Spirit of Change Fall/Winter 2018

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MAIN OFFICE PO Box 405, Uxbridge, MA 01569 Phone: 508-278-9640 Fax: 508-278-9641 www.spiritofchange.org ADVERTISING INFORMATION

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Phone: 508-278-9640 x 1 E-mail: advertise@spiritofchange.org PUBLISHER & EDITOR Carol Bedrosian Phone: 508-278-9640 x 3 E-mail: carol@spiritofchange.org ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carrie Rowan Phone: 508-278-9650 x 5 Email: carrie@spiritofchange.org WEB EDITOR

Departments Features

Laurie Johnston Email: laurie@spiritofchange.org

66 Fall/Winter 2018 • Vol. 32, No. 139

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS Editors of E/Environmental Magazine, Eric Linter, Annie B. Kay

Departments

BOOK REVIEWS

Musings

Gail Lord E-mail: SOCBookReviewer@gmail.com

Starspeak

Elevating Yoga to the Next Level: An interview with Yoga

Healthy Cooking

Preventative Medicine and the Inner Smile by William Bloom .. 32

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Janice Nadeau, Samantha Angeli, Amber Routten-Mitchell PRINTING TCI Publications, Seekonk, MA

by Carol Bedrosian ................................. 8

by Eric Linter .......................................... 16

by Annie B. Kay ................................... 20

Book Reviews

by Gail Lord............................................ 69

Calendar .................................................71

Copyright ©2018 Spirit of Change. All Rights Reserved. Spirit of Change distributes 50,000 magazines throughout New England semi-annually (Fall and Spring) and accepts paid advertising as an advertising service.

Responsibility for the products, services or claims of our advertisers rests solely with them; advertisers are liable for any claims made against Spirit of Change Magazine as a result of their advertisement. The information in Spirit of Change is intended as a sharing of knowledge about holistic health for educational purposes. Health care decisions requiring medical advice should be made with the help of your health care professional. Subscriptions are $20.00/4 issues. Article and artwork submissions are accepted for review and will only be returned if accompanied by a SASE. To receive bulk shipments of Spirit of Change to distribute to your clients & customers, please email carol@ spiritofchange.org.

The Movement We Need by Starhawk ....................................................10 Alliance President David Lipsius by Carol Bedrosian ............. 26 Be the Support You Seek by Meir Schneider ......................................34 Finding Peace Through Your Family Lineage

by Jamy and Peter Faust ......................................................................... 36

Parenting as an Act of Rebellion by Amir Cooper ...........................38

Directories

“Heigh-Ho Heigh-Ho” to Mindfulness We Go…

Yoga Practitioners of New England .........................................25

A Healing from the Forest by Marie Cargill .......................................... 42

Holistic Logo Directory ..................... 75 Online at: SpiritOfChange.org

Features

Holistic Specialties Directory ........ 84

by Carrie Rowan ..........................................................................................40

A Walk in the Woulds by Mark Mathew Braunstein ...........................44 Core Values of the Indigenous Way of Life

by Sherri Mitchell ........................................................................................48

Classifieds............................................. 85

Ancestry by Marie Dion...................................................................................50

Advertiser Index...................................86

Dreaming of a Different Sort by Alberto Villoldo ..............................54 The Ultimate Transition by John Holland .............................................. 56 Going On by Gina Colvario Krupka ............................................................. 62 Transformed by Writing by Diana Raab ................................................ 63 The Buddha Project by Josh Bulriss......................................................... 65

Upcoming in Spring/Summer 2019

Cover Art

“The Journey” by Michael Wolski www.michaelwolski.com

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The Self-Care Edition AD DEADLINE: JANUARY 31, 2019

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MUSINGS

BY CAROL BEDROSIAN

Family Medicine — We’re All In This Together “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” — Jimi Hendrix

T

hey say you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family. And that means forever, since the roots and shoots of your genetic lineage go backwards and forwards in time without end. Jamy and Peter Faust, authors of “Finding Peace Through Your Family Lineage” this issue, calculate that in 10 generations you are connected to 2,046 ancestors just counting grandparents! Not only do you share DNA and genetic traits with these people, but you spring from an ancestral storehouse of ideas, beliefs and experiences that will shape your lifetime, the world around you, and the born and unborn members of your family for eons to come.

Family matters. A unique genetic mechanism that precisely bonds people together to care for and invest in each other’s survival and success, humanity could not survive without the family structure. Who would take care of all the crying babies? Love takes time to mature, as it does first within small cooperative family units, then extending into tribes, which unite into peaceful villages living within dynamic nations flourishing in a gloriously harmonious world equitably providing for the needs of each and every individual and creature on the planet — humanity’s Garden of Eden genetic blueprint.

Deep down we all just want to belong, have enough and live in peace. Along the way we struggle with the ups and downs of learning how to make life just that simple. Family gives us the place to live and learn how to do that on a small scale so we can replicate that cooperation in ever-widening circles out in the world, ultimately finding that people are all one big family. My family is not only my genetic lineage, but my human family as well. With the hordes of ancestors we are each married to, isn’t it likely we are ALL related somewhere along the line?!

There can be no peace or no greatness until an individual, a family or a country embraces all its ancestry. Trying to hack away at one’s own limbs or members can only produce gruesome injury, which must heal sooner or later, or death. When I look at the horrifying immigration policies sweeping America — families torn apart or living in terror, generations shattered, human potential crushed, children needlessly and thought-

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lessly traumatized for life — I can only mourn the suffering of those individuals today while looking ahead to the fruits these seeds of misery have sown for our tomorrow. We will reap what we sow.

Nothing is more apple-pie-American than family: having the freedom to safely enjoy, care for and provide for family is at the very heart of the American Dream. Yet African slave families and Native American families paid a heavy price in our history depicting the shadow side of that dream, that the all-American dream must be for all or it’s un-American. Today’s scapegoated immigrant families facing great peril here and abroad ask us to question how safe and sound is our dream if it includes the bullying of others?

Our escape into the world of screens has blunted the ugliness of family members being abused and harassed right in front of us again, just as we turned a dark eye with different blinders in our past. Where’s the light that others so greatly suffered and bled and died for to show us the way? It’s still there and up to each one of us to remember and speak out. We’ve become so used to being separated off by a screen we frequently don’t even respond to the real people around us. Family counselors increasingly blame technology for a dramatic drop in communication between family members. Kids (and adults) are feeling isolated and alone despite tens or hundreds of online “friends”; suicide, anxiety and depression rates are soaring.

In David Sax’s The Revenge of Analog he writes, “Empathy — the ability to feel what others feel — is crucial. It is essential to the dramatic cultural shift we need if life on Earth is to survive. We need to move from a culture of ‘every man for himself ’ to ‘we’re all in this together.’”

Families, which come in all shapes and sizes — some blood relations and some not — provide the space for that shift to occur. It’s a conscious choice to put aside the screen (every man for himself) in favor of focusing on the people in the room (we’re all in this together.) It’s time to heal our universal family lineage. No one says we have to like all our family members, but we’re all we’ve got. We’re family.

Carol Bedrosian is the publisher of Spirit of Change Magazine. www.spiritofchange.org.

Bhavna Srivastava, the founder of BWG is a healer and teacher. She uses her Golden Light to bring peace and love to people everywhere. She now offers FREE Golden Light Healings on the 22nd of each month. Please visit Free Healings from Golden Light on Facebook to make a request, or contact our office at (508) 970-5620 or alli@bhwellnessgroup.com.

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A day of wellness discussions, meditation, and mini-sessions of Reiki, massage, acupuncture, card readings, intuitive consults, etc. 10-5pm.

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FALL/WINTER 2018| Spirit | Spirit ChangeXX 9 FALL/WINTER ofof Change

By Starhawk e have survived, barely, Trump’s first year in office, a year of environmental disasters, horrific judicial appointments, Nazis marching in the streets, a rapacious tax bill and lies, lies and lies. Yet that year has also seen some victories: the thousands who turned up at airports to block Trump’s travel ban, the giant marches starting with the Women’s March after his inauguration, the #MeToo movement breaking the silence around sexual harassment and assault, and electoral victories in Alabama.

We can build on those victories in the year to come. But we have a long way to go — and to succeed in mobilizing the backlash and turning it into a forelash, we need a strong movement that can bring about deep, systemic change. That movement must be strategic, long-term, and above all, welcoming, to build the broad and diverse coalitions that can bring about real change. Only a massive, broad movement can succeed.

That movement exists in incipient form, like a great whale swimming just below the waves that surfaces now and again to blow. But we — and by “we” I mean committed social justice activists of all races, genders, and backgrounds — can do a much better job of expanding it and activating its power.

The movement at present is often not a welcoming place. Confronting racism, sexism 10 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

and all the underlying structural oppressions of our system is never easy, and taking a good, hard look at our own privilege is inevitably a painful process. But there’s a harshness in the air now that is more intense than I’ve seen in fifty years of involvement in social justice struggles. Well, okay — maybe there were some moments of Maoist self-crit back in the 70s that compare, but there were other places to go. Now social media can spread an attack or a poisonous atmosphere around the globe almost instantly. And we can no longer be sure if a blast is genuine or is coming from a paid troll, or even whether that troll is paid by our own government agencies or some foreign power.

As a result, I encounter more and more long-term activists who are stymied with anguish about what to do and how to contribute. And I see new people reluctant to get involved.

When people are afraid to speak freely because they are constantly criticized, they become less bold, less creative, less likely to stay committed over the long haul.

So how do we build a truly welcoming movement, based on calling in rather than calling out? Here’s a few guiding principles:

Being Part of a Movement Should Feel Good

People have a deep need to belong. At its best, a movement should be something we want to belong to, and identifying as part of it should feed, nurture, empower, excite, challenge, stimulate and entertain us. If activism means a constant state of guilt, anxiety, walking-on-eggshells, and self-flagellation, we’ll lose. All of that feeds the right wing.

We want the woke, at that moment of awakening, to feel a rush of exhilaration, a sense of coming home, of having found our people. And we need the unwoke, those who have not been activists before, those who may even have been agents of oppression or Trump voters or incapacitated by their own wounds or sunk in addictions, whether to oil, money or opiates, to discover the joy and empowerment that comes with being part of a movement for change, to feel: “My deepest longing is to be an agent of justice in this world. These are the people who will welcome me to be a part of this grand struggle to transform the world, and who will help me find my role and make my unique contribution.”

The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good

Alicia Garza, one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, wrote the following in response to criticism of her decision to join the Women’s March after Trump’s inauguration: “I decided to challenge myself to be a part of something that isn’t perfect, that doesn’t articulate my values the way that I do and still show up, clear in my commitment, open and vulnerable to people who are new in their activism. I can be critical of white women and, at the same time, seek out and join with women, white and of color, who are awakening to the fact that all lives do not, in fact, matter, without compromising my dignity, my safety and radical politics.”

Let’s admit it: people drawn to activism tend to be — let us say, judgy. That’s why we’re activists — we’ve looked at what’s going on and judged that it sucks. We have high standards, for ourselves and others. But we need to leave room for nuance, for uncertainty and even for mistakes — especially if we are going to invite in those that have come from different social and political experiences and cultures.

Garza goes on to ask: “Can we build a movement of millions with the people who may not grasp our black, queer, feminist, intersectional, anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist ideology but know that we all deserve a better life and who are willing to fight for it and win?

“Hundreds of thousands of people are trying to figure out what it means to join a movement. If we demonstrate that to be a part of a movement, you must believe that people cannot change, that transformation is not possible, that it’s more important to be right than to be connected and interdependent, we will not win.”

The

A Diverse Movement Finds a Role for Everyone

A movement for justice that succeeds must be a truly diverse movement, composed and predominantly led by those who bear the brunt of oppression. It cannot be a house of privilege, into which we welcome the less-privileged. It must be designed and built and inhabited by all those who are most affected by racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, ableism, and all forms of discrimination and oppression.

And yet to succeed, a movement for justice also needs to include those who do hold privilege — as all of us do in some capacity. If you’re reading this post, if you can read and

Continued on page 12

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ACCESS AND SUSTAIN A HIGHER LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 11

THE MOVEMENT WE NEED, continued from page 11 speak the English in which it’s written, you have more privilege than millions around the globe. A movement big enough to make the immense transformation we need must include those who may not yet be woke to the privilege they carry. We need those who are politically evolved, and those who are naïve, both experienced activists and complete newcomers.

Never Beat a Dog For Coming to You

That’s a principle I learned when training our sheepdog that can serve us here: No matter how long you’ve been bawling out, “Rover, come!” while she chases rabbits, don’t whack her when she finally returns, if you want her to ever come again. Instead, praise and reward her. When someone makes a first step into activism, no matter how long it took them to get there, we’ve got to actively welcome them, to say, “How great that you’ve come to the party!” Not “You’re late — and take those GMO corn chips out of here!” Or “It’s a measure of your privilege that you are only now coming around to our way of thinking!” Or “You’ve never heard of ___________?!?”

We don’t know why someone might not have yet been involved in activism. Maybe they were herding sheep, or raising kids, or taking care of their aging mother, or recovering from childhood trauma, or just never quite met the right people. Maybe the people they did meet turned them off by being snide or judgmental. Even if they were running a hedge fund or a chemical plant, we need to celebrate the fact that they’ve finally emerged and come out to the streets.

Moreover, if part of our task in building a broad-based movement is to reach those who have not yet been reached, concerns and ideas of the newly-reached will be a lot more relevant than the perspectives of the long-committed. If we listen to newcomers, we may gain insights that will help us mobilize those who do not yet agree with us.

Newcomers see with fresh eyes. Political movements are always in danger of falling into group-think and group-speak. Someone coming in from the outside will look at things without our unconscious assumptions and make us see things in a different way.

Create Structures and Rituals of Welcome The most powerful and effective movements I’ve been part of had structures for orientation and training, and ways to teach newcomers about the group culture. In the early ‘80s, I was part of a blockade at the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in Central California. In the lead-up to the action, everyone who wanted to risk arrest was required to take a two-day nonviolence training. The training not only made us aware of our legal rights and potential consequences of the action, it served as an induction into an organizing culture very different from the dominant society.

We were formed into small groups to take action together and support one another — affinity groups. Decisions about the action were made in affinity groups by consensus — and we were trained in how to do consensus. The political culture that resulted was so powerful that decades later activists all over California were still forming groups based on its principles, and it influenced everything from the LatinAmerican intervention opposition to Occupy Wall Street. But Occupy took some of the model and left out some key pieces that made it work — among them, training, boundaries, and entry rituals.

More recently, at Standing Rock, new arrivals were asked to go through an orientation designed to make people more aware of how to fit into an indigenous-led movement and how to behave respectfully in a very different culture. Nonviolence trainings were again being offered, as well as many other clear ways that people could make a contribution and get involved in the camp.

If an activist setting is modeling a different culture, people need to learn how to enter in, what the expectations and constraints are. Don’t expect them to already know how to behave, because they don’t. Consider how best to teach them.

Practice Constructive Critique and Avoid Shaming People

Constructive critique aims to strengthen relationships, not sever them, to improve the work, not shut it down. It is specific, not global, and about specifically what someone has said or done, not who they are or what you imagine their motives might be. Not “You’re a racist, sexist pig,” but “When you told that joke with the accent, I felt uncomfortable. It seemed to me that you were making fun of immigrants.”

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Distinguishing between intent and impact is often useful. When people feel defensive, their response is often to defend their intent. “I was just feeling warm and affectionate when I hugged you.” If we grant their positive intent, we can avoid fruitless arguments about it, and instead focus on the actual impact. “I’m sure that was your intent, but the impact on me, when you grabbed me without asking, was to make me feel disrespected and angry. There’s a history of men’s entitlement to women’s bodies that comes into play, whether we want it to or not. So if you want to hug me again — and I hope you do — just ask first.” Or, we can ask about intent, and that might trigger some deeper awareness. “What was your intent in telling that joke?”

A criticism delivered publicly always risks shaming and humiliating the person who receives it. If we really want someone to hear us and to change, critical feedback is best delivered one on one — ideally in person, next best, by telephone or Skype, worst of all, in written form online when we don’t have the opportunity to sense tone and body language — especially when that critique is made public. There are times when a public critique is appropriate and necessary, when a mistake or an attack needs to be challenged. But whenever possible, give criticism in private and in person, or at least warn the person privately that you intend a public challenge.

Give Praise and Appreciation Publicly

The corollary to constructive critique is public praise and appreciation. Thanking people for their work, appreciating their contributions, offering gratitude for their efforts is one way we can show that we value one another. Expressions of gratitude also create an atmosphere of care and appreciation. We do a lot of unpaid, unsung work in social movements, and receiving appreciation and thanks is sometimes our only reward.

Praise, to be meaningful, is also specific. “You’re a great facilitator” is nice to hear, but “I really learned something from the way you handled that moment when we were deadlocked and you guided us through,” says much more.

Use Language That Speaks to Everybody

Language determines how we understand the world, and shifting our language, learning new words and concepts, can broaden and illuminate our understanding.

But language can also be used in another way — to mark out turf, like dogs pissing on lampposts, to say, “This is my territory and you are not part of it.”

Too often, words or concepts that start out as resonant rapidly become more like markers showing who belongs and who doesn’t. Whenever we use words that people aren’t familiar with or can’t intuitively understand, especially in a way which implies that everyone else knows their meaning, there’s a subtext that says, “You are ignorant and not part of the in-group here.” Language that activists adopt from academics is especially prone to function in this way.

Language rooted in emotion and sensation speaks to us all on a deeper level than terms of pure abstraction. There are some words, such as “liberation,” that people are familiar with and understand, that carry an emotional weight. And there are other words, for example, “intersectionality,” that no one can intuitively understand without an explanation. Intersectionality is a crucial concept, the understanding of how race and class and gender and other aspects of our identities intersect and affect us in different ways, and how analysis of one oppression must be informed by awareness of others. Yet Continued on page 14

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FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 13

THE MOVEMENT WE NEED, continued from page 12 no one would intuit that meaning from the word itself. So when we use it, or words like it, we must be aware that it carries a potential subtext, always, that says, “I’m smarter and more in the know than you are.”

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t use such language. There are important concepts that sound abstract but may open up new worlds of thinking and understanding. I’m saying that when we use those words, we should be conscious that many people will not understand us if we don’t explain them. Not because those people are stupid or prejudiced, but because if we broaden the movement to include those who are not already activists, they may not have heard them before.

And remember — words are not your jealous lovers. You don’t have to be faithful to a particular term. There is more than one name of God, and more than one way to describe or explain anything. We don’t need a monotheism of terminology. To really understand a concept, generally you must be able to say it in multiple different ways.

Whenever possible, use the language of poetry — language rooted in sensual experiences, that speaks to emotion as well as intellect, that frames issues positively, that carries a rhythm and a beauty. Susan Griffin’s work, which sparked the ecofeminist movement, is one powerful example. Subcomandante Marcos of the Zapatistas was a poet. “One no — many ‘yeses.’” The indigenous activists at Standing Rock consciously name themselves “water protectors” and their marching cry is clear, beautiful, and positively framed: “Water is sacred. Water is life.”

Organizing is Educating and Educating is Organizing

A welcoming movement must be a movement that educates. It’s a truism in activist circles that women shouldn’t have to educate men about sexism, black people shouldn’t have to educate white people, the indigenous should not have to educate the nonindigenous, and indeed, that’s only fair and right. It’s an exhausting burden to constantly have to teach people about things they should know or should have learned for themselves, and it’s unfair for that burden to fall on the backs of the already oppressed.

Yet I think now is a moment when we have a great opportunity to educate people — and if we are planning for a long-term, deep transformation of society and politics, education is crucial. So, unfair as it is there are many reasons why we should stop telling people, “It’s not my job to educate you — educate yourself!” For one thing, many people don’t know how to educate themselves. They’ve been badly educated to begin with — either because they went to “bad” schools where the focus was all on discipline and not on learning, or because they went to “good” schools where the focus was all on competing and passing tests, not on learning how to learn.

Secondly, if they go off and educate themselves, you know they’ll be googling away on the Internet and Goddess only knows what they’ll come up with! If we take up the burden of education, we can determine what we want people to learn and how. Yes, it’s tiring and exhausting and we shouldn’t have to do it, but it’s also a chance to consciously create a new culture, to share understandings, to tell the truth about our own lives and experiences, to open minds and broaden awareness.

Whenever possible, people who hold privilege can shoulder the burden of educating their fellows — provided they can do it with respect and compassion and not as a means of displaying how I’m the Good White Person or I’m the Sensitive Male and You’re Not. We can see actions and mobilizations as learning opportunities, and recognize that the education is one aspect of our victory

Be Kind

Not necessarily to the oppressors, but at least to your own supporters, friends, coconspirators and allies. That doesn’t mean to stifle constructive critique, but don’t turn organizing into an episode of Mean Girls. Support people when they are down. Share burdens. Be there for your comrades in jail, in illness or disease or injury or other troubles. Understand that kindness, compassion and caring are the cornerstones of the world we want to create, and they take practice. So begin with one another.

Starhawk is the author of 12 books, an activist, permaculture designer and one the foremost voices in Earth-based spirituality. Her new book on group dynamics, “The Empowerment Manual: A Guide for Collaborative Groups,” is now out from New Society Publishers. Starhawk directs Earth Activist Trainings. Visit www.Starhawk.org.

