OMTimes Magazine August B 2020 Edition

Josephine Decker Aug B Issue

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48

CONTENTS SPIRITUALITY 46

86

GET BACK ON YOUR PATH OF PURPOSE

52 THE POWER OF HO'PONOPONO

HEALTH AND HEALING 40

SHOULD WE ABIDE BY THE CODEX FOR SPIRITUAL HEALING?

+

Jerry O'Connell

METAPHYSICS

SPOTLIGHT SHIRLEY

88

THE POWER OF THE PHOENIX

INTERVIEW

BY LIANE BUCK

92

4 SPIRITUAL RITUALS TO HELP YOUR FUTURE

Cover Photo Courtesy of Neon

98

WHAT DEATH CAN TEACH US ABOUT CHANGING THE WORLD

RELATIONSHIPS 80 74

THE HIDDEN COST OF IGNORING OUR EMOTIONS

OMLIVING 60 PANDEMIC AND HIGHER THOUGHT

3 WAYS TO OVERCOME GRATITUDE FATIGUE

PERSONAL GROWTH 104

10 LIFE HACKS FOR THE “NEW NORMAL” IN THE PANDEMIC

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August 2020 Issue B

AUGUST B EDITION

OMTIMES THE FIRST AND ONLY SPIRITUALLY CONSCIOUS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

PERSONAL GROWTH

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102

METAPHYSICS

72 RELATIONSHIPS

SPIRITUALITY

44

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Writers

Robyn M Fritz

Kathy Biehl

Greer Jonas

Lisa Shaw

Liane Buck

Sharon Sayler

Marcia Sirota MD.

Judi Lynch

Anu Dayal-Gulati

John Holland

 OMTIMES |AUGUST B

Columnists

THIS EDITION

Brooke Chaplan

Arthur Telling

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Rene Wadlow

Sandie Sedgbeer

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Shirley Bril The lian ce o f

Joseph ine Dec ker

OMTimes

OMTIMES

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Exclusive Inte rview

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OMTIMES

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Shirley THE FACE OF AUDACIOUS FILMMAKING

Shirley is a 2020 American biographical drama film, directed

by Josephine Decker, from a screenplay by Sarah Gubbins, based upon the novel of the same name by Susan Scarf Merrell. It stars Elisabeth Moss as novelist Shirley Jackson.

It also stars Michael Stuhlbarg, Odessa Young and Logan Lerman. Martin Scorsese serves as an executive producer.

OMTimes was fortunate to sit down with Josephine Decker to talk about her new movie, Shirley, her career, her art, and her dreams.

Josephine Decker is an American actor,

filmmaker, and performance artist. She has directed four feature films: the experimental psychological thriller Butter on the Latch (2013), the experimental erotic thriller Thou Wast Mild and Lovely (2014) both premiered at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival; also the experimental drama Madeline's Madeline (2018), and the semi-biographical thriller Shirley (2020). She also explores collaborative storytelling via T.V. directing, documentary making, performance art, accordion playing, acting, teaching, and leading artist residencies with the School of Making Thinking.

She also co-directed the documentary Bi the Way (2008) with Brittany Blockman. The Movie Madeline's Madeline, Josephine's earlier film, premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and Berlin film festival in early 2018 and was nominated for best picture at Independent Filmmaker Project's Gotham Awards and for two Film Independent Spirit Awards

Josephine is also an actress in many independent films, including Joe Swanberg's Uncle Kent, Onur Tukel's Richard's Wedding, Saturday Morning Mystery, the romantic tragedy Loves Her Gun, and Stephen Cone's critically lauded drama film Black Box in 2013.

In November 2015, Josephine Decker served on the Jury of the 33rd Torino Film Festival.

The Italian festival had already paid tribute to her work in the Onde section of the 2014 edition.

Her most recent film, Shirley, was released in June by Neon, and premiered in the U.S at Dramatic Competition at Sundance, where it received the Special Jury Award for Auteur Filmmaking. Recently named one of Filmmaker Magazine's 25 New Faces of Independent Film, Josephine Decker premiered her first two narrative features at the Berlinale Forum 2014 and theatrically in NYC. OMTIMES

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OMTimes: So, let us start with the first question What moved you to create this non-biopic movie based on one of the many versions of the real person of the writer Shirley Jackson? What tickled you to create this movie?

Josephine Decker: Yes. Well, the script was written by Sarah Gubbins, and I was really attracted to it. She had written a terrific script, and I didn't know that much about Shirley's real life at the time. I had read her fiction, and so really, the main reason I wanted to work on it was the chance to go deep into Shirley's writing and try to create a film that felt like you were entering a Shirley Jackson story.

OMTimes: That's interesting. The movie is like seeing a corresponding reality, and you see the people. You see, they are living their lives, but there is a network of things working in the parallel existence that's overflowing. So, how do you classify? I know you are incredibly creative. You have your own voice, and I actually took the liberty and saw your other movie.

OMTIMES

I noticed that you wear the language, something about the way you direct things.The eye of the observer. How would you classify your artistic genre, your style of directing? Shirley is a noteworthy movie, while it is a work of fiction, a non-biopic creation.

At the same time, it seems to have a Documovie vibe. Why is that?

Josephine Decker: You know, I think I really prioritize performance. I think I love being in the moment with the actors and so I have chosen a method – at least for my last film – of directing that allows me to be very present with them.

It means giving the Cinematographer a lot of freedom to be performing with the actors and moving with them, being in conversation with them so that the camera, and the eye through which you're seeing the film, is breathing and is filled with life and is responsive to the environment.

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That was, I think, a big contributor to why my films feel the way they do. Because, otherwise, it is really just trying to hire really wonderful people and let them do what they do really well and let them teach me in a way. I love to learn from my co-workers and be incredibly open and collaborative with them so that they can kind of fill the movie with their vision, too. So, it is really a process of conversation, I guess, it's my style of directing.

OMTimes: It seems that all the independent movies are always in a constant process of flow, of unfolding, of improving and of endless editing (Of course, it must be a nightmare when you edit). How do you know when a project is done? Do you have guidelines or rules for that, or do you or play by ear?

OMTIMES

Josephine Decker: On previous films – oh, my gosh – I would just torture myself, and I could go on forever and ever. In this film, we had a deadline that was defined by not me but by the producers. They were very flexible, so I think the deadline was the right deadline. It was kind of the time when the audience was doing a lot of test screening. It was kind of when people seemed to feel that their experience of watching the film – they were "I don't know how you could improve this" – and stopped having notes. That was a good thing.

OMTimes: Most of your films have a theme of the dance between Light and Darkness. In Shirley, we have a very instinctual motion picture, madness and seduction seem to be the shadow dance. I think the most horrifying and seductive aspect of the movie is that the audience cannot pinpoint the level of manipulation because all the characters are so profoundly and eccentric deceiving. |AUGUST B

Can you talk a bit about this element of strangeness and Loneliness of every character?

