OMTimes Magazine October A 2020 Edition

November A Issue

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CONTENTS HEALTH & HEALING 36

86

FOOD AS MEDICINE

SPIRITUALITY 46

HOW TO TELL IF YOU'RE USING YOUR INNATE PSYCHIC ABILITY

52

CAN A SPIRITUAL COUNSELOR HELP?

Turiya

OMLIVING 60

THE RICOCHET EFFECT

70

THE 30 SECOND CHANGE

+

CONTEMPLATING TRIKAYA BUDDHISM INTERVIEW

BY LIANE BUCK

ANIMAL SPIRITUALITY 74

Cover Courtesy of Photo

by Melinda Humphries

CAN ANIMALS ALSO BE SPIRITUAL GUARDIANS?

METAPHYSICS 80

IS 2020 A COLLECTIVE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL?

PERSONAL GROWTH 92

BEGINNING WITH KINDNESS

98

LIVING FROM THE INSIDE OUT

BOOKS 112

FALLING OPEN IN A WORLD FALLING APART

114

MEMOIRS, PERSONAL JOURNALS, AND THE HISTORY OF MENTALITIES

WORLD VISION 104

SPOTLIGHT

SOCIAL DILEMMA AND VULNERABILITY

WWW.OMTIMES.COM

October 2020 Issue A

what's inside this issue

36

46

60

80

92

104

Is 2020 A Collective Dark Night of the Soul?

Beginning With Kindness

Social Dilemma and Vulnerability

Food as Medicine

How to Tell If You're Using Your Innate Psychic Ability

74

The Ricochet Effect Can Animals Also Be Spiritual Guardians?

114

Memoirs, Personal Journals, and the History of Mentalities

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PERSONAL GROWTH

90 METAPHYSICS SPIRITUALITY

OMLIVING

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& A more Spiritually Conscious Life Editor in Chief Publisher Managing Editor Article Layout & Cover Greek Edition: Social Media: Cartoons: Images:

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Writers Columnists

Robyn M Fritz

Greer Jonas

John Holland

Turiya

Gail Serna

Judi Lynch

Liane Buck

Kathy Biehl

Lisa Shaw

Rene Wadlow Rene Wadlow

Claire B. Willis,.

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TURIYA: AWAKENING TO JOY Turīya, a Buddhist monk of the Rama Lineage, began teaching meditation in 1994. After the passing of her teacher, she opened Dharma Center in San Diego to share the power and freedom she had found on her path. Through her books, blog and classes based on the system of Trikaya Buddhism she developed, Turīya opens the door beyond suffering and reveals the Unreasonable Joy of our true nature

OMTIMES •

OMTimes: It is an honor and pleasure to have you with us. Can you tell us how you started on the Buddhist Path? Was it a specific situation?

Turiya: When I was a child, I discovered sitting in silence felt good. Sitting alone was especially helpful in high school when the emotions are turbulent. Still, I had no name for it or even a solid technique. I would simply sit, sometimes with music and sometimes in silence, and let my mind relax. By then, I began searching for a spiritual path, but in a small New England town in the 1980s, my resources were limited. When I moved to San Francisco for college, a giant world of spirituality opened up. I searched, but nothing powerfully spoke to me, and I finally gave up. Then a college friend brought me to meet her teacher, Rama, and he shared a pathway to Enlightenment that was accessible. Although I learned about Buddhism in college, it was Rama who taught me the essence of Buddhism. I wrote about my encounters with him in my first book, Worlds of Power, Worlds of Light: Meeting an American Buddha.

OMTimes: How practical is it to integrate a stable Spiritual life into an ordinary day by day work routine? Do you have a set of selfdisciplines or steps that might help with this Intention?

Turiya: There comes a time when we decide we have suffered enough. That’s when our spiritual life really begins. Once we’ve made this determination, making a commitment to practice is a no-brainer. So to integrate your spiritual life with your ordinary life, begin with motivation. Ask yourself what you hope to achieve by devoting hours to Meditation and attention to understanding how your mind works. Right now, you might not be interested in Enlightenment; perhaps you simply want more clarity and balance so you can be more present in your relationships or so you can be more effective at your job.

Unreasonable

JOY To insist on a spiritual practice that served you in the past is to carry the raft on your back after you have crossed the river.

Gautama Buddha

OMTIMES.COM

Start every meditation session with a reminder of your motivation and then carry that motivation throughout the day as you practice mindfulness.

The daily seated Meditation is what allows us to practice mindfulness in the middle of our activities. To build a seated meditation practice, I often suggest students pair it with an activity they already do every day, like brushing their teeth. My favorite time to meditate is when I first get up, right after I feed the cats.

OMTimes: Would you say that Meditation is a common ground to all the Spiritual and Mystical Practices?

Turiya: Yes, from what I’ve explored, Meditation is a core practice in all spiritual traditions.

Each one has its own method of silencing the mind, and in some religions, this knowledge seems to have been lost. But if we look past the words, the concept of Meditation is there.

It’s when we stop our thoughts that we can see past our storylines and discover what is really here.

OMTimes: What is your formula for a Human Being (a Seeker) to develop a heart with no Judgement?

Turiya: The Path of Trikaya Buddhism I teach is very simple: pay attention. We always begin with ourselves.

We ask: “What am I thinking?” “What am I feeling?” By paying attention to what is happening within our own being, we can act on the awareness gained.

We naturally stop doing the things that hurt us and cause suffering, and we also become aware when we are caught in our habits and cannot stop. During this process, self-acceptance grows. Once we accept ourselves, with all our flaws and hang-ups, we become less judgmental. We waste less time and energy on beating ourselves up and put more effort into overcoming the habits that create suffering. When we have a clear view of what we struggle within our own mind, we become more understanding and less judgmental of others. We recognize how, when others act out of fear or anger or hate, it’s because of the mind state they are trapped in. We can relate because we know what it’s like to be trapped.

OMTimes: The Zen Concept of Bearing Witness embraces joy and sorrow; it is to be one with the suffering we may encounter without Judgement.

In doing such, we actively contribute to the healing of the situation inside of oneself.

How does one conciliate action and nonaction in the Practice to Bear Witness?

How can Meditation enhance this approach?

Turiya: Becoming the Witness is a natural step on the Path. When we first learn Meditation, we’re really learning how to concentrate. Once we can concentrate on one point, our awareness opens up. We find ourselves in a state of watching. A sense of detachment grows as we see how different thoughts arise and fall away.

As we carry this Witness consciousness into the World, we see how everything we experience appears and falls away. It’s like standing in the center of a hurricane, where the wind is completely calm, yet everything is swirling around us. When a situation triggers an attachment, we can watch the mind go through its mental gymnastics to create a story in which we are the hero or the victim. If we identify with the story, we fall back into the hurricane and start spinning. If we remain as the Witness, we can see what needs to be done, and we will see the opening to do it.

We simply find ourselves acting.

OMTimes |October A Edition

OMTimes |October A Edition

An important distinction I want to make is being the Witness does not mean we go into denial. Some people touch upon the point of being centered.

They strive for detachment, but what they are really doing is bypassing their own emotional and mental responses to a situation. They get frozen in place, and instead of working with the situation, there’s a shutting down that happens. Detachment grows at its own pace in the silence of Meditation and cannot be rushed.

As the Witness, we are fully aware of everything as it plays out within us. It can be painful as our attachments reveal themselves. We see what they cost us in terms of our relationships, our joy, and our peace of mind. We confront our present, and through it, we see our past and our potential future.

A lot of fear typically comes up. But if we can stay the course, and keep paying attention through it all, then we eventually move beyond all sense of self, including the witness self.