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FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 15

STARSPEAK

BY ERIC D. LINTER

Astrological Forecast Fall/Winter 2018

“The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” — Albert Einstein

T

he outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, have much to say about where humanity is headed. Trends in the arts, culture, fashion, and politics are governed by these distant stars. The first of the three most slow-moving planets, Uranus, spends the forecast period hovering on the Aries/Taurus cusp. Neptune, the planet of dreams, remains ensconced in the heart of mystical Pisces. Transformative Pluto continues its long journey through Capricorn, the sign of big business, government and other authorities. Each plays a role in the state of our nation as well as our personal lives.

Egalitarian Uranus begins the forecast period in early Taurus. Here the Great Awakener spotlights the unequal distribution of wealth and resources. Neptune evokes idealism, deep longing for a more perfect and compassionate world. Pluto, testing the birth horoscope of the USA since 2008, strains our long-term alliances, empowers rivals, and reveals corruption as well as other abuses of power. It also triggers a renewed search for the meaning and purpose of our nation.

These processes continue for the better part of the coming decade. It is our responsibility to participate in, and when possible, improve our government. Whatever your politics, stay informed and involved. Vote this November! Contribute as you can to the people and causes you feel represent your values and interests. We all have a say in our nation’s role at home and on the global stage.

16 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

SEPTEMBER

The Labor Day weekend, for many the season’s last hurrah, plays out under mostly mellow skies. While officially summer isn’t quite done, the impending onset of fall can be noted. The hours of daylight are growing shorter. In wetlands the leaves of swamp maples change to fiery red. Overhead Venus remains the jewel-like evening star. Her sextile with Mercury on Monday the 3rd is an omen of happiness and agreeable communications.

Saturn resumes forward motion on Thursday the 6th.

The Ringed Planet has been backpedaling since midApril. On the 7th a fabulous earth sign grand trine links Mercury, Saturn and Uranus. Practical solutions are sought and found. Put the wisdom of the past to good use while embracing new ideas and the latest technology.

Venus tangles with Mars on Saturday the 8th. Some

couples have reached the end of their shared road. If you must part ways, do so with kindness and respect.

We’re soon on the way to new adventures. The Virgo new Moon during the afternoon of Sunday the 9th launches a fresh activity cycle. Venus arrives in Scorpio the same day and on Monday Mars enters Aquarius. In the sign of friendship, working for the greater good is one of Mars’ strengths. The Virgo Sun fosters tremendous good will on Tuesday the 11th. Some of that community spirit spills over into Wednesday when working with and for others is also supported by the stars.

Research and planning are facilitated over the weekend of the 15th and 16th. Minds are precise as mental Mercury is ably assisted by aspects with Pluto and Jupiter. A potentially dangerous square between Mars and Uranus warrants extreme caution on the 18th. Discord between friends can be upsetting. Cars as well as other machines need be used with all due caution. Pay attention and stay focused.

Fall begins with the Sun’s arrival in Libra on Saturday the 22nd. The autumnal equinox sees balance between the forces of darkness and light. Insecurities and fears may be magnified by Mercury’s square to Saturn on Sunday the 23rd. A midday delay can be frustrating. Another aspect, this one an energizing and inspiring trine between Mercury and Mars, soon follows and with the waxing Harvest Moon lighting the path, the way forward is clear. The Moon is exactly full Monday night at 10:52PM EDT. The opposing Sun and Moon are square to Saturn. Partnerships require a deft touch this week.

Delayed gratification may be unavoidable if certain relationships are going to thrive.

Agreements are more readily reached the last few days of the month.

OCTOBER

A slip of the tongue could have unintended consequences as October begins. Think twice before speaking. Venus turns retrograde in Scorpio on Friday the 5th. Jealousy could offend a partner’s sensibilities. Give freely and without attachment.

The Libra new Moon is exact the night of Monday the 8th. Once again the cosmos green lights projects but a testing square from Pluto suggests plans will need revising.

With Venus retrograde, a lack of funds or support may delay or prohibit some activities. Mercury’s midweek opposition to Uranus changes minds abruptly but a late week sextile with Saturn points to workable solutions. Remain cooperative throughout the week as the Sun is at odds with Pluto. A winner-takes-all approach is certain to arouse long-term resentment.

More optimistic moods set in over the weekend of the 13th and 14th. On Monday the 15th Mercury joins retrograde Venus in a healing conjunction. Making amends with friends, partners and co-workers sets the stage for a fruitful working week. The waxing Moon provides plenty of energy but watch your speed and your manners on Friday the 19th when Mercury is at odds with Mars. Spiritually enriching creative and social endeavors brighten Saturday the 20th. Hearts and minds are impressionable all weekend. Mastery of many different challenges is facilitated by Mercury’s sextile with Pluto on Monday the 22nd.

The Sun enters Scorpio the morning of the 23rd. A solar opposition to Uranus occurs the same day. Personal values are questioned. Market fluctuations can be dramatic. The Moon is nearly full so the emotional tenor is at a fevered pitch. One bright spot is Venus’ sextile to Saturn. The goddess of love and beauty is still retrograde. Apply guidance from wise men and women to current challenges. A long ago love may reappear.

The full Hunter’s Moon in Taurus is exact at 12:45PM on Wednesday the 24th. Security issues are paramount. Sharing assets, whether wealth, knowledge or talents, is the surest path to lasting stability. Inequality and the vast disparity of wealth rankles many political observers. At week’s end the Sun overtakes Venus and both stars sit favorably aligned with Saturn. New alliances are forged. Friday and Saturday are good days to seek balance in all relationships. Good news comes on Monday the 29th but the month ends with many issues feeling unsettled.

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NOVEMBER

Shorter hours of daylight and a waning Moon increase the inclination to reflect on the past and ponder the future. Sunset comes early as we return to Standard Time on Sunday the 4th. Election Day, Tuesday the 6th, is rife with changes and upheavals. The Moon is at odds with retrograding Uranus just as the planet of earthquakes, inventions and game-changing breakthroughs slips back into Aries. The public rebels against the status quo and election results reflect both voter discontent and the wish to see the USA

Continued on page 18

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FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 17

FALL/WINTER ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST Continued from page 17

move in a different direction.

The new Moon in Scorpio on Wednesday the 6th helps crystallize a clear sense of purpose. The next day Jupiter returns to his own sign of Sagittarius for the first time in eleven years. The Moon promptly conjuncts the giant planet, raising hopes and faith that truth and knowledge will prevail. Happy trends hold sway on Friday the 9th and Saturday the 10th. Weekend reunions are notable.

On Thursday the 15th progressive forces hold the upper hand. The first quarter Moon in Aquarius is the time to review plans and assess progress. Mars makes an energizing sextile to Uranus early in the day and then enters Pisces during the late afternoon. Keep a steady eye on chosen goals. Distractions are sure to arise.

Venus turns direct and Mercury retrogrades on Friday the 16th. The direction shifts can be perplexing. Just as social and money matters show promise, some folks are likely to renege on a promise. Mars squares Jupiter on Monday the 19th. Disagreements grow heated and loud. Be alert to ulterior motives. Anger is a cover-up, used to hide underlying fears and insecurities.

The full Moon approaches. On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday the 22nd, the Sun enters Sagittarius. Hearts feel lighter. A void-of-course Taurus Moon creates a relaxed and indulgent atmosphere. The late night mood is charged with excitement. As midnight nears the Moon slips into Gemini. At 12:39AM on Friday the 23rd the Moon is exactly full. Expect appetites to be large as the Sun is conjunct optimistic Jupiter. Revelers are boisterous, laughs are hearty but care must be taken. Mars is testing the Moon, Sun and Jupiter. Avoid overdoing it and use caution if you plan to travel tonight.

The Sun, Mercury and Jupiter form an enthusiastic stellium the week of the 26th. Debates are impassioned. Some argue just for the sake of being disagreeable. A well-reasoned explanation makes an excellent impression. Put your thinking cap on and make sure your positions are supported by facts. That’s the best way to avoid a future embarrassment. November ends with Venus in an opposition with Uranus. Some lovers are ready to say goodbye. Others see partners in a refreshing new light.

DECEMBER

The Sagittarius Sun and Jupiter form testing squares with Mars and Neptune during the first few days of the month. Some folks scramble to shore up their reputations. However, the moral high ground belongs to those who serve rather than exploit others. Mental Mercury returns to forward motion on Thursday the 6th. Mars is conjunct Neptune and still at odds with the Sun and Jupiter at the New Moon of the 7th. There are many potential hazards. Bad weather, floods, toxic chemicals and other environmental risks are heightened. Overly pompous behavior can be detrimental to healthy relationships.

Constructive ideas are nurtured by the Capricorn Moon during the weekend of the 8th and 9th. This is a good time for holiday shopping and seasonal preparations. Upon arrival in Sagittarius on Wednesday the 12th, Mercury promotes positive thinking. A succession of stabilizing alignments graces the period between the 16th and 21st. The major planets are supportive of good behavior and enjoying seasonal fun.

Winter solstice is on Friday the 21st. The Sun enters Capricorn that evening while Venus and Neptune are in a trine and Mercury is conjunct Jupiter. Happiness. Love.

Life is good. The Moon is nearly full and appears so at sunset. On Saturday at 12:49PM EST she’ll be exactly full in Cancer. The weekend is a whirlwind of errand running and social get-togethers. While the urge to stay close to home is stimulated by the Cancer Moon, travel is easier over the weekend than on Monday. A Monday evening square between Mercury and Neptune can be a harbinger of weather delays, missed connections, lost items and other obstacles.

With a Leo Moon the 25th feels celebratory. Relatively calm days follow. The night of the 31st Mars enters Aries, firing up New Year’s Eve celebrations. A lunar trine to Neptune adds notes of nostalgia and mysticism as we prepare to turn the calendar page.

JANUARY

Happy New Year! With the Moon in Scorpio and the Capricorn Sun heading into conjunction with sober Saturn, moods are pensive on the 1st. Saturn always calls for a clear-headed assessment of where we stand, what needs are most pressing and how to best reach goals. The Sun/Saturn conjunction of Wednesday the 2nd is also a prelude

18 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

to a solar eclipse at the new Moon on Saturday the 5th. Eclipses often bring realizations and changes of fortune. Hold off on your New Year resolutions until after the 5th.

A major change of pace comes on the 6th. Uranus resumes forward motion, sparking imaginations and boosting inventive initiatives. Venus enters Sagittarius the morning of Monday the 7th. With an Aquarian Moon, friendly vibes prevail. Tuesday sees Mercury at odds with Mars. Stubbornness carries risks. Be ready to revise your thinking. From the 9th through the 11th the Sun’s conjunction with Pluto dominates. The potent pairing focuses attention on power, who has it and how it’s being used. Positions on either side of an argument are firm and uncompromising.

Jupiter’s square with Neptune on Sunday the 13th leads some folks to naively trust.

High hopes are fine but don’t be gullible. Double-check relevant facts. Confusion and uncertainty are widespread this week as the Capricorn Sun makes a tense square with Uranus on Friday the 18th. Impassioned and eager, restless spirits clamor for change.

The Sun enters Aquarius on Sunday the 20th. Weather can factor into travel plans.

Expect delays around the time of the full Moon, exact Monday at 12:16AM EST. Open your heart to both give and receive with this powerful lunar event. A blissfully happy conjunction of Venus and Jupiter brightens the morning of Tuesday the 22nd.

This is a good time to count blessings. Spirits remain high and debates lively as Mars forms a trine with Jupiter on Friday the 25th. Meetings are productive but fatigue sets in after dark.

The coldest days of winter play out under relatively mellow skies. Saturn closes the month with a sextile to Neptune on Thursday the 31st. This alignment is an invitation to apply one’s creative ingenuity. Everyday responsibilities as well as humanitarian causes are best served by consistent, dedicated efforts. Make a dream come true!

FEBRUARY

I can’t speak for groundhogs but I can tell you people are in for a wonderful time the night of Saturday the 2nd. A sextile between Venus and Uranus is a harbinger of great fun. Be spontaneous. Chance meetings as well as reunions can be memorable.

On Monday afternoon the new Moon in Aquarius jumpstarts the cosmic gearwheels.

It is again time to plant seeds and begin new projects. The Sun and Moon are favorably aligned with Jupiter, adding confidence that ambitious plans will succeed. Thursday the 7th is an especially promising day for meetings and planning sessions. Hopeful and gregarious moods persist into Saturday the 9th. The night is a fine one for socializing.

Hook up with your most gifted story-telling friends and share belly laughs.

While the mid-month period is for the most part mellow, the late afternoon and night of Tuesday the 12th brings challenges. The first quarter Moon in Taurus brings out stubborn streaks while Mars’ conjunction with Uranus increases the risks of accidents, falls, fires and aggressive behavior. Don’t hurry. Avoid hotheads and trouble spots. Take extra care while driving or using sharp tools and machinery.

St. Valentine’s Day sees a turnabout. The late afternoon and nighttime highlight the charms of love and affection. Let someone special know you care. The loving atmosphere continues to echo into the following weekend. Venus’ sextile with Neptune intensifies affections, inspires artists and motivates social reformers. Progressive forces rally under the Aquarius Sun’s sextile with Uranus on Monday the 18th. Later that day the Sun enters Pisces. There’s no resting as the Moon waxes and is exactly full at 0 Virgo on Tuesday the 19th at 10:53AM EST. Roll up your shirtsleeves and get to work. This can be a very productive day. Signs of coming spring may already be apparent.

Friday the 22nd brings engaging trends. Avoid afternoon distractions. Finish work and prepare for a lively evening. A party or other social event blends personal and professional interests. Discussions may continue into Saturday. Stay alert at the wheel of your car. After a tentative start to the working week enthusiasm builds as the Sun sextiles Mars on Thursday the 27th. Solid progress is made at month’s end while the hours of daylight grow longer each day.

Eric Linter offers a complete range of astrological services including readings, classes and his “On Top of the Stars Monthly Guide” for making inspired career and personal decisions. Contact Eric at ericlinter.com and read his daily forecast on the Spirit of Change homepage at spiritofchange.org.

Meet Eric at the Natural Living Expo for his talk “Making the Most of Today’s Stars: Guidance For All 12 Signs” on Sunday, November 11 at high noon.

www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 19

consciousness. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for centuries in spiritual context, and more recently, described by botanists like Michael Pollan in modern spiritual psychology.

Certain mushrooms can, unfortunately, as plant educator Pam Montgomery says, heal you dead. If you live in New England, you likely have a friend who has landed in the hospital due to eating the wrong mushroom.

Even expert mushroom gatherers occasionally fall prey to confusing an edible mushroom with a poisonous one.

So for most of us, that means not to gather, but to enjoy mushrooms from your local market or knowledgeable gatherers. If you do gather and eat mushrooms, use extreme caution and common sense. Be mindful of not overharvesting. If you are interested in learning about culinary and other mushrooms, the Boston Mycological Club is an excellent group; they regularly forage and then identify mushrooms they find.

HEALTHY COOKING

BY ANNIE B. KAY

VARIETIES

The most common mushrooms available are white buttons. Baby bellas, also called criminis, which are deeper brown and have a bit richer flavor, are increasingly available. Portabella mushrooms are a more mature version of brown crimini mushrooms, with a longer growing period. Portabellas have meat-like texture and flavor and are often used as a vegetarian substitute for meat. Their burger-sized caps are grilling perfection.

A wide range of wild or specialty mushrooms like oyster, maitake, shiitake, and enoki are now available.

They tend to take longer to grow or have shorter growing seasons and require more hands-on treatment. They also tend to cost more due to their special handling. Flavors of these varieties range from mild to meaty and earthy; each variety has a unique flavor and nutrient profile.

either animal nor plant (though related to both), mushrooms occupy their own special place in culinary, nutritional and plant medicinal use and lore. They, like molds and mildew, are fungi; they live off organic matter, not sunlight, like plants.

Mushrooms and other fungi play a critical role in nature’s ecosystem. They are master deconstructors and recyclers of energy and nutrients, reducing organic matter to its essential components. They feed the very base of the food chain; a fungal layer coats our entire planet, and acts a bit to the biosphere like the microflora in our lower digestive tract act for us — fungi is, in fact, part of our microflora — clearing, feeding and sustaining the dynamic balance of life.

Fungi’s digesting actions ferment beer and bring the probiotic tanginess to sourdough and sauerkraut. These mycological actors also play beyond the kitchen, from creating a range of antibiotic medicines to making a kind of leather to dissolving styrofoam.

MUSHROOM NUTRITION

Because mushrooms have that unctuous umami flavor, they are often used as a replacement for meat. That may explain why many people think mushrooms are a better source of protein than they actually are. While they, like vegetables, do contain some protein, eating them with richer sources like nuts, grains or beans will give you the

20 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

plant protein boost you seek.

Mushrooms are, overall, delicious little nutrition powerhouses. They are low in calories, modest in fiber and rich in B vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium and zinc. Mushrooms are also high in antioxidants like selenium, glutathione (called the mother of all antioxidants since other antioxidants can be synthesized from this master nutrient), and ergothioneine (ERGO). They help prevent oxidative stress, support bone health, detoxification and overall healing. High-antioxidant mushrooms, like maitakis, have shown promise in cancer prevention and treatment.

If mushrooms are grown under light, they can be a rare good source of vitamin D. Observational studies suggest that people who eat mushrooms daily have lower rates of breast cancer and dementia, though this type of study is not definitive. The composition and concentration of nutrients in mushrooms varies widely by variety.

TO GATHER OR NOT TO GATHER?

Mushrooms grow year round, but are most plentiful in fall. While cultivated mushrooms may be available anytime, most wild mushrooms only appear in autumn. One exception is the morel, which grows in spring.

Mushroom-human relationships can be complicated. Certain mushrooms are psychoactive; they contain chemicals — usually psilocybin — that expands human

COOKING TIPS

To rinse or not to rinse? If you rinse mushrooms or gently brush the dirt off them (with a special mushroom-shaped brush, of course!) entirely depends on the type of chef that you are. Either way works. Mushrooms have a high water content and rinsing them is quick, but does alter their outer skin; you can feel them become a bit waterlogged. This will impact how they act in the process of cooking. Brushing them off is ideal and maintains their outer layer, but either way you clean your mushrooms, their musky flavor remains.

Toadstools (another name for mushrooms) are versatile in the kitchen and can be sautéed in hot oil until their liquid releases and then evaporates in the pan, or marinated and grilled. Stir-fries are quick, breading or stuffing mushrooms then baking them helps them retain their shape and rich flavor, and roasting them with vegetables emphasizes their sweetness. Dried mushrooms, when reconstituted, can add deep, rich flavor to soups and sauces. Eating mushrooms raw is not recommended because their cells walls require cooking to break them down so they are digestible.

Here is a small collection of my favorite nutrient-dense ways to enjoy a variety of mycological marvels for breakfast, lunch or dinner this fall. You can substitute any mushroom for any other in these recipes, though your end result will also change. Enjoy!

Continued on page 22

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FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 21

HEALTHY COOKING Continued from page 20

OYSTER MUSHROOM BREAKFAST HASH

Poaching an egg over vegetables is a warm and hearty way to begin the day. Serves 2 (30 minutes to prep, 20 minutes to cook) Ingredients 2 Tbsp olive oil 6 small red potatoes, cut into 4 quarters 1/2 yellow onion, sliced and cubed 1/2 red red pepper, cut into cubes 1/4 cup fresh thyme leaves (2 Tbsp if using dried) 1 cup oyster mushrooms, cleaned and sliced 4 eggs Salt and pepper to taste Directions 1 In a large skillet saute potatoes for 5 minutes over medium heat, then add onions and continue to saute until potatoes are soft and onions translucent.

2 Add in red pepper and mushrooms. Saute for a few more minutes to mix and warm. Top with thyme.

3. Crack an egg in each of four corners of the skillet over the vegetable mix. Cover for 3 or 4 minutes to allow the eggs to cook to your desired hardness. Top with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

ANNIE’S HUNGARIAN-INSPIRED MUSHROOM SOUP

Dill and sour cream bring out the rich sweet flavor of mushrooms and turnip. Serves 4 (30 minutes to prep, 60-70 minutes to cook) Ingredients 16-oz package mushrooms (crimini or white button) 2 Tbsp olive oil 3 large carrots, cubed (cut into bite-sized pieces) 1/2 yellow onion, cubed 1/2 medium yellow turnip, peeled and cubed 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock About 1 cup fresh dill, chopped About 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped 2 Tbsp grass-fed yogurt or sour cream Directions 1 Cube carrots, clean and slice mushrooms, and cube turnip, discarding any waxy covering it may have.

2. In a heavy soup pot over medium heat, sauté onions in olive oil until translucent.

3. Add the veggies to the pot and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

4. Add stock and simmer 45-60 minutes. Meanwhile, chop herbs.

5. Add herbs and yogurt or sour cream. If you’d like a smoother textured soup, cool and run through a blender or use a hand-blender.