Josephine Decker: Well, some of that we try to bring out on set when we're shooting. We will do a lot of work, seeing if the presence of the actors can find their own spontaneous and unpredictable performances.

But, then, also actually go into the edit. In the edit, we try to really refine the performance that happened in front of the camera. Then there's the performance that's put together in the edit, and in the edit, what we're trying to do is choose maybe the most unpredictable way of putting together the scene so that you kind of don't know what's going to happen next. But it feels that you are always excited to see what could happen next, so it's not random.

OMTimes: That's for sure. Most of your movies are very feminine. The energy of the feminine is powerful, and the womanly in all aspects, all those nuances, all the degrees are spherically feminine. Based on that, would you say that the female and male characters are alike in some ways? Despite their societal and age differences, both are like notes in a symphony, because the movie plays a lot like music: a symphony of Loneliness, of invisible women. They're undervalued and, in a way, tormented and haunted. What are the similarities between those two characters?

It doesn't feel like so crazy what you're seeing, but there's a level of unpredictability that also feels inevitable. You have to bring those two things together and allow your characters to be very much themselves. Also, be unpredictable so that the viewer is excited to see what could happen next.

Josephine Decker: Yes. Well, you know what's interesting, we tried to have the two characters really reflect the characters in Shirley's own writing. When Shirley writes, she often has two female characters, one of whom is sort of misanthropic. One character has a terrific sense of humor and is brilliant.

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The other is, in a way, conforming to societal expectations. She's good at baking, very generous, human, has a light spirit, gets on well with men. Her Biographer talks about this kind of dynamic of these two quite different female characters. In a lot of Shirley's work, as being two sides of her own consciousness that Shirley was working with, and these women blend into one person. So, in a way, I think they are very different on the outside and the inside. I think what you are picking up is that they are very similar. We even tried to work with the costumes and makeup to sort of seeing that where Shirley starts in the movie, kind of disheveled and unable to get out of bed, is where Rose is towards the end of the film when she's just had her baby. She totally has not brushed her hair in a month and can't leave the house. They flip-flop places.

They have something inherently in the center of them that's similar.

Josephine Decker

OMTimes: How was your experience in selecting the actors that would portray such rich and densely disturbed characters? Are you peculiar in your process of choosing them, what do you first look for in an actor/ actress? How do you pick them? Is there anything unique that you look for, or do you have a wish list?

Josephine Decker: You have to pick great actors. You cannot do too much when you don't have a great actor. In this movie, we got incredibly lucky. We just had the best actors ever. I cannot believe we got Elizabeth Moss to play Shirley and Odessa Young to be Rose, and she did such a great job of making Rose so complicated. Then Michael Stuhlbarg is one of the greatest actors. He is just one of the greatest actors of all time. He is so wildly good. Then, Logan Lerman playing Fred. He is also just a super patient and an open person. I feel like across the board, we had just terrific actors. Yes, you try to find the person who fits the role and who instinctively feels right for the part. If it is a fit, they're usually excited, too, and they bring all their magic.

OMTIMES

OMTimes: "Shirley "is a movie with a lot of soft details that give glimpses into the haunted mind of Shirley Jackson. These subtleties play well to a more artistic inclined public. They are very delicate threads that make the spectator oscillate between madness and seduction. Was that done on purpose, following a framework, or it was just something that started flowing naturally, as the result of a spontaneous creative process?

Josephine Decker: Yes, I know what you mean. We did both. We were trying to be very in the moment and responding to the performers and to the environment. We obviously had our intentions, and then we tried to bring those to life but also tried to go with what wanted to unfold. So, there was a lot of spontaneity and presence, but it was also about trying to make sure that we had fulfilled our dreams for the scene. That we felt that we had, hopefully, exceeded our own expectations. I think it gets back to that unpredictable element that we were talking about earlier.

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Josephine Decker: That's so great. I think that is a beautiful metaphor that you brought up – the song.

I feel that music is a big inspiration for me for filmmaking.

OMTimes: Shirley, as a character, is sometimes witchy, sometimes mystical, but always totally eerie. As a creator of this non-biopic tale, would you say that your version of Shirley has real prophetic qualities, or is everything part of her "mise en scene" as a horror writer?

Josephine Decker: Oh. I think a lot of connecting with the beyond or with spirit is about your intention, and I think in the movie, she is trying to be really tapped into her own subconscious and listening to herself. I think the reason that the I 'Ching or Tarot Cards are so effective is that they ask you a very open-ended question that then you get to put to Sometimes in editing, we have to be very, very yourself. So, I think Shirley is opening. She's intentional about how we lay things out so that working very hard to work her magic, mostly on the audience does feel there's the symphony of herself. She's trying to open up a part of herself so details that is ramping up and building so that that her story can come out. So, I think the magic certain notes are ringing again and again; so that that Shirley is really doing in the film is really the the ending really feels like the climax to the film magic of the creative process. It's the magic of as a whole. unleashing her own imagination and of using the tools around her to make that happen. Using, or OMTimes: That is remarkably interesting maybe abusing, the tools around her to make that because the movie has a rhythm of its own. happen. Yes, so I think she's witchy in the way that I do not know if it is because I really was into artists are witchy. Artists are very much the the movie. It's kind of creepy, and I'm Shamans of our time. not really a horror type of person. Still, I noticed that there is actually a little OMTimes: Oh, I agree with you, 100%. Now tell us coordination between the playing of the a little bit more personal about yourself. You have music in the background and the lighting, been on the circuit of Independent movies and and how the angles of the characters move the Production of Documentaries for a while. You into and between the scenes. You may say are also an actress: How these experiences that this was completely natural, but it played a role in the making of Shirley, from looks like it was almost like a symphony. production design to the directing?

I really liked the movie.

Josephine Decker: I think that everything you ever do in your life prepares you for directing.

The beautiful thing about directing is you have to do everything: Communicating across all the departments, which are the camera, the costumes, the actors – very importantly – hair and makeup, the production design, the coloring at the end of the film, the sound, the editing, the music. There are so many aspects so, I think almost anything in life is preparing you for one of those things. Maybe just living a very crazy story helps you become a better storyteller. So, for me, acting for sure supported me in understanding how to be just really honest with actors about what I know and what I don't know, or what I see and feel more comfortable in talking to actors. Having been an actor, not very much, but just sometimes, feeling like it opened me up to be a bit freer. There are lots of ways of communicating. There is not a right way to direct an actor. It is more about like you just have to make sure you're communicating with them, and then to help them feel safe. When I was in High School, I loved photography, I played music really seriously when I was a kid. I think that has had a significant impact on me, too, in terms of how I direct.

OMTimes: That's fantastic. Well, you mentioned two things. You said Tarot Cards. You mentioned the I 'Ching. Do you use one of those yourself?