OMTimes: Giving sequence to the last question; do you believe that the practice to “Bear Witness” is part of our “Spiritual Responsibility” as Humans Beings; and does it present elements of Spiritual Activism, in your opinion?

Turiya: “Spiritual Responsibility” sounds like a good way for the ego to co-opt the spiritual development process! When it comes to social activism, spiritual seekers need to be very careful. There is a tremendous draw to turn the attention outward and change the world to suit our temperament. This is what humans do, right? We encounter an environment, and we try to force it into an image of how we think it should be. If we follow the process to its end, and everything is how we want it, we discover there is still suffering. We know our body and all the work we have done will be washed away by time. What I teach, and what the Buddha taught, is not to get caught up in trying to change the world to fit our story of how we think it should be.

OMTimes |October A Edition

If we follow our spiritual Path and work our practice, we release the attachments causing strife and misery. Our awareness grows, and we act from our true nature, which is gentle, peaceful, and joyous. Everything we do is imbued with those qualities. In a natural and unforced way, our world changes in a beautiful way to reflect that.

As we live and work in the World, we can use the abrasiveness of it to sand down our ego and attachments. An example I give my students when teaching them about lovingkindness is holding the door for a stranger at the store. Kindness would be to hold the door and mentally grumble about how long it takes them to walk through. Loving-kindness is to hold the door patiently, giving your time and effort consciously to be of service to this person. When acting in this way, we become an example of what is possible through spiritual practice. And perhaps that will inspire someone to begin their own practice. If we are called to social activism, and some of my students are, then it’s important to allow that sense of service arise from our personal spiritual practice.

OMTimes: What would be the relation between the Buddhist (spiritual) Practice of the Heart and the World at large?

Turiya: In Trikaya Buddhism, we recognize that samsara is nirvana, and nirvana is samsara. That is, Enlightenment is everywhere, and in everything, it is everything. Many people separate their spiritual practice from their regular life. They meditate, and then their practice is done, and they go on with their life. There’s a disconnect between sadhana (spiritual practice) and earning a living or playing with friends. They miss that the World at large, or Life, is our greatest teacher.

As Buddhists, we embrace the opportunity to learn at every moment. We consciously want to be shown our attachments because then we can let go of them.

OMTimes: How can one develop a practice to become resilient and fearless living in such a convoluted world?

Turiya: The most powerful practice is gratitude. As a mindfulness practice, we can train our minds to return to a state of gratitude throughout the day. When we encounter the horrific things of the World, we see what it can teach us about ourselves. We feel gratitude for the opportunity to learn about our attachments and develop compassion. It’s also helpful to understand how precious our human life is. There are countless worlds, and not all of them offer the opportunity to Awaken. Here, as humans, we have access to the teachings, and we have the chance to practice. If we take time to really contemplate this, a deep sense of humility grows. We can use even the fear we feel as motivation to practice. And when we get knocked down, realizing how fortunate we give us the energy to get back up.

OMTimes: In the pursuit of self-knowledge and self-realization, people sometimes shed layers of the old ‘self.’ After your Personal experiences and Initiations in the pursuit of a spiritual path, did you ever feel the need to reinvent yourself?

Turiya: A big part of the practice of Trikaya Buddhism is recognizing the self is not solid.

Our “self” shifts with every interaction in minor ways. Think about who you are with your parents or kids, and then who you are at work or at a doctor’s appointment – there’s a different self at play in each of these situations.

When we have a spiritual experience, whether spontaneously during Meditation or by going to a place of power intentionally, the self changes in more profound ways.

OMTimes |October A Edition

The fears and attachments that shaped us fall away, and suddenly we view ourselves and the World in a whole new way.

In my experience, I haven’t felt the need to reinvent myself, yet I have certainly been reinvented many many times! We go through this process, allowing these various selves to transform until there’s no one left. So now I’m back at the beginning, learning how to operate as no one in this World that demands you to be someone.

OMTimes: Do you hold a Mystical / Cultural Vision for our World?

What would you like to see manifested in our collective reality now?

Turiya: Back in 1998, when I opened Dharma Center in San Diego, very few people knew what Meditation was. When I invited people to sit with us, they would assume we taught hatha yoga. When I would say, “No, it’s Buddhist meditation; we sit,” they would get a funny look on their face.

Twenty-something years later, Meditation is no longer a weird thing.

People are actively seeking instruction because they know it can help make their lives better. So the World I wish to see manifested is already starting to happen.

We each live in our own private worlds; the one I live in is filled with abundance, beauty, and joy. The universe supports me in everything I do, even when things do not go as planned. I would like more people to know the Unreasonable Joy that exists within them. I’d like to invite them into my World and make it possible for them to bring a bit of magic back into theirs.

Let’s talk about your bookshelves: OMTimes: Tell us a book that you are currently reading.

Turiya: I assigned Wholehearted by Koshin Paley Ellison to my students, so I’m re-reading it now. I love how he teaches from a grounded, real-world place by sharing his experiences.

OMTimes: Do you have a book that changed your life? If so, how and which one?

Turiya: There are so many; it’s hard to pick one! I would have to say Tales of Power by Carlos Castaneda. A friend gave me that book when I was 18, and as soon as I finished it, I knew I wanted to meet a teacher like don Juan. Fortunately, I did!

OMTimes: A Book you wish you had written.

Turiya: Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach – the imagery is beautiful. It packs so much transformation in such a concise format…it’s truly inspirational.

OMTimes: A Book that made you cry.

Turiya: The first time I read the Gospel of Ramakrishna – the short 1947 edition – I cried tears of ecstasy when I met Ramakrishna through those pages. Many years later, I cried tears of sorrow when I read Blood Dazzler by Patricia Smith. Her poems captured the horror and devastation of Hurricane Katrina with such fierceness it made me feel as if I was witnessing the storm in an intensely visceral way.

OMTimes: A Book that made you laugh.

Turiya: Most people don’t laugh when reading spiritual books, but The Holy Teachings of Vimalakīrti had me cracking up. There’s a section where the Bodhisattvas are making excuses to Buddha about why they don’t want to go visit Vimalakīrti on his sickbed through the pain of having our own misunderstandings picked apart. .

OMTimes: A Book you never finished.

Turiya: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and Mark Bryan is still sitting on my shelf after 20 years. The writing prompts are wonderful, and I wanted to finish the homework before going to the next chapter. That experience is why I put a note in the introduction of Unreasonable Joy to encourage people not to get stuck on the Practice Pointers. I felt like I needed to give them permission to skip over the exercises if they want to!

OMTimes: A Book that you usually gift people, and why?

Turiya: At Dharma Center, we give away a handful of books by my teacher, but the one we keep running out of is Surfing the Himalayas by Frederick Lenz. It’s this fun adventure about a guy who goes snowboarding in Nepal and runs into a Buddhist monk. Rama (Frederick Lenz) was able to pack in so many high-level teachings into this simple story. It encompasses much of the Path, but he does it in such a way that it’s easy to miss because you think you’re reading about snowboarding. .

Health & Wellness

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

The Food as Medicine

by Darshan Goswami

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

F

ood is nature's powerful

hormone-balancing compounds

medicine for the body to fight

that help prevent disease and

diseases, inflammation, and

create optimal health. In fact,

much more.

studies demonstrate that people whose diets are rich in polyphenol

Using food as medicine is not a new

antioxidants have lower rates of

concept. During the 4th century

depression, diabetes, dementia,

B.C., the ancient Greek physician

and heart disease.[4] Eating a diet

Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine,

rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole

said, "Let food be thy medicine and

grains is suitable for both the mind

medicine be thy food."

and body. Scientific evidence suggests that a plant-based diet may

Many systems of healing, such as

reverse coronary artery disease, help

Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese

eliminate type 2 diabetes, and reduce

Medicine, have taught for thousands

the risk of cancers. Whole, nutritious

of years that food is medicine and that

foods provide vital nutrients, vitamins,

a healthy diet is a powerful tool for

minerals, antioxidants, fiber, protein,

protecting one's health.[1] What we

potassium, and fat. These are all keys

choose to eat has profound effects on

to optimal bodily function and keep

our overall health.

the immune system healthy.