22 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

Recipes MUSHROOM PATE

Here is my variation on mushroom pate. Warning: it’s hard to stop eating once you begin! Serves 8 for appetizers (30 minutes to prep, 1 hour to cook plus time to cool)

BROWN RICE CURRY BOWL WITH TOFU, SHIITAKES AND CHARD

Having a bit of cooked rice or any whole grain in the fridge make this bowl a snap. Serves 3-4 (30 minutes to prep, 30-45 minutes to cook)

Ingredients 4 Tbsp organic butter 3 cups onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 1/2 pounds mushrooms (about 6 cups, any variety), coarsely chopped 1 tsp salt 1 to 2 tsp dry mustard 3 Tbsp dry white wine 1/2 cup wheat germ 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped 8 ounces softened cream cheese 1 to 2 Tbsp minced fresh dill 1 to 2 Tbsp minced fresh thyme 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp cayenne 1/2 tsp paprika

Ingredients 1/2 cup brown rice 1 cup water 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 3 Tbsp sesame oil, divided 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1 small red onion, sliced 1 clove garlic, minced 8 oz. tofu, cubed 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, minced 2 cups Swiss chard, sliced 1/2 cup Greek-style yogurt 1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 tsp curry powder 1 Tbsp hoisin sauce 1 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 2 bread loaf pans with nonstick spray.

2. Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.

Add the onion and celery and saute, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the mushrooms, salt, and mustard. Cook uncovered over medium heat, stirring, for 5 minutes.

Add wine, and cook for another 5 minutes.

4. Sprinkle in the walnuts and wheat germ, stirring as you go. Wheat germ and walnuts both provide texture and a serious nutritional boost of omega-3 fats and other nutrients. Cook for about 2 minutes longer, then remove from heat.

5. Transfer the mixture to a food processor, and add the cream cheese, dill, and thyme. Purée until smooth, then add black pepper and cayenne to taste.

6. Divide the mixture between the 2 loaf pans, and spread mixture evenly. Lightly dust the tops with paprika, and bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour in the center of the oven.

7. Allow the pate to cool in the pans for 30 minutes (or chill several hours or overnight) before removing from the pans.

8. Serve cold with crackers, and alongside olives, cornichon pickles and crudité. This also makes a great sandwich spread.

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400F. 2. In a small pot, lightly toast brown rice in 1 Tbsp sesame oil, then add water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil then lower heat to low and simmer until rice is done.

3. Meanwhile, whisk remaining oil, pepper, ginger, and garlic in a large bowl. Add mushrooms, onion, and tofu and toss to coat. Spread this mixture on a rimmed baking dish and roast, tossing once halfway through and adding in the chard, until lightly browned and tender, 20-35 minutes.

4. Mix yogurt, lemon juice, curry, and hoisin. Divide this mixture into 3-4 serving bowls. Top with rice, then with tofu mixture. Top with cilantro and enjoy.

WILD MUSHROOM RAGOUT-SAUCE

Here’s an easy delicious sauce for pasta, polenta or roasted vegetables. Serves 2 (20 minutes to prep, 20 minutes to cook) Ingredients 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped 1/2 tsp fresh thyme 1 1/2 cups mixed wild mushrooms 1 medium potato, diced 2 Tbsp miso paste 2 Tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp salt 1/4 cup red wine Directions 1. In a large heavy skillet, saute onions in oil over medium heat until translucent.

2. Add thyme, mushrooms, and potato and saute until potatoes are soft.

3. Stir in miso, tomato paste, wine and salt. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, and serve over pasta, grain or on cooked vegetables.

Annie B Kay, MS, RDN, E-RYT500, C-IAYT is an integrative dietitian, yoga therapist and shamanic plant alchemist who directs programs and retreats at Kripalu and internationally. She has a telehealth private practice in Western MA. www.anniebkay.com

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FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 23

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An interview with David Lipsius by Carol Bedrosian

David Lipsius, President and CEO of the Yoga Alliance and Yoga Alliance Foundation

ELEVATING YOGA TO THE NEXT LEVEL Clarifying yoga teaching standards shapes yoga's new professional identity.

W

ithin the past 10 years, yoga has moved well into mainstream recognition as a valuable health tool for mental and physical well being. Either you already do yoga yourself or know someone else who does. No longer considered an exotic spiritual practice for serious contortionists only, yoga is now acknowledged by the American Heart Association as a way for anyone to prevent and reverse heart disease, and is routinely offered in senior centers, public schools, corporate work places,

24 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

churches, Y’s, gyms and tens of thousands of private yoga studios across the country to what is estimated will be 80 million Americans in 2018.

America has discovered that yoga works! Many of the stretching exercises most popularly recommended by your physical or occupational therapist are also yoga poses (asanas). Add some conscious breathing while you stretch and you’re doing yoga. Yoga is so simple, so adaptable and so universal that it can be practiced by anyone at any age with steady results. My wise and 30-year experienced yoga

YOGA DIRECTORY Yoga at the Ashram, Millis, MA

MASSACHUSETTS

Bridgewater

Maha Yoga Center, 992 Bedford St. (Rt. 18), Bridgewater, MA 02324. Yoga all levels, Hatha, Ashtanga, meditation, massage. Yoga teacher training (Yoga Alliance). 508-697-3273 mahayogacenter.com

Easton

Easton Yoga Center, 50 Oliver Street, Ste 208, Easton, MA 02356. Yoga for all levels. Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, Beginners, Yin. Private Yoga and Reiki sessions available. 508-276-0315. eastonyogacenter.com

Holden

Opening Lotus Yoga. 465 Main Street, Holden, MA, 01520. All levels. Kundalini , Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Certified Yoga/Ayurvedic health coaching. 508-829-7435 openinglotusyoga.com.

Leominster/Central Mass Area

Yoga Anita. "Calm the mind, stretch the body, invigorate the spirit." Yoga and Meditation. Group, private, schools, corporate, workshops. www.yogaanita.com. 978-227-8297

Opening Lotus Studio, Holden, MA

Millis

Yoga at the Ashram, 368 Village Street, Kundalini, gong relaxations, concerts, workshops, healing circles, retreats and teacher trainings. First 30 days $30. www.YogaAtTheAshram.org. 508-376-4525 The Yoga Studio. A tranquil, welcoming healing center. Daily classes for all levels, private yoga therapy, and 200/500 hour YTT. First class free.

508-376-8508.theyogastudiomillis.com

Pembroke

Ageless Yoga, 206 Washington Street, Pembroke, MA. Regular schedule of heated hatha yoga classes.

Music events, breathwork and holistic practitioner classes. www.Ageless-yoga.com. 781-826-9642.

Princeton

FrogPond Yoga Centre. Classes in the tradition of Raja Yoga for all levels of practitioners. 200 and 500-hr classes are ongoing. frogpondyoga.org Include your studio.

Next ad deadline is January 31, 2019 email advertise@spiritofchange.org

teacher once pointed out that for some individuals, their version of the headstand is to bend the head downward at the neck, or if seated, bend forward at the hips. Yoga always has to start somewhere.

With the explosion of yoga’s popularity has come a fresh new crop of teachers who haven’t yet developed their 30 years of experience in knowing that every body is different, nor honed the skill to continually remind students to check in with this body part and that body part as you move into a specific pose. While yoga encourages stretching into new areas of the body with breath, prana and regeneration, yoga should never be painful.

The first yogic precept is ahimsa, non-violence, to self and others. Healing comes gently and gradually — less is more — a wisdom gained over years of practice. But what happens when you have a teacher not quite experienced enough to know that suggesting headstand adaptations at the start of the pose is actually more important than guiding students through to its completion?

While no fatalities have been attributed to yoga, injuries do occur when students ignore the body’s pain signals or intuitive flashes of “Stop! Don’t do this!” Just like running, www.spiritofchange.org

Maha Yoga Center, Bridgewater, MA

Northborough

IPT Informed Yoga with Pat Lebau, professional level Kripalu Yoga teacher. Classes held Monday-Friday in and around Northborough locations. 508-393-5581.

PatriciaLebau@gmail.com. www.PatLebauYoga.com

Uxbridge

State of Grace Yoga and Wellness Center for Health & Healing. Yoga, massage, acupressure therapy, Reiki, Angel Card Readings. Yoga teacher training Sept 2018! Stateofgracewellness.com. 104 East Hartford Ave. 508-278-2818.

Westborough

Sohum is a Yoga and meditation studio with the mission to promote health and wellness to all for the body and for the mind. www.sohum.org. 508-329-3338.

Westborough Yoga for transformation, healing and spinal health. Offering Svaroopa yoga, meditation, private Yoga Therapy and Embodyment. Contact Michelle (Kamala) Gross, 508-341-6424 westboroughyoga.com

Worcester

Worcester Yoga Center. Ann Bissanti. Over 30 years teaching experience. Trained in India by B.K.S. Iyengar. New location: 21 West Street, Worcester, MA. 508-829-6300. worcesteryogacenter.com

dancing or any other sport, injury during yoga can occur without sufficient warm up for the body to assume strong poses like Plank and Downward Dog, or even when a body is just not ready to bend, stretch or move a certain way on that day. Fortunately, yoga is its own antidote; there is always a reverse or healing pose to restore balance, even if the restoration might take some time.

Amidst the explosive growth of yoga in the wild, wild West, and with every expectation that its mainstream acceptance will only expand, comes a need to ensure that American yogic teaching standards evolve with the tradition’s longstanding ethics that promote teacher competency, public safety, embrace of diversity and inclusion of all people. In a dovetail of divine timing, less than two years ago, yoga teacher and values-based nonprofit executive David Lipsius took over as President and CEO of Yoga Alliance and Yoga Alliance Foundation, the largest international not-for-profit organization serving yoga teachers, yoga schools and students, with exactly that mission in mind. For the past 14 months, David has catalyzed the effort to bring yoga more easily into the mainstream by clarifying yoga teaching standards and ethics that strengthen its professional identity

Continued on page 26

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 25

ELEVATING YOGA TO THE NEXT LEVEL, continued from page 25 while respecting the diversity of its many traditions. With its hundreds of zealously regarded lineages, truly, only a very experienced yogi could possibly even envision embracing all yogic traditions into one professional framework!

Yet holding to this unified vision has strengthened the framework for the future field of yoga so it can more easily merge into the mainstream, as well as protect practitioners and consumers. The July 19, 2018, unanimous passage of Massachusetts Senate Bill 2599 (now S2621 in the House): A Bill to Regulate Bodyworkers, intended to prevent human trafficking in bodywork establishments, would have required unlicensed “bodyworkers” in the state (practitioners who use “touch, words or directed movement”), including yoga teachers, qigong masters, Reiki practitioners and nearly all alternative practitioners, to become licensed through massage therapy schools for state oversight — an expensive and burdensome proposition.

Flawed from the start to even equate bodywork with human trafficking because of a small number of isolated incidents, fortunately the bill did not make it through the House, but is sure to come up for discussion again by the end of the year. House Bill 2033 and Senate Bill 1136, informally known as the Safe Harbor Act, are reasonable legislative alternatives, which would guarantee the rights of practitioners to offer alternative therapies while shoring up consumer protections by helping consumers identify professional credentials among alternative practitioners.

Unlicensed healing modalities such as yoga, Reiki and qigong will benefit from strong professional organizations that can self-monitor their community of practitioners by offering certification and continuing education, encouraging more transparent disclosure of competency. Yoga Alliance is now strongly positioned to offer this leadership, and perhaps a model to other unlicensed healing modalities for providing similar oversight for their practitioners.

Buoyed by his gratitude for the many, many years of experience he has been privileged to enjoy around some of the most extraordinary yoga teachers on the planet, and seeing a larger picture of where and why yoga is not accessible to others, David is committed to giving back to the community by helping to make yoga accessible to all. He shares exactly how he plans to do that in this interview.

Carol Bedrosian: What is the Yoga Alliance and what are the issues the organization addresses?

David Lipsius: Yoga Alliance is actually two organizations but the organization known as Yoga Alliance is an independent not-for-profit member organization.

Yoga Alliance advances the training and development of yoga professionals and also advocates for safety and accessibility in yoga. Our sister organization is the Yoga Alliance Foundation. That's a 501C3 not-for-profit public charity. The new mission at the Yoga Alliance Foundation is to expand access and inclusion in yoga and to bring yoga to underserved, underrepresented and marginalized populations.

Carol Bedrosian: That's a tall order. What kind of progress have you made towards those aims?

David Lipsius: Yoga Alliance is really making a major transition from being a registry — a place where yoga teachers register that they have completed a yoga teacher training — to operating as a traditional member organization, with standards and credentialing, member education, member benefits and government relations as the primary activities. Yoga Alliance is really looking at how it can serve our members better, so we restructured the organization in 2017 to move beyond a simple registry.

Why do this? I came on board at Yoga Alliance a little more than a year ago, after some time spent as the CEO of Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Having spent five years at one of the largest yoga institutions in the West, I had an amazing opportunity to really listen deeply to yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, and many of the major thought leaders in yoga. In a lot of ways it was a five-year focus group on the concerns and interests and opportunities that were impacting our field. So leading Yoga Alliance presented an interesting opportunity to look for ways to elevate the profession for the benefit of yoga teachers and their students everywhere.

Carol Bedrosian: Those are very lofty goals to standardize and professionalize a field as diverse and non-traditional as yoga, but this is exactly what is needed to bring it to the public. With so many different yoga traditions, how is that unfolding?

David Lipsius: : It's unfolding well is one part of the answer, not to say that there aren't challenges. Our vision is to create an alliance. Our founding was based on the principle of unity in yoga — the leading yoga teachers of the time coming together for the benefit of others. What I'm suggesting to the field is to say that we’re stronger together. I 26 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

believe what we need to start doing is listening to each other, finding ways to partner and to work together and learn from each other in that spirit of unity — yoga — and in the spirit of alliance, as opposed to succumbing to competition or fear.

Yoga Alliance is particularly unique in that we're independent, meaning we can appropriately represent interests from different lineages, traditions, organizations, forprofit orgs, not-for-profit orgs, styles, and belief systems, all without having to adhere to any single set of interests from an individual or any dogma from any particular community. We think about the field as a whole and bring all of those people together in a way that advances the profession.

So how do we do something so lofty and so broad in many ways? We start with some basics, and for Yoga Alliance that is a comprehensive, inclusive review of our 18-year-old yoga teaching standards. That's where our main focus has been in the first year, year and a half. The yoga teaching standards were effectively put into place way back in ‘97, ‘98, and ‘99 when they were codified by a group of original yoga teachers and thought leaders who came together for the greater good. But in the 18 years since then, there have only been some modest updates to the standards. So this entire year of 2018 for Yoga Alliance has really been focused on the standards review project and bringing as many people together from as many backgrounds as possible to take a good look at the underlying standards of yoga teachers and yoga schools and to determine what needs to happen next to help the field evolve.

Carol Bedrosian: Can you be specific about what these standards are?

David Lipsius: The basic standards that were put in place some 18 years ago are based on 200-hour level and 500-hour level trainings. And within that training are competencies based on different categories of education. So in a 200-hour training a potential yoga teacher would learn yoga philosophy, ethics, they would learn asana, pranayama, meditation techniques, anatomy and physiology from an Eastern perspective and a Western perspective, etc. Those standards have, in a lot of ways, become the accepted standards in the field.

What we're doing now is saying: Well, where are we and what have we learned over the last 18 years of using those standards? Are there enhancements to be made? The way we're doing that is through an inclusive process that has welcomed the public — both YA members and non-members — and, in fact, many of our critics as well, to come to the table in that spirit of yoga to have discussions about how these standards should evolve given that they are ubiquitous around the world. And that's what's happening right now.

The way that's happening is in multiple feedback mechanisms. We're getting feedback through a global survey that went out in the early spring. We've just received those early results and are waiting for the final reports, which will be published in August. We believe that it’s the largest ever survey of yoga professionals or the field of yoga that we can identify, with over 12,000 people responding.

We also have eight volunteer working groups that are evaluating specific areas of the standards, like the potential need for a code of ethics, the potential need for a better understanding of the scope of practice for a yoga teacher — what does a yoga teacher do or what doesn't a yoga teacher do — as well as working groups that are examining topics like the potential development of a core curriculum: What standards and credentials would a yoga teacher need? What would a yoga teacher trainer need? We're looking at integrity, meaning what accountability structures should be put in place for yoga teachers, either by Yoga Alliance or by others like the schools themselves who do the certifications?

Those committees are actively in motion now and will be delivering reports through the late summer and the fall. Their findings and recommendations will then be combined with the survey results and all the additional feedback that we're getting through other mechanisms like our listening tour, which has brought me from India to the U.S., and in the fall to Europe. In addition, our e-mail and phone advisors are collating information being offered by our members. Anyone can submit feedback at any time to our e-mail address IWantToHelpYA@yogaalliance.org.

Carol Bedrosian: How does credentialing work?

David Lipsius: An individual local yoga school provides a certification once a trainee successfully completes their teacher training. If the teacher received their training certificate from a registered Yoga Alliance school, they are then eligible to become a member of Yoga Alliance — the member association that advances the development of yoga professionals and advocates for safety and accessibility in yoga. When becoming a member, a teacher registers with Yoga Alliance and receives the professional credential, Continued on page 28 www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 27

ELEVATING YOGA TO THE NEXT LEVEL, continued from page 27

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28 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

which is widely viewed as the favored credential to obtain work as a yoga teacher. They also receive a pretty extraordinary benefits package, continuing education opportunities and the support of our government relations initiatives. Yoga Alliance is also proud to be a non-coercive, voluntary, independent member organization; while some schools and teachers choose to stay outside of this system, many people join because it opens doors to employment and gives them access to great benefits.

Carol Bedrosian: There are no federal or state requirements or guidelines for yoga teachers that I know of. Does the Yoga Alliance fill that role?

David Lipsius: In the U.S., there is little government regulation of yoga teachers or yoga schools, primarily because Yoga Alliance is doing a good job of being the responsible leaders setting the standards. Part of the standards review project is to make sure that we're constantly evolving and holding ourselves to a high standard that is meaningful to yoga experts and yoga professionals. As a not-forprofit 501(c)(6)member organization run by yoga professionals we are better positioned to represent the interests yoga teachers and schools.

Carol Bedrosian: You mentioned critics. Who are your critics?

David Lipsius: There are those out there who would like the government to regulate yoga. In contrast, my personal belief system recognizes the importance of the different lineages and traditions and expressions in yoga.

It also respects that many yoga teachers, including myself, believe that yoga is a spiritual practice at its core and the last thing I want for myself is for any government to come in and tell me how I should practice my spiritual beliefs or how I should practice my asana or pranayama or meditation for that matter.

I'm also very aware of the reality that there are many diverse belief systems about yoga. Yoga is not one thing, it has never traditionally been defined as one thing, and frankly, I worry very much about any government coming in and defining what yoga is for everyone, or defining specifically how it can and can’t be taught. That could cause a minimization of the great beauty and variety of yoga, as well as limit its potential evolution.

The shortest way I can say it is that Yoga Alliance wants to support the continued diversity of the beautiful practices of yoga. We certainly don't want to be the single point of dictating what yoga is or how it should be taught, but public safety requires that some body or bodies collectively come together and find ways to set standards that are appropriate to protect public safety. And we are better suited to that effort than the government.

So we feel a responsibility to make sure that the standards that are widely accepted, that we helped create, are evolved. At the same time we want to additionally make sure that the standards support the traditions, the organizations, the lineages, the belief systems, the organizations, for-profit and not-for-profit, that teach yoga. They need the freedom to continue to teach in their tradition, lineage, organization, etc., as long as public safety is prioritized by all. That's a collective responsibility.

And thankfully that's what I'm hearing from yoga profesisonals. Are we living and teaching in an ethical way? Do we understand the scope of practice of a yoga teacher? Now there's real momentum and understanding that public safety is key. We can learn from our past and evolve. There is real movement now on topics like ethics, inclusion and scope of practice.

In any field, in my opinion, the responsibility of professionals in that field is to continue to study, to upgrade skills, to continue to seek out expert advisers and teachers who may know more than ourselves. I think in yoga that's a relatively new conversation in some ways, because for many decades we weren't necessarily thinking of ourselves as yoga professionals. I'm not saying that's true of everybody; I don't want to make an overly broad statement. However it's a relatively new phenomenon for some to think of a yoga teacher as a professional educator.

I’ve always felt the professional need as a yoga teacher to continue to study. Certainly my biggest learning after my first 200-hour yoga teacher training was that I know too little. Not because my training was insufficient — it was actually quite amazing — but two hundred hours taught me that I needed to practice a lot more and study a lot more in order to be a safe teacher of the quality that I had experienced.

Continued on page 30

www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 29

ELEVATING YOGA TO THE NEXT LEVEL, continued from page 28 In relation to safety in yoga, now, after the 40, 50-year experiment different populations and cultures, this is what needs to change. of yoga in the West, we need to — without blame or shame — The positive news is that we have an incredible group of rethink where we are and acknowledge that perhaps in the rapid advisers who are now working on committees, many of whom growth of yoga in the West, in the way that the systems were are experts in inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. What I developed, in the well-meaning desire of so many people to take hear from many is that this is a multi-level problem. on the role and responsibility of becoming a yoga teacher, we're The way Yoga Alliance is beginning to raise awareness is to now at a place where quality continuing education needs to be put have many conversations in public through our educational back in the forefront. Not everyone knows what's available and how platforms on the issues of inclusion and access. As the standards much great education is out there. We need to invite people into revisions begin to coalesce towards the possibility that we can all continue learning. In fact, that's the the end of this year and in early 2019, I think you can expect to see a much greater focus on inclusion, accessibility and role of a yogi, in my opinion — to continue a lifelong self inquiry cultural competency included into the standards, as well as and self development process, which of course would be included support and education for our members and within one's profession or within one's passion of studying or non-members around these issues. Much of this work may be teaching yoga. done with Carol Bedrosian: Are the teaching standards going to expert partners. change, the 200 and 500 hour certifications?