Josephine Decker: I use Tarot Cards sometimes. Yes, me and my best friend, Ruby, we love to read them for each other, even at long distances.

OMTIMES

OMTimes: Another thing I meaning to ask you is: Do you have a ritual, self-centering, that helps you with your daily work and help you create?

Josephine Decker: I started meditating. I started practicing Zen Buddhism in 2011, so I think that really affected my work so much.

When I started practicing Zen Buddhism, I started practicing meditation, so I try to have meditation be a part of my life. I have a baby now. She is eight months old, so I do not have as much time exactly. I think that is its own meditation. So, she, in a way, now, is my spiritual practice. I grew up Christian, and I still go to church sometimes, and I also practice Zen Buddhism.

OMTimes: Oh, that's awesome. I don't think that Buddhism is actually a religion.

I believe that is where I started. I am that weirdo that believed that all paths go to the same place. Do you cultivate any spiritual practice, an if so, what is its impact on your creative process of work?

Josephine Decker: No. Well, I like to make up rituals with my friends. I help run an Artists' Residency, sometimes,called The School of Making Thinking, and we do a lot of rituals there. I think ritual is beautiful and a superimportant part of life, and I wish that I did more of it, but I love the rituals that I have been part of. Some of those are ancient ones, and some of them are ones that we just make up for each other at this Artists' Residency, which is nice.

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OMTimes: There is an element in rituals that's marks rites of passage. I see things from this perspective, it's almost like a Shamanic thing –an Aboriginal element. You sing to existence each day of what is in your head.

You sing into existence because you have to bring it in. First, it forms in your mind, and you know you as a Shamanic storytelling master, the way you will tell that story that you brought into existence. That's a ritual. In this movie, you have a lot of rites of passage.

I want a lot of people to see the film, but that's the thing. I think it's fantastic.

With equal opportunities that more people in America get the chance to really thrive and that all of us can come into the present. You know I had a great meditation teacher who said: "Love is really seeing someone clearly," and I wish we could really see each other very clearly right now. We don't really see each other very clearly, and if we could just see each other clearly, there would be a lot more love going on.

Do you have any spiritual vision for the world today? What would you change if you could?

Josephine Decker: Vision for the world.

What a beautiful question. I feel fortunate that I get to have the freedom to have a spiritual life that I have the time to. I wish that we had a country that has more equality – income equality – and less income discrimination and racial discrimination.

OMTIMES

The Movie Shirley is available On Demand Everywhere.

|AUGUST B

Health & Wellness

Innovative new approaches to Healing as well as holistic methods for dealing with health issues and personal growth

Why Abide by a Spiritual Code for Healing?

The 7 vital Mandates to Practice Spiritual Work

By Humanity Healing

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

T

he universe has summoned

Below we listed some of the rules

us to step into our healing

that need to be followed:

mode, wear our shamanic "garments," and to

1. BALANCE

consciously take part in our own evolution. Energetically we are all

Keeping up with your spiritual self is

being called to do our part.

essential for doing spiritual work, but balance is needed. We cannot leave

The classic shamanic archetype is

the material world to live only on the

one of the significant approaches

spiritual side of life. Excess can create

that is becoming animated in the

decompensation that can damage

collective psyche of our species at

a person's life. Spiritual and material

these trying times. Our spiritual life

work are two parts of a whole.

needs attention. We need to know

Neither side can prevail. The rule is

how to follow some rules for when we

to have balance and look forward to

do Spiritual Work. It is necessary to

always keep the middle way.

have the right concentration and to be ready to perform our healings and

2. CONSTANCY

prayers. To do this, with competency and aptitude, We need to follow some

It is necessary to respect the natural

directives that should never be left

order of things. One cannot seek

aside when practicing healing or

to do spiritual work in search of

spiritual work.

superpowers without first being aware of what is taking place. New

Healing works through a kind of

Skills come naturally at the right

detox: things have got to come up

time, and you must wait for them.

to be released. That is true of our

To be real, the aptitude developed

personal issues, and our collective

in spiritual work must be received

issues. We can't just push the

and not generated only by our will.

darkness down, pour pink paint over

We are a conduit of compassion, not

it, and then pretend it's not there. We

avatars of power.

have to look at it, accept that it exists and then release it for healing.

Marianne Williamson

3. DISCERNMENT AND MODERATION

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

To be able to do spiritual work correctly,

with family members and coworkers

we cannot rely solely on the opinion

unnecessarily. Impulsivity in the esoteric

of others. We need to have our self-

world is also harmful. Full entry into

discernment and restraint during our

spiritual work can ruin your future in

development. During initiation, this

this world.

support is necessary, but it is essential to mature and continue to gain knowledge. Evolution and learning are

6. TOLERANCE AND RELAXATION

processes that never end.

One should not act with rigidity. Upon

4. HUMILITY

receiving more information, the person who is starting the learning of Spiritual

One of the fundamental rules for anyone

Healing may believe that his mind is

who wants to do spiritual work is to be

expanding and therefore becoming less

humble. We can never judge our work

tolerant. There is a temptation to want

is superior to that of others. Esotericism

to force others to accept your ideas and

is opposite to the feeling of superiority.

ways of conduct. Entering this state

Humility is essential to be a perfect

limits the ability you were gaining and

conduit of Healing energy. It is a divine

even reduced the awareness you had

gift, and you are just the intermediary

already achieved. Beware of this tricky

vehicle of the healing.

state of mind.

At the deepest level, the creative process

7. CONCENTRATION

and the healing process arise from a single source. When you are an artist, you

One cannot lose concentration while

are a healer; a wordless trust of the same

doing spiritual work. The study and

mystery is the foundation of your work

practices do not accept dispersions

and its integrity. Rachel Naomi Remen

and distractions. Performing these

5. SERENE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY

activities without deepening and concentrating generates a false idea of ​​ knowing. The real knowledge lies in the understanding of what surrounds us

Never take inconsequential actions.

and understanding the complex reality

The impulse can break relationships

we live in.

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

Simply Spiritual To perceive reality from a different perspective is to open oneself to the wonders and unlimited wealth of creation. Simply Spiritual offers the opportunity to visit new places, new methods, and different ways to perceive the vast human knowledge of our Universe.