A healing diet, filled with medicinal

How Food Works Like Medicine

foods, can be a source of particular nutrients that have the power to prevent and reverse disease, to bolster

The foods we regularly eat help

our immune systems, to increase

determine whether or not we will

longevity, and improve the overall

become ill or remain healthy into

quality of life naturally.

older age. Scientific and medical research has shown that leafy greens

Scientists are rapidly discovering new

contain antioxidants that protect

molecules, such as phytonutrients,

brain cells and prevent cognitive

which help our bodies function

decline. Foods containing omega-3

better. They are anti-inflammatory,

fatty acids are associated with

detoxifying, antioxidant-rich, and

improved concentration and mental

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

alertness. A growing number of

Ornish, at the University of California,

physicians are "prescribing" a plant-

San Francisco.

based diet to prevent and treat chronic Under his plan, people who had heart

diseases.

diseases switched to a low-fat diet, In 2010, Medicare reimbursed the first

exercise regularly, stopped smoking,

lifestyle-based program for treating

lowered their stress levels with

heart disease, based on decades of

meditation, and strengthened their

research by a cardiologist, Dr. Dean

social connections.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

In a series of studies, Dr. Ornish

calcium, minerals, and helps

found that most followers reduced

diabetic patients reduce sugar.

their blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and also reversed

Ginger: Reduces nausea, digestion,

some of the blockages in their

inflammation, fever, and excessive

coronary arteries.[3]

sweat; improves blood flow.

Some of the ways medicinal

Turmeric: Powerful medicinal

foods act as natural protectors

spice that helps reduce

include decreasing and controlling

inflammation and decreases the

inflammation, balancing hormones,

risk of Alzheimer's disease.

alkalizing the body, balancing blood glucose, eliminating toxins, and

Cinnamon: Reduces risk factors

improving the absorption of nutrients.

for heart disease, such as high

Particular medicinal benefits are

cholesterol and triglycerides, and

associated with berries, cruciferous

helps lower blood pressure and

vegetables, fatty fish, mushrooms,

blood sugar.

spices, green tea, nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, honey, seaweed,

Cloves: Rich in antioxidants to

and fermented foods.[2] The following

protect organs from the effects of

list shows a few medicinal foods

free radicals, especially the liver,

that are linked to incredibly healing

and can eliminate toothaches.

properties in Ayurveda:[5] Legumes: Good source of Garlic: Effectively fights off all sorts

antioxidants.

of bacterial and viral infections.

Raw nuts, seeds, oils: Full of Cardamom: Improves blood

nutrients, antioxidants, and help

circulation, prevents colorectal

promote a healthy cardiovascular

cancer and cures respiratory

system.

diseases.

Honey: An excellent alternative to Fenugreek Seeds: Rich source

sugar that boosts immunity and

of protein, vitamins A & C, iron,

increases energy.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

Food is nature's most powerful

of Renewable Energy from the

preventive medicine. It contains many

United States Department of

compounds that nourish, balance,

Agriculture (USDA) in Washington,

and support immune function,

DC. Mr. Goswami is a registered

thereby increasing our body's built-

Professional Engineer (PE) with

in resistance to disease. One of the

a passion and commitment to

most important things we can do for

promote, develop, and deploy

our health is to eat wisely and give

Renewable Energy and the

our bodies the nutrients it needs to

Hydrogen Economy. In dedication

heal. A healthy lifestyle with good

to his life, serving humanity and

nutrition plays a crucial role in reversing

poor people, the author supports

diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart

the India Foundation for Children

disease, and other ailments. A healthy

Education and Care, Inc.

diet can also increase longevity and

(www.ifcare.org).

improve the overall quality of life.

However, keep in mind that genetics,

References:

stress, environment, age, infections,

[1]

occupational hazards, and lifestyle

Medicinal Foods, Science & History, By

choices — such as lack of exercise,

Jillian Levy, CHHC

smoking, and alcohol use — also play

[2]

important roles in health and well-

medicinal properties

being. While food alone cannot replace

[3]

medical treatment, a healthy diet is a

Medicine of All - Time

foundation for good health, quality of

[4]

life, and disease prevention.

Need to Know, Healthline.

[5]

Darshan Goswami has more than 40 years of experience in the energy field. He worked as a Project Manager for Renewable Energy, Micro-grid, and Smart Grid projects at the United States Department of Energy (DOE) in Pittsburgh.

Earlier, he retired as Chief (Head)

Food Is Medicine: The Diet of

Food Is Medicine. Foods that have Why Food Could Be the Best Can Food Act as Medicine? All You 5 Ways to Use Food as Medicine

Disclaimer: This article is intended for the author's joy in the subject and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.

OM TIMES | October A 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.

How to Tell If You're Using Your Innate Psychic Ability

By John Holland

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

D

id you know that you

moments and answer the following 6

were born psychic? It's

questions:

true. In fact, we were all born psychic. Some

1. Have you ever thought of someone

people have more extrasensory

out of the blue, only to run into that

abilities than others, yet we all

person later in the day?

possess this innate natural power.

2. Can you feel people's moods even You don't have to be a transcended

before you meet them?

master or meditation guru or a TV celebrity. Being psychic isn't about

3. Did you ever have a hunch that you

fortune-telling, crystal balls, or

didn't follow and later regretted it

predicting the future. It isn't just

because it was correct?

something we possess—it's more a 4. Have you ever known the outcome

way of being.

of a situation or an event before it Let me tell you a little about what

happens?

the word psychic means. Put simply, it comes from the Greek word

5. Can you walk into a room and

psychikos that means "of the soul."

instantly tell what the atmosphere

By definition, this means that as

is like?

spiritual beings, we're able to access, receive, and transmit information

6. Do coincidences and

that reaches beyond our natural five

synchronicities keep occurring in

senses.

your life?

We're all equipped with a complex

If you answered yes to any of these

and highly tuned inner guidance

questions, you are opening your

system, which we can regularly tap

awareness of your natural abilities.

into, using our intuitive and psychic

It's important to realize that these are

abilities. Believe it or not, you use

just a few examples of what being

these special psychic abilities all

intuitive or psychic is all about. It's

the time. You're probably not even

a sense of inner awareness. Being

aware that you're doing it. Take a few

psychic is quite natural and can be an

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

excellent resource for helping you in

strengthening your psychic ability.

this lifetime.

Have faith in yourself that you're entitled to live psychically so that

I'm frequently asked, "Why would

you can see yourself and the

I want to develop my psychic

world in a way you never thought

ability?" I usually respond by

possible.

asking: Do you want to improve your relationships? Heighten

I'd love to hear how you got on

your creative ability? Help make

answering the questions. Do share

the most of your career? Receive

your results on my Facebook

guidance on important decisions?

page, so others can try it as well.

Be connected to your loved ones

Equally, if you want to share this

who have passed on? Feel more

newsletter with anyone you think

connected to nature and the

may appreciate opening their

Universe?

awareness to their own natural abilities, feel free to share these

You can benefit from all of

Soul Inspirations or recommend

these and more by using and

they join my newsletter list.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

What is a Spiritual Counselor?