David Lipsius: I don't know the answer to that yet because Carol Bedrosian: If yoga were offered in more schools, the standards review project is an inclusive process and is then everybody would have access to it. ongoing. This is a nuance but I think it's an important nuance for David Lipsius: : We are seeing great strides in society; the readers. Yoga Alliance will not come in and assume by itself that evidence indicates that more and more Americans are practicing either I or our leadership team or our board or our staff are the yoga or are willing to practice yoga, so I think our desire to see it experts of yoga. And so what we've done is open the review up to expand is happening. And given the stresses on youth nowadays, the entire yoga community, expert committees, public surveys, it behooves us to offer these tools of self-regulation and self-care — David Lipsius feedback mechanisms and the listening tour and to ask, “What to as many children and youth as possible. do you all think?”

What is lagging, perhaps, is getting into some of the One of the key themes that's emerging early is that hours is one communities that haven't yet had access, so the Yoga Alliance way to think about things, but competency is obviously another. And so there's a question Foundation and Yoga Alliance are looking at ways that we can help change that. The as to what competencies can and should be learned within the 200-hours. There's lots of Foundation intends to support community leaders who are already working in these folks who think 200 hours is plenty of time to become competent to teach a basic, safe, spaces and successfully delivering yoga interventions into these communities. Yoga public yoga class based in asana, pranayam and meditation. And then there are others on Alliance Foundation is able to support them financially or support them by amplifying the other end of the spectrum who think that there are no amount of hours or that maybe their work. Donor support helps fund these efforts.

10,000 hours is the standard to become a teacher. There's a vast number of opinions that The sooner people can self-identify as an educator and a yoga professional, the sooner we're still considering and we eagerly await the committee recommendations. we can all get the respect and the relationships and the access that we need to impact There is also always going to be a tension point as to what's the right competency society on a larger scale. Instead of just hoping that it will happen, Yoga Alliance is trying and who judges competency. So lineage A judges competency in one way and lineage to lead and bring people together, so yoga professionals can begin to see themselves in a B judges it in an entirely different way. One thing that I think yogis should be careful new light and understand that their competency and professionalism, their skillfulness about is taking positions that say that my way is the only way, because to really celebrate and their continuing education can all play a part in inclusion and access. the different views and facets and beauty of yoga is to say that maybe none of us has the I believe it's essential for our field at this moment to recognize that yoga teachers are perfect way and that there is always something else to learn and another way to include. community leaders at heart and always have been, going back thousands of years. We have strived to be exemplars of health and healing and living examples of mindfulness, selfThe other tension that I want to mention is that there have been real entry barriers to regulation, resilience, self discovery and self inquiry, which are really the basis for human yoga in the West. Many people and populations have been excluded based on the way growth and the realization of human potential. Now is a wonderful moment to be a yoga the systems developed over the last 50 or 60 years. One of the things that we have to teacher because yoga is so popular, so mainstream. It is an enormous opportunity for us acknowledge very openly is that yoga spaces have excluded many, whereas yoga itself is to use this moment to acknowledge how lucky we are that this amazing technology is now inclusive to all and, in fact, sees the humanity in every person. Yoga philosophy indicates widely accepted. And to ask, how can I better serve my community? we should include as many people as possible in a way that respects different cultures If we look at it through that lens, it really changes the conversation around yoga and and backgrounds and life experiences, different financial situations, etc. So for some the yoga industry. It is an honor and a privilege that I have had for the last six or seven who are highly focused on expanding number of hours to great degrees I would offer an years to be in close contact with so many hundreds, if not thousands of yoga teachers, inquiry and ask, “Is that the most inclusive solution here?” and I have yet to meet a yoga teacher who is coming at this from a bad place or coming Carol Bedrosian: How do you make yoga accessible to all populations that want it? at it from a place of trying to do harm. What I see is the sincere desire from yoga teachers Are you talking about populations that don't have financial resources? to help their communities, and that more education, tools and skills could be offered to David Lipsius: There are many populations that haven't had access to yoga for a these teachers to more successfully apply their desire to serve their communities with variety of reasons. I don't want to simplify conclusions as to why because there are a lot actual social impact. Please forgive me if I sound enthusiastic about the opportunity that's of underlying societal factors that have contributed to yoga spaces being exclusionary. available to us, but Yoga Alliance has 90,000 members worldwide and they're doing good We need to tackle that problem collectively from many levels and we need to listen work in the world. Sometimes it's confusing when the naysayers out there are bemoaning deeply to people who have been excluded to understand not only why they feel they've the state of yoga in the world. I'm not saying that our field is not without our challenges been excluded but how they've been excluded and what suggestions they have to help or problems but mostly we have virtually unlimited opportunities to serve. And that is a enhance inclusion. great honor and responsibility.

Carol Bedrosian: Can you be more specific about who has been excluded?

David Lipsius: I think there are many populations in mainstream U.S. yoga spaces For more information on the Yoga Alliance visit yogaalliance.org and yastandards.com. that have been excluded including people of color. Socioeconomic factors have definitely excluded others. And then physical access has also been one of the exclusionary factors.

Carol Bedrosian is the publisher of Spirit of Change holistic magazine.

So whether it's yoga studios or schools that don't have elevators and have physical barriers www.spiritofchange.org. to entry, or yoga spaces that don't have the consciousness or the language to truly speak to

“I believe it's essential for our field at this moment to recognize that yoga teachers are community leaders at heart and always have been, going back thousands of years.”

30 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

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FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 31

Preventative Medicine and the

Inner Smile

By William Bloom

W

hile visiting my GP recently, he began talking with me about his own health. This was not unusual as we had known each other for twenty years and he had read my self-help book The Endorphin Effect. He was committed to a holistic approach and believed that good medicine enabled patients into self-care.“If only I had practiced what I preach,” he said wryly, “I would have caught my own condition much earlier and probably avoided surgery.”

We then chatted for a while about the archetype of the wounded healer and the selfsacrificing hero, and that medics have a calling to relieve the suffering of others, but not themselves. Self-care is hardly on the clinical map and hardly possible in a busy day.

“You could do the self-examination in the bath or lying in bed or even commuting to work,” I nudged. “You know exactly where to scan.”

He sighed. He agreed. He then had to see more patients and I left.

The interesting thing for me about clinicians is that of all people, they know how to scan a body for signs of ill health. They know the crucial importance of early diagnosis and appropriate adjustments in behavior, diet, exercise and life style. But they rarely do it for themselves. When they examine patients they get a quick sense of their state from their body posture, skin tone, breathing and the condition of their eyes. With careful hands and appropriate poise, they touch, push, look, listen and feel their patients. They know all the sensory methods for assessing health, but they rarely do it for themselves.

We all have the necessary apparatus to assess our own state of health. We have the mental ability to scan, sense and cognize what it feels like inside the body, to know exactly what signs are important. All this requires is the self-discipline of an intentional pause and then deliberately focusing down into one’s own physicality.

This sensory, felt awareness of one’s self is crucial. It is the sovereign individual alone who can really know and experience their own state, and is able to self-assess and catch early signs of threatening symptoms. Who else can notice those signals that require just a tad of relevant adjustment: a bit more exercise, regular stretching, earlier nights, less caffeine, better food, more fresh air?

Self-care as preventative medicine is not, of course, a new model. Indeed, in classical Chinese medicine, the art of being in a friendly clinical relationship with your own body is considered the foundation of good health. There is even a clear set of instructions on precisely how to conduct this practice. At its heart is a relaxed and friendly bedside manner towards your own physicality.

Sometimes this self-care practice is translated from Chinese as The Inner Smile, which may sound quirky to a cynical ear, a prime candidate for a bad science award. But unpack the Inner Smile tolerantly and we can see that it meshes extremely well with a modern understanding of the integration of brain, nervous system, endocrine system and gut ecology.

32 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

The Inner Smile is in fact a good example of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and polyvagal theory put into practice. The practitioner is advised to do it daily, when the body is at ease, with a particular focus on letting the abdomen drop down and sink into relaxation. With a calm and friendly attitude the practitioner then conducts an internal scan, especially checking in on all the major organs and noticing how they feel. Moreover the practitioner is asked to come into a direct and personal relationship with each organ, greeting it with a smile.

Is this hippy-dippy? Anyone with the slightest knowledge of mind-body anatomy and PNI will understand that this internal focus triggers signals from the brain through the nervous system into the endocrine system. It is crucial therefore that the practitioner’s attitude be friendly. If the self-examination is conducted with a purely clinical, impatient or, worst, an inquisitorial attitude, the message triggered in the neuro-endocrinal system will be that of threat, thereby precipitating the production of cortisol and adrenalin.

If however the attitude is friendly and comfortingly parental then the neural signal is reassuring and soothing, triggering a cocktail of wellbeing hormones: endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin. Just as an external caring parent can do wonders for our health, so an internal caring persona can have a similar positive effect.

Scanning with the Inner Smile, then, serves two purposes: • It brings into conscious awareness the felt state of your own body — early diagnosis leading to appropriate early intervention.

• It self-soothes — relaxing and opening up tissue, integrating heart rate variability, settling and balancing gut ecology — all of which support general good health and a strong immune system.

Done on a daily basis the benefits are obvious. But people are predictably human and, despite how sensible and positive this practice is, there is resistance to adopting it.

Consider my GP who was bemoaning that he had not followed his own advice and caught an early diagnosis on his own illness.

So why is there resistance? In my opinion it is good to be realistic about the sources of this self-sabotage, because recognizing them makes them easier to manage.

POSSIBILITIES OF WHY I DON’T SELF-CARE

• Can’t break old habits • New behavior to learn • It wasn’t in my training • Embarrassing and awkward to care for self • Internalized authority figure judging you for appearing soft and narcissistic • Pretending there is not enough time • Frightened to look at what might be wrong • Addicted to role of stoic hero and healer • Scared of feeling feelings • Lazy and lack discipline • Depressed and no motivation Those are all extremely good and normal reasons for avoiding self-care. What, therefore, might motivate someone to push through the resistance? You could just wait for a harsh health crisis to be prodded into action — the stick. Or — and I write this carefully after decades of experience in the field — you could just exercise sensible self-discipline, similar to washing your hands after the loo. Other than the unpleasant shock of a severe illness, the only thing that seems to motivate regular self-care is a disciplined rhythm that ultimately, like hand-washing, becomes a part of your normal life style. The carrots of selfcare and early intervention are obvious.

INNER SMILE SELF-CARE

1. Do it daily — perhaps in bed, lunch break, watching television, whenever suits you.

2. Allow your body to sink down into being at ease. 3. Let your abdomen slump and let your breath soften. 4. Switch on the attitude of good bedside manner, like a friendly parent. 5. Focus down into your own body and scan it. 6. In whatever sequence works for you, give awareness to and feel into each organ and each region; sense into your systems.

7. Notice how it all feels and the indications. 8. Think about the appropriate health benefitting activities. 9. Action the appropriate health benefitting activities. The longterm benefits for you and your community are immense.

Chapter by William Bloom adapted and reprinted with permission of the author from the book Health and Self-Care: Inner Balance for an Effective Life for Health Professionals

by Andrew Tresidder. Download a full PDF of the book at https://healthandself.care.

William Bloom is Britain’s leading author and educator in the mind-body-spirit field with over thirty years of practical experience, research and teaching in modern spirituality. He is founder and co-director of The Foundation for Holistic Spirituality and the Spiritual Companions project. Visit www.WilliamBloom.com. www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 33

Be the Support You Seek Meir Schneider was born blind, yet he found ways to heal himself and offer that opportunity to others.

w

e tend to think of healing as a personal, individual process. It is all too common to think, “I am sick, I need to get well.” However as individuals we are part of a much larger system. Our family, our community, our society, and our world are all deeply reliant on each other in just the same way as our liver is reliant on our heart and our heart on our breath. Whether our personal healing process is mental, physical, spiritual or all three, understanding our place and how to best use our support systems is fundamental in maintaining the strength and tenacity required to heal.

As we move forward in this millennium amidst the breakdown of traditional family roles and definitions, it is my hope that we continue to see the importance of community and support in our personal development and recovery, and that we understand how to find support when it may not be so apparent as an attentive spouse or family.

My whole family modeled this reality for me since I was very young. My parents were deaf, but with each other’s support, they traveled the world and lived more fully and freely than most hearing people. Indeed, they were able to deal with their disabilities better than anyone could imagine. For instance, if my father needed a plumber, he would walk to the plumber’s shop, hold the plumber by the hand, and gently pull him for about five or six blocks to our home and show him the problem — all without being able to explain the exact trouble to him.

My mother displayed similar dedication. Often, she would try to talk to me by calling me from the photograph shop that my father worked in. Not knowing exactly when I would pick up the phone, she would repeat the same message fifteen times or more. In ways like these, we managed as a very handicapped family to go 34 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

By Meir Schneider about our business and live happy lives.

My point is this: with support, nearly anything is possible in the world of healing.

Certainly some illnesses and diseases are permanent, but the effect they have on us can be limited by our dedication to one another and our creative ways of coping.

With the help of our loved ones, we can continue to enjoy life to its fullest.

While it may be possible for some highly individualistic people to set their minds and actions toward healing all by themselves, the truth is almost universally the opposite. Overcoming our burdens is a difficult and treacherous path; just a word or two of encouragement from our loved ones goes a long way toward keeping us marching on the path to our recovery. Being humble enough to accept support and help when we need it can make the difference between success and failure.

In my case, my troubles centered on my eyes. I was born with congenital eye diseases, and so were both my children. All of us were given impossible odds at living a normal life and promised we would be mostly or completely blind. Yet today we all are able to see and enjoy life to the maximum. Despite the occasional setback or flair up, we support each other as we move forward, and it is a great treasure to understand one another’s conditions and work on them together.

Some of us aren’t blessed with a supportive, understanding family, or even a family at all. In that case, we should still continue down our paths seeking the support we need. Healing can take years or a lifetime, and in that time we may find support from strange and unexpected places.

I don’t know your personal condition or situation, but I do know there is always some sort of help available. Often it is as simple as calling a holistic health practitioner, your counselor, an understanding doctor, or other support professional.

Sometimes it is a matter of calling a friend to talk, or reaching out into the community for support groups or public therapy. Sometimes, we have to be even more creative, as we might have other obstacles to overcome or even mockery from our peers.

I was born legally blind, with the understanding that blindness is a permanent affliction. The world of holistic health was not well developed in my youth, still, I was always optimistic and believed I could improve. My outlook plus the support I was gifted by my family worked together to create my personal healing miracle — but it was not without resistance from others.

Reducing Eye Tension and Vision Problems

In high school, I met a kid who taught me eye exercises known as the Bates Method that I believed could help me. I spent between 13 and 16 hours a day through high school doing these exercises with full faith. Even when the result was bad grades, I knew what I needed to do.

It was around that time I learned that eye problems usually stem from severe tension around the eyes. A technique called palming is the simplest, most universally effective eye exercise available to reduce this tension. Simply find a comfortable place to sit or lie down, support your arms with pillows, and gently cover your eyes with your palms to block out light.

From there, picture pure blackness or a deep blue, and breathe deeply and smoothly.

This process tells the optic nerve that it’s time to relax. At first you may see flashes of color or even images while your eyes are closed; this is a symptom of an overactive optic nerve. In just a few minutes, your optic nerve will relax and the images and colors will fade. Stay in this position for at least six minutes at a time, but very long sessions of ten hours or more can also provide tremendous benefit. Palming can’t be overdone.

Whether you sit, lie, or stand, there are three things to avoid while palming: • Avoid raising your shoulders toward your ears.

• Avoid putting pressure on the cheekbones or the eyes.

• Avoid wrenching your neck.

Following these guidelines keeps tension down and allows palming to have a maximally beneficial effect. Remember that relaxation is the goal.

The benefits of covering the eyes with the hands go far beyond a momentary rest.

These benefits are cumulative and multiply exponentially, so that ten minutes of rest for the eyes is much more than ten times as good as one minute. Palming is so simple and natural that many people have a hard time understanding how good it is, although it is recognized as an important exercise in yoga, in Tibetan Kum Nye exercise, and in Chinese eye exercise. With the help of palming and other exercises, my vision healed from one percent of normal to four percent of normal, and everybody was amazed when I could identify them by their figure.

Today I see much more than four percent; in fact, I’m seeing closer to seventy percent. I can legally drive, I can write, I can read — all things those around me as a child believed I could never do. My children were also born with severe eye problems, and today they see just fine. After all, they had the support of a father that believed they could learn to see, and showed them how to palm. Even with all the support my parents could muster with their disabilities, I started as a struggling teenager isolated from my peers. I was isolated because I was blind, and then I was isolated because I believed in myself and my exercises, when no one else did.

Over the years my vision improved and I helped others overcome serious illnesses, wounds, and disabilities. At times, I have enjoyed great support and at other times great adversity. I look for support where I can, appreciate and commend the good people of my life, and know when to fight and when to walk away. All of these traits are very important in learning to see or in healing overall.

Perhaps you know how it feels when others don’t see validity in your work or they mock you or tease you for your process. Many times the very people that should be supporting us are the ones causing upset. As we move forward on our paths, it is our responsibility to reach out to one another, accept the support and love that is offered to us, and use creative means to find whatever it is we need. Healing is a dynamic, complex process, and by being the support we wish to have, it is within our power to help others that may have lost hope.

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An internationally respected therapist and educator, Meir Schneider, PhD, is the founder and director of the School for Self-Healing in San Francisco and the author of many books.

As a healthcare visionary, he continues to develop his unique therapeutic system for healing a variety of visual disorders often considered beyond medical help. Visit www.self-healing.org. www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 35

Finding Peace THROUGH YOUR

By Jamy and Peter Faust

FAMILY LINEAGE

One person can influence their family, one family can influence another, then another, then ten, one hundred, one thousand more, and the whole of humanity will benefit. —Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

T

here is a path that leads to inner peace. It is through your family lineage. Humanity’s movement towards peace begins one person at a time, one family at a time. We each desire peace for ourselves, our species, and our planet. Our collective progression towards peace, though, begins with each one of us. It begins with our desire for peace and our willingness to embrace the spirits of our mothers, our fathers and the entirety of our family lineage to gain understanding and compassion.

As human beings we are here to evolve our personal consciousness and contribute to the evolution of our family’s consciousness. Like the Dalai Lama tells us, the steps we take ultimately contribute to the evolution of human consciousness. To arrive at lasting peace requires going beyond talk, analysis, and rehashing family stories. It requires moving into the soul of our family lineage.

To appreciate our place within the soul of our collective family lineage, let’s contemplate for a moment the number of people who have actually contributed to our DNA beyond the greatgrandparents that each of us have. It’s humbling to consider the astonishing number of familial forbearers who have walked this path of life before us, living and dying. (See box at right) The family soul is the continuous stream of consciousness that travels along the maternal and paternal lineages into our family energy field that eventually leads to us. Whether family members are aware of it or not, they are unconsciously directed by the family soul, much like a conductor directing an orchestra. The family soul may also include nonrelatives who have had a significant impact on one of 36 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

our family members — for example, a former wife who may have died or a perpetrator in a violent event that left a family member permanently injured.

Constantly seeking and moving towards a state of balance, reconciliation, and peace over generations, the family soul is present with us at all times. Like the wind, we can feel it, yet its origins are long ago and very

16 great-great-grandparents 32 great-great-great-grandparents 64 great-great-great-great-

grandparents

128

great-great-great-great-greatgrandparents

256 great-great-great-great-great-

great-grandparents

512

great-great-great-great-greatgreat-great-grandparents

1024 great-great-great-great-

great-great-great-great-grandparents In 10 generations, we are connected to

2,046 ancestors!

far away. When we let ourselves feel our deep, ancestral connection with our family lineage, we awaken to our individual soul’s choice to be part of this family lineage.

Like atoms, all organizing relationships develop rules, norms, beliefs, and taboos that bind the network together.

This creates a system, a type of systemic order. Those who adhere belong to the group; those who don’t are excluded.

As a member within our family lineage system, we may feel superior, innocent, or most importantly, that we belong. Yet, to another system, bound by a different set of rules, norms, beliefs, and taboos, we may appear guilty, unreasonable, and excessive.

The particle is not separate from the field.

The field determines everything. If you wish to understand the movement of the atom you must study and understand the field. — Albert Einstein The journey towards inner peace is not easy nor is it guaranteed that if we do our work others will change.

What is assured though is that if we turn to face our family lineage, look openly at what our ancestors experienced prior to our arrival and connect with our family soul, our perception of our own life experience will begin to shift toward inner peace.

To journey into our mother’s and our father’s respective lineages can be unnerving, to say the least.

If we’re lucky, we mature, and a new perspective forms.

We gain appreciation for our parents, grandparents, and ancestors who have paved the way for us. If not, we stay stuck in the attitudes of blame and victimhood, which keep us small and fearful, and often lead to defensiveness towards others.

Many people spend whole lifetimes searching unconsciously for the meaning of why things happened

in their lives or in their ancestors’ lives. The answers to these questions remain elusive, or at best, rationalized on the mental plane of consciousness, but these answers and narratives do not bring peace within.

On one hand, we feel free to do as we wish — to be different from those who have come before us. On the other hand, we are never truly free from the ancestral field in which we were born.

