching, and psychics in my own wellness program. I occasionally seek assistance for different reasons, but they are all trusted providers that I am grateful for. Do We Need Regulations? There is currently no regulation on psychics, mediums, energy workers, or life coaches in the United States. I am not saying non-traditional healers should be heavily regulated, but talent, not marketing, will hopefully dictate the longevity and success of all practitioners. I adhere to the idea that people will find the energy worker or healer that is the best fit for them. We all need to pay attention to how we feel around the practitioners. Be discerning; how does their advice sit with you? Do they have a scheme or platform to get you to spend more money?
It is also very important for psychics and life coaches to make referrals for legal advice and both medical and mental health experts. The recent pandemic was a great example of some spiritual advisors sharing their opinions in an unsafe way. Sometimes, the best guidance a client can receive is a referral to an appropriate licensed provider. The beauty of our wide-open system is you can find a practitioner that is a good fit for you. They each have their own style and approach to sharing information. Trust your own intuitive abilities when you meet with the people on your wellness team. I love the following quote by John Gerzma: "Transparency, honesty, kindness, good stewardship, even humor, work in businesses at all times." ~ John Gerzema It is time for non-traditional healers to collectively come up with an oath similar to the Hippocratic Oath. A promise of, "First, do no harm." Even though there are no regulations, do your homework. When you are on the market for spiritual guidance, go to practitioners who demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors. Read their reviews and testimonials. Together, using our discernment, we can create an environment where honest practitioners will thrive with or without regulations. What about Essential Oils and Crystals?
Essential oils are a huge business; they are found in many mainstream stores.
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The marketing of essential oils as home remedies is also very successful. Hidden beneath the promise of healing is the potential harm to environmental resources, workers' health, and potential unhealthy additives to the oil. When possible, find an expert in essential oils who knows exactly where the plants are growing, who is harvesting them, and what chemicals or other oils are being added. The crystal market might be an even bigger business opportunity. Crystals are on clothing, jewelry, and, of course, sold for their healing properties. The diamond industry was exposed regarding child labor, worker rights, and environmental practices. We need to have the same mindset when buying crystals. Are they ethically mined? Is it a sustainable practice? Some crystals come from places with deep political unrest. Like anything else, we need to explore what our money is supporting. I encourage you to assess how the businesses and practices that you support align with your moral compass. This can be very revealing and indicates if your heart and lifestyle are aligned with the people you support monetarily and otherwise. It is also very empowering to make decisions that are good for you and all you love. Pulling it Altogether Only you can decide what belongs in your self-care and wellness practices. Western medicine uses tools created with logic from science-based studies. This is great for lifesaving and prevention of disease. Metaphysics can catalyze selfreflection, self-empowerment, spiritual expansion, and more. Combined, you can create an intuitive self-care practice that welcomes the support of both licensed professionals and those that offer nontraditional healing.
Polly Wirum is a psychic, life coach, and writer. Years ago, she experienced a health crisis that led to a complete spiritual and life transformation. When she thought her life was crumbling, the universe was easing her grip on everything, distracting her from the truth. The healing helped her discover the beauty of a joyful and uncomplicated life. The most important thing is having It is here that she connects with wisdom the support we need to thrive. Choose and magic. She shares this with her clients where you feel heard, respected, and val- through life's coaching psychic readings and spiritual retreats. I0 discover more, ued. You deserve the best. visit Pollywirum.com
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An Ecology of Ideas
By Dulce García-Morman, Ph.D.