How Can A Spiritual Counselor Help?

by Gail Serna OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

C

athy was miserable after she

stopped judging the situation and dealt

broke up with her boyfriend

with her feelings.

of 11 years. Her thoughts were almost unbearable

We rarely understand why we have

as she tried to process the loss of her

experiences that are upsetting, but they

relationship and what it meant to

are important for a person’s growth.

her. A good friend referred her to a

The Spiritual Counselor helped Cathy

Spiritual Counselor. Cathy wondered

cut cords, reframe beliefs, identify

what a Spiritual Counselor did. Her

destructive behavior (including core

friend explained they are not a licensed

attitudes about men), worked on

psychologist but can assist a person

monitoring her thoughts, and taught

in understanding patterns that are

her forgiveness exercises.

unhealthy and identify the source.

Spiritual Counselor’s, in most cases,

What are Cords?

relieve suffering once the client has dealt with the PTSD issues that resulted

Imagine that Cathy’s issues formed early

from trauma.

in her life, and these issues represented tree roots or cords. Figuratively speaking,

Range of Emotions

they were thick and attached to her energy body or aura. Cathy developed

As an active participant in the

her ability to change focus and work

metaphysical community, Cathy

with the Divine Creator. She visualized

misunderstood a basic principle. She

the cords going into the light for healing,

thought that it is not acceptable to

leaving only threads of love. Cathy knew

feel the range of one’s emotions.

she was on her path after the narrative

Since she assumed that positivity

she played over in her mind lessened.

is a state of mind, Cathy believed a

Since she witnessed her Mom and dad’s

person’s thoughts attract specific

bitter divorce, Cathy used her empathic

outcomes. What she learned is while

sensitivities to cope with the negative

ideas transmit energy, they should not

energy.

replace the ability to allow for a range of emotions and experiences in life. Even

During her most formative years,

though Cathy’s heart was aching, she

Cathy’s relationship with her dad was

allowed it, and the healing began. She

tense, and he was not the role model

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

she required. She adapted similar

where she felt safe. She had her

issues towards men, just like her Mom.

angels surrounding her, and in an

Positive affirmations and monitoring

altered awareness, she could talk

her thoughts supported Cathy’s quest

directly to his subconscious. The silent

to take on a new outlook towards men.

conversation was very reassuring.

Forgiveness Exercises

Even though he was not right in front of her, it felt like she had a telepathic connection with him. In her mind, this

Since Cathy never got the chance

was very real.

to tell her boyfriend how horribly he treated her. At the same time, they

Her goal was to attract a man who

were a couple, the Counselor took

would support, nurture, and love her

her on a series of guided meditations

for who she was. As Cathy changed

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

her perspective, she uncovered many

Gail Serna is an Intuitive Reader,

limiting thoughts, attitudes, core

a Psychic Medium, a Spiritual

beliefs, and reframed them. Cathy

Counselor, a Reiki Practitioner, and

began to make sound decisions by

a channel for Divine energy. She

using her intuition. Experiencing the

empowers people to make sound

full range of feelings and emotions in

decisions, helping them to gain

her life and working with a Spiritual

clarity, peace of mind, and to reach

Counselor is how Cathy gained clarity

their highest potential. Connect

and chose the correct path for herself.

with Gail directly.

These experiences brought Cathy to seek help, learn to use her intuition,

www.soulscollective.com

make sound decisions, and ensure

www.facebook.com/

more joy in her daily life.

PsychicMediumGailSerna OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

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OM Living For those living a more Conscious Lifestyle

The Ricochet Effect Raj, Susan, and Conor

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

R

aj was in one of my one-

His face crumpled, and tears

off groups in the beautiful

appeared in his eyes.

holiday destination of Atsitsa in Greece. He'd

been married for ten years, and as

"What would you like f rom the group?" I asked him.

his wife approached the menopause, their relationship changed. Her sex

He looked around and engaged with

drive was less, but his stayed the

others in a way I'd never

same. He found the withdrawal of

seen him do before. He made

the sexual connection difficult and

genuine eye contact with people

painful. They had sex from time to

in the circle and held it receptively.

time, which alleviated his frustration

He allowed the others to see him

briefly and drew the sting out of the

in a place of vulnerability – which

situation. It feels like a mercy fuck

normally only his wife would have

when they do it, I thought to myself.

access to.

Raj and his wife shared their lives

"I’d really love it if someone would

and the care of their children

touch my face. I don’t mind who.

amicably. He was relentlessly

Anyone who wants to,” he said

positive and rarely showed any chink

spontaneously.

of vulnerability. He appeared almost aloof and demonstrated a practiced

It was a difficult and emotionally raw

amiability. He spent hours in the

ask. But three people stood up, sat

gym and had his own import/export

down next to him in the center of the

business, which he ran from home.

circle, and gently stroked his face.

However, without touch in their

It was a tender moment, appearing

relationship, there was a huge gap

seemingly f rom nowhere.

for Raj. After some time, a soft crying "It's not the sex. I can deal with that.

emerged f rom the other side of the

It's the emotional connection from

circle. Susan, a gentle Irish woman,

the skin on skin – the lack of it drives

was sobbing. Raj basked in touch for

me mad. It's so painful. It's like the

a couple more minutes against the

intimacy has been sucked away."

backdrop of Susan’s sobs. When I

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

sensed Raj felt content, I turned my

“Three years later, Conor started

attention toward Susan, who was

getting pains in his stomach and

being comforted by the person next

went to his doctor, who assured him

to her.

there was no serious problem and diagnosed acid reflux. This didn’t

“Would you like to share what’s going

feel right, and despite having a chest

on?” I asked her.

X-ray which showed us that it wasn’t lung cancer, it took two years before

The words tumbled out of her.

his doctor X-rayed his stomach and found massive cancer there. I was

“Five years ago, I met the love of

furious because it had been obvious

my life in the gym. His name was

that the problem was in his stomach

Conor. I know this sounds really

and that it took so long for them to

corny, but at that moment, when our

finally investigate it. Conor knew he

eyes met, we fell in love in a way I’d

was going to die, and he lost weight

never experienced before. That love

quickly.

continued for the whole five years I was with him.

“I’d go to bed praying, ‘Take me rather than him, for his children’s

“He was an IRONMAN triathlete, had

sake,’” said Susan.

two kids f rom a previous marriage, and I saw such a beautiful soul inside

From the October cancer diagnosis

this powerful muscular body. He later

until the following April, when he died,

told me that when he met me, he

his body was in agony. Susan never

saw the light shining from the top of

flinched from being by his side, and

my head. We were inseparable from

she found that stroking his face was

that moment and moved in together

a joy for both of them. Every time she

a few months later. It was the purest

touched him, he would smile at her

love I’ve ever felt.”

through his pain and say, “I love you.”

This, to me, was a rarity, where falling

For the last month of his life, he was

in love seamlessly morphed into the

in a hospice that overlooked the

art of loving. The group’s attention

Slieve Gullion mountains and the

was rapt.

Quays shopping mall, where Susan OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

had watched Conor perform his first

my soul and it felt so safe to express

IRONMAN triathlon. The nurses had

my heart.”

put a fold-down bed next to Conor’s so they could sleep facing each other

As Susan observed Raj surrendering

at night. They spent time listening

to the touch of those who supported

to songs and selecting which ones

him, she was thrown into the memory

would be played at his funeral. One

of her own story. It was a powerful

day, he’d just chosen the sixth and

ricochet she wasn’t expecting, and

final song, a Celtic football anthem –

it released a depth of feeling that

“Over & Over/ Celtic Song” (Conor was

she’d been unable to access since

a Celtic fan) – and as they listened,

Conor’s death. As others in the group

she felt him dying. As he took his last

witnessed the purity of Susan’s love

breath, she slid her hand under his

and loss, they too were ricocheted

head and whispered in his ear.

into their own loves and losses. The Ricochet Effect is usually unexpected –

“Conor, the windows are open, the

as we all experienced that day.

mountains are outside, fly out of your body and meet me on the other side.”