Get Back on Your Path of Purpose

By John Holland

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

I

n recent days, I talked about a

Now imagine that there's a big funnel

powerful technique I learned

starting to form on top of your head,

while studying in England. My

reaching out into the universe. Think of

tutors taught me how to move

it as a vortex of energy reaching upward.

away from feeling down and low

Let your awareness constantly flow

during challenging times and to

up and out of your head and into this

"think up," so I could get back on the

funnel above you. All the information

path of clarity and purpose. If you

you want can be brought to you.

are feeling anything like me, then as we move through this particularly

Now reach up with your mind, as if

challenging time with COVID, it's so

you're floating and blending with this

important to deal with any fears and

brilliant white light. Slowly merge

anxieties and to start to get back on

yourself into this space as you continue

your path of purpose. So, what better

to reach up and out of your body with

time than right now!

your mind. Take a few moments with this energy and feel what it's like to

Here's an exercise to help you

be calm and centered, to be one with

connect with your higher

your Higher Mind. Use this time of pure

consciousness. You will even be able

clarity to cleanse your mind.

to ask questions for a little extra It's time now to ask a question. For

guidance. Let us begin:

example: Sit in a comfortable chair. Close your eyes and relax. Now I want

• What do I need to understand about

you to bring your awareness to

an old issue or past challenge that's

the bottom of your feet. Let your

surfacing during this pandemic and

breath assist you in transferring

causing anxiety?

the relaxing energy up through the

• What do I need to know regarding

bottom of your feet. Slowly work your

my job security or career and the

way up to your calves, your thighs,

future path to take?

your abdomen, your chest, your

• How can I best communicate with

fingers, your hands, your arms, your

a loved one that I'm having trouble

shoulders, your neck, your face …

getting along within such close

right to the top of your head.

quarters?

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

You can also ask if there's something

This technique can be used anytime

that your intuition has been trying to

you need it—especially during

tell you. Ask your Higher Mind how you

stressful times like this when you

can be more receptive when it's trying

may need an intuitive solution. Try

to communicate with you, so you're

to get into the habit of shifting up

able to truly get back on your path of

and accessing your Higher Mind at

purpose.

least once a day. With practice, you'll be able to seek insightful guidance

Ask one question at a time and wait

anytime you need it.

for a response. Take whatever answers come to you—may be a symbol, words,

Once you've tried this technique, I'd

or even a feeling.

love to hear how it went. Do share your thoughts on my Facebook

It's now time to bring your awareness

community, so others can try as well.

back into your body. Slowly take a

Equally, if you want to share this

breath and let it assist you in coming

newsletter with anyone you think

back to the present. Feel yourself

may appreciate this message, feel

shifting down into your body, entering

free to share this Soul Inspirations

through the open funnel. Move your

Series or recommend they join our

fingers and toes and gently open your

community.

eyes to become fully aware of your body and the room around you.

Live a Soul-filled life!

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

The Power of

Ho’oponopono!

By Cathedral of The Soul

Ho’oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian technique that promotes healing energy, forgiveness, and reconciliation. In its original language, “Ho'o” means “cure,” and “ponopono” means “to straighten, to fix,” that is, the addition and translation of both words say “to correct a mistake” or “ repair an error.”

The focus of this practice is to resolve painful issues from a past that is still present in a person's heart, mind, and spirit so that they can achieve a state of genuine peace.

THE POWER OF THE FOUR PHRASES OF THE HO’OPONOPONO

The ancient Hawaiians claim that the source of an error is fixed in thoughts engulfed by painful memories or traumas that have left their mark on people's emotional bodies.

Freud said in "The Theory of the Unconscious" that people are ruled by the unconscious most of the time - and it is in the unconscious that our memories are always present.

OMTIMES | Aug B

With this information, we understand that all our attitudes and decisions are made by the influences of situations in our past.

With this, the Hawaiian technique of Ho'oponopono has appeared so that we can release all the negative energy from evil thoughts and remove all past mistakes that commonly harm us and affect our balance. It is a practice that releases the past, cleans that present, and Inspires the future.

Ho'oponopono's focus is to help human beings to realize that all problems are like holographic memories that are repeated from a pattern emanating from the unconscious and that, with this perception, each individual can free themselves from these bonds.

Practice breaks mental obstacles, clears the memories that are disconnected from the health of the body, and makes our mind experience the happiness that we should experience today.

What are Ho'oponopono's phrases, and what do they mean?

The phrases of this technique are: “I'm sorry,” “forgive me,” “I love you” and “I am grateful.” They serve to initiate the process of spiritual cleansing, the cleaning of the dubious memories that may imprison a person. Check out the meaning of each one:

-

The Benefits of Ho’oponopono.

“This force is unlimited. It is always moving and always flowing. The ancient Hawaiians, the Kahunas, used the metaphor of the flow of a running stream to represent the divine force.”

Wayne Dyer

OMTIMES | AUG B

Practicing Ho’oponopono means that you will heal your mind of all the patterns of behavior provided by past wounds. The repetition of phrases that are part of the technique offers a proper understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, and many other benefits.

The Four phrases of Ho’oponopono 01

- I'M SORRY:

when you verbalize that phrase, you take responsibility for your current situation and acknowledge that some events from the past have settled in your memory. The act of recognizing shows that you are ready to change!

02

- FORGIVE ME:

when asking for forgiveness, you automatically ask for forgiveness from yourself and from the great Creator, so that He helps you to get rid of these recurring memories within you. Thus, you will be freed from these problems that are holding you back!

03

- I LOVE YOU:

this phrase carries with it immense power because, from the moment you release love, you allow it to return to your being. When you say “I love you,” you say that you love your memories and remembrances, and you are still grateful to be able to release each one of them and also to release your traumatized memories. Love is, has always been and always will be the best means of reconnecting with our inner sanctuary, and it is love who manages to transform and recover the energy that until then was clogged and blocked.

OMTIMES | Aug B

04

- I AM GRATEFUL:

Gratitude represents the end of cycles and trust in the Creator, regardless of what He is to you. We must be thankful that the subconscious makes clearing and healing all these bad memories timely.

How to practice Ho’oponopono?

It's very simple! You do not need a mentor or help from anyone. You should be alone, at least for the first few days of practice. You can verbalize or mentalize the phrases. Connect with yourself, think about the memories of the past that left a mark on you and verbalize or mentalize with intention the four phrases mentioned above. In each of them, you need to focus all your feeling so that your subconscious releases each one of these traumas and memories that are repeated in your life.

The power is in the intention and emotion you put in when you repeat the sentences.

If your name is Maria, say to yourself (verbalizing it): "Maria, I'm sorry, forgive me, I love you, I'm grateful." If you want to forgive someone, use that person's name before each sentence. It is worth emphasizing again: the power of this ceremony relies on the intention that comes from your heart to break free from past hurt.

“There is a beautiful forgiveness practice I love, which is quite simple. It is called "Ho'oponopono" (pronounced: ho-o-pono-pono), and it is a lot easier to do than it is to say. It is a Kahuna Hawaiian technique, which involves repeating four phrases internally toward yourself or the person whom you're having a hard time forgiving.�

Marci Shimoff

OMTimes Magazine Relax…

Let your worries drift away into the moment…

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OM Living For those living a more Conscious Lifestyle

Pandemic and Higher Thought

by Arthur Telling

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

I

n this time of the Coronavirus

At this time in the year 2020, the

pandemic, spiritual knowledge is

return of the disease in epidemic

critical for coming to understand

proportions identified as Corona

and heal the body and Mind.