The
Challenges
and
Opportunities
Photos by AdobeStock
of Climate Change
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C
limate change has been in the news for a few summers now, and we have all experienced increasing heat waves and other disruptive climate events, from wildfires to tornadoes to melting glacial ice. There is a sense, though, that this has accelerated in the last two years. And this summer, for the first time, I sensed the tipping point where something fundamentally changed for me. Summer, as I knew it, was done! And I’m not alone -we hear more and more people express this sense of a “tipping point,” whether in casual conversations with neighbors, with the cash register attendants at the stores, in interviews with people on the evening news, and in the growing body of scientific research that is becoming more accessible to the average person. It is as if a collective alarm system has gone off in the world! This summer was difficult for me because, for the first time, I was unable to ride my horses for three months. The July-September heat was unbearable, and we had record three-digit temps for days on end, something that is not supposed to happen at 5,000 ft altitude. There were other factors for me, such as the effects of age on heat tolerance. After all, I’m not a spring chicken! But three months without hitting the saddle? No, this was not just that I was a year older; riding in the daytime was suffocating and dangerous for both me and the horses. In my younger years, I may have pushed the enve-
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lope, but now I’m wiser. And I listen to my body and do not take risks with my horses, who are also aging. We have now finally fallen into milder weather as Fall makes its way into our lives here in the mountains of central New Mexico. Mid-October is a bit late, but we are now enjoying the chilly mornings and evenings where the air is crisp and invigorating and daytime temperatures that are tolerable even under the scorching Southwest sun. As I sat sipping my morning coffee outdoors this past week, I felt very melancholy about the summer that wasn’t. For horse people, summer is always something you look forward to with an incredible sense of anticipation. Summer is the time for “horsing around” like crazy after the usual downtime during winter. We slowly ramp up our time in the saddle as we welcome the spring, and then we go full throttle in the summer. Yes, it can feel hot, dusty, sweaty, and uncomfortable, but we still love that stinky mess! Beyond my horses, I thought about how much less I had been able to enjoy my garden this summer. I was busy trying to keep some of my plants from dying -the blueberry bushes literally fried, the roses were struggling, and even the geranium and mums went dormant. It was too hot for blooms, I guess. I waited until very late at night to water, and I ran to check on my garden each morning in what felt like a rescue mission. I thought about the summer that wasn’t with a sense of loss, and I asked myself how we’re being asked to adapt in these times of extremes.
Sure, it could be different next summer, but the prognosis is not looking good for a return to what we knew as normal. We are in a new normal, and after grieving our loss, we must reinvent how we live. My melancholy lasted a few days, and this week, I made a conscious decision to spring into action. Meaning I’ve decided to reframe my horses and gardening narratives -that story that I have woven for so many years and which brought me so much summer joy. My summer with horses may have to be replaced with my fall and winter with horses. And why not? What is it that would keep me from feeling the same crazy joy riding in cold weather instead of the summer heat? I shared my feelings out loud with my horses while feeding one night, still feeling a bit disappointed in the summer that wasn’t and the summers that may not be. All three stood very still, looking at me in a way that brought comfort and hope. What I heard them say in their stillness is that “all is well” in every season. What matters is our capacity to re-organize our lives to meet the moment, as is our capacity to let go of our narratives when they are no longer sustainable. Yes, bundle up and enjoy the ride! I pondered the immensity of what I was witnessing in these three horses, nothing less than an evolutionary miracle 50+ million years in the making! That was only possible through adaptation, through rolling with the extremes that nature throws at all that lives….some thrive, and others die out. My love of horses will not die out, and I will conduct as many rescue missions as I need to in my garden. And I am also grateful that the “summers that aren’t” can become the “winters that will be.” Nature demands that we learn to roll
with the ebbs and flows, whatever their origin, whether of our own making or thrown at us by the gods. I do not know if humans have permanently altered Nature’s capacity to self-organize and restore equilibrium, and I often wonder about how much suffering may be in store. According to a recent New York Times article on climate change, the tick population in Pennsylvania soared so high this summer that hikers decided to stay indoors. The same article mentions how “some farmers have changed their routines, feeding their cattle later at night because the animals heat up as they digest their food”. If livestock generate too much internal heat from food digestion, their lives may be endangered in temperature extremes. We read about health issues and even fatal incidents for construction workers, postal workers, and delivery personnel. The impact on mental health is also present, and people describe their feelings of depression and anxiety in navigating a world that feels like it’s on fire. Climate change is real and here to stay, for how long we cannot predict. This is a time when we are being summoned to adapt, to stretch ourselves, to create new processes, to reframe our relationship with the seasons. For some time to come, we may have to confront the summers that will not be. For me personally, I decided to let go of my angst and trust that nature will do its thing. Some 3.7 billion years ago, microscopic organisms left their mark on the planet. In the big scheme of things, I know that Gaia will restore herself, with or without us. And that’s okay because my horses have assured me that “all is well” in every season.
Climate change is real and here to stay, for how long we cannot predict. This is a time when we are being summoned to adapt, to stretch ourselves, to create new processes, to reframe our relationship with the seasons.
Dulce García-Morman, Ph.D. is founder of Life-Is-Art™ Equine Assisted Learning & Coaching. She has facilitated learning and therapeutic experiences through the horse-human connection for the past 17 years. Dulce’s practice draws from different wisdom traditions and is strongly oriented toward a Jungian approach to the restoration of the authentic Self. For more information, visit https://life-is-art.us/
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Dulce
Jan
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THE WAY I SEE IT
Photo by Engnia Akyurt
By Joey Santos, Jr.