“Excerpt from Slay Your Dragons With Compassion by Malcolm

Then, another ricochet reverberated

Stern”. Malcolm Stern has

around the group, and, one by one,

worked as a group and individual

four of us shared a story about the

psychotherapist for nearly 30 years.

loss of a loved one. I shared Melissa’s

He is co-founder and co-director of

story, with tears pouring down my

Alternatives at St James’s Church,

face. The entire group was powerfully

London's most influential spiritual

present, a response to the clarity

events platform, since 1982. Stern

and dignity of this grief, and the

also teaches and runs groups

atmosphere in the room was calm,

internationally. His first book

tender, and electric. Susan turned to

Falling in Love, Staying in Love

me at the end of the session.

was published in 2004. Malcolm also co-presented with Vanessa

“Thank you. I feel so much lighter. I

Lloyd Platt, the Channel 4 series on

never dreamed I’d be able to share

relationships Made for Each Other

this here. You created a space to heal

in 2003 and 2004.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

The 30 Seconds Change By Turīya In this excerpt from her book

Change will help you refocus and

Unreasonable Joy: Awakening

accomplish more…

Through Trikaya Buddhism, author Turīya writes about her ‘power-up’ exercise the 30 Seconds Change– it is an original tool changing the energy when you’re feeling drained and overwhelmed. The 30 Seconds

D

uring an NHL hockey game, the average ice time for a player per shift is 30 seconds. When a player

hits the ice, he gives all of his strength

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

and his full focus, because, in 30

at 67,000 mph, it often feels like we

seconds, multiple goals can be scored,

don’t have time to do anything. We

and games can be won or lost. Then

attempt to multitask, but what really

he sits for a few minutes and gets up

happens is we rush through our to-

to do it again.

do list without focusing on any one task. Then we have to fix the mistakes

While most of us won’t be strapping

caused by our lack of attention.

on a pair of ice skates anytime soon, we can power up our lives with a

What we don’t realize in our mission

30-second change. If we give our

to get it all done fast is that we are

full attention, we have the ability to

more efficient when we do one

accomplish a multitude of tasks in 30

task at a time. Even a computer’s

seconds.

CPU, which gives the illusion of multitasking, really does only one

Here are 9 things that can be done

function at a time; it just does it

in 30 seconds:

very quickly and switches between programs seamlessly.

• Walk around the room to get your The next time you feel frazzled and

blood flowing • Catch your breath after vigorous exercise by breathing deeply

moving in great haste, stop for 30 seconds. Time yourself, because 30

• File the papers on your desk

seconds is much longer than you may

• Stretch your neck, shoulders and

think. Take deep breaths and allow yourself to feel the air fill and empty

touch your toes • Write a short email

from your lungs. Focus on all the little

• Tell a joke and laugh

things bringing you joy in this present

• Create clarity so you can see your

moment. Give thanks for all you have right now. This allows us to find the

next step • Center your awareness in gratitude

calm center in the middle of the

• Meditate and dissolve in Samadhi

storm of life.

In our fast-paced world, on a planet

After 30 seconds, look at your to-do

that’s literally rotating at 1000 miles

list and pick one task. (Don’t have a

per hour and traveling around the sun

to-do list written down? Make that

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

your first task.) Like a hockey player,

messages your full attention. Then

give that activity your full focus and

switch to the next item on the list,

strength for 30 seconds. You might be

again giving your entire focus to

surprised how, after 30 seconds, you

whatever you need to do.

can keep going. Maintain this same intensity of focus for 10 minutes and

When you get lost in the hustle, and

notice how much you get done.

your focus begins to waver, stop for 30 seconds to make a change by

Perhaps after 10 or 15 minutes, you’ll

resting in your center.

need to check your messages or email. Give the task of checking

Practice Pointer

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

What can you accomplish in

and helped people discover the

30-seconds bursts?

unreasonable joy of our true nature.

Her new book Unreasonable

TurÄŤya is a Buddhist monk, teacher,

Joy: Awakening through Trikaya

and author who, despite living with

Buddhism (Electric Bliss), is

chronic pain, founded the Dharma

published in October.

Center of Trikaya Buddhism in San Diego in 1998 to share her

Unreasonable Joy: Awakening

path. For over 25 years, she has

through Trikaya Buddhism by

taught thousands of students

TurÄŤya. Printed with permission

how to meditate, trained teachers,

from the publisher at Electric Bliss.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

Can Animals also be Spiritual Guardians?

By Ministry Earth

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

M

any people don't

that we should seek the best version

understand what

of ourselves whenever possible.

animals, such as cats and dogs, may mean

In every man and in every animal,

in someone's life, and the role they

however weak or wicked, great or

may play for their humans. It may be

small, resides the same omnipresent,

hard for some to comprehend the

omniscient soul. The difference is not

dimension of feelings and emotional

in the soul but in the manifestation.

attachments between them along

Between the smallest animal

with the potential of spiritual exchange

and me, the difference is only in

of energies.

manifestation, but as a principle, he is the same as I am, he is my brother,

The connection with our furbaby is

he has the same soul as I have. This is

literally a connection, devoid of words

the greatest principle that India has

that can explain it.

preached.

Swami Vivekananda

Spirit itself is not human; it may spring up in any life... it may exist in all

Emotional Benefits

animals, and who knows how many undreamt-of beings, or in the midst of

Besides the benefits already proven

what worlds?

by all those who live with dogs

George Santayana

daily, science also helps to show more about this side. Combining

Spiritual Lesson on Simplicity

these benefits with different human treatments, Pet Therapy, a form of treatment that involves animals, is

For dogs, it doesn't matter which

used regularly in several hospitals,

house they live in or wealth, clothes,

nursing homes, and rehabilitation

and toys of the best quality. The most

centers. It makes people who face

important thing is the affection you

some type of illness feel happier,

offer every day, the attention, your

contributing directly to the healing

time to play, or simply to be a good

process. Many have developed horse

company. They teach us with so little

therapy to help autistic and other

that the simple renews the soul, and

disabled children.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

All spiritual interests are supported by

among animals reincarnating were

animal life.

called Familiars. Some animals are

George Santayana

bounded by love for their Humans.

Spiritual Heart of the Relationship Human X Animal

The great lesson is that unity is behind all. Call it God, Love, Spirit.

Allah, Jehovah - it is the same unity that animates all life from the lowest

Much more than science and the

animal to the noblest man.

owners who live daily with their

Swami Vivekananda

animals, many schools of spirituality recognize the healing powers that

The truth is that regardless of

dogs and other animals seem to have.

everyone's opinion of the ability that

Some people claim that animals absorb

dogs have (for instance), to make our

energy from the environment and from

lives more joyful, we cannot deny

the people who are always around.

that they make life much better and

This means that when they are sad or

become our guardians, custodians,

unmotivated, they are overwhelmed by

and loving companions, guiding us

the environmental energies.

through safe, and right directions.

To help them, just pet them and make

The positive impact in our lives is

them feel loved. Also, allow the animal

genuine and leaves marks that remain

to be in contact with water, earth,

even after they are gone. Their love

plants, and all elements from Nature.

leaves pawprints in our hearts, making

That is the best way to assist them in

us not forget the most profound

recharging their vital energies.

teachings and the moments we lived together.