Peace comes when we heal conflict. Resolving conflict begins with healing the unresolved strife each of us carries, often unconsciously. Much of our inner turmoil originates before birth; it begins with our mothers, fathers, grandparents, and passes from one generation to the next. Each of us is the continuation of our respective mothers and fathers, of our respective family lineage, and all that has occurred through and to our ancestors.

Many of our internal conflicts were handed to us in the form of unconscious beliefs. To begin a path towards peace, it is helpful to first acknowledge that peace begins in the home, with our self, and with our family lineage.

Every human being has the opportunity to be a peacemaker, a contributor to personal, familial, and societal peace. In this sense, conflicts are the silver lining of our inheritance from our ancestral bloodlines.

But if we do not heal the inner unrest with our own family — our mother, father and siblings — we carry it within ourselves and into the world. If we’re in conflict (internal or external) with our mothers, we will eventually find ourselves in friction with women. The same happens with our fathers: if our discontentment is not healed, we will be at odds with men throughout our lives. Moreover, such unresolved conflicts create internal dissonance between the masculine and feminine aspects of ourselves.

The pitched battles within us — sniper attacks on the opposing gender, running feuds with siblings, predictable patterns of gathering and losing resources — originated long before we were born through the actions, agreements and circumstances of our ancestors. In this lifetime, we either pass on these unresolved conflicts or contribute towards everlasting peace. By exploring our parental bloodlines to uncover, understand, and integrate these conflicts, we can move forward with a sense of peace previously unknown to us.

Give yourself a few moments to begin relaxing.

Close your eyes and take three long, slow full breaths. Say aloud, “I am (your full name), the daughter/son of (your mother’s full name and your father’s full name).” Sitting still, notice your reactions. Consider repeating these words, noticing how your feelings shift. Try practicing gratitude for the gift of life by saying aloud, “Thank you, mother, thank you, father.” Repeat these three times to deepen your experience.

Adapted with permission from The Constellation Approach; Finding Peace Through Your Family Lineage

by Jamy and Peter Faust. Regent Press, 2016.

Jamy Faust, M.A. and Peter Faust, M.Ac, authors of The Constellation Approach; Finding Peace Through Your Family Lineage, are facilitators of Family Constellations and teachers of the Immersion Program in The Constellation Approach™. www.faustfamilyconstellations.com. www.spiritofchange.org

Let Me Read You,Then Heal You Ross J. Miller has been giving psychic and past-life readings and healing sessions worldwide for over 25 years.

During a reading he communicates telepathically with his numerous angels and spirit guides who read and interpret the client’s aura (the spiritual light surrounding one’s physical body). Ross also communicates with the client’s own angels and spirit guides (most people have several of each).

These angels and spirit guides then convey the information that is most needed or desired by the client. All of Ross’s readings are positive and constructive in nature. In addition to answering all of your personal questions pertaining to love, health, relationships, soulmates, business, career, relocation, dream interpretation, parents, children, and pets, he covers topics as diverse as: your life’s purpose, your undiscovered talents, as well as your past incarnations and how they relate to this life.

Ross can also help you to identify and communicate with your own guardian angels and spirit guides. After your psychic or past-life reading, Ross can then heal the various issues that come up during the reading.

Ross J. Miller

Psychic, Medium Healer

Ross is well-known for healing people of migraines, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety attacks, anger, grief, abuse trauma, drug and alcohol abuse, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, phobias, ADHD, anorexia, bulimia, PTSD and more.

Ross is available for psychic and past-life readings as well as healing sessions in person or over the phone.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit my website at www.TheMysticWay.com or call (617) 527-3583 1075 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02465

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800-637-0002 • graduate_studies@salve.edu • www.salve.edu FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 37

Parenting As an Act of Rebellion

By Amir Cooper

"If parents wish to preserve childhood for their own children, they must conceive of parenting as an act of rebellion against culture.” — Neil Postman

T

he more we advance into the technological era, parenting becomes a more complicated mission.

According to Neil Postman, one of the pioneers of media studies, "If parents wish to preserve childhood for their own children, they must conceive of parenting as an act of rebellion against culture.” In 1969, Postman already foresaw a trend that has just become stronger since then: "Americans no longer talk to each other; they entertain each other. They do not exchange ideas; they exchange images. They do not argue with propositions; they argue with good looks, celebrities and commercials."

Postman’s words take on a different dimension when you think about them in the context of communication through social media apps, such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and others. Families nowadays find themselves in a strange situation. On one hand, technological developments freed us from many chores that only a few generations ago consumed most of our time. On the other hand, these same technological advancements are now taking the time that was freed up.

The average time spent in front of a screen for youth these days is 8.5 hours per day. As adults we don't do better; we actually do worse with an average of 10 hours a day.

And it seems like that trend is just increasing. Families spend less time together, but rather more time in parallel to each other, being in the same space but without true communication. In her book Reclaiming Conversation, sociologist Sherry Turkle from MIT claimed that one of the most painful subjects for youth nowadays is the lack of undivided attention from their parents. Turkle even gave this phenomena a name: "Alone together."

38 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

The price for the increasing disconnection between family members appears to be high. In the last decade, we are witnessing an increase of about 30% in depression and anxiety among youth. Research from Michigan University shows that the sharpest decrease in social abilities and empathy happen among youth that have an increasing level of exposure to digital media. If that is not enough, studies also show that children these days are not building enough tactile abilities. For example, tying shoelaces as a skill that just one generation ago would have been acquired at the average age of 4 is now acquired at the age of 8.

What can we do in order to build a family that will be more resilient and less vulnerable to the influence of digital technology? What will be "the act of rebellion?”

It would be to put a limit to the endless demand of attention from our digital devices when we are together as a family. Declare a time that you meet as a family without interruptions. Let all your friends, bosses, and acquaintances know about it. This is your time to reconnect together and strengthen your family bond.

But there is a caveat here: one of the influences of digital media is that it reduces our attention time, and conditions us to respond only to strong stimuli. This, together with the lack of training in face-to-face conversation can make a family meeting feel very odd, as if the communication is artificial and doesn’t flow.

From my experience in working with many families, including my own, the best way to enhance the family connection and to bring flowing conversation to our lives is to perform activities together such as walks in nature, playing non-competitive games, drawing, sculpting with

clay, gardening, cooking, singing and playing music.

Through these activities, it is easier to integrate heart-toheart conversations, sharing and genuine communication.

It is important to bring the emotional aspect where family members share how their day was, how they felt with their boss, colleagues or friends. This sharing and common brainstorming connects families together and teaches the children skills for their lives with their future families.

This is how they will learn which content they will pour into their own families. When life brings its challenges, the children will know that there is someone that really listens to them and it will be only natural for them to ask for advice and support. Family activities and quality time creates an anchor for all family members. It helps the family to overcome loneliness that has become a common phenomenon in our society. Investing in creating this anchor of support and love is priceless.

Many of the executives of Silicon Valley and tech industries like the late Apple founder Steve Jobs, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and former Twitter chief executive Dick Costolo, admitted that when it comes to their families they keep a low tech environment. The same way they chose to protect their families, knowing the influence of their creations, we can decide to do the same.

Amir Cooper is an educator, writer, and healer. He guides programs that offer parenting and life skills to people of all ages, and has developed unique methods to help people live a life of breakthroughs and self-fulfillment. He can be contacted at grow@healaura.com or (250) 497-8787 or visit www.healaura.com.

www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 39

“Heigh-Ho Heigh-Ho”

By Carrie Rowan

Seven fun, musical ways to teach your children mindfulness eaching our children how to be mindful has been added to our list of important things to do as parents in this hyper-paced generation of over stimulation and endless activity. With the constant bombardment of technology at an ever increasingly young age, parents are looking for ways to help their children stay calm and focused more than ever.

In times past, being mindful or present was something we kids did naturally simply by running around outside with our friends, creating games in our back woods, playing in the dirt barefoot or catching slippery big-eyed toads from the pond deep in the woods behind our homes. Kids just don’t get to do that anymore and we find ourselves having to teach them how to be mindful and present moment focused. A lot of the stress and anxiety we see in children these days is sadly caused by the inability to be present in the here and now.

They are worried about when will they earn some “technology time,” how many people liked their post or how much extra time mom will let them play Mindcraft after school.

So, what is mindfulness? “Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally,” says Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School. “It’s about knowing what is on your mind.”

Mindfulness is being in the present moment with what you are doing and aware of your current state of mind, rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. It also involves accepting your thoughts and feelings without judging them as right or wrong.

Increased attention, emotional regulation, planning and prioritizing are some of the positive side effects children experience when developing mindfulness.

As with anything else, parents are the most important teacher in a child’s life. The best way to teach mindfulness to your children is to model the behavior yourself by having your own daily practice. Even if it is just a few minutes a day, developing your skill set will help you operate in mindfulness more often, aligning you more deeply to yourself so that you will be able to connect more with your kids and everyone else around you.

Model mindful thoughts by speaking them aloud to your children. Sharing your inner dialogue when practicing your own mindfulness strategies serves as an example to help kids create their own healthy inner dialogue. For example, when encountering a stressful situation, you might say aloud, “I am feeling a little upset about this situation, but I’m going to take a moment to breath before I say anything else.” Openly accepting your own feelings in front of your children, (especially when it’s a feeling we don’t like) will make a huge impression and inspire them to handle their own emotions in the same fashion 40 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

the next time they experience it in the future. You might say something like, “Wow, that really made me feel mad and I can feel my body starting to get tight and I want to yell, so I’m going to take a moment to walk outside and take a big gulp of fresh air until I feel my body calm down.” Sometimes it’s hard to do this in the moment when emotions are high, and discussing it after the fact has a powerful effect as well.

The blending of music and mindfulness is as natural as the perfect harmonic sound of birds joyfully singing in the back yard. Music naturally decreases stress, anxiety and blood pressure, while raising our self-awareness and level of compassion for others. Pairing music with mindfulness training is the perfect way to keep it simple and fun. Here are seven fun ways to teach your children to be mindful using music.

MUSICAL BREATHING The breath is the most important part of teaching mindfulness. Put on some music that is calming to your child and have her lie on the floor with her favorite stuffed animal on her belly. Show her how to breathe in and count 1, 2, 3 and breathe out 1, 2, 3 and watch the animal go for a ride up and down. Psychologist Daniel Goleman calls this, “training of the attentional circuitry…that helps them focus not just on what the teacher (or parent) is saying, but this same circuitry helps them manage their distressing emotions.” Helping your child with this attention training by gently bringing the mind back when it wanders also provides self management training. By adding music, your child learns that music is not only for fun and dancing, it can also be for relaxing and learning. Lori Lite describes this type of breathing in her lovely book Sea Otter Cove that teaches kids how the otters do this. Musical breathing is a great addition to bedtime routines for little ones that are restless, overactive, and need help calming down at the end of the day.

FIVE SENSES MINDFULNESS MEDITATION Use the five senses to get your child to tune into his body, which calms his mind. Start with calming music in the backdrop; classical is always a good choice. With eyes closed, ask your child to listen to the noises around him. What does he hear? He can say them in his mind or aloud depending on his age. Younger children like to interact during this, which is fine. Allowing whatever comes up without judgment is mindfulness. Then ask him what he smells, offering an example of something you smell in the air. Continue through the senses offering examples of what your experience is in the current moment, which may be the feel of the cold floor on his bottom, or the cool breeze in his hair. This is a great way to teach your child about his senses and how to feel his body. It brings everyone into present moment awareness, which is where true peace resides.

DRAWING ON EMOTIONS It’s fun to invite friends and cousins in for this one.

Get some white drawing paper. If it’s a big group of kids, use one of those big rolls of paper and roll it out on the floor. Give each child their own pile of crayons. Pick different songs or pieces of music that have varying tempos and emotion, and include some classical pieces as well, which tend to have the most interesting results. As you play the different types of music, talk with the kids about how it makes them feel, and then have them draw what that feels like on the paper. This pulls the children into the present moment awareness of how they are feeling while allowing them to see that other kids may feel the same way or may feel something different, nurturing empathy and compassion.

FREEZE AND FEEL DANCE Play varying tempos of music for your child while she dances around until you pause the music with a “freeze” command, then get her to tune into her body sensations. What is she feeling? Ask her to put her hand on her heart to feel the rhythm and to tune into how her breath is moving after dancing, as well as any other sensations she may feel. Try loud, soft, fast and slower music as well.

LISTEN FOR THE HORNS Help your children identify the different types of sounds and instruments in a piece of music, which hones attention skills and, if practiced enough, can lead to better listening in a classroom setting or wherever there are multiple distractions competing for their attention. You may want to start with their favorite songs and gradually move on to some classical music. If you are not sure yourself, listen to some solo tracks with your kids of one instrument playing, and then try to identify them in the music together. Take them to see an orchestra or the local band playing at the high school to practice this skill some more. Tuning into one specific thing is what mindfulness is all about.

WRITE YOUR OWN GRATITUDE SONG Teaching your child to foster a

sense of gratitude and appreciation is a skill that will enhance his life for years to come.

One way to help him recognize what he is grateful for is to have him create his own gratitude song or a special family song that’s all your own. Pick a tune he knows to another song, like "Old MacDonald" or a popular song on the radio, and rewrite the words. Keep it simple and funny. Then remember to sing it to him again and again so he knows it.

Pull it out when he is feeling down or needs a little pick me up. Kids are much more apt to remember things you sing versus just using words. You will be surprised at how much singing this familiar song with a positive message can perk up your child’s mood or get him to tune in and pay attention before you want him to perform a specific task.

MUSICAL CALMING JAR Fill a mason jar with hot water and glitter glue (you can also use a plastic container for younger ones). When you shake the jar it is similar to a snow globe and represents the flurry of the mind when we are upset, over-stimulated or worried. After a few moments of breathing deeply, the jar and the child both calm down. Once you have your jar made, add some music. Begin by playing one song that is exciting and perhaps overly loud while shaking the jar. Change to a mid-tempo song to let your child feel the start of calming, and end with a song that is quieter and soothing as the sparkles in the jar start to settle into stillness, just like your little one. Have your child pretend she is the sparkles falling to the bottom of the jar. You’ll be amazed at how fast she will settle down when the quiet, relaxing song comes on.

As with learning any new skill, repetition is the mother of all skills. The reason it is called a practice is because we need to keep doing it over and over. Kids love repetition as evidenced by the number of times you have probably read the same books again and again at bedtime. Repetition feels good to them and makes their brains feel safe and happy. By using music as a tool for calming and soothing you set up a healthy and safe environment for children to learn to relax. Allowing them to choose which is their favorite way to practice being mindful increases their locus of control and therefore their feelings of self-assuredness and safety. Over time, this will set a lovely tone of sweet harmony in your home so you can attune more to the rhythm of a joyful family.

Carrie Rowan is an award winning singer/songwriter, author, edutainer, and founder of the popular Bee Kind Music and Calming for Mommy classes that educate while they entertain children and adults. Her passion is combining positively charged music with energy medicine and mindfulness to spread joy while healing and soothing souls of all ages. Visit www.merrygomusic.com. Meet Carrie at the Natural Living Expo Saturday morning, November 10, where she will be playing at the expo entrance as part of the duo Stefilas’s Stone. www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 41

Healing

From the Forest

By Marie Cargill

Just as phytoncides are part of the trees’ immune system, so can they become part of ours.

Arthur N. Gertler M.D. Holistic Medicine 6 6 6 6 6 6

Holistic Medicine Lyme Literate Chelation Therapy IV Therapies Detoxification Oxygenation Therapies Office located at:

D’Arcy Wellness Center 63 South Main Street, Natick, MA 01760 phone: 781-752-6378 fax: 508-653-3283 agertlermd@yahoo.com www.agertlermd.com

42 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

O

nce upon a time, a walk in the woods was just that — a walk in the woods. Now a walk in the woods can become forest bathing.

Walking, running, and hiking in a woodland are exercise but forest bathing is a therapy. The fact is that when you go into the woods you are exposed to special chemicals that trees and plants produce to protect themselves from harmful toxins. These chemicals, called phytoncides, are essential oils found in many types of woody plants, particularly conifers. Just as these oils are part of the trees’ immune system, so can they become part of ours.

We evolved along with plants and animals, and in co-inhabiting the world with them we all breathe the air given off by healthy forests. There is medicine in that air! Forest sounds, sights, smells, and tastes all have healing benefits. The land is offering to form a relationship with us, sharing its benefits with us and receiving benefits in turn.

A long tradition exists of spending time in forested areas to enhance health and well being, a kind of medicine walk. But now, Japanese researchers have discovered the reason people feel healthier after a woodland walk. People who spend time in a forest walk or “bathing” had elevated white blood counts, almost by as much as 50%. Other benefits were also noted: lowered blood pressure, heart

rate and alleviation of depression.

A walk is not focused on a destination. It is the awareness of your surroundings with your senses finely tuned. You are in an environment with more brightness, more clarity, more peace. Time appears to slow down and you take the opportunity to look more closely at rocks and plants and trees. The whole point is to be in the moment, spending time in nature in a way that invites awareness of our co-inhabiting this place where we are.

With your intent to connect with nature, you don’t rush through, bike through, or run through. Walks are short, usually a mile, but can range from two to four hours long. During this time interactions are encouraged to take place, all designed to slow down the walker and open the senses.

Start with a short, well-marked, quiet trail in good condition, with a large percentage under forest canopy.

The beginning of the walk is for moving along at one’s own pace and enjoying the forest. You are invited to shake off the road dust and breathe easily. A walk should be as silent as possible, with senses alert, pausing when something catches your attention.

Each sense is encouraged. What do you notice? What captures your attention in bright areas? In darker areas?

Stand quietly and listen to the sounds first in one direction then in another. If you come upon a stream, place your

hands in the water. What sensations do you feel? Touch a tree, running your hands over it and even the ground under it. Smell plants. Crush leaves to release the scent of the plant.

In a form of body sensing called body radar, you stand with your arms slightly out from the sides, palms out as if hands were a radar device. Moving slowly in a circle, pay attention to being pulled in a particular direction. When you feel pulled, follow this sensation and see if some particular thing in the environment is calling you.

Our Shared Immunity With Plants

Plants and trees evolved in a different way of life than mammals: they chose to remain fixed, which made it necessary for them to find solutions that were extraordinary and original. Within a stand of pine trees the air is almost germ-free due to the phytoncides released by the needles. These are part of the trees’ immune systems.

Another one of these defense systems allows trees to pump toxic substances into their leaves in mere minutes to rid themselves of herbivores. Trees can give off a warning gas that signals neighboring trees of the same species that there is a problem at hand. Plants exchange volatile compounds, such as the molecule methyl jasmonate, a substance produced under stressful conditions that bears the message, “I’m not well.” These various volatile compounds are vital contributions to living in community.

These evolutionary defenses have become part of the human pharmacopeia, as well. For example, research has shown that adding a pinch of crushed spruce or pine needles to a drop of water that contains a protozoa, kills the protozoa in less than second. The silver birch takes its color from its active ingredient betulin, which has antiviral and antibiotic properties. Willows produce a defensive compound called salicylic acid, making its leaves very bitter and toxic to chewing insects, but to humans this compound has become a lifesaver for treating pain and was a precursor to aspirin.

Active properties of trees and plants have specialized metabolites effective in medical treatment. For instance, tannins are used as inflammatories; the bitters of the thistle family make possible the digestion of fats; saprons are effective expectorants; digitains are heart medicine; and alkaloids contain deadly poisons used for medical purposes. There are over 380,000 different species of plants in the world, of which only about five percent have been investigated for medicinal benefit.

In a forest, trees and plants live intricately interconnected lives allowing them to grow and evolve, and in the case of trees, live for centuries. They live in what one author calls a “wood wide web” of soil fungi that connects and allows them to share an enormous amount of information, resources, and goods. Intelligence, learning, memory and communication are qualities we share with plants and trees.

Trees depend on each other so they share their nutrients, connecting through their root systems. They help neighboring trees in times of need. Together many trees can create an ecosystem in which they grow slowly and very old.

Perhaps the original idea of forest bathing came from the Japanese garden. A Japanese garden is created to induce a state of mindfulness: the total effect of rocks, plants, bushes, trees, and water are put together to make an adventure for the senses. A Japanese garden is made for meandering.

Forest bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, as its known in Japan, comes from this tradition.

Developed as a healing therapy in Japan in the 1980’s, it has become a staple of preventive healthcare. A person needs no money, no days off from work, and no expensive equipment to connect and receive a healing from the forest.

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REFERENCES Brilliant Green: The Surprising History and Science of Plant Intelligence

by Stefano Mancuso and Alessandra Viola. Island Press, 2015.

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate

by Peter Wohlleben. Greystone Books, 2016.

A Little Handbook of Shinrin-Yoku by M. Amos Clifford. E-Book.

Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs at www.NatureAndForestTherapy.org.

With over 30 years experience, Marie Cargill, LicAc, is a Boston-based homeopath, licensed acupuncturist, herbalist and holistic health expert for people and pets. Her newest book is Cancer and Your Pet: A Guide to Alternative and Integrated Treatment.

Visit www.mariecargill.com. www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 43

A Walk in the Woulds

Broaden your mind while you narrow your waistline.

By Mark Mathew Braunstein

Y

ou may be reading this while seated in your favorite armchair. Or perhaps while reclining in bed until reading yourself to sleep. Or perhaps while perched on a porcelain throne.