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these time
“Men have often sacrificed their sons and daughters Histories pages filled with their ritualistic slaughters. It was not the female who raised the stone as a weapon to kill Rather the male ego, in an expression of his powerful will. Flesh of flesh, blood of blood and gene of genes Male actions, wants and deeds; tend to destroy the dream. Before you sanction destruction best you taste the bitter pill Remove yourself from this world and silence your will When sons and daughters are sacrificed to bleed Who will sanction the unforgivable to remove a seed?” ~1 0-12-05 Aho Speaks
u
A
s I look out, I see a time and a people without. Without laughter, without joy, without wonder. As I listen closely, I can’t hear peace. I can’t hear quiet. Instead, I hear a roaring thunder amidst the howl of a raging riot. Where have we gone? What have we done? To lose sight of the moon, the earth, the sun? So many of God’s gifts, once besotten, are now lost to the toil of the misbegotten and soon to be sorely missed, if not completely forgotten. Women now men, sons now daughters. Are we now told how we are to see ourselves or told to judge how others see themselves? How do we see ourselves, really? Are we looking within or simply seeing ourselves within the confines of a material world? Has fashion media (social or otherwise) changed our perceptions into our misconceptions? Or, have we never known our intentions? Confusions
create excuses that lead to lies and deceptions that deny our ability to rely on ourselves to see our reflection. Have we lost feeling? And are we so hypnotized by the media and woe that we are now desensitized? Is this not being considered? Let alone realized? Who are our Heroes now? Weren’t they once family? Moms and Dads, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunties, Brothers, Sisters. Who has replaced them? Rappers, Athletes, Performers, Cartoon Characters, Super Heroes? A Barbie Doll? Weren’t our Heroes also found through acts of heroism? Generals, Soldiers, Government, Kings, Queens, PRESIDENTS! What have they been replaced with? Murderers, Barbarians, Cowards, Liars, Frauds, Perverts, Hypocrites, Thieves and Phonies. Wow, have we been had! It’s no wonder these times have become “These Times!” Living amongst the noise is killing us not slowly, but surely! We witness atrocities worldwide, and instead of helping the cause with resources, passion, and compassion, we create “memes” and make jokes. We allow people to rob and steal from our stores, forcing them to close down and put hundreds of people out of work, and we do nothing to stop them or it. Instead, we hand them a hall pass as they leave with thousands of dollars of merchandise, laughing and plotting where to go next, with nothing short of “Have A Nice Day!” I don’t know about you, but I’m angry. “These Times” are not the best of times. And from someone who knew the best of times, these are the worst of times. If we don’t wake up, see the truth, and live the truth, the truth will become not just the end of “These Times” but THE END OF TIMES!
Joey Santos is a Celebrity Chef, Life Stylist & Co-Host of The Two Guys From Hollywood Podcast on iHeart Radio. A Columnist for The Eden Magazine since 2016. Joey was raised in NYC, Malibu, and West Hollywood. He is the son of Film & Television Actor Joe Santos, and his Grandfather is World-Renowned Latin Singer Daniel Santos. To follow Joey on IG: @jojoboy13 To contact Joey; whynotjoe@gmail.com 81 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
The Angel Connection
Photo by Richard Brutyo
By Nikki Pattillo
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Fall Into Forgiveness F
all is upon us, and it is the season of gatherings with family and friends and also a reminder of the practice of living in grace and forgiveness with those you love.
There is a power in forgiveness. We can all agree that the aspects of love, kindness, and compassion are all qualities that are respected, but the power and propulsion of forgiveness can be a game changer in our lives, especially during the holiday season. Forgiveness is living in a state of grace, and we can be truly happy when we forgive people and events in our lives. Living in forgiveness is one of the most difficult spiritual lessons because it requires tremendous amounts of personal strength. It takes a lot of energy to hold onto hatred or disrespect for others, but when we live in forgiveness, we can live in the light of all of human consciousness. It is important to understand the process of forgiveness. This is because forgiveness allows us to release old pain that will allow current issues in our lives to suddenly seem not seem so overwhelming. We allow old emotions to be released when we release our expectations both towards ourselves and the world around us through the process of forgiveness, which makes room for new and balanced energy. Giving, expanding, and balancing energy is important for our souls while we are here learning our spiritual lessons.
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Forgiveness is also the foundation of almost all spiritual work and growth. If we are able to allow forgiveness to sit within our hearts, then great beauty and opportunity are within everyone each and every day of our lives. It is important to understand that forgiveness is not a process of giving something to another person who may not deserve it but is, instead, a process of turning our energy inward and using the power of love to examine our relationships within ourselves and others. When we are anchored in forgiveness, we are all within the spiritual realm of conscious awareness rather than in the realm of emotions or the mind. To become enlightened individuals, we must live in this realm of consciousness and awareness. It is natural to release old energy because holding onto it hinders the flow of love into our lives and blocks our spiritual balance and peace, which in turn hampers the process of forgiveness. Love is the energy that gives and maintains life. Forgiving others, even those who don’t seem to deserve it, can bring life-giving energy into our bodies, hearts, and souls. Love is the incredible emotion that binds us to each other and helps us with so many important spiritual lessons.