Virus or COVID-19in unbelievable.

It is critical now for Science to

Science must stop blocking the

seriously look at presently taboo

wealth of information conveyed

metaphysical sources and more

over the centuries to humans from

thoroughly comprehend the nature

the spirit worlds that we who are

of the infectious disease, how it

unrestrained by the conventional

actually spreads, and why it enters the

thought refer to as astral and mental

mainstream reality.

planes.

Science vs. Metaphysics

The Jane Roberts/Seth Material, a paranormal source of information

The world is not what it appears. There

recorded in the last century and

are no solid objects; consciousness is

popular still today, says it is clear and

the foundation of everything.

precise terms: “What exists physically exists first in thought and feeling.” —

Science is wrong at the foundation

The Nature of Personal Reality, a Seth

level. Man is not subject to

book.

environmental events generally outside of his control. Quite the contrary, he is a master of his

The Nature of Communicable Disease

environment. But he doesn’t know it, for he is duped by the allure of

All being consciousness, our daily

the colorful objects, sounds, and

experiences are driven by our

sensations of the world, Spiritualism

thoughts and emotions, individually

as philosophical doctrine is out of

and en masse. When our thoughts

favor in the present-day conventional

go awry, we open ourselves to

realm, so evidence of there being the

disease; it is a crucial warning

life of a non-physical nature is denied.

post that we need to change our

Information that could be useful,

thoughts. A pandemic evidences

even critical to Science, is taboo, and

the whole society as needing such

is excluded.

adjustments in the extreme.

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

Answers Found Within

When a society, through medical efforts, sees a cure or control of the

The entire nature of scientific

mass illness outbreak, our thoughts

examination is wrong because the

change. We come to trust the remedy.

foundation belief is wrong. We are

If we believe it works, then, by the

subject to disease appearing from

nature and functioning of the process

our inner thoughts. To look to the

of reality, it will work. If we believe

outer world for answers may be

social distancing works, then it will

useful because, in doing so, we are

appear to be working. If we believe

automatically and unknowingly

face masks will work, then they will

changing our thoughts. But we risk

appear to be working. But, as the

also going far astray, even to make

Master said: “We must truly believe.�

matters worse through this ignorance.

We must honestly believe something

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

is true, and then all things are

a correction. Our reaction now will

possible. There are no limitations

be critical in determining our short-

because all is consciousness, all is

term fates and long-term health,

Mind. Limitations arise when we are

individually and communally.

unable to overcome the confining beliefs of our surrounding world.

The process of learning the

The contagion of the pandemic is

elementary basics of the nature of

through transmission by thought

reality may be slow. The world will

and emotion. And all being

most certainly need the physical

consciousness, we are everywhere

crutch of “placebos” through the

connected. A “virus” could thus

designs of modern medicine and

jump unrestrained from one

the established religions, a means

continent to another, that is, when

of tricking the Mind into shaking off

our thoughts have a common

negative beliefs. But there is never a

element of communication

better time than now for setting foot

between differing peoples. Driving

on the path leading to a knowledge

the pandemic is apathy, despair,

of the deeper levels.

hopelessness, and fear. Science will observe the structural changes in

Arthur Telling has written many

consciousness as mutating viruses.

stories and articles on religion,

The pattern will appear the same, as

philosophy, and metaphysics.

though a virus is spreading through

His article, “A Different Jesus

some outward means. Yet, all that

Message,” appeared in the Nov.

is observable to Science originate in

2011 AMORC Rosicrucian Digest.

Mind.

Telling is author of nine books,

Resolving the Pandemic

including a new joint release with writer and philosopher Chirag Patel: “Seekers and Speakers:

The illness “in fashion” permeating

Learning to Walk Your Own Path.”

the world today has emerged

His website: www.arthurtelling.

because things have gone very

com and Facebook page

wrong already, in politics and

“Philosophy for a Modern Era:

religion and the sciences, all. It

www.facebook.com/philo30

comes as a warning and catalyst for OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

Relationships The interconnectiveness among all human beings and, consequently, the relationships among us are the focus of this section. The dynamics of the web of connections we make is one of the most prominent aspects of human existence: how we interlace with each other’s existence in a meaningful way.

3 Ways to Overcome Gratitude Fatigue OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

T

he familiar ritual of keeping

routine like this, instead of making

a gratitude journal is a

daily lists, is a highly effective way

beautiful way of staying

to bring your full attention back to

connected to the positives

the act of appreciation and thanks.

of life, especially in difficult times.

On the days you write, look back at

But as time goes on, jotting down

what’s unfolded in your life and list

quick, regular notes such as “grateful

just four or five things for which you’re

for friends; today’s pretty sunset; and

thankful. Think particularly about

finding that amazing chicken recipe”

events or experiences that surprised

may not bring you the sparking,

you—they’re a reminder of how many

uplifting feeling of gratitude that it

forms the gifts of life can take. Record

once did.

them in detail, filling your list with particulars vivid enough to let you

If you find yourself going through the

relish them later when you reread your

motions in your gratitude practice and

entries.

feel less able to see and appreciate the unexpected gifts that life continually

2. Reconnect with the three

offers, you may have “gratitude

elements that lead to gratitude. First,

fatigue.” Researchers like Robert

says researcher Emmons, gratitude

Emmons, who study gratitude and

takes acknowledgment (Look!

its many positive effects, say that is

Something wonderful happened.

because our brains adapt to positive

What a gift!). Second, the recognition

feelings and quiet our response to

that goodness comes from outside

them as time goes on.

of you (I didn’t will it, ask for it, earn it, or make it happen. It happened

So, how do you reconnect with the

independent of me.). And third, a

joy that gratitude can bring? Here are

feeling of benevolence (This event or

three ways to reawaken yourself to the

experience that was set in motion by

unexpected goodness that’s flowing

something outside me has a benefit

your way:

for me.).

1. Choose just two times a week to

When you open yourself to seeing how

record the positive events in your

often you experience these elements,

life. Researchers say switching to a

you enter an almost magical-seeming

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

realm full of gifts and appreciation

dazzling when you slow down and give

waiting to be received with a thankful

yourself the eyes to see it.

heart. As difficult as life may be, sometimes, it is also strewn with

3. Write a gratitude letter. Gratitude

benevolence that can seem almost

comes alive when it is expressed

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

directly and warmly. Consider not

a difference. What you did for me

just noticing the gifts and kindnesses

changed my life.� And in saying them,

coming your way but expressing your

you not only feel your gratitude anew,

appreciation directly to those who

but you also offer it as a gift and send

have helped you - especially people

it into the world.

who may not know they’ve left a lasting imprint. It can be a heartopening exercise to look back and think about those actions - large or small - that have eased your way, helped you turn a corner, or perhaps kept you going when you were struggling. Perhaps a coworker pulled up a chair when you were eating lunch alone at your desk just to keep your company; an acquaintance made an introduction that led you onto a new path, or a teacher encouraged you to believe in yourself.