Or perhaps while standing in an overcrowded bus during your morning commute. Or perhaps even while walking, spellbound by your cellphone. But, if reading this, you surely are not running.

44 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

Walk, Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Run

While sitting gets you nowhere, walking can get you nearly everywhere. The very word walk lends positive meanings to most words that we pin to it. When proud, we walk tall. When happy, we are walking on air. When empathetic, we walk in someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoes. When sincere, we walk our talk. When we make new friends, we walk into their lives. When we are learned, we are

walking encyclopedias. In baseball, when we walk we make it to first base. It may be unsettling to walk a fine line, unnerving to be a walking target, and unlucky to be among the walking wounded, but all who survive at least are still walking.

Unlike walking, phrases coupled with the word run more often run the risk of negativity. To walk away from something shows strength or courage. But to run away from it admits to cowardice or defeat. Run out of money, and you will run up debts. Run out of steam, and your project will have run its course. When running late, drivers run red lights. Unanchored boats run aground. Supplies run low when sources run dry. Some bureaucrats give you the runaround. Some speakers run off at the mouth. And, worst of all, some writers scrawl run-on sentences or rambling paragraphs that seem to run on and on and on.

So among our lexicon of idioms, running gets painted with a dark tint, while walking mostly shines in a bright light. Yet, similes and metaphors aside, the two modes of bipedal locomotion differ only in speed and agility. Whether we lazily stroll a mile, or powerwalk it, or jog it, we still have covered the same ground. Walking is just a slow and steady mode of running.

Most old folks tend to slow down and, as their longevity clocks run down, some folks’ aging is more evident than others’. Our technological lifestyle hastens this aging by having reduced our need to move our butts. In our nation of car cripples, the longest expanse that some people ever walk is the parking lot. Walking has become a voluntary act. In our machine age, walking has even become an act of defiance.

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Office workers sit on their rumps for more than half of their waking hours. After just half an hour of sitting, metabolism throughout the body slows to a crawl. Within two hours, blood flow slackens in the lower legs. Called edema, lymphatic fluids gather there, too. Repeated daily, a long litany of illnesses develop, too ominous to list here and too daunting for your doctor to diagnose in a single physical exam, ironically conducted while you are sitting. The perils of prolonged sitting have been equated with that of overeating, chain smoking, and binge drinking. The health risks of the office chair and the armchair have recently garnered so much news media attention that you probably already know this from all the reading you’ve been doing while sitting on your buns.

Unlike sitting, walking offers many health benefits and, unless walking in a war zone or a natural disaster such as a hurricane, no health risks. Those health benefits have long been well documented. Walking on a daily basis at a moderate pace for merely half an hour nonstop can boost your energy and stimulate your metabolism and circulation for the next half of your day, and can lower your blood pressure and reduce the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis for the rest of your life. Regularly going for a walk even guards against stress and depression. Just thinking about not walking should be enough to make anyone feel depressed.

Sit happens. After walking, health happens. While walking, something else happens, something quite magical, called thinking. Running demands undivided attention to maintaining poise and solid footing, while walking is less of a balancing act. You can walk almost with your eyes closed. So rather than to develop agility of body, the walker can develop agility of mind. While runners feel the bliss of a runner’s high same as dancers do a dancer’s frenzy, those are sensations, not thoughts.

We are not Homo erectus, upright humans. We are Homo sapiens, thinking humans.

It has been said in jest that the brain is a gland that secretes thoughts. If so, walking stimulates more secretion than does running or any other form of physical exercise.

Quite possibly, the slower the gait, the deeper the thought. By letting your feet wander, your mind, too, can wander. And wonder.

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Does a Bear Sit in the Woods?

Distinct from taking short walks to break up prolonged sitting, after a long walk you well deserve taking a break by taking a seat. The good news is that even after walking, the creative boost from walking is a gift that keeps on giving. If that long walk is pursued amid nature, then all the better if that long break is taken in nature, too. Sitting in nature offers glimpses of serenity, but not necessarily flashes of insight.

Walking in the woods followed by sitting in the woods merges creativity with serenity.

Continued on page 46

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FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 45

A WALK IN THE WOULDS, continued from page 45 Here in New England, trees are our megaflora and forests their homes. Despite our urban and suburban sprawl, we New Englanders still enjoy an ample spread of forests with their several layers of habitats ranging from treetops, down to branches and limbs, down to brush and understory, and downward to rootlets and rhizomes.

Trees in a forest have been proven to communicate with each other through their rootlets and by the fungi growing on and among their rootlets. Their network of interconnection is called the Wood Wide Web. By sitting long enough on a log or a stump, we might attempt to hack into it. And not with an ax. Successful or not, simply trying to tune in offers some rewards. In a forest, we are guests in a world ruled by the trees. Most trees far outlive us, and take as long to die as we humans take to live. To a botanist, every tree tells its own story.

To a tree hugger, it holds its own wisdom. To learn all that we may hope from trees, we need not tap into them as when harvesting maple sap. We need not even hug them. We need only sit or walk among them.

When we walk in the woods, we still drag along all the petty concerns of our personal lives and of our human world. All our Woulds and Shoulds and Coulds.

Worker bees buzz inside our heads, pestering us that there’s places to go, people to meet, things to do, money to make, empires to build. So many Shoulds reeling in our minds like tires spinning in snow! And yet, I’m frittering away my time by taking a walk in the woods? Actually, there’s no better place I’d prefer to be.

While my home is two miles from an organic farm stand and five miles from a vegan café, my most prized of all plant-based worlds is the mile-deep woodland that abuts my backyard. Not wilderness, but nature nonetheless. A trail from my backyard explores a land trust of forest that lines a hillside whose incline is steep and rocky.

In addition to perpetually walking the path of my life, I walk that trail almost daily. I have hiked to the tops of several of the White Mountains, trekked across the deserts of Death Valley, and backpacked the Grand Canyon from rim to river to rim. But my fondest memory is of my walk just yesterday on my backyard backwoods trail. As reward for reaching the end of my trail, an imported stump awaits me. I sit on that stump like a bump on a log. In quiet contemplation, my long spells while seated are never long enough. Some call that prayer or meditation. I call it sitting.

The trail’s end is beyond the range of the groans of my human neighbors’ lawnmowers and snow blowers and, except when sometimes downwind, beyond the motorized pulse of the interstate. There, I can delude myself into believing that I am far from civilization. I sit there among the flutelike songs of wood thrush, the drumbeats of woodpeckers, the clucking of crows, the shrills of overhead hawks, the chorus of tree frogs, and the inescapable summertime buzz of mosquitoes.

Sometimes, even when winter denudes most trees of their leaves, the forest whispers no sounds at all. Sometimes, just silence, live silence. So quiet, I can almost hear myself think.

Experienced birders know that the way to the view the most birds is not to chase after them but to just sit still. With less aesthetic aims, hunters in tree stands do the same when on the lookout for deer. Sitting still in daylight, waiting only for my thoughts to crystallize, I have spied coyote, bobcats, and owls, all creatures of the night. Add to my watch list pileated woodpeckers, a signature species of deep forests.

As yet, no sightings of bears or mountain lions. Family and friends beseech me to pack my cellphone when I hike my trail. Are they nuts? More likely they are merely civilized humans who fail to realize that, by pocketing civilization on my woodland walks, I would defeat my purpose in being there. They fear that if I were injured and unable to summon help, I might die down there. I can think of no more serene place to die. Better there than while rotting in a hospital room. Better even than while writing at my desk.

I often am tempted to lay down my pen or to set aside my keyboard and instead to heed the beckoning call of the trail. Surely whatever thoughts that occur to me while walking in the woods will hold more truths than any idea I might conjure while seated at my desk. So excuse me. I now must punctuate this sentence with a period.

Because nature calls.

Mark Mathew Braunstein is the author of four books and a contributor to many holistic health magazines, including four times previously to Spirit of Change. A paraplegic since 1990 from a diving accident, Mark walks with crutches, including in the woods. Visit www.MarkBraunstein.org.

46 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

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FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 47

In today’s world, there are many diversions that call us away from this way of life. There are also a number of seductions that tempt us with a more simplistic path, but we have remained committed to holding and honoring this path that has been given to us by our ancestors. And we must remain committed and disciplined if we hope to preserve this way of life in the midst of all the distractions presented by the modern world.

Many people wonder why we stick to our traditional ways when it appears so much easier to assimilate and join the larger society and popular culture. They ask us: Why would you choose to walk a more difficult path? We are willing to do so because we recognize that it is this way of life that allowed our ancestors to survive the atrocities that they faced, and we understand that it is also the path that will lead to our survival in the future. We know that if we lose this pure and simplistic way of life, we will lose the thread that holds humanity together. Therefore, we honor what we know, and we take responsibility for preserving the way of life that keeps this knowledge alive for ourselves, our future generations, and all other living beings.

Following are some of the core values that guide this way of life.

Artwork: JEAN BARTIBOGUE, “The Seven Generations Tree of Wisdom” on the cover of Sacred Instructions

N’dilnabamuk “All my relations” Many people have heard Native people say “all my relations” after speaking or offering prayers.

But what does it really mean? All societies organize around some sort of core principle. The core principle for Wabanaki societies is relationship. Our story begins with an understanding that we are related to all beings within creation. The two legged, the four legged, the winged, the beings that crawl and slide along the ground, the plants, the trees, and Earth are all our relatives.

Everything is interconnected and interdependent; the well-being of the whole determines the well-being of any individual part. We recognize that connection in our prayers, and the understanding that the whole is shifted by every action of each individual. There is one life, one breath that we all breathe. Therefore, when we take any action out in the world, even when we pray for ourselves, we impact all life. This belief forms the foundational understanding that weaves through all of our other values. It’s the thread that ties them all together.

Mamabezu “He or she has enough” Alabezu “We all have enough”

Core Values

OF THE INDIGENOUS WAY OF LIFE

By Sherri Mitchell

As Wabanaki people, we are taught that it is our responsibility to speak on behalf of the natural world.

K

ejinawe bemousawakon is the way of life that is held by my people, the Penawahpskek, and the other tribes within the Wabanaki Confederacy [comprised of five principal nations: Abenaki, Penobscot, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy and Mi’kmaq]. This way of life is about living close to Earth, close to our kin, and remaining ever mindful of our responsibilities to the sacred agreements that we have with every living being. It is about the sustainability of Earth, our relationships, and our spiritual connections.

48 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

The value of enough means ensuring that everyone has enough to live their lives with dignity and a sense of security, and that the community has enough to thrive. This is connected to the belief that we are all responsible for one another. We have to be mindful that there is a finite amount of resources available to support life, and what we take for ourselves impacts what is available for others. If we take just the amount needed for us to have enough to live and feel secure, then we are leaving enough for others to do the same. Yet if we take more than what we need, we are depriving others of the ability to meet their own needs.

Ensuring that everyone has enough is the best way to ensure the health and happiness of our societies. When people have their basic needs met, they are able to focus their energies on other tasks. They can develop and share the gifts that they carry with the rest of the world in meaningful ways. When they don’t have enough, and they’re struggling to survive, the drive for survival becomes their entire focus. There is no energy left for them to develop the gifts that they possess to strengthen the community or society in which they live.

Practicing the value of enough helps our communities become strong and vibrant. It provides an opportunity for everyone to bring their best self forward and contribute their best ideas and their best efforts. It also fosters more self-esteem within individuals. Those who feel that they are meaningfully contributing to their families, communities, and societies have a better opinion about themselves. When we deny people basic security, we are robbing them of their own potential and the ability to feel good about themselves. This also robs our communities and societies of the potential that they possess. When we practice the value of enough, we open space for each individual to become their best, which in turn offers greater success, innovation, and well-being for our communities.

Wolihkomawiw “Harmony” Harmony is an inner state of equilibrium. It’s about finding and maintaining inner harmony, which is not always peaceful. It’s about trusting that the world is balanced even when it seems out of control.

Life will challenge you, it will knock you down, and it will surprise you in wonderful and terrible ways. Wolihkomawiw invites you to see the truth that exists in every moment of life and recognize that all life is a duality. When we understand the dual nature of the universe, we recognize that there is beauty in everything, even our most painful experiences.

I was taught that every difficulty that we face in life is directly proportionate to the amount of strength that it can provide us. The more painful the experience, the more love it can open within us; the uglier the situation, the greater the beauty that it brings forth; the deeper the darkness, the more expansive the light.

This teaching offers us the wisdom to seek the balance that exists within the duality.

When we understand the harmonizing aspects of life, we understand that nothing is all good or all bad. One of my elders told me there is only the good and the not good; nothing is ever truly bad. I had a very hard time believing this, and at times I am incredibly challenged to find the beauty in some of the experiences of my life. When he told me this, he wasn’t trivializing the pain of the difficult or destructive experiences of my life; he was simply trying to help me see the true nature of life. When we come to know the true essence of spirit, and the source from which we all come, we realize that there is only love. All of our experiences and the experiences of others are teaching us deeper and deeper aspects of love, and countless faces of that love. Each experience has the potential to open us to a greater experience of that love, if we are connected to its source.

When we can remain connected to the source of life, and recognize that it is balanced and just, we develop greater compassion and patience for the darker sides of that duality.

When we begin to live with that truth, we are living in wolihkomawiw, or living in harmony with the mind of the creator.

Kciye “Harmony with the natural world” It is not enough to know that we are part of one living system. We must also take active steps to live in harmony with the rest of creation. This means that we cannot adopt attitudes or beliefs that place us above the natural world. We cannot see ourselves as having dominion over the land, the water, or the animals. We can’t even see ourselves as being stewards of Earth. We are only keepers of a way of life that is in harmony with Earth. Every day, we must act in ways that acknowledge that we are part of one living system, a unified whole.

This understanding is very different than the belief that human beings are chosen above all others. That view creates countless distortions that not only elevate man inappropriately, but also diminish the rest of creation. The world is one unified system.

It cannot be separated into fragmented, saleable parts. The Eurocentric view of property ownership requires us to see the land as being disconnected from us. This view separates us from the source of life. The Indigenous view recognizes the land as kin, as part of the lineage of life that we are all connected to. Thus, we have an obligation to care for the land in the same way that we would care for our human relatives.

As Wabanaki people, we are taught that it is our responsibility to speak on behalf of the natural world. Not because we are superior to other living beings, but because we speak the language that other human beings understand. Human beings are the only species on the planet that has fallen out of step with creation. As a result, it is human beings that pose the greatest threat to life. The only way for us to regain our balance within creation is to once again find our balance with the natural world. Kciye is just a word, but it’s a word that reminds us of our deeper connections and our deeper obligations to life.

Adapted and reprinted by permission of the publisher from Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change by Sherri Mitchell, published by North Atlantic Books, Copyright © 2017 by Sherri Mitchell.

Sherri Mitchell was born and raised on the Penobscot Indian reservation. She received her Juris Doctorate and a Certificate in Indigenous People's Law and Policy from the University of Arizona's James E. Rogers College of Law and has worked in many capacities over the past 30 years helping to highlight and advance the position of Wabanaki peoples. Sherri is the founding director of the Land Peace Foundation, an organization dedicated to the global protection of Indigenous rights and the preservation of the Indigenous way of life. http://sacredinstructions.life/ www.spiritofchange.org

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ecently, I traveled up to Canada for the fast and sweats that we hold for preparation prior to ceremony. On the last morning of the fast, I was startled awake upon hearing a woman’s evil laugh. Instead of fearing it, I took a deep breath and asked my ancestors what this was about. “Who was she?”

By Marie Dion

I have a small part in healing the whole, and for that I am responsible.

50 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

“She is the last living relative of your step-grandsons,” they answered. “She was abused in the residential schools and her mind is not healthy. Do not research their genealogy any further until she makes her spirit journey, and we will tell you when to continue.”

My grandfather then said to me, “Just as you will, of course, protect your grandsons because you love them and do not want them to be harmed, so too is the reason why you were born into an Italian, white family at this time. So you could be protected from harm as well.” I started to cry with this realization.

I did not grow up on a reserve, and over the years I have struggled with the issue of identity. My soul’s memories are real, as if the struggles I endured in past lives happened in real time to me in this life. But those memories are not from this life. In this life, I was born into a safe environment in order to allow my soul to recover from the intensities of the last few lives I lived. I struggle with this because I can identify so closely with all those who have grown up on reserves in this life and continue to struggle under the aftermath of colonialism, but if they do not believe me or understand the ways of Spirit, they think my understanding of them is not legitimate.

I have a connection to my Native ancestral bloodline in this lifetime, but that is only part of who I am genetically and spiritually. I didn’t even know what that meant until halfway through my life. My ancestors have told me, “Be authentic. The truth of who you are will be revealed when your soul finally meets its purpose.”

I have a small part in healing the whole, and for that I am responsible.

I do not need to focus on who believes my experience and who does not. Yet it is difficult to feel that I am being authentic and doing my part when people think that I am using stories and history that, to them, do not look as though they belong to me because of my genetic identities in this lifetime. Though I try to take comfort in my ancestors’ words to get over this feeling, it is still a struggle.

This is true for all people, not just myself. Whether you can trace your ancestors’ blood lineage directly to the blood running through your veins, or whether you only feel the connection through your soul, you’re still here to heal our Mother Earth and to heal past traumas to “your” family line. The issue of cultural identity, and how we identify ourselves individually, is important

Continued on page 52

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ANCESTRY continued from page 50

only to us personally. Prejudice and racism are the effects of people focusing too much on their current identity and how it differs from others, rather than focusing on what we all have in common and what we can do to help each other heal and progress.

Grandfather explained judgment to me. He said, “Imagine you are looking at the outline of a human being. Then envision that human surrounded in light that includes a spectrum of all colors. Now, as you stand next to them, you fixate on the color blue, to the point where you only see the color blue and none of the other colors. When only fixated on one color, you do not see the entire human being, only that one aspect or trait. That is what judgment is.”

It is hard to overcome this view, however, because the pain and trauma caused by racism and prejudice are very real. Here in the Northeast, we now struggle to recover cultures and ancestries that were destroyed or hidden by genocide and assimilation from the first part of the American colonization. From my memories of my past lives, I recall these words that were said by the elders to the white soldiers who were involved in the massacres during the westward expansion: “We will be born again and return as your sons and daughters.” From what I have been told by my ancestors, this has come to pass as a way to help create the needed empathy between the souls that have had either a European or Native history.

Even though I sometimes struggle to balance my current life and past life memories, one thing I know for sure is that my connection to my ancestors is strong.

They continue to guide and teach me every day.

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My spirit grandfather, Onachowa, was Blackfoot. His ways were, and still are, powerful, and he has strong medicine. When he prays, I can feel his strength and this gives me faith in his guidance through all that I do. My family’s connection to our Native lineage was broken when my great-grandmother was murdered. Other families lost their connection through adoption, children taken to residential schools, or displacement of family members who pursued work or other necessities. After my great-grandmother’s murder, the rest of my family hid that part of their identity to protect their children from the prejudice and stigma that indigenous people had to endure. Many Native families were just trying to survive and protect their children by having them blend in and not be seen as Native. Though my family recognized the importance of telling us that we were Native, nothing more was said about it after that. We lived in a world that did not see Native people as equals. As a result, the connection to our traditions was cut, and I would have a long road ahead to reconnect with and heal my family’s lineage.

When I was searching for my memé’s Native lineage about twenty years ago, going from reserve to reserve on the East coast of Canada, I was guided by my ancestors to places all across the Gaspé Peninsula. I found my pepé’s name, along with the names of his father and brothers, in the Malecite tribal rolls in Canada.

Finding this information was difficult at the time, because tribes were receiving some government benefits, and suddenly opportunists who had heard a story of a Native in their family were out to prove their heritage to get those benefits, even though neither they nor their families had ever lived on or been close to a reserve.

This was not my intent. My ancestors started waking me in the middle of the night to tell me I needed to find this information, which shocked and scared me. I had not grown up in the environment of the Native reserves, and had no idea what was ahead of me.

But once I started the search, it was hard to convince anyone of my true motives.

When I found my pepé’s name and family, I told the woman in charge of the rolls.

She immediately closed the book and made me leave. She had just been humoring me and hadn’t really expected me to find my family, but when I did, she did not want me to make the final connection of proof. After that, I was never able to contact her again. At first I was upset at her reaction, but I understood the threat that was posed to limited tribal resources by all of these distant connections coming out of the woodwork for a share. It was enough for me to have found them and know that what my pepé had told me was true. I was given this small glimpse of the truth so that I could move forward to relink my family to who we are and where we came from.

Since then, I have found that we are Blackfoot, Mi’Kmaq, and Malecite (Algonquin). I

was guided to these discoveries through the story of my family’s migration, as told to me in spirit by my Native grandfather.

My grandfather’s people came from Northwest of the Great Lakes region. He was Blackfoot and only a young man at the time the Europeans started coming to our continent in droves. When they began arriving, the tribe decided to move westward to get away from the Europeans. My grandfather and a few other young men decided that they wanted to go east instead, and went in the opposite direction from the tribe. They traveled far along the St. Lawrence, and eventually my grandfather met and married my grandmother. Her people were Mi’Kmaq and lived on the Gaspé in Quebec, Canada. He never saw his Blackfoot family again. I am his seventh generation granddaughter, and he has told me that I am to bring our ways back to my family to heal our lineage and reconnect with the family that was lost so long ago.