Forgiveness transforms anger and hurt into healing and peace. Forgiveness can help overcome feelings of depression, anxiety, and rage, as well as personal and relational conflicts. It is about making the conscious decision to let go of a struggle or wrong.
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The issues that seem to defy forgiveness are always about love—love that we never received, love offered but rejected or betrayed, or love used as manipulation or control. By tying up our spiritual energy reserves into old hurts, we are limiting the vibrational energy of love available in the present moment. Each morning or evening can be spent reviewing emotions or hurts from the day that we are carrying around, working through them, and letting them go from our spiritual light. Forgiveness is one of the most challenging things in the human experience and can feel seemingly impossible in some cases. The Dalai Lama says irrespective of whatever attitude, people are still human be-
ings and still deserve our compassion and our sense of concern, so try never to develop ill feelings towards another person. By developing anger and other challenging emotions, we lose our sense of compassion. There is great wisdom in forgiveness, and we should all strive towards those goals—forgiveness, compassion, and wisdom. In the process of forgiveness, it is apparent that anger itself is not unwarranted or unhealthy, but hanging on to anger is. The act of forgiveness is not for the other person, though oftentimes times, what could have been an impassable rift between two beings is usually healed. The real importance comes in healing oneself, which allows not only greater peace and happiness in one’s own life but also ensures that the harm does not get passed on. Forgiveness does not mean accepting the wrongdoing of another person. Nor does forgiving others mean we have to agree with their behavior in any way. It is important not to develop feelings of anger and hatred due to the wrong actions of others. Retaining feelings of anger and hatred towards others brings more harm than the act of forgiveness. This is part of the wisdom of forgiveness. Forgiveness transforms anger and hurt into healing and peace. Forgiveness can help overcome feelings of depression, anxiety, and rage, as well as personal and relational conflicts. It is about making the conscious decision to let go of a struggle or wrong. Why would anyone want to forgive someone who has wronged them in the past? It is not about letting someone off the hook for wrongdoing, forgetting about the past, or forgetting about the pain. It certainly does not mean that we stick around for future maltreatment from a boss, a partner, a parent, or a friend. It is about setting ourselves free so we can move forward in our own life on our spiritual quest towards wisdom and enlightenment.
The problem for many of us is that sometimes we can choose to forgive another, but our anger or resentment still lingers in our hearts. However, it is, in fact, possible to forgive and truly let go of past disappointments, hurts, or blatant acts of abuse. Although, at times, this may seem implausible, forgiveness is a teachable and learnable skill that can dramatically improve with practice over time. Considers positive emotions to be the key ingredients that bind us together in our humanity and allow us to forgive. These would be love, hope, joy, compassion, faith, and gratitude. It may be confusing to differentiate between happiness, inner peace, and forgiveness. If a person is asked what they want in life, their answer is usually “to be happy.” Far fewer people respond that they want inner peace or forgiveness. These two states of mind are certainly closely related, and yet they are different and independent. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” When we’ve been hurt by someone, any or all of these thoughts can plague us. We’re filled with and tormented by anger, resentment, tension, despair, anguish, anxiety, and the desire for revenge. The very notion that we can move forward seems impossible to us, much less the concept that one day, we can forgive our offender. However, withholding forgiveness may doom us to a life we do not wish to lead. Continuing to be angered about the pain we’ve endured can damage our physical, emotional, and mental health, negatively im-
pact our present and future relationships, and impair our productivity at our jobs. In other words, by refusing to forgive, we can harm ourselves a great deal more than we ever could the person who hurt us. The Greek root of the word forgiveness means “to set free.” We should strive to be set free from vindictive thoughts, burning fury, energysapping depression, festering resentment, and frantic anxiety. Forgiveness can be a path to freedom when these negative emotions are released. Forgiveness isn’t likely to happen overnight. Rather, forgiveness is usually a gradual process. We needn’t expect to quickly or suddenly have our pain erased or our attitude about our offender change. If our expectations about forgiveness are realistic, we can notice the progress we’ve made thus far and not judge ourselves if the act of forgiveness is a bumpy road with some U-turns. Forgiveness is primarily for ourselves. It’s one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. Forgive everybody, as without forgiveness, the center of our spirit is handicapped. If we work on the path to forgiveness, we can progress in our spiritual growth. If we don’t practice forgiveness, we might just be the ones who pay most dearly. By offering forgiveness, we also bring upon ourselves blessings for peace, hope, gratitude, and even joy. Forgiveness is a path that leads us to physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Forgiveness is one of the most challenging things in the human experience. The wisdom in forgiveness is indeed a powerful force for all who walk this Earth. k
Nikki Pattillo graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas and began her clinical and molecular biologist career. As a child, Nikki was psychic, conversing regularly with her angels and guides, and it wasn't until she was in her 30s that she accepted her gift. She is now an international author with Ozark Mountain Publishing. She authored Children of the Stars: Advice for Parents and Star Children, A Spiritual Evolution, A Day in Spirit: A Spiritual Calendar for Teens, and A Golden Compass. She has been featured on BRAVO and The History Channel and writes numerous magazine and newspaper articles to help raise awareness and consciousness on environmental and spiritual issues.