For some spiritualists, when these animals share an intense and real

After all, is there a more beautiful

connection with their owners, dogs

mission than spreading love? Only

may return to them. Yes, animal

those who are evolved and know

reincarnation is possible, and it

what that feeling is can do that and

happens more than you may think. In

transform everything wherever they

the older times, these manifestations

go. So are our beloved animals.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

Metaphysics

Is 2020 A Collective Dark Night of the Soul?

By Cathedral of the Soul

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

Right now, the whole world seems

During this soul experience, we tend

to be going through a dark night

to bounce between solitude and

of the soul. Flannery O'Connor

loneliness. Like the hermit, we have

H

only our eternal company to cross

umanity has already lived

the River Styx from our experience of

through worse times, it is

symbolic death.

true. But the complexity of our Global society is making

It is necessary to find harmony and

us face significant challenges as the

balance to face the visit of our dark

many pandemic scenarios are starting

nights serenely. They are usually

to show on the horizon.

generated by negative emotional experiences, such as grief, separation,

Inside Spiritual circles, the dark night

unsuitable changes, or any events

of the soul is known as a baptism

that put the individual's coping

of fire to the spiritual seeker, a true

capacity at risk. Tribulations are

Initiation of sorts. Once that point is

arising from sudden changes.

reached, there is no other possibility of returning to the earlier state. Still,

These emotional situations are

we only have to go ahead and start

catalysts through which they point

learning to readapt to a 'New Life ".

out the need for a specific change in

Life offers us at that moment only

our lives. It is necessary to recognize

possibilities of change, which can also

these signs, even in the middle of the

be a liberating experience, presenting

storm. We can never leave issues that

itself as a real growth challenge for

cause us suffering for later, hoping

the foundation of the expansion of

that they will resolve themselves. It is

consciousness.

necessary to confront them, digest them, question them, and reframe

What is a "Dark Night of the Soul Experience"?

them. Only then can we reconnect with our essence and move on because there is no worse pain than

The dark night of the soul is a journey

emotional pain.

into light, a journey from your darkness into the strength and hidden

However, we can say for sure that

resources of your soul. Caroline Myss

since we entered the 21st century,

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

certainly 2020 has been the worst

stay indoors, something we never

of years. So far, we have had 9/11, the

imagined. People with masks on the

Syrian War (and a lot of tension in

streets, commerce, and normal daily

the Middle East), deadly tsunamis,

activities paralyzed people, saying

and even a nuclear accident in

that money is more important

Japan, not to mention the terrible

than life. We are witnessing the

terrorist attacks across Europe. But

proliferation of a lot of fake news and

none of these surpasses what is

scientific denialism that makes us

happening in 2020, the number of

feel that we are going back to the

people killed, and the combination

Middle Ages.

of political, social, and economic factors causing the worst crisis of

We live through many conflicts

the century. And it is not just the

in world politics, social upheaval,

pandemic ... there are a lot of things

diplomatic tensions at the borders,

happening at the same time.

the world's economy again badly

Experiencing Again a Mini Dark Age

shaken, fires, and things exploding.

It is a lot to take care of. Who has not had a moment of emotional instability this year? Please throw the

For those of us that are firm believers in the Stellar movements, the astrological forecasts about the

first stone!

The Path of Recovery in 2023

pandemic and the eminent world crisis are not kind at the moment.

"Astronomy compels our soul to look

Many Astrologers announced since

up and take us from our world to

last year that the Year 2020 would be

another." Plato

challenging, but no one saw what was in reserve for all of us.

Many prominent Astrologers are admitting 2020 to have been the

Everything looks like a nightmarish

worst year of the century.

reality taken straight from Twilight Zone Episodes.

They also say that the impact and its

A pandemic invited us to practice

effects we are going to be felt in the

social distancing, forced us to

coming years.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

Astrologically speaking, all the

But don't despair just yet, the

challenges and aspectation will start to

astrological configurations are

alleviate our circumstances in the next

starting to turn, and the dark clouds

three years. We will need some time

are dissipating right around the arrival

to reflect on this incredible and eerie

of the new year!

experience and also to decide how to we want to re-write our own history on this planet.

After a Collective Dark Night, the Rebirthing a new Renascence

After the disappearance of this horrible threat, we will need time to dig

"Light is especially appreciated after

ourselves out of this world crisis.

dark." Jewish Texts

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

The so-called "Dark Ages" lasted

research study called the "Planetary

a thousand years, a long period

Concentration Index of Slow Planets."

where very primitive culture and

The research presents an analogy

values dominated the European

between the relative distance of the

continent. After that, we literally

planets Jupiter and Neptune and the

were reborn.

repercussion of these in relation to

The arts, culture, philosophy,

Earth.

and sciences have evolved a lot concerning medieval structures.

A few years later, AndrĂŠ Barbault

We have abandoned this more wild

improved this analysis, even more,

and primitive side. After burning

this version being the most used

people at stake, we made progress.

until today. The study shows the

At the height of the Renaissance,

peaks that find moments when

in the year 1518, Uranus was in

the statistical result of Humanity's

the sign of Taurus, and Pluto and

feelings tends towards optimism,

Saturn were in Capricorn, just as

hope, and progress through

they are now. In other words, we

elaborated graphics. In the valleys,

speak of the same astral situation,

when the graphs go down, are

the same map in the sky. These are

the moments when fear and

growth cycles, and now it's time for

discouragement are feelings that

the light to shine brightly!

become more present. In these moments of falling emotions,

Here is an interesting curiosity

events such as the First and Second

about astrology and the year 2020:

World Wars and the Cold War are

French astrologers Henri Gouchon

positioned.

and AndrĂŠ Barbault studied the peaks of crisis for mankind and

When we look at the charts from

published astrological studies

2014, we see that it is in that year

predicting that the worst crisis of

that they start a vertiginous descent

modern Humanity would occur

that goes until 2022. It is in the time

between the years 2020 and 2022.

interval between 2020 and 2022 that we have represented the most

In 1946, the Astrologer Henri

adverse moment of the entire 21st

Gouchon released his definitive

century.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

The stellar dance of Planets on the

At that time, the sun emitted a

night sky is also a powerful tool of

dull light, just like the moon, all

self -Knowledge, and Self-Realization.

year round. There are records of

They are a divine gift to Humanity as it

food shortages in documents

stands for a path of ageless wisdom.

f rom countries as far away as Ireland, Mesopotamia, and China!

When we had a year as bad as 2020?

Later Science proved that the It is not astrology that gives us

fog did not have such mysterious

this answer, but Science. We can

origins. Studies have shown that

site many different instances that

an Icelandic volcano was to blame

were low points on the history of

for the night that lasted more

humankind and this planet. The

than 1 year and made 536 the

Black Death in 1348? Spanish flu in

worst year in human history.

1918? Holocaust between 1941 and 1945? No. Yet, the worst year in all our

Just 5 years later, specifically

history is, according to Science, the

in the year 541 AD, there was a

year 536 A.D.

plague pandemic that left around 100 million dead across the East

A group of American scientists, led

and 25 million in Europe. The

by Harvard University archaeologist

bacteria started to spread in an

and historian Michael McCormick,

Egyptian port and took over the

discovered through an analytical

entire Roman Empire. The disease

study of a glacier in Switzerland that

became known as the plague of

a "mysterious fog" fell over Europe,

Justinian. It occurred during the

the Middle East, and some regions

reign of Justinian I, the Byzantine

Asia for 18 months. Along with this

emperor, who reigned from 527

mysterious fog, the temperature also

to 565.

dropped a lot, and the Earth faced frigid and dark days and months.