The Karma of Lineage

At the same time that I first started learning about my deep connection to my lineage, I also learned that I was never alone. My angels and guides have been with me, protecting and guiding me, for my entire life. But now I was starting to meet more of my spirit guides on a more frequent basis. They were introducing themselves to me, now that I was speaking with Grandfather and I knew that they were there.

One night I dreamt that I was in a barren room of boards, like a shack, and I sat across a table from this beautiful, black–skinned woman who was very dear to me. I was very upset. I pointed to my skin, saying to her, “Look at this! Look how light my skin is!” I was yelling at her with tears in my eyes, saying, “I do not want to be this color. Why am I? I want my skin dark!”

The woman started to laugh, a very deep belly laugh, and then said to me, “Honey, you had to be this color in this life. It is part of your purpose. It is part of your karma, for you hated the white people in many lifetimes. So now, in this lifetime, you have to experience being white. You are a bridge for the healing.” She said this matter-offactly and continued to laugh as I woke from the dream.

In the dream, the woman’s wisdom had seemed to fill the space we shared as I intently listened to her, thrilled that she was visiting me. Upon waking, I could still feel her immense love for me, and I felt an amazing connection with her. The lessons you learn through each of the lifetimes that you endure stay with your soul forever.

You may not have an actual memory of them, but they become innate to who you are and who you will become. None of this experience is ever wasted, not even a single lesson you learn or a single talent you develop along the way.

I tell my nieces, nephews, and grandchildren that we all have a treasure inside of us. Nobody else can tell us where or what it is. We have to find it ourselves by going within, by truly getting to know ourselves. Once we do, that gift will be revealed to us. Creator has given each of us a purpose for being here, and we have only to seek it out within ourselves. To know yourself is to know your connection with the divine, and your purpose. This can only become clear when you mature and grow, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Once you are ready, synchronicities happen in your life that you cannot explain, but they serve as validation that you are moving in the right direction and fulfilling your purpose. These events not only validate your path forward, but also make the path easier for you. Once this process begins, do not let fear get in your way. Have courage, patience, and compassion. Be fearless in faith, and you will accomplish what your soul has come here to do.

In order to reach that place of forward motion, we need to take responsibility for ourselves on an individual basis first. As we do that, we can then heal ourselves, our loved ones, our families, our people, and our ancestors. The ripple effect will continue out through the generations endlessly. We are each put on this planet with a unique gift from Creator. It is up to each of us to find that treasure inside ourselves and offer it in service to others, as we strive to be better human beings. If we are successful in finding this purpose, we can have an impact that is not only apparent to those lives we touch now, but echoes throughout generations.

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Reprinted with permission of the author from Journey of a Red Soul, ©2017 Marie Dion.

Marie Dion, author of Journey of a Red Soul, traces her ancestral heritage to Mi’kmaq, Malecite/Algonquin, Blackfoot, French Canadian and Italian lines. These provide the inspiration and motivation for all her creative pursuits, including her artwork, jewelry, sculpture and photography. Visit MarieDion.info. www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 53

my health. I had to transform the nightmare of ill health to discover my sacred dream that would allow me to experience a new sense of purpose and meaning, even though I had no guarantee I would survive my illness or how long I would live.

A sacred dream launches you to a destiny beyond simply not dying, or of being reasonably happy as you strive to avoid discomfort. It encourages you to explore the mysteries of life and of love, to glimpse a reality beyond death and discover a timeless truth for yourself. It demands that you act boldly and courageously, and not collude with the consensual — that which everyone agrees on and no one questions — even though it is a popular story that traps us in daydreams that become nightmares.

How do you know when you have found a sacred dream?

By Alberto Villoldo

H

ow do you recognize when you are living under the spell of a daydream?

Daydreams always contain a contract or agreement you make with life that goes like this: “When...then.”

“When I have more money...then I won’t be anxious.”

“When I am happy...then I will be grateful.”

“When we have new leadership...then we will be able to have a truthful conversation.”

Or perhaps, “When I find my true love, or my true calling in life, or the perfect house, or job, then I will...”

A few years ago, I received a challenging medical diagnosis. In my travels through the Amazon I had picked up a dozen varieties of parasites. Until then, I was convinced that other people got old or sick but that surely would never happen to me.

Now I was sick and in danger of dying, and feeling like an old man. In my prayers I said to God, “When I get well, then I will dedicate my life to being in service and helping others.”

But God does not like these bargains. I began to wake up from the daydream when I turned the “When...then” agreement around. I discovered that: When I am grateful, then I am happy.

When I dedicate my life to service, then I become well.

When I speak truthfully, then I become a true leader.

I had to rededicate my life to a mission greater than myself before I could recover 54 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

Because it is much larger than you, and it feels impossible to accomplish all that you hope to achieve. A sacred dream launches you on a mission, as it did with Martin Luther King Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi. “But I am not Gandhi,” you might say. True, you do not have to set a goal to lead a billion people to freedom. But what if your destiny is to do something far greater than you have imagined until this moment?

When you are ill, or sad, or depressed, it is hard to think of finding a sacred dream.

Your dreams are smaller then. Getting back to where you once were seems “good enough.” I remember when I was in my healing crisis and could not take more than 50 steps before becoming exhausted. My dream then was to be able to walk around the block without feeling spent. Yet I was called to the greater dream, to be of service to others in whatever small way I could. How would I do that when I could hardly get out of bed and my doctors told me I would never hike in my beloved mountains again? I discovered that when you hold a sacred dream, the universe begins to actively conspire on your behalf to make the impossible doable. It offers you energy and skills that you never had available before. Soon I was able to walk around the block, and today I travel around the world bringing a little more beauty to everyone I meet — practicing the giveaway of beauty.

Discovering the sacred dream requires courage. You can no longer be a passive (and anxious) bystander watching others have a meaningful life. The sacred dream will not come knocking at your door: It requires that you leave the familiar and embark on a quest. It requires that you not compromise your integrity. It demands that you not allow yourself to be seduced by the easy path. It calls you to fight the lie that your daydream is adequate and will continue to keep you comfortable.

This is why it is called the way of the luminous warrior.

The sacred dream you will be shown is made from light. It is light at its purest, devoid of any form yet the source of all forms that we see around us. In the sacred dream, the real nature of water is light, just as the nature of earth is light, of fire is light, and of wind is light. As you explore the sacred dream, you realize that even the planets, the sun, the trees, and the whales are made of light wrapped tightly into matter. Light is the primordial stuff of the universe, which the sages can mold into form when they dream the world into being, similar to how the potter kneads clay and works it into a bowl.

The light of the sacred dream is known as the Primordial Light, and the Andean sages called it Ti (pronounced “tea” in English).

The power of Ti

When I was a student of anthropology, I learned that the Inka believed they were the children of the sun. Later I discovered that this was not accurate: a mistake had been made by well-intentioned academics. Ti is the light, and the sun god of the Inka was called In-Ti. The name means the “sun at midday,” when the light burns at its strongest, not the young light of the morning or the fading light of dusk. The sun is the source of light, but it is not the light. The flashlight is not the light beam.

Remember that until recently we did not know that the sun is a ball of burning plasma that could hold 1,333,000 Earths within it. For many native people, the sun seems like a hole in the sky through which the light of the heavens spills and illuminates our world. The Inka believed they were children of the Ti. Ti is different from the sun, just as the firelight is different from the log even though it is released from burning wood. You find the name Ti associated with ancient places like Titicaca, the sea on top of the world; Paititi, the lost Inka city of gold; and Tiwanaku, the most ancient Andean civilization.

According to lore, the power of Ti can create beauty, or heal the sick, or fabricate galaxies. This is the source of the power of the shamans. But it can also destroy if it is not used properly.

The sacred dream is said to be made with the light of Ti, and all you need to do to be reminded of it is gaze at the sun at daybreak, or at a shimmering star at night, or into a bonfire. It is a plan for the destiny of the cosmos and of every living being within it. It is a template for invisible cities of light and for peace and beauty throughout the cosmos. But this outcome is not written in stone; it is not guaranteed.

It requires that each one of us hold our part of the dream of the possible future and endeavor to create it.

When Pachakuti, the ninth ruler of the Inka Empire, was a young man, he went on a vision quest into the mountains. On his way to the city of Cusco, he stopped at a magical well known as Susurpuqio. When he reached in to fill the pail with water to quench his thirst, he was blinded by a light and a voice revealed his destiny to him. He would extend the Inka territory into the greatest kingdom the Americas would ever know. It would be known as the Empire of the Sun and usher in the dawn of a millennium of peace in the Andes. But he would face great challenges. On his return to Cusco he discovered that the ancient enemies of the Inka, the Chanka people, were about to invade the city and his father and all the able-bodied people had abandoned the city of Cusco.

Pachakuti understood his destiny. But he had no idea how to fulfill it. The only people remaining in the city were the old and some urchin children. He assembled them into a ragtag army and the following day before sunrise attacked the unsuspecting Chanka, who were camped on the citadel of SacsayhuamĂĄn above Cusco. The legends say that the stones came alive magically and hurled themselves at the invaders, who were driven away to their lands on the other side of the Apurimac River. Not a single life was lost.

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When you hold a sacred dream, the universe begins to actively conspire on your behalf to make the impossible doable.

Pachakuti would become the model of the luminous warrior, who has access to spiritual resources that come to his aid when he is fulfilling the destiny scripted in his sacred dream.

As it did with Pachakuti, the Primordial Light reveals to us our sacred dream and our destiny. And like Pachakuti, we must face apparently insurmountable challenges. And then we are asked to trust that the Ti will offer us the extraordinary help we need.

The shamans know that everything living is made of light that is tightly bound and packaged into matter. The more the shamans share their light with others, the freer they became from the nightmares that plague those caught in a limited dream of personal enrichment or comfort.

Early peoples were tempted to worship Ti because of its infinite generosity. But the Inka realized that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worship the Primordial Light as a god, for that would mean denying your own nature as light bound into flesh. When you understand your nature, you shine with your own light, like the sun. And like the sun, which is the only thing that does not cast a shadow, you no longer project your dark sides and the unhealed parts of your psyche onto others.

In my own healing journey, I understood that like all people, I am made of the Primordial Light. Every cell in my body relishes this. And when I forget this for a moment, I contract. I begin to wonder who I am, what I am doing in this situation, and where I am going with my life. I see battles all around me that I feel I have to fight. When this occurs I try to be quiet and find the light within, and remember that my nature is identical to the Primordial Light. I am the light.

The Primordial Light holds boundless resources that are now available to you and allow you to create beauty in any way you choose.

Reprinted with permission from The Heart of the Shaman: Stories & Practices of the Luminous Warrior by Alberto Villoldo, published by Hay House (2018). For more information visit theheartoftheshaman.com. www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 55

For over two decades psychic medium John Holland has connected with loved ones who have passed to offer peace about our final transition in life.

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The Ultimate Transition T

By John Holland

here are two defining moments in everyone’s physical lifetime, regardless of your religion, color, nationality, or geographical location: birth and death. While they’re totally different in the obvious way, I tend to view death as a form of birth. It’s just that death is your doorway to the Other Side, in that you’re born back into the spirit world.

Everything, including your soul, is always on its way to somewhere. The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.” Birth and death are 56 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

basically the same process — it’s like walking from one room to another through a doorway; in this case, the only difference is the direction you’re headed.

As much as we might want to ignore the subject of our own mortality — many of us refuse to think about it, plan for it, or even accept it — some people also feel that by just talking about death, they’re somehow hastening it. Passing on — or transitioning, or whatever term you’re most comfortable using — is something that we all have to face eventually, whether it’s by coping with the loss of someone we love or preparing for our own passing.

Saying farewell to a loved one who’s dying can be one of the toughest things you’ll experience in this lifetime.

No matter how ready you think you are, it’s never easy when the time actually comes. If you’re dealing with this at the moment, my heart goes out to you. Please say what you have to say to the people that are in your life now, so that you never have to say “I should have, could have, or would have . . .” or, “If only I had . . .”

Try to live your life with an open hand, and enjoy and appreciate each and every moment you have with your loved ones and friends.

THE GATHERING

If you know someone who’s about to pass or who has recently passed on — whether it was a natural end-of-life passing or a sudden, unexpected passing — then I hope you’ll take comfort in knowing that no one ever goes home alone. Those on the Other Side are quite aware of an imminent passing and will gather together to welcome back a family member, friend, or even pet.

When someone is reaching the end of their natural life, a sense of peace often descends, as though they know that spirits are gathering to welcome them. When a person is approaching the final physical stages of what’s known as death, they often experience a gradual declining or dulling of the physical senses. Their sight, their hearing, and even their sense of feeling seems to grow dimmer and dimmer. It’s almost as if their light starts to fade or flicker standing on the border of this world and the next.

As their physical senses dim, their psychic senses heighten, becoming more evident and acute. It’s not uncommon that the dying person seems to develop a sense of knowing what’s happening or occurring in another place, whether it’s in another room or even a distant location. Their psychic senses — clairvoyance, clairsentience, or clairaudience — may become stronger prior to death.

SOUL-TO-SOUL CONNECTIONS

There have been documented cases where a person who is about to pass was able to project their spirit to friends and family who weren’t physically with them in the room. The loved ones were able to sense them and, in some cases, reported that they saw them. Others have documented how they appeared in dreams. You might have experienced this yourself with someone who was ill or close to death. It’s as though you just knew you had to go see that person immediately, even if they passed soon after you arrived. It’s almost as if their spirit was reaching out to you as a form of thought transference. The consciousness of the dying person is impressed upon the friend or relative even while the spirit of the latter remained in the body. I refer to this as a soul-to-soul connection.

This happened to my cousin many years ago when I lost an aunt to cancer. My mom was one of four girls, and one of her sisters, my Aunt Shirley, was given the news that her life would be ending soon due to cancer. Everyone loved my aunt, and she was especially close with her niece Dolly, my cousin. One evening, while Dolly was relaxing at home with her family, she got this overwhelming sense out of the blue that she needed to rush to the hospital to be with our Aunt Shirley, so she immediately dropped everything and jumped in her car. When Dolly arrived at the hospital, Shirley had already slipped into unconsciousness, and she passed peacefully afterward, holding Dolly’s hand. It was as though she’d waited for her to arrive.

During a soul-to-soul connection, the soul or spirit reaches out with love and chooses a person to be there with them. The person who gets the signal is often one with heightened psychic awareness. However, I’ve heard many stories of how sad someone felt because they weren’t able to be there for their loved one’s passing.

Some people have told me of agreements they’d made to be together at the time of someone’s death, but alas it didn’t happen.

If you had such an agreement that didn’t work out, don’t beat yourself up. You could have been at someone’s bedside for a week, 24 hours a day, every day. Then the one time you go out to grab a coffee, your loved one passes. The person does not do so because they want to break your special agreement; the soul decides to leave so as not to put you through the pain of watching them go. They do this for one reason: they love you. The soul always knows when to leave or whether to stay and wait.

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DEATHBED VISIONS

Have you ever been with someone who’s not long for this world and seen their eyes cast up as if they’re gazing at something not physically there? Have you ever noticed a dying person reaching up with their hands as if some invisible hands were reaching back out to them or witnessed them having a conversation with someone who’s not Continued on page58 www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 57

She thought how strange it was that this man hadn’t asked them if they were looking for shells, sea glass, or even heart rocks. Instead, he’d specifically mentioned sand dollars! there? When you ask whom they were talking to, you might be surprised to find out they were having a conversation with someone who’s no longer living.

This phenomenon is known as deathbed visions (DBVs), which some people experience just before they pass. It’s less likely for such incidences to happen with a sudden passing, and more common with a natural death or prolonged terminal illness.

Many scientists and medical professionals who feel they’ve had to offer a logical and rational explanation of such phenomena believe that these extraordinary experiences are due to hallucinogenic drugs or a lack of oxygen to the brain. I understand and respect that their opinions come from a place of education and rational thinking. But I would also pose the question: Why is it that these deathbed visions often involve seeing someone who’s already passed as opposed to someone alive and close to the dying person?

My colleague David Kessler is a grief expert who has worked in palliative care and studied with Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, the well-known psychiatrist and pioneer in near-death studies, who gave us the theory of the five stages of grief. His fascinating book, Visions, Trips, and Crowd Rooms, describes the phenomenon of what people see before they pass. He deftly dispels many of the misconceptions and doubts surrounding DBVs, and includes enlightening and revealing stories from a variety of sources.

I often say that no one ever goes home alone, and I believe that DBVs are evidence that we’re truly never alone. Whether our passing is slow or sudden, surprising or expected, there’s always a loved one to reach out and escort us back home. These experiences often help calm dying patients by lessening the fear of death. They can be extremely healing to the family and friends that remain after their loved one has passed.

If you know someone is close to passing, and they start to talk about someone visiting, the best advice I can give is to ask them questions about the visit, then listen with an open mind. You might be quite surprised by who showed up!

Hopefully, as the phenomenon of DBVs becomes more widely written about and accepted, it will assist us in recognizing that death is nothing to be afraid of, and that you should live your life in the here and now to the very fullest. After all, this life is important. Life is fleeting, and every moment we fritter away is a moment we will never get back.

ADCs: AFTER DEATH COMMUNICATIONS

There’s a special language that transcends time and space — a language that’s not constrained by the limitations of just words, but instead consists of signs, symbols, energy, and thoughts. This language can be heard and seen only when you truly pay attention. It’s the language of spirit.

Once a loved one passes and has settled again, they often do everything in their power to get your attention. When they send a sign, they’re trying to tell us that they’ve survived death, that they love us, that they want us to live our lives to the fullest. Be watchful and pay attention, as it could be they who sent you that rainbow; that familiar song you heard on the radio; that special dream in which they appeared happy, healthy, and strong. Equally, it may be one of nature’s beautiful creatures they so loved that suddenly appears, or the wonderful aroma of their favorite flower, or even a gentle touch on your face that you thought was just a breeze. They want you to know, “I love you, I am not gone, I am here right beside you. You may not see me, but I am here.”

These special signs are what are known as after death communications (ADCs). I also like to refer to them as “calling cards.” ADCs were brought to my attention by

58 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

Hello from Heaven, a book written by Judy and Bill Guggenheim. Judy and Bill did extensive research into after death communication, interviewing more than 3,000 people who believed they’d been contacted by a deceased loved one. The book includes over 300 stories of ADCs, and Judy and Bill’s research powerfully concludes that an estimated 60 to 120 million Americans have experienced some form of an ADC. That amazing number of people tells us that ADCs are quite normal and happen all the time.

Many of us have experienced synchronistic events or received signs and symbols from those on the Other Side. It’s easy, however, to miss them or conveniently explain them away as coincidences. In fact, I recently received a sign that I came close to explaining away — even though I’ve been doing this work for many years!

I was walking past my kitchen counter one night, thinking of my mom who had passed a few years before. Suddenly I heard a clink. I noticed that the pens and pencils I had in a cup on the counter somehow all shifted to the other side of the cup. Earlier the pens and pencils were on the right of the cup, and now all of them lay to the left. I remember thinking to myself, Mmm, it must have created a breeze when I was walking by. Yeah, right! How fast would I have had to been walking to create that type of wind current? I thought about it and realized there is no way those pens could have moved on their own. With a big smile on my face, I said, “Thanks, mom! I get the message!”

It’s important to stress here that ADCs are not facilitated through a psychic or a medium. You don’t need some sort of tool to receive or interpret them. These are spiritual experiences that happen spontaneously. They come in many forms and are usually quite personal. Some people have special signs that are unique to them. Here’s one touching story of undying love that I heard recently that reinforces this point.

SAND DOLLARS: TOKENS OF LOVE

Jeri and David had this beautifully romantic ritual that they always did together. They would head off to the local beach, not to watch the sunsets but to stroll, holding hands and looking for sand dollars that would wash ashore. It was their special time together, and it would be rare for them not to bring a few sand dollars home. Every token became a special memory of their romantic walks together.

They married and had two young boys, and everything seemed almost perfect. It came as a terrible shock when David developed an aggressive cancer and passed away far too quickly. Jeri lost the love of her life, and their children lost a doting father.

One day, some months after David passed, Jeri was hanging out in the living room with her youngest son, Logan, who was eight years old at the time. They’d both been thinking about David a lot recently. Logan was starting a new school year, and she knew that he wished his dad could be there for this big day. Sensing Logan’s mood, Jeri reached out and whispered, “Do you want to join me for a walk down on Sand Dollar Beach?” Before she’d even finished asking, Logan had hopped off the couch with a smile and took her hand. That was his answer!

It was the first week in September, and the beach was practically deserted. Without a word, they both started looking for sand dollars, just as Jeri and David had done together so many times before. They walked up and down the beach, pushing mounds of sand aside, scouring the shore for their treasure. Yet no matter how hard they looked, they couldn’t find a single sand dollar. Logan’s face couldn’t hide his frustration and disappointment. Jeri looked up to the sky and said in her mind, David, please send us a sign. Logan is starting school tomorrow, and he really could use a hello from heaven from you right now.

Jeri turned away for a moment, so Logan wouldn’t see the tear trickling down her face. It was then that she noticed a small boat approaching the shore. She could have sworn it wasn’t there before, and she didn’t know where it had come from. The man in the boat stood up waving and yelling, “Hi! Are you looking for sand dollars?”

“Yes!” the two yelled back in unison, a resounding roar of excitement.

The man smiled and pointed, “Give that sand bar over there a try!”