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Transcendental Voyages: Roaming the World and Reimagining the Self
Photos by AdobeStock
By Jan Wakefield, M.A.
The Divine Path
Discovering Inner Connection in Bali, Indonesia
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fter my first trip to Bali, Indonesia, I realized how that small island, so rich with mystery, burrowed into my heart and changed how I perceive the divine. It was post-pandemic, and Indonesia had only opened to travelers a few months prior to my arrival. Tourism was slowly returning, so hotels, shops, spas, and temples felt like private experiences for the few of us willing to jump through the hoops to get into the country. Despite the darkness outside at night, I pressed my forehead to the tiny plane window but couldn't see the landscape below. Exhausted from traveling halfway around the world in a seat so cramped it made my diminutive body ache all over, I still raced down the jetway in search of the first signs of Indonesia. Nothing could dampen the excitement I felt for visiting one of my top-ten bucket list destinations. Bali, known as the "Island of the Gods," is a captivating destination that goes beyond its stunning beaches and lush landscapes. It's also a sanctuary for those seeking deep inner peace and spiritual transformation. I've been a spiritual seeker for as long as I can remember. I was seven when I declared my desire to find myself through spirituality. Catholic mass was terribly boring for me as a child. The singing was okay, but I really loved the repetition of the ceremony. At seven years old, I dutifully and flawlessly recited the Apostle's Creed, passed the time analyzing the stained-glass windows depicting the stages of Jesus on the cross, and counted each different colored hat to prevent any distracting fidgeting. It was during this exercise I noticed something that sent an electric jolt of understanding directly to my soul. My eyes slid from a particularly large
pale blue hat to the eyes peeking from beneath the wide brim. An utterly vacant expression on her face belied what I thought should be adoration for the divine. Instead of continuing to count hats, my eyes raced from one face to the next, desperately looking for any sign of devotion. I found none. Grabbing her face and pulling it toward mine, in a loud whisper, I declared, "God doesn't live here" to my grandmother. She quickly rummaged through her handbag, noisily worked a crinkly, yellow butterscotch wrapper into submission, and unceremoniously jammed the candy into my mouth. The next day, I cornered my parents, quit the church, and started my spiritual quest to discover where I might find the real God, the one I felt within. My mother laughed and told me it was my job to find another church to attend as if to challenge my position on religion. My father knowingly lifted his eyebrows in my mother's direction and said, "We're going to have to keep an eye on this one." Of their three children, I've always been the mystery child, and that pivotal day marked me as a wonderfully different fruit on a somewhat wacky family tree. My life became a tapestry of spiritual experiences that spanned the globe. I visited temples, churches, and spiritual teachers of all kinds as a way of experiencing. A thousand times over, I found God in churches and temples, in yoga retreats and in meditations with gurus, amidst the massive Redwoods of California and along every shoreline where the ocean blessed the sand with its waves and carried all my prayers back to its calm depths. For me, God wasn't in one place, such as the Catholic church; God was everywhere I went.
I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within. ~Lillian Smith
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Indonesia was on my bucket list, but it was not on my five-year travel plan. After reconnecting with a friend post-pandemic who had recently returned from Bali, her passion for Indonesia nudged my radar toward Southeast Asia. It sounded wild, untamed, lush, and steeped in spirituality. What took me so long to consider going sooner rather than later? Part of the more than 18,000 islands that make up Indonesia, Bali is a cluster of anywhere from 5-32 islands (depending on who you ask). Not all are inhabited, but you probably could visit any of them if you find the right tour guide. The Balinese practice Hinduism within the largest population of Muslims in the world, but it's not the same as what's practiced in India. Bali has its own delicious flavor of spiritual practice, and it's a wonderfully immersive experience that makes Bali a unique place to connect to the divine. It was sundown when I arrived at the private villa in Bali. The sky was dusky and heavy with hues of red and purple. The jungle valley was rich with gongs and chanting to celebrate the full moon. The ethereal sounds wafted through massive mist-covered trees from unseen places, but that did not stop me from scrambling all over the property to try to see the source of the magical chanting. Each day in Bali stretched into the next. Hiking in the rice fields, spa, visiting temples, spa, sumptuous meals, spa, a cooking class, a dance class, a class for making Balinese offerings, spa, traditional water ceremonies, yoga, spa, meditation, and enjoying lazy days at the villa left me feeling relaxed and whole. It wasn't just the sumptuous spa treatments; I felt as if Bali wanted me to sink in and stay for a while. I let her win that one.