Start by choosing one person and writing them a one-page letter telling them what their kindness meant to you and how it affected your life for the better. A gratitude letter can have positive and lasting effects on both you and the recipient, and delivering such a letter in person can be particularly powerful, allowing you to convey your warm feelings with a smile or a laugh (or with tears and a hug). Some of the most resonant and important words you can tell anyone are: “Thank you. You made

Charles Garfield is a psychologist and bestselling author who lives in Northern California. His new book Our Wisdom Years: Growing Older with Joy, Fulfillment, Resilience, and No Regrets, features many gratitude practices and guidance for keeping the feeling of gratitude alive in daily life.

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Our Emotions

by Anu Dayal-Gulati

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

W

hen we are made

It’s ironic, really. We connect with

to feel “wrong”

others by mirroring appropriate

for the emotions

responses—for instance, when we

we experience,

talk with others, we respond to

we disconnect not only from those

sadness with consoling words, and to

sentiments but consequently from

gestures of friendship with warmth

ourselves and all that lies within us. The

and smiles—and yet we’ve been

result is a blend of loneliness, stress,

trained to disengage from our own

overwhelm, guilt, and struggle. When

feelings.

we learn to process and engage with our emotions instead of judging or

The depth of disconnection

ignoring them, we can reconnect and reintegrate those disjointed pieces of

By disconnecting from the

ourselves. Emotions are a gift, a guide,

original pain that prompted such

reminding us who we are every step of

admonitions as “Suck it up,” we also

the way… if we only listen.

begin to disconnect from ourselves.

We stop trusting ourselves because

At some point in our lives, we might

we’ve stopped trusting our feelings,

have been told, “There’s no point getting

and, as we become deeply critical of

so emotional!” Or perhaps, “You should

ourselves, our self-esteem starts to

get over it!” Or maybe even, “Suck it up!”

erode and become fragile.

If we hear these messages often

The voice inside us starts expressing

enough, we might start to internalize

its discomfort:

them. We might begin to believe them.

We might start to think that there is

• “I feel like an outsider!”

something wrong with us for feeling

• “I feel invisible!”

what we feel.

• “I have no right to be angry!”

• “I don’t belong in this family!”

The overarching theme here is that

• “I should be done grieving!”

we are supposed to ignore or suppress our emotions. There is a cost to this

The more attention we give to these

practice, however, and the price to be

cries, the more stressed, lonely, and

paid is high.

overwhelmed we become. Mired in OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

self-doubt, we start wondering whether

As we remove ourselves further and

we should be feeling this way. We

further from our real feelings and our

can’t tell what lies behind our anger.

pain, we are more likely to try and fill

We don’t know what our sadness is

the void through overeating, retail

underneath. We don’t know why joy

therapy, or even more destructive

seems elusive. We struggle with taking

diversions. All because we have

care of other people’s feelings while

been raised to believe that there’s

ignoring our own. We feel guilty for

something wrong with us if we were to

feeling the way we do.

tend to our feelings.

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

Our emotions are a gift

been our North Star, remaining the same for thousands of years.

Our feelings, when welcomed rather than dismissed, are of benefit to us.

If we want to come back into

They are sending us a message about

alignment with who we are, we need

ourselves. They are the compass of our

to stop judging our feelings and, so,

soul. While cultures keep changing,

ourselves. All emotions—even the

borders keep changing, technology

“negative” ones—are a call to aligned

keeps changing… our emotions have

action. For instance, when we are

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

jealous of someone, it’s because they

then we can uncover its message and

have something that we want: it’s

decide what to do about it.

showing us what we desire in our lives. When we are angry, it’s because

By reconnecting with our feelings and

we perceive an injustice of some

listening to the insights they have to

kind: it’s showing us our morals and

share with us, we can start the journey

boundaries. Our emotions offer us a

of reconnecting with ourselves… and

call to aligned action.

regain peace, joy, and harmony in our

The process of reconnection

life.

If we are looking to take action based

An easy way to begin the process of

on this insight, Wild Oat Flower essence

decoding our emotions is through

allows us to see a way forward. Working

journaling. The act of journaling

with the energy of our emotions helps

reduces the emotional charge and

us to reclaim the power we might have

allows us to express ourselves without

given away. We can see the higher

judgment. As we write, we may gain

truth of a situation and begin the

clarity on why we are feeling a certain

journey back to ourselves.

way. Other creative activities like art and music similarly allow us an

Anu Dayal-Gulati helps her clients

outlet for that primal need to express

create the life and relationships

ourselves.

they want by releasing the emotional imprints of the past.

Being in nature—whether it’s

A certified energy practitioner,

going for a walk or a run, camping,

specializing in family energy

kayaking, or hiking—also lowers

dynamics and emotional healing,

the intensity of whatever we’re

she uses safe, natural, flower

feeling. Once our emotional levels

essences to help her clients get

are more manageable, we can start

the results they want. Get her

to understand why we’re feeling

free guide to deciphering your

upset. Perhaps we can even name

emotions from her website, www.

the specific emotion. Are we bitter?

floweressencehealing.com, or follow

Sad? Hurt? Invalidated? And once we

her on Facebook and Instagram.

know more about what we’re feeling, OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

Metaphysics

The Power of the Phoenix

By Judi Lynch

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

T

he legend of the

we can stand again, maybe even a

Phoenix symbolizes

little stronger and wiser than before.

transformation and

Getting back up might mean that

rebirth. Just like the sun,

we have to have the courage to be

which dies in the evening and rises

able to reach out to ask for assistance.

again in the morning, the Phoenix

Spiritual help and compassion from

is reborn anew from the ashes of its

others who have knowledge and

former self.

resources help us rebuild our broken

The Phoenix, like our souls, is immortal.

hearts and dreams. Ultimately we have to accept the situation in our soul’s evolution to fully understand the purpose of the journey.

We all can tap into the phoenix energy whenever we may feel

The Phoenix is an incredibly

defeated or deflated in life. The will

powerful totem to visualize during

to rise again is inherited in our soul’s

meditation. It brings in the sense of

heart if we can stop and listen to

renewal and cleansing of the soul.

our needs. There may be times in

We may be working very diligently

our life that we feel we might die,

on a forgiveness theme, learning

or that a part of us has died. Due

to forgive others, and forgiving

to the circumstances around us or

ourselves. Remembering that

feelings that overwhelm us, it can

negative situations can evolve into

seem that we have lost the power to

something better helps us to manifest

transform.

forgiveness in tune with our spiritual theme and needs. The Phoenix helps

To tap into the power of the

us release what we no longer want

Phoenix, we have to believe that

or need in our evolution and leads us

this ability is inside us. We have

into the next story in life. It helps us to

the energetic forces to build new

heal the hurt so that we may manifest

thoughts and ideas to help us heal

in a higher frequency of knowledge.

our brokenness into a new life.