Looking back at such challenging times makes 2020 a child's play.

Crops were utterly ruined, causing

We will get over this. We just

famine and an economic crisis that

need to learn how to take care of

lasted for more than a century.

each other.

OM TIMES | October A 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.

Beginning with Kindness

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

"Be kind whenever possible.

place—but exactly where you're

It is always possible."

standing? Is your house a mess? Have

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama

you stopped going to the gym? Are

N

you eating cold pizza for supper? Are

o one can say or hear this

you ignoring invitations from friends?

enough: The weeks, months,

Drinking or numbing yourself with

and years after a loss that

other addictions? Mired in feelings of

shakes your bones are a

guilt or anger? With kindness, allow

time to offer yourself great kindness. It's

yourself to start here.

the best gift you can give yourself. And as it turns out, it's the best gift you can

If you're someone with restless

give those you love and all living beings.

energy, who stays busy, likes to feel indispensable, runs from one obligation

How is this possible? What does it

to the next, and buttons up to your

mean to be kind to yourself, to take

emotions, perhaps you could ease

your own side, to befriend yourself?

your schedule and give yourself a

Think about how you would reach

precious gift of time: ten minutes to

out and be with a friend who has just

sit and listen to a beautiful piece of

suffered a loss. You would probably

music; an evening to be alone with your

show up and just be there with your

discomfort and grief; or an hour for a

friend and listen to her story of all

massage.

that happened. You might bring over dinners, offer to shop, ask how

Maybe you harbor a harsh inner

you might help, show her all the

critic, perhaps a committee of judges

compassion you can muster.

who shame you for crying too much, grieving too long, not grieving enough,

Now consider what it might mean

or not getting it right. Almost certainly,

to offer these qualities of kindness

these voices have completely unrealistic

to yourself who is also hurting, also

expectations for you. Pause to notice

shocked, also feeling alone, hopeless,

these overbearing voices. Can you ask

and unmoored.

them to back off and give you the space to feel your emotions and be with your

What if you reminded yourself to start

grief? Can you stop calling yourself a

where you are—not in some idealized

failure, a fraud, a rock, or a wimp, and

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

offer yourself empathy and compassion?

Can you see how kindness—which

Try and drop the label and just be with

includes being kind to yourself,

the felt experience of grief in your body.

seeing yourself as a part of a larger community of people who each

Can you embrace your vulnerability,

bear their own sorrow—is a path

your irritability, your impatience, and

through grief to a life you might

even your resistance as deeply human

not be able to imagine yet? Can

responses to separation and loss? Can

you acknowledge yourself for ways

you see how being open and tender

you are taking care of yourself, for

with yourself allows you to better

surviving, for the small steps you can

understand and connect with others—

take, for moments of joy or comfort

those who hurt and those who haven't

amid tears?

yet experienced pain and hardship?

Excerpted from Opening to Grief: If you look deeply and sit with pain and

Finding Your Way from Loss to Peace,

suffering, can you feel how sorrow is part

Claire B. Willis, and Marnie Crawford

of the human condition? Can you give

Samuelson (Dharma Spring, 2020).

yourself permission to take your place

Reprinted by permission of Red

at the table of human beings, joining

Wheel/Weiser. All rights reserved.

all of us who share this precious planet spinning in space?

openingtogrief.com OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

Living from the Inside Out

By Judi Lynch

When we live from the inside out, life becomes more colorful, hopeful, and purposeful.

I

comparing, anger, gossiping, and a host of other things that lower our vibrations can leave us stuck. If our childhood experiences were in a loving and supportive environment,

n the world we live in, it can be

it is a true blessing. If we were loved

a real challenge to live from

conditionally, criticized for our actions,

the inside out. We see negative

personalities, or looks, it could be a

actions and reactions constantly.

difficult journey to learn forgiveness

Judgment, jealously, bullying,

and understanding.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

If we want to live from the inside

us pain. The future will unfold with

out, we learn that joy is found in

what has been manifested. To worry

the simplest things. Noticing the

about it causes anxiety and fear.

beauty in the colors of fall, the incredible light in a full moon, the

When we experience negativity

sound of laughter coming from a

from an outsider’s point of view,

playground. To experience life on a

understand its source and the

higher frequency of understanding

destruction it can cause. Two people

is a skill many of us would like

or hundreds of people shouting at

to master. In contrast, the ego

each other to be heard and erupting

thrives on attention. Social media

into violence or chaos tells us there

has us seeking likes, comments,

is much to be learned. If we accept

and approval for our posts, selfies,

and expose ourselves to negative

lifestyles, accomplishments, material

thought and action over time, it

possessions, and opinions. If all of

can dramatically affect our personal

it were to go away tomorrow, what

health and well-being. Our minds

would we do without it?

and bodies will start to deteriorate and become ill or unmotivated to

If we can observe things from a

change our habits.

different perspective and understand that these things are not really what

We can learn to orchestrate changes

defines us, we see only click-bait.

in how we process information and

So many of us keep busy at doing

its effect on us. This is how people

something, we cease to truly think

who create new ideas implement

about why we’re here at all. Activities

those ideas into action and

keep us moving with aspirations to

manifestation. If we all just go along

do better, keeping us anxious but

with the way everything has always

comparing ourselves to others can

been done and follow the herd, how

destroy our good nature. If we can

can anything evolve? Nature is a

allow ourselves to just live in the

great teacher when we are observing

moment of now, we can feel the joy

and being still. The noise of millions

of life and know the purpose. The

of opinions and voices can be turned

past is there to remind us what we’ve

off, and we can hear, feel, and see

learned and grown from, not to bring

the beauty of life in endless forms. It

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

becomes clear to us how miraculous

our lives more joyfully with hope and

life really is.

unconditional love for humanity.

Now is all we have at this moment. It can be exciting to realize that we are

Judi Lynch is a psychic medium,

spirit in human form. Beyond that

intuitive counselor, healing channel,

form, the consciousness will always

and author. She is president of the

be alive. It doesn’t ask to be defined

Crystal Healing Foundation, Inc., a

in detail, but there is magic in its

501(c) spiritual charity and writer

realization. There is the healing of

for OM Times Magazine. She has

body, soul, and mind in its recognition.

authored two books, Friends with

When we are living from the inside

Lights and Conscious Ascension,

out, life becomes more colorful,

and has read for clients worldwide.

hopeful, and purposeful. We create

To learn more or contact for a

our own personal energy fields to live

session, see judilynch.com

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

When you look at the view of Earth from space, you are immediately in awe of what you do see: the incredible beauty of Creation. It is not until you look closer that you realize what you do not see.

You do not see lines partitioning countries.

You do not see separation between races.

You do not see division between religions.

You do not see the walls people build to isolate themselves from each other.

There is only One Planet. There is only One Humanity.

This section is dedicated to introducing thoughts and ideas to foster a greater understanding of Humanity’s interdependence.

World Vision

The Social Dilemma and Vulnerability

By Alberto Adler

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

" The Social Dilemma is a hybrid DocumentaryDrama that explores the dangerous human impact of Social Networking and its implications on the social dynamics of our Contemporary Civilization."

we let our kids have access to social

Vulnerable!

is the one that makes it possible

P

media. And they are designed to create behavior similar to that of slot machine players. Anyone who has ever been to a casino knows that it becomes a compulsion.