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For me, Bali was an enriching and transformative place that nurtured the mind, body, and spirit. It provided the perfect environment to cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and embark on a journey toward a more balanced and harmonious life. In Bali, amidst the natural beauty and tranquility, I reveled in a journey of self-discovery, rejuvenation, and connection to the divine. It was food for the soul. On my final night in Bali, I feasted on a Balinese-style Thanksgiving. The complex flavors of the traditional dishes captivated my tastebuds, and I thought of how the food mirrors the complexity of Balinese culture itself. Enjoying a post-dinner haze and cradled in a deep, comfy chair, I let it all sink in. Later that evening, wrapped in a cool sheet and surrounded by delicate netting that covered my four-poster bed, I floated off to sleep, lulled by distant chanting. When I was seven, I wanted more than anything to find God, and I did that over and over in my travels throughout the world. It wasn't until I returned home and allowed the transformative powers of Bali to reorganize my thoughts and feelings into a more evolved form of my personality that I discovered I didn't find God on my first trip to Indonesia. How could that be? Spiritual practice is in every aspect of Balinese life. Ceremonies are plenty, and every home has a sizeable sanggha temple that is visited and nurtured throughout the day. Fresh floral offerings adorn every doorstep, and you must walk over them to pass through any doorway. It's impossible not to notice the presence of Balinese spirituality in action. My concern was that I was losing my ability to feel that joyful presence in recognizing God everywhere I go. A knowing smile spread across my face as I realized I was no longer the seeker. In Bali, God found me.
A lifelong traveler and educator, Jan Wakefield sees the world as a vast opportunity for expanding her understanding of the human condition. For her, travel equals transformation. Jan’s passion for travel and decades of experience as a personal transformation coach are the foundation for her international retreats, where people release who they once were and embrace who they want to be through meditation, relaxation, and a gentle return to self. In addition, Jan plans to visit all 195 countries in the world and share her experiences with readers and audiences worldwide. For more about Jan’s transformational retreats and programs visit http://jan-wakefield.com
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Photo by By pornpunStockPhoto
Animals don't belong in cages They deserve to be free
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CALIFORNIA CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR
MARY BRODSKY
SHARES GIFTS OF EMPATHY AND FORGIVENESS IN THE MAGIC DOOR By Diane Lilli
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e live in dire times, with new horrors hitting us on a daily basis. As human beings, it has never been so important for us all to remember to embrace our humanity, even in spite of evil. For children especially, our stories of love and respect are more important than ever. California author Mary Brodsky is a wife, mother, grandmother, and prolific beloved children's book author. Her colorful stories for young readers are brimming with magic, hope, love, and, most of all, tales of conflict that result in powerful outcomes. Her new children's book, The Magic Door, is a story all kids love and even has a message for adults. In a fantastical world just a trolley ride away, Lorena is the young protector of a
special unicorn and all the magical animals in her world. But one day, the unicorn is missing, and she must spring into action to protect all the visitors who love her town and the welcoming animals waiting for their guests. "As a grandmother, my heart swells with joy every time I see a young parent reading one of my books to their child," said Mary Brodsky. "I've always believed that the power of storytelling can shape the way we see the world, and I hope to impart a bit of that magic to every reader who comes across my work." The loving tale of Lorena, her unicorn, and many magical creatures who protect the sparkle in their tiny home, where families visit to enjoy the peace and beauty of Sunny Fields, is fitting for our times.