That our souls are stronger than

The appearance of the Phoenix has

any force which would try to knock

been described in many different

us down. We have to believe that

ways. The oldest description says

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

the bird had halo-lit by the sun.

of an ostrich, but some believe it is

Its colors have been accounted to

comparable to an eagle.

be bright, vibrant, or peacock-like, while others say it is red and yellow

In many stories told about the

with yellow eyes. The eyes have also

Phoenix, it is said that their tears can

been described to be incredibly

heal any wound and to raise the dead.

blue. Its size has been told to be that

In Asia, it is a symbol of feminine

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

grace and reigns over all other birds.

into action when we know we can rise

It is considered a good sign of a wise

up and begin again no matter what!

leader. The Egyptians had the Bennu, a bird that resembled a heron, which

Judi Lynch is a psychic medium,

played a role in their descriptions

intuitive counselor, healing channel,

of creation. The likeness of this bird

and author. She is president of the

can be found in ancient artifacts and

Crystal Healing Foundation, Inc., a

was a symbol of rebirth, wealth, and

501(c) spiritual charity and writer

fertility.

for OM Times Magazine. She has authored two books, Friends with

The Phoenix was also an ancient

Lights and Conscious Ascension

symbol in Christianity because it

and has read for clients all over the

represented resurrection and eternal

world. To learn more or contact for a

life. Many had this image carved onto

session see judilynch.com

their tombstones to express their faith and belief in the teachings of Jesus.

It is also a symbol of magical powers, being a metaphysical wonder that can change shape and form, which has no beginning and no end, having great healing powers and knowledge.

Create meditations that bring in the meta-power of this magical, mythical bird to help sacrifice worries, doubts, conditions, and situations to the fire. We can let them burn and be transformed into grace, understand,

Article description: The legend of the

courage, and ultimate healing. In

Phoenix symbolizes transformation

these visualizations, we have the gift

and rebirth. To tap into the power of

of accepting new thoughts, ideas,

the Phoenix, we have to believe that

and the wonder of creation. We can

this ability is inside us. The will to rise

change our physical lives, exercise

again is inherent in our soul’s heart if

faith into hope, shape our thoughts

we can stop and listen to our needs.

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

4 Spiritual Rituals That Can Help You Understand Your Future

by Brooke Chaplan OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

T

here are many ways

78 cards have fascinating stories

to utilize spiritual and

behind them, and the reading can

metaphysical resources

help show their connections to your

to determine your life's

life. Schedule an in-person or online

path. Rituals can help ground us

tarot reading and see what kind of

in the present, help us come to

possibilities could be awaiting you.

terms with our past, and even

Consider looking up the details of

determine our futures. Your future

what the tarot cards signify yourself

might not be something you can

online.

forecast accurately, but if you pay attention, it shouldn't catch you by

Psychic Readings

surprise too much. The decisions you make in the present inform

Clairvoyant readings can offer a

your future. There are also ways

lot of insight into what may lie in

you can better comprehend it

your future. A medium will ask

through spiritual means. These

questions about your life to gauge

are four spiritual rituals to give you

an understanding of you and give a

a better understanding of where

psychic reading. This could lead to

you might be heading. Whether

you receiving a stronger idea about

you have experience with tarot or

where you're headed. Nagging

prefer psychic readings. Or if you

matters of your past can be

have precognitive dreams, or are

resolved, and you can look forward

interested in palmistry, you will

to a much brighter future.

be able to better understand your future by looking into these rituals.

Tarot Readings

Dreaming Have you ever had dĂŠjĂ vu and traced it back to a dream? Your

While a tarot reading covers more

subconscious could've been onto

than just your future, it can be very

something. Precognitive dreaming

informative. When you go to a tarot

might seem coincidental, but it's

expert, they'll present you with

worth paying attention to as a

cards that detail your past, present,

possible guide for your future. For

and future. The images on these

instance, if you keep dreaming

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

about a specific person who you

"sun line" is, but they're more than

haven't spoken to in years, you might

wrinkles. After an appointment with

want to give them a call. Dreams are

a palm reader, you'll never look at

amazing experiences, even if you're

your hands the same way ever again.

not spiritual. By recognizing patterns and how they apply to your life, you

Thinking about the future can

can make better decisions going

be very overwhelming and scary.

forward and feel more in control of

However, once you realize just how

your decisions. Not every dream is

much control you have, your future

going to mean something, but you'll

can be something to embrace. These

be better able to find meaning in

spiritual rituals bring you closer to

your dreams if you do your research.

your future and yourself.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance

Palmistry

writer and blogger. She lives

The lines on your palms are there for helping you perform manual tasks, but they can also have spiritual meaning. The act of palmistry involves having your palms observed for spiritual purposes. You may have no idea what your "fate line" or

and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @ BrookeChaplan.

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

What Death Can Teach Us About Changing the World

L

By Karen Wyatt MD

ife has a way of leading us to

that experience. I didn’t know that

unexpected places.

my own Life would be profoundly changed by listening to the stories

As for me, back when I was

of those patients and learning from

a hospice physician making house

them the lessons that were being

calls to care for the dying patients

revealed as they drew closer and

on our service, I never dreamed I

closer to Death. But that is what

would one day write a book about

happened.

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

One day a patient named Ted told

That’s when it dawned on me that

me that he had only just begun to

these were really the lessons of living,

understand “what really matters” in

and they could be learned at any time

Life. He bemoaned the fact that he

during Life, not just in the final days.

couldn’t pass along that wisdom to anyone else because he would be gone

Over the remaining years of my hospice

from this Life in a few weeks. So I made

career, many other patients came with

a promise that day to remember Ted’s

stories that added to my understanding

story and share it with others.

of “what really matters.” I learned to live in the Present Moment from Ralph,

From that point on, I began to

a previously homeless alcoholic. He

recognize that many of my dying

discovered a talent for drawing pictures

patients seemed to be learning lessons

after being told he would soon die of

in their final days that totally changed

kidney cancer. And from Andy, who lost

the way they looked at Life. For Ted, the

half his face to cancer, I was shown how

lesson was Love: he came to see that

to Surrender to whatever difficulties life

Love was far more important than all

brings along the way.

the wealth, status, and possessions he had accumulated during his lifetime.

As the story of my own Life unfolded

For Greg, a young man dying of

over time, I was given opportunities to

malignant melanoma, the lesson was

not only learn but to actually live each

Forgiveness as he reunited with his

one of these lessons that I had been

estranged brothers. All three of them

taught – all in preparation for one day

healed years of pain and anger during

writing about them in 7 Lessons for

the last weeks of Greg’s Life.