Among the underlying issues, the one that seems most urgent to add users: the collection and

aradoxical as it may seem, social networks are the ideal place to discuss The Social Dilemma. This documentary

makes an appeal to the ethical issues

ongoing processing of our data by the algorithms. Interactions, tastes, interests, location, schedules, agenda ... absolutely everything they can capture, will capture. And

surrounding these ubiquitous tools.

computer systems will process all of

I will not be trying to describe the

from our list of interests and, thus,

film or the way it addresses such issues. It's a movie, it speaks for itself. And it's available on the most popular streaming platform out there.

Even if you are not interested in the documentary (you may not like the genre), if you are reading this here, or on a social network, the questions it

this to show us content supposedly keep us more connected. This invasion of privacy, in turn, raises other issues.

As the algorithms are developed to learn which subjects interest us most and which other points of the network (friends, pages, brands,

raises concern you.

etc.) we interact the most, to keep

The central issue may be that social

us more and more of the same,

us connected, the networks deliver

networks are designed to addict the user. In Brazil, gambling is prohibited, under 18 years old cannot buy alcoholic beverages or cigarettes. But

narrowing our relationship circles and the possibilities of coming up with something new. That is how they close us in the bubbles.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

The bubbles, in turn, end up

Still concerning the bubbles. We

isolating us from divergent

are a gregarious species. We live

opinions. With this constant

in groups and seek acceptance

reinforcement of our views, we

from the group to which we

greatly reduced the exercise of the

belong, or to which we want to

debate about ideas. And this is how

integrate. The bubbles follow

opinions become beliefs. They will

the same logic as the physical

always be reinforced by the group

groups. Except that acceptance/

since, in bubbles, everyone thinks

rejection comes massively and

very closely. Opinions are being fed

very quickly. And it makes a huge

back all the time.

difference.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

First, when a post receives a huge

for concern since the substances

number of likes, we feel good

released by the brain in these

(accepted, integrated). And as the

situations are addictive.

feed algorithm prioritizes showing our contacts what is new, this feeling

However, to this picture, we can add

of reward generated by likes tends to

other problems, such as when a post

come much faster than in the physical

receives a minimal number of likes.

world. The tendency is to want to

In these cases, the tendency is to feel

repeat the dose of well-being almost

rejected, which generates feelings

instantaneously, and we start making

of discouragement, abandonment,

more posts - which in itself is a cause

melancholy, and even depression.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

Not to mention the instances of

at times when these people are

bullying, which do instant damage,

most susceptible. When you're at

since it can reach thousands of

the stadium and ads for your team's

people in minutes. Imagine when

shirts appear on your timeline ... No,

these situations happen to children

it's not a coincidence. And to keep

and adolescents. The effects can be

us receiving ads, techniques and

devastating.

technological resources are used to get us addicted (even using our own

All of these issues (and many more)

information).

are obviously linked to the social media monetization model: the

The Social Dilemma is a film about

more connected we are, the more

social vulnerability. This documentary

information we give, the greater the

from Jeff Orlowski explores how

chances of advertisers pushing their

addiction and privacy breaches are

products and politicians pushing their

features, not bugs, of social media

ideas. . The great creation of the social

platforms. The Documentary is

networks is us.

available on Netflix.

Although media outlets have sold

Alberto Adler is a Brazilian Scholar,

audiences - access to those who

a Visionary. He is a Pos-Graduation

read, hear, or watch them - since

Professor for the Estรกcio de Sรก

the 19th century, there have never

University of Propaganda and

been supercomputers, Artificial

Marketing. He is also a Planning

Intelligence, and hyperconnectivity

Strategist on Advertising. His

as there are today. We have access

substantial professional experience

to networks almost anywhere. And

and expertise involve both focused

the networks know where and with

and eclectic backgrounds. Adler is

whom we are.

a writer, a well-known researcher, a strategic Communication

What the Social Networks sell is our

Planner, an expert on Strategic

profligate privacy to offer advertisers

Communications, and Market

access to those who are most likely

Intelligence. Adler is also a Business

to be interested in their products

Mentor and a Leadership coach.

and ideas (in the case of politicians)

Follow him on Facebook

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

Books

Falling Open in a World Falling Apart is "an invitation to openness." It offers the jewel of Amoda Maa's teaching how to be fully awake and fully human. Open in a way that's the key to freedom and to what's most needed in our troubled times. Unlike having no boundaries, being open in this way transforms reactivity, ends separation, leads us to our true authority, and guides us with the intelligence of love.

Amoda Maa is a spiritual teacher, a warrior of the heart, sharing a fresh approach to the age-old search for spiritual freedom. Her teaching features timeless truths in ways that are highly relevant and alive to this moment—for contemporary seekers willing to go to the raw edge where spirituality meets humanity.

For more information, or to purchase the book, click the cover or visit: LarsonPublications.com

Memoirs, Personal Journals, and the History of Mentalities

By OMTimes Publishing OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

T

he book is the most classic

Writing a book about your own life

and traditional way that

story is a wish that many of us have.

humanity uses to record

We went through so many obstacles,

knowledge in a logical

challenges, falls, and triumphs.

order that makes sense.

Furthermore, writing your own story Unlike the act of documenting

is a true therapy and self-knowledge

the realities of certain periods,

tool. By putting our memories on

the act of writing personal

paper, we “clean up� everything we

histories can greatly contribute

live, and we have the opportunity to

to the eternalization of traditions,

ref rame history itself - that is, to see

perspectives and points of view

it in a different light.

and even hereditary lineages.

They can become valuable assets

Those who think that recording their

for the future (historical reports

own journey in a book are only the

and anthropological studies, for

privilege of famous or prominent

example) and which are written

people are mistaken.

with a view to preservation, and understanding, in many ways

According to Jacques Le Goff, we

guaranteeing a place in universal

have new ways of reading history,

memory, bringing to the front stage

primarily regarding its social aspects.

the input of individuals and even of

Everything had been transformed,

small groups , which realities and

and again the way of perceiving

experiences otherwise would be

history has been changing

more vulnerable, and susceptible to

methodologically.

disappearance.

The current belief that history has So, do not disregard immediately the

been recorded by the powerful

impulse you may have of registering

to tell their tales of achievement

your life story (auto-biography), or

and triumph. And Knowing how

the documenting of an extraordinary

everything happened turned out to

personal experience (a Memoir) or

be another novelty and a massive

the story of your family(biography)

challenge for most of us, with new

for future generations.

thinkers f rom historiographical time OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

in the world focusing on the History

world, and how we relate to facts and

of Mentalities.

situation.

There is a school of thought

The History of Mentalities brings the

that believes that the historical

interface of the personal element

accuracy of a period can be easily

(the individual outlook) to the

reconstructed not only using the

mainstream collective registries,

formally recorded historical registries

forcing a needed dialogue between

but through the perception of the

these two levels of interpretation

ordinary people that lived during that

of historical realities. This dialogue

specific time and geography space.

brings dept and perspective to any analyze, as wipes away the linear

The practice of the history of

nature of the accounting of events.

Mentalities goes beyond history. It is, initially, a brilliant way to meet

Many of the records f rom the Witch

other human beings and their

hunt trials of the Middle ages are

personal outlooks upon their realities.

being revisited, and they gained

Many Schools of History have been

different angles and viewpoints due

incorporating personal Journals,

to the insertion of elements such

chronicles, and even local tales to the

as social adaptability, traditions,

historical lexicon to reconstruct the

habits, continuity, and ruptures. The

real social background and dynamics

interesting point in all of these is that

of these periods.

the new perspectives were acquired when personal journals and external

In other words, the act of writing and

chronicles and even Individual

registering your personal experiences

memoirs were used as a backdrop,

are not a new fad. We do believe we

immensely helping the deeper

are all storytelling creatures, and they

understanding of these controversial

are vital for our understanding of our

times.

OM TIMES | October A Edition 2020

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