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"My goal is to remind parents of the sweetness of life and the importance of instilling good morals and sensitivity to others in their children," added Mary Brodsky. "In our fast-paced society, it's easy to lose sight of the simple pleasures in life. But by sharing my stories, I hope to encourage a return to a kinder, more compassionate way of living." The Magic Door is a kind-hearted tale of unicorns, magical animals, and a young girl's determination to protect the magic in her land. But the plot includes a striking example of a villain that pops in to disrupt the peaceful land beyond the magical door. In her book, Mary Brodsky shares a beautiful solution to a serious issue and solves it peacefully through the power of love. The author is a stickler for including all cultures in her books and features diverse characters in all of her works. "One thing that's especially important to me is the diversity in my books. As someone who has traveled extensively and met people from all walks of life, I know how beautiful and varied our world truly is," she explained. "It's crucial that children see and celebrate this diversity from a young age, and my books featuring characters from different nationalities and backgrounds aim to do just that. I want little ones to understand that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities." The Magic Door is available where all books are sold, including bookstores such as Barnes and Noble and online at Apple and Amazon, . https://www.amazon.com/ Magic-Door-Mary-Brodsky/ dp/1088289304/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UHDRTF0WG1U1&keywords=the+magic+door%2C+mary+brodsky&qid=1697476995&sprefix=the+magic+door%2C+mary+brodsky%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-1
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Mary Brodsky is a mother, grandmother, wife, and author. This beloved children's book author is famous for her stories focusing on diverse characters, and stories that are out in the world, spreading a message of kindness, diversity, and sweetness. Her newest book The Magic Door, is available in hardcover or paperback, wherever books are sold. To learn more, visit https://alwaysandforeverbooks.com.
Enjoy a free coloring book page taken from The Magic Door as a special gift to The Eden Magazine readers.
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Photo by naushad mohamed
Are You Wondering What Impact this Past Summer's Heat has had on SEA TURTLES? By Tom Madden
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While it's shaping up to be a record-breaking year for sea turtle nests on the South Florida coast, let's hope a large percentage of males haven't perished in that oppressive heat. Yes, guy turtles were more at risk. While we can thank conservation efforts like lighting regulations and nest monitoring for playing an essential role in their reproductive life, researchers are still trying to get their heads around what these poor creatures have had to deal with, perhaps making them an even more endangered species, thanks to those high temperatures on this now oven planet we call earth. NPR News station WLRN's Yvonne zum Tobel talked to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center conservationist David Anderson about the peril male turtles have had to endure in what was a broiling sunny summer in South Florida. From March to October, Anderson and his crew survey nesting and hatching activity for green, leatherback, and loggerhead sea turtles along a five-mile stretch of beach in front of where I live, perspiring Boca Raton. Anderson says it's still been a great year for sea turtles whose bedrooms are marked with orange wooden stakes spread across the beach embedded with an estimated 1,300 nests. Once in a while, over the summer, I'd see members of the sea turtle beach patrol stick a hand down into the nesting hole far enough to rescue any near the surface because hatchlings near the surface tend to perish in this blistering heat.
Photo by Jeremy Bishop
f only sea turtles could talk. They wouldn't freeze, mumble, or stumble, but I'm sure they'd grumble about the heat we humans caused them over the summer with our carbon emissions and greenhouse gases.
Why is the sand temperature so critical to baby sea turtles? It determines when they hatch and what gender they'll be. Forced Air Unit (FAU)wanting to know more about the effect of heat on baby sea turtles, Anderson and his colleagues work with Florida Atlantic University Marine Lab, where they bring hatchlings they've collected in a research cage inserted into nests. These hatchlings were taken back to the FAU marine lab, where their sex was determined after two months of incubation. Researchers at the FAU Marine Lab, which conducted a sex-ratio study for the past 20 years, like to say "hot chicks" and "cool dudes." So warmer sand usually means more females in the nest, and cooler temperatures Tom Madden reached adulthood some years ago but now is doing his utmost to look and around the nest mean more males. feel younger and fit as a fiddle, which his Researchers wanted to get their brains concert violinist dad, William Madden, around how a warming planet could once played at Carnegie Hall. He does it by walking a couple of miles impact the male population. on the sea turtle sanctuary beach in front So far, National Public Radio (NPR) of his condo, The Chalfonte, in Boca Raton News reports this year that the num- every day with his beautiful Brazilian wife, Rita. ber of eggs simply hatching was high, Madden is the author of five books, a bloggerat which is a good sign since only about www.maddenmischief.com, and the CEO of 1 in 1,000 baby sea turtles make it TransMedia Group, an award-winning PR firm to adulthood, which takes about 20 he founded when he left NBC. His latest book,Wordshine Man, was featured years. on The Authors Show. 97 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e NOVEMBER 2023
THE BEST WAY TO RESTORE ECOSYSTEMS IS TO LISTEN TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Photo by Esteban Benites
However, outdated science and views leads many researchers to ignore traditional knowledge.