Living from the Dying: How to Nurture What Really Matters. But the biggest

At first, I saw these lessons as a step-

awakening came when I met Lorraine,

by-step guide for how to approach

a writer herself who was dying of breast

Death, and I shared them with other

cancer. She had been a spiritual seeker

dying patients who were struggling to

all her Life who had already been living

make sense of what was happening to

“what really matters” for many years.

them. But eventually, I realized that the

Lorraine showed me the paradox that

way I lived my own Life the stories were

Death itself is the path to Life and that

transforming each day I was gathering.

mortality is our greatest gift.

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

In an instant, my mind was blown open,

with perfect timing to bring us to this

and my vision expanded to the largest

point of transformation. If Death has

view possible: the more fully I accept

taught us anything, let it be that we

my Death, the more fully I will be alive.

cannot wait; the time for change is

When I no longer fear my Death, then

now.

I will no longer fear my Life. Suddenly I could see everything through new

Life has a way of leading us to

eyes. Death was teaching me a state of

unexpected places.

fearlessness that allowed me to move forward in areas of my Life where I had

In my case, Life led me to Death and

been stuck and stagnant before.

back again with a powerful knowledge of what really matters. And that

As I contemplate the dire condition of

changed everything for me.

our world today with a global pandemic, racial strife, economic disaster,

Where is Life leading you, and what

environmental degradation, and political

changes are you willing to allow?

unrest, I recognize that fearlessness is

Answer that question carefully, for

the only thing that can help us move

it is the change that takes place in

forward through these crises. We must

you that will bring about the change

be fearless to make the best choices for

the world needs to survive. Let your

the future, to stand up to hatred, and to

fearlessness guide your choices.

rid ourselves of outmoded biases and institutions that no longer serve our growth.

When time and energy are at a premium, they must not be squandered on anything other than what really matters. The time has arrived for each of us to set aside our foolish and petty grievances and allow our false illusions to fall apart so that something new can emerge and grow. All the disasters on this planet are arising simultaneously

Karen Wyatt, MD, is a family physician who has spent much of her 25-year career as a hospice medical director, caring for dying patients in their homes. The author of 7 Lessons for Living f rom the Dying: How to Nurture What Really Matters and The Tao of Death, Dr. Wyatt has lectured and written extensively on endof-life issues with an emphasis on the spiritual aspect of illness and dying. www.karenwyattmd.com

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

Personal Growth & Development

We grow as individuals as we face challenges and overcome life’s obstacles. This section is dedicated to helping you chart your course

10 Life Hacks For the “New Normal” in the Pandemic

By Marcia Sirota, MD.

W

e’re all feeling

meaningful adjustments to the way

stressed, scared,

we think and the way we do things.

and lonely these days. Still, the one

advantage of all the quiet time at

Here are 10 more essential life hacks to adopt in the pandemic:

home is that we have an amazing opportunity to reflect on ourselves and our lives and make some

1. Never be afraid to assert your needs, feelings, or limits. When expressing

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

yourself, be brief and be clear. In

taught to you by selfish, uncaring

this way, you can be sure that if they

people who want to control you

refuse to respect what you’re saying,

so that you do what they want. If

it’s not because you didn’t say it

you’re consumed by guilt, it could

clearly, but rather because they

be that you’ve been successfully

aren’t interested in accommodating

manipulated by someone else.

your feelings or your needs. And by the way, asking for help is not a sign

5. You don’t owe your parents

of weakness; it’s a sign that you’re a

anything. They chose to have you,

normal human being.

and how they treated you will be the deciding factor in your feelings

2. You are responsible for your own

about them and the nature of

happiness and fulfillment. If you’re

your relationship with them. For

lonely, reach out to people. If

that matter, you don’t owe anyone

you’re bored, start a project. If your

anything other than basic courtesy

life feels empty, do good things

and respect. If they’re abusive, you

for others. Stop blaming your

don’t even owe them that.

situation or other people for your unhappiness. You have the power to

6. Intimacy is not a license for

create a better life for yourself right

abuse. Just because someone

now.

is a romantic partner or a family member, it doesn’t give them the

3. Forgive sometimes, let go always.

right to hurt you. No-one is allowed

You don’t have to forgive other

to behave hurtfully toward you,

people for what they did, but you

regardless of the nature of your

always need to let go. Forgiveness

relationship.

is something that should be earned by the person who wronged you,

7. Face the truth about your abuser.

but you can ever let go of your pain

People get killed by their partner

and anger so that they don’t get to

or ex-partner because they’re in

keep hurting you.

denial about this person’s capacity for harm. It might be upsetting

4. Guilt is a manufactured emotion. It’s not something you’re born with. It’s

to acknowledge how dangerous the person you love(d) might be,

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

but it could save your life. Never

refuse to deal with something you

underestimate an abusive person’s

never solve your problems, and you

capacity for violent behavior.

never get the opportunity to build your confidence by doing, learning

8. Your dysfunctional defense

and accomplishing things, and

mechanisms will always backfire.

d) Rigidity, because holding on to

a) Denial, because if you refuse

counter-productive expectations,

to see something, you’re never

beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors

empowered to deal with it; b)

will keep you stuck in your life and

Magical Thinking, because when

perpetuate your suffering.

you choose to believe that things are the way you wish they were,

9. Self-love is not egoism, and

as opposed to facing the truth

self-care is not selfish. You are

about how they actually are, you

absolutely entitled to both. In fact,

end up making terrible decisions;

it’s your sacred duty to yourself. The

c) Avoidance, because when you

narcissists in your life, however, will

OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

gaslight you to stop you from loving

are. If they make excuses for why

and caring for yourself.

they “can’t” give you what you need, they’ve just shown you exactly

10. A healthy confrontation is a good

who they are. Anything other than

thing. It allows you to see how

respecting your limits and meeting

reasonable, respectful and caring

your needs is evidence that this

the other person is. If you politely

person is not someone who you

tell them that you’re unhappy with

should be associating with.

something they did or said, and/or if you ask them to do something for

Sign up here for my free monthly

you, the way they respond will tell

wellness newsletter. I’m continuing

you everything you need to know

my special series on Coping with

about them. If they get defensive,

COVID.

deny their actions, minimize your

And tune in to my new YouTube

feelings, or call you names, they’ve

video series on Coping With COVID.

just shown you exactly who they OM TIMES | August B Edition 2020

Books

Expand the Power of Your Subconscious Mind and open the doorway to a life of endless possibilities Expand the Power of Your Subconscious Mind combines the teachings of New Thought Leader Dr. Joseph Murphy with illustrative commentary from Executive Coach and Consultant C. James Jensen. This motivational and in-depth title provides readers with the principles and techniques toward a deeper understanding of the relationship between the conscious and subconscious—welcoming opportunities for success and enrichment.

For more information, or to purchase the cards, click the cover or visit:

BeyondWord.com

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