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ndigenous food systems and traditional land management techniques are the best options for tackling ecological restoration. However, outdated scientific models and conservative views on environmentalism have led many researchers to overlook and discount traditional ecological knowledge held by Indigenous peoples. That’s according to a new study in Frontiers. Researchers from the Indigenous Ecology Laboratory at the University of British Columbia and the Historical-Ecological Research Laboratory at Simon Fraser University looked at two restoration efforts in St’at’imc and Quw’utsun territories and outlined a method known as “pop-up restoration” employed by environmental NGOs, extraction industries, and government agencies that offers prescriptive techniques to restore and heal land without considering local Indigenous scientific practices. Pop-up restoration, the authors suggest, comes from deeply rooted misconceptions of Indigenous livelihoods and knowledge due to long-standing, deeply ingrained prejudices and racist ideas. According to the researchers, pop-up restoration, or restoration initiatives that don’t make their restoration goals and impose inequities on unceded and stolen lands, often overlooks traditional food systems and Indigenous histories.
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The first example comes from St’at’imc territory in British Columbia, where St’at’imc voices were ignored by the government, hunters, and ranchers while providing traditional knowledge for the restoration of lands devastated by a wildfire. In June 2021, a heat dome in the region created record-breaking temperatures resulting in 619 heat-related deaths and creating extreme fire conditions over much of the Pacific Northwest, eventually leading to the McKay Creek Wildfire that burned about 85 miles of forest. In response, a technical committee was created to facilitate communication among affected Indigenous and settler communities, the Canadian government, and ranchers. The St’at’imc Nation was given the opportunity to take part in the committee, and share its ideas on the best ways to restore the land. But during the restoration process, government-led wildfire recovery in the region was largely driven by the values, goals, and priorities of only a few interest groups. Ranchers wanted to reseed much of the landscape with crop species that would introduce non-native plants, reducing native vegetation needed for the sur-
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“We observed how government policy and decision-making overlooked, and in some cases outright dismissed, St’at’imc voices, knowledge, and expertise at the table,” wrote the authors. “Non-Indigenous hunter and rancher interests seemed to be given priority over St’at’imc values, goals, and priorities, especially when those interests were at odds.” The authors highlight that the settler colonial history in the St’at’imc region began in the late 1850s with the Fraser River Gold Rush, which led to the establishment of cattle farming on the forests and grasslands in the area. The clearing of land for cattle, introduction of invasive species through fodder, wildfire suppression, the ownership of land by settlers, and the removal St’at’imc peoples from their lands resulted in damage to the region, which helped the McKay Creek wildfire, the climate, and the St’at’imc people. Overall, the authors of the study said acknowledging the effects of past and ongoing waves of colonialism, being genuinely open and flexible to evolving community needs, being familiar with past failures and wrongdoings, and understanding and having compassion for the varying levels of interest, knowledge, resources, and skills for supporting land-healing initiatives are important to the redevelopment and maintenance of lands. “Results suggest that applying an Indigenous food systems lens to ecological restoration may provide a tangible framework for resolving some of the issues faced in top-down colonial policies common in pop-up restoration contexts,” the authors wrote.
Photo by INDÍGENAAdobeStock
“An Indigenous food systems lens provides a holistic approach to food production, distribution, and consumption that centers humans’ coexistence with other living beings and prioritizes a cultural-ecological equilibrium over exploitation or fixed restoration goals,” wrote the authors.
vival of mammals, birds, and other wildlife — many of which are relied on by the St’at’imc Nation.
Photo by jules a.
In the report, the authors assessed two disturbance-restoration cycles and the ways Indigenous food systems approach restoration ecology and Indigenous land — especially when restoration erases long-standing land management and stewardship efforts.
This story originally appeared in "GRIST" It is republished here as part of The Eden Magazine partnership with Covering Climate Now, a global journalistic collaboration to strengthen coverage of the climate story.
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The thought process plays an important role and influence on metaphysical energy. ~Richard Garnier
HYPNOMAGNETISM Richard is revered for his multidisciplinary modalities, blending academic acumen with research and transformational acuity - embodying the role of a healer, intuitive engineer, and energetics specialist. Richard has spent three decades transforming and elevating the lives of a client list that includes television personalities, entre preneurs, athletes, and actors. As a renowned author,inventor, and frequent featured guest across European TV networks, Richard is regarded as a leader in alternative energetics. Richard trained in both Eastern and Western methodologies, Richard has gathered a unique library and toolbox of ancient energy modalities (Taoism, Tibetan studies, Qigong) and modern-day neuroscientific techniques (hypnosis, NLP/ neuro-linguistic programming). Richard offers new perspectives, insights, and teachings from his travels around the world, and exchanges knowledge with thought leaders in alternative practices and disciplines, including Tibetan, Taoist, and Shaman Native American masters, among others. 102 THEEDENMAGAZINE.COM e OCTOBER 2023
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