Jeri and Logan thanked the man and ran across the beach. She glanced back for a second, but he’d already turned the boat around and left. She thought how strange it was that this man hadn’t asked them if they were looking for shells, sea glass, or even heart Continued on page 60

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THE ULTIMATE TRANSITION continued from page 58

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rocks. Instead, he’d specifically mentioned sand dollars!

Logan ran ahead excitedly, hoping to find just one memento. He soon saw, to his amazement and delight, a crisp sand dollar sticking out of the sand! Then another and then another lay before him. The more they looked, the more they found.

Jeri smiled as she heard her son shouting in joy, “Mom, mom, here’s another one!”

They found so many, they filled every pocket they had. As they walked back up the shore, they counted a total of 43 sand dollars. Logan looked up at her, smiling, his eyes full of tears, “Mom, this is better than winning the lottery!”

In her heart, Jeri knew it had been David who’d helped them. She closed her eyes as she felt a gentle breeze caress her face like a kiss. Her skin tingled with his presence.

Logan kept asking, “Mom, how did the guy in the boat know what we were looking for? I bet it was Dad saying hi!”

Simple signs can be profound. A special symbol, unique to you, has a way of filling your heart. Now, whenever Jeri walks along that special beach, whether alone or with her sons, she knows that David will be right beside her.

I’m sure there will be many more sand dollars (and other ADCs) waiting for Jeri and her family.

ADCs THROUGH DREAMS

Over the years, I’ve heard thousands of stories of ADCs. One man’s house filled with the smell of pipe tobacco, immediately triggering memories of his dad lighting up his pipe. A woman told me she felt a kiss on her forehead and knew it was from her husband who’d passed suddenly. Another told me of the indent in the blanket on her bed, which was the same size of a pet that had recently passed. While there is hundreds of ways spirits use to reach out through ADCs, the number one way is dreams.

When you’re asleep, your mind is not working overtime. As it’s calm and relaxed, your left brain (the analytical side) is able to take a much-needed break. This is the easiest time for spirits to sneak into your consciousness and psyche. It may not happen right away, however. It took my mom a year to visit my dreams after she’d passed. I didn’t demand it, but somehow I knew it would happen eventually.

I love asking audiences, “Who’s had a dream of a loved one, when you knew for a fact that it really was them?” Immediately, a sea of hands will go up. Whether the dream happened days ago, weeks ago, or even years ago, the memory of that special ADC is usually as fresh for the person as though it were dreamed last night.

When I ask people to describe what happened in the dream, what was said, and how the person looked, the answers are usually always the same. First, their loved ones always appear healthy and vibrant, even if there was illness, age ravaged their bodies, or they passed due to some trauma. They appear smiling, healthy and perfect.

Many people distinctly remember saying in their dreams, “What are you doing here — you’re dead!”

The messages that come back in a dream are usually short. Without opening their mouths, spirits will use thought to convey that they live on, that they’re alive, and that they still love you. Most important, they want you to go on with your lives here, to be happy, and to know that they’ll see you again. In these special dreams, you may just get a hug that feels so real, so loving, that when you wake up, you have tears in your eyes.

Have faith and trust that it really was them who came to visit and held you close in that loving embrace.

Of course, not every dream you have of a loved one is a legitimate ADC. It may be your own mind working through your bereavement process, especially if the dream is disturbing or your loved one appears in a distressing or negative way. You’ll know which ones are genuine ADCs because they’ll have a sense of clarity to them, being more detailed, loving, enjoyable, and above all, positive.

I recommend keeping a journal beside your bed to record your dreams, whether they’re ADCs or not. This will get you in the habit of paying attention to and retaining details of your dreams. If you want to have an ADC dream of a loved one, then a good way to start is to spend some time in quiet reflection or meditation. Send a thought out to that person.

Gather up all the love you have in your heart and think of them. Ask them to appear in

your dream, and tell them that you’re ready and willing to receive a message.

Remember, while you may just get that person, don’t be surprised if you get a message from someone you least expect!

COMMON SIGNS OF ADCs

You might have already detected a spirit presence yourself at some point, even if you didn’t totally realize it. For example, have you ever felt a loved one standing beside you, but you explained it away as wishful thinking or your imagination? Or seen something out of the corner of your eye, but when you looked at it directly, it was gone? Have you ever heard your name being called and no one was there? These are all typical examples of ways your loved ones will try to make their presence known to you, as well as some of these other most popular ones: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Feeling a loved one’s presence Finding shiny coins, such as pennies and dimes Electrical items switching on and off Phones ringing and the name of the person who passed being displayed on the caller ID Nature signs, such as the appearance of rainbows Sudden appearances of specific animals, birds and insects — butterflies are a big sign!

Same set of numbers keeps showing up Scents coming from no known physical source Items going missing and then suddenly appearing out of nowhere A favorite song playing on the radio just as you think about someone Synchronistic events and other strange coincidences Seeing someone off in the distance who seems to be a duplicate of a loved one who has passed A loved one’s name showing up just when you were thinking about them

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These are just a few examples of the many different ways in which your loved ones may try to get your attention. Trust me, they’ll try anything to reach out to you. Try not to demand a sign; it’s more likely to come when you least expect it. Just as you have a life here, so do spirits on the Other Side, so they may not always be at your beck and call.

No matter what ADC you receive, they’re always meant to be loving, joyful, and positive. They are usually received exactly when you need it. They shouldn’t be scary or frightening or cause you more grief. Again, it’s spirits’ way of saying, “I love you, and I’m with you always.”

If you believe in ADCs but have yet to experience one, know that spirits often take their cues from you. If they know that you’re still emotional and an ADC may upset you or increase your sadness, they might pass a message through someone else until you’re ready to receive one directly.

When you feel you’re open and ready to receive a sign, put a loving thought out to them. Ask them to show you a sign, one that you’ll know is from them. Keep an open mind, without a set expectation of what you want your sign to be. You may get the same symbol over and over or you could get a different message every time.

Trust me, they know when you’re ready and how to get your attention. Be thankful for them, cherish them, and hold them close to your heart, for they truly are hellos from heaven.

Reprinted with permission of the author from Bridging Two Realms: Learn To Communicate With Your Loved Ones From The Other Side by John Holland (Hay House, 2018), John’s latest bestseller.

John Holland is an internationally renowned psychic medium, spiritual teacher, author and radio host. Meet John in person at the Natural Living Expo, November 11 for his keynote talk at 11am followed by a booksigning. Tickets are $50, with $5 of each sale donated to the Koda Fund, which John established in honor of his beloved dog Koda, to help animals that need emergency surgery and lifesaving medical procedures. Visit JohnHolland.com. www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 61

Going On

By Gina Colvario Krupka

Loved ones lost are like beautiful memories that we are gifted to have. They helped make us the people we are.

I Now Available

We all have the ability to make peace with our soul-if we choose to enter.

Believed to be on LSD or having a psychotic break, De Santo was encouraged by family and friends to commit herself into a psych ward. Two months later, she awoke out of a coma with visions and memories incomprehensible to most. This is Book I in the series.

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62 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

will never forget the call I received at work in June 2007. My sister had gone to the doctor for yet another sinus infection. Her doctor had sent her for x-rays, just in case. She had just gotten out of an abusive marriage. Diane had been on her own with her boys for just six months. She had a new job and apartment. She was going to the gym and taking care of herself with a brand new lease on life. At 37 years old she was, once again, the happy and confident woman I knew most of her life.

As I heard my sister's voice, I knew something was wrong. Her doctor had called her right after the x-ray.

He needed to see her in his office within the hour. As I listened, two states away, I was in as much panic as she was. There was nothing I could do. Even if I left work, it would take hours to reach her. We tried to reassure each other it would be fine. Together we decided they probably just saw some scar tissue from a prior operation. She promised to call me immediately when she got out of the doctor's office.

This was the start of two months of living hell! The doctors quickly diagnosed her with stage IV lung cancer, and it had spread rampant throughout her body. They could not conceive of how quickly it had grown and would continue to grow. The cancer had eaten holes through her bones. The doctors could not imagine how she could even walk in the door, let alone function daily without any knowledge of the cancer. Diane had fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for over 20 years. She was used to pain, so much pain that she did not even feel bone cancer!

Diane's two sons at 9 and 11 years old had no idea how sick she was over those two months. She was in the hospital more than she was home. My mother and I rearranged our lives from two different states so the boys would not have to change their daily routine. We could not fathom what was coming. Although we were urged not to get our hopes up, and common sense should have told us so, the cancer had progressed beyond hope. Diane was gone as quickly as her diagnosis was found; within two months she went from that new lease on life to none at all.

There are no words for the devastation of losing my only sibling and best friend that I spoke to daily. Love blinded us from the doctor's warnings. We had to have hope! She had to get better! I could spend hours trying to explain what it is like to see someone you love so much shuddering from pain while asleep and on as much morphine as was legal. Diane died in my arms on September 2, 2007, and a piece of me went with her. My innocence, love, friendship â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a part of me is gone in all but memories.

I tell this story not to depress you, but to illuminate the devastation of grief and loss. I will never understand why my sister was gone at 37. There is no reason that my nephews or anyone should lose their mother, or that my parents lose their child. There is no answer, but it just is. Nothing in my life will ever be as it was. One of the toughest parts is when I realized that somehow, the rest of the world never stopped. I wonder how nothing is as it was, yet I have to go on as if it were.

People react differently to loss. The emotions are often like waves that rush over your entire body; at times, its undertow can certainly pull you under! They can be so strong. You would swear the air was thinner. It is harder to move and you can barely breathe. It is devastating!

It is difficult for the people in our lives to comprehend the instant change in our existence. Many people are never the same. I once believed the old adage of that which does not kill us makes us stronger. Although I am through the immediate devastation, I feel such a huge loss has taken a piece of me, and at times, I feel my character may be stronger, but my soul seems thinner.

In time, either the pain lessens or you just grow numb to it. It will always hurt, but does not always have to paralyze. Eventually, we can even get better at surfing the tides of emotions. There are clinical stages of loss and depression that help explain the steps of the process.

They cannot begin to help with the daily struggles until the individual is ready. There is plenty of help that can be found through grief counselors, support groups and loved ones. Nothing will ever fill the void, but they can help you function despite the pain.

We have a choice in how we see any situation. We can

control what we focus on through practice. We can choose to remember with gratitude in spite of the sadness. We can appreciate the time we had rather than focus on the time we missed. I personally refuse to allow sadness to block the joy of my beautiful memories.

It helps me to realize my sister is one of the most amazing gifts I have ever received. I would not trade her for anything. I would never give her back just because she was not around long enough. We love flowers because they are beautiful and buy them knowing they are not going to last forever. We go on vacations for the amazing experience, knowing full well we will have to return home when they are over. Loved ones lost are like beautiful memories that we are gifted to have. They helped make us the people we are. They are in our actions, looks, speech and mannerisms. They are a part of us and never really go away!

Countless hours could be lost in sadness, remorse, anger and depression. Instead, today I choose to smile when I think of Diane's amazing exuberance. I choose to be thankful for the wonderful footprints she has left in my life: her friendship, love and, of course, my beautiful nephews. I believe I owe it to her to make the most of each new day I receive. I will never know or understand why this tragedy happened, but I choose instead to be grateful for the incredible gift that she was. It is only through my acceptance of what is that I can truly appreciate the gift that she will always be.

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Gina Colvario Krupka, CLC, is a life coach and motivational speaker who helps others discover the greatness and joy within themselves. http://www.believeinyoutoday.com

Transformed

by Writing

By Diana Raab

I

wish I had known how brave I actually was on the day my grandmother committed suicide. I was ten years old when she overdosed on sleeping pills in my childhood home. Like any life-changing event, we sometimes don’t realize their impact until many years later.

At the time, my mother, who had been an English major in college, helped me with with the traumatic event by buying me a Kahlil Gibran journal.

“Think of this journal as your confidant and friend. It will help you deal with losing her,” she said.

Since then, I’ve used writing as a way to heal and transform my life. In addtion to writing in a journal, I’ve used letter writing, poetry and essays as other means of expression and dealing with during difficult times.

Many years later, after my grandmother died, I found her retrospective journal in her closet. In that journal she wrote about what it was like being an orphan in World War I and losing both her parents and emigrating with her sister from Poland to Austria.

Reading her journal, reflecting on my own grandmother’s life, led me on a path of discovery and transformation as I tried to understand why she had taken her life at the age of 61. Studying my grandmother’s life helped me understand, grow, and become empowered by her experience, and take on the role of a woman warrior. I learned from her how to become empowered by experiences, and also help others become empowered by theirs. Thus, my grandmother left me with a huge gift.

After my grandmother died, and as the only daughter of two hardworking immigrants in the 1950s and 1960s, I was left to my own devices, in the sense that I was often left home alone to entertain myself; journaling was a huge part of my life.

Writing can help reclaim one’s voice after it has been taken away or silenced by difficult circumstances or traumas. Finding one’s voice as a way toward healing can lead to huge leaps in transformation.

It took me more than 45 years to write about the trauma of finding my grandmother after her suicide. The distance provided the perspective I needed to understand why she chose to depart from this life in such a way, but one thing I do know is that I possessed a lot more courage back then than I was aware of at the time.

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Dianna Raab, PhD., is the author of "Writing for Bliss: A Seven-Step Plan for Telling Your Story and Transforming Your Life". www.dianaraab.com. www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 63

Dear Friends, We have some good news for you if you’re into herbal medicine and natural healing.

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64 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

Photos and text by Josh Bulriss

I am a fine art photographer who has traveled to 72 cities in 10 Asian countries taking over 30,000 images for The Buddha Project. This journey has led me to magical places that are far off the beaten path, places I would never have experienced if not for this project. The project was dreamed into being after my mother passed away in September 2014; she always believed in my dream of being a photographer and wanted to see me follow my passion. I visited hundreds of Buddhist temples looking for a way to capture tranquility with my lens, seeking statues that stood out for their uniqueness in texture, decay, color and surroundings. My favorite is Wat Phu, in Champasak, Laos, which dates back to the 5th century and is considered one of the oldest archaeological sites in Laos. It is visually breathtaking. I got goose bumps photographing temples like this. I felt for the first time in my life that I was doing exactly what I am here to do. To see more visit joshbulriss.com. www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 65

Mandalay, Myanmar

Phichit, Thailand 66 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

Kyoto, Japan

Ubud Bali, Indonesia

Ubud Bali, Indonesia www.spiritofchange.org

Ubud Bali, Indonesia FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 67

Ayutthaya, Thailand 68 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

Tokyo, Japan

To see more visit joshbulriss.com.

Champasak, Laos

Albert Amao Soria

Awaken the Power Within: In Defense of Self-Help TarcherPerigee, New York, NY 2018

BOOK REVIEWS Will Johnson

Cannabis in Spiritual Practice: the Ecstasy of Shiva, the Calm of Buddha Inner Traditions, Rochester VT 2018

As lawmakers introduce new legislation to federally Free the Weed, many states already acknowledge the legal right of cannabis to be a plant, an herb adults can choose to use recreationally and medicinally.

But is there a place for pot in spiritual practice? For Buddhists following the Five Noble Precepts, the answer appears pretty clear as the fifth precept is: Refrain from taking intoxicants. The other precepts, which together are a guide for enlightened behavior, include; Refrain from harming living things; Refrain from taking what’s not given; Refrain from sexual misconduct and; Refrain from lying. Good ground rules, indeed.

The five precepts provide a foundation and support for the transformation that takes place through awareness practice, and whether you’re a meditator or not, following these simple directives will help you avoid strife and conflict with others. As a decades long teacher of Buddhist dharma, Will Johnson fully embraces these precepts during the long meditation retreats he teaches, and insists his students do the same, including refraining from consuming any mind-altering substances. He doesn’t do this to follow tradition, he does it because it works. Cannabis stimulates thought, and the practice of the sitting Buddha is to calm the tumultuous mind.

But at home, Johnson explains in Cannabis in Spiritual Practice, he makes a distinction between his purification practices and his celebration practices. He enjoys what he calls the sacrament of Shiva while doing body-oriented practices such as yoga, dance, music, aerobic walks, and exploring the energies of touch with his wife. Shiva, the great Hindu god, consumed bhang, a liquid cannabis mixture that caused his body to move spontaneously. Shiva teaches us that awakening happens

By Gail Lord

through movement of the body. Johnson includes specific guidelines and meditative instructions for exploring the use of Shiva’s herb through sitting meditation, entering into the One sound, partnered gazing, and ecstatic dance.

If you’re drawn to include cannabis in your spiritual practice, use it as Shiva did — sacramentally, to open the energies of the body. If you aren’t interested in using cannabis, know that all the exercises, including The Sutra of the Dancing Shiva, are still effective. You don’t need cannabis to awaken sensation. If you are drawn to include cannabis in your activities, be aware of overindulging; with just one toke, feel the body relax. Call out for Shiva to come, “Bom Shiva!” By calling out to Shiva in this way, as the wandering Shiva babas always do, you’re also calling out to yourself, to the place in you that is conscious and available to feel the current of the cosmos moving through your body. Using this small “homeopathic dose” will help you open to the energies of Shiva without the accompanying mind chatter or restfulness that can come from using a heftier amount. The goal isn’t to get stoney or become a couch potato, but to have a somatic experience.

Remember, Buddha sits, Shiva dances. Feel the sensations of the body, the current and innate intelligence that constantly pulses through you. Allow your body to move, as it wants to, without thought or intention.This is the dance of Shiva, contracting and releasing, tensing and yielding, no matter how subtle, constantly moving, one motion leading to the next.

For Johnson, the addition of cannabis isn’t hypocritical or a snubbing of the traditional five precepts. He uses Shiva’s sacrament because it helps awaken awareness to the somatic experience of the body. In a reimagining of the original precepts, Johnson removes the negative don’tdo-this language (Don’t take intoxicants), and reorients it to a code of adult responsibility. Saying much the same thing as the original five precepts, the Five Precepts of Embodied Responsibility holds us accountable for our actions in positive terms: Honor life.

Be generous in all ways with others.

Be clean in your sexuality.

Mean what you say, say what you mean, speak with truth.

Self-help is an eleven-billion dollar industry. What a task it is to sift through the plethora of books and programs in trying discern what’s helpful. Sociologist Albert Amao Soria is sympathetic to the needs of the dedicated self-help seeker as he himself is one. In Awaken the Power Within, he brings his experience as a student of the mystical, metaphysical and occult to evaluate both esoteric and conventional self-help. Authentic self-help is actually just listening to the guidance of the inner voice of the higher self.

Some of the most helpful and effective self-help practices come from traditional esoteric thought. Many of these old teachings are repackaged and commercialized to gain profit; still other programs make false and overreaching claims, and Soria names them. He tells of his disillusionment following the hype of the video “The Secret,” which he watched in someone’s home, paying seven dollars admission, along with twenty others eager to learn the newly discovered secret occult knowledge that even Oprah promoted with fanfare.

But there was nothing new; the secret was simply The Law of Attraction, a concept that’s been part of the American New Thought philosophy for over a century, and one that was widely disseminated by Esther and Jerry Hicks through the nonphysical being Abraham. Further, “The Secret’s” Law of Attraction manifests nothing unless it’s combined with the Law of Deliberate Creation and the Law of Allowing.

Soria is also critical of the work of Eckhart Tolle, having attended a weekend workshop knowing nothing about Tolle beforehand and finding the workshop both simplistic and boring.

In addition, Soria notes that Tolle’s talks and writings completely dismiss the power of the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind can be our greatest healer, both physically and mentally, yet it also allows pseudo-gurus to convince people they lack the power to change unless they purchase solutions in the form of books and seminars.The subconscious mind uses deductive reasoning, so what we say we want needs to be in congruence with our actions and beliefs. If a person wants health but doesn’t eat healthy food or exercise or breathe properly, that person is instilling negative suggestions into the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind takes its conclusion from whatever premise we give it. This is how placebos work, through the powerful subconscious. When people believe medicine will heal them, even if they receive a placebo, it’s the belief in the healing that cures them. Almost all people credit something or someone else when they are healed. Robert Park, a university physics professor points out, “We recover from most of the injuries and illnesses that afflict us without either prayers or medicine. Like all animals, we have built-in repair mechanisms… Modern medicine can often intervene to assist nature in the healing process. But if the patient then recovers, how do we know the medicine was responsible?” Medicine, placebo, prayers, miraculous or spontaneous recovery? As Dr. Bernie Siegel says, “All healing is self-induced.”

I "laughed" my way out of a crippling disease that doctors believed to be irreversible.

— Norman Cousins

Continued on page 70 www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 69

Sarah Jane Hinder

David Dillard-Wright

Sounds True, Boulder, CO 2018

Adams Media, Avon, MA 2017

Yoga Bear

A Mindful Evening

Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush

Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Love and Dying Sounds True, Boulder, CO 2018

People of all ages enjoy moving and breathing with yoga. Yoga Bear helps even the youngest yogis and yoginis can get in on the fun. This colorful board book introduces simple yoga poses to little ones, inviting them to act like favorite jungle animal friends. Roar like a proud lion, stretch fingers and toes like a tiger roaming through the leaves, and swing and sway like an elephant with a big trunk.

As children play along with the chunky book, wiggling their eyes around like a lizard, and stretching like a snapping crocodile, adults will recognize the poses as an authentic yoga flow practice.

When it’s time for nap or bed, sloth is a perfect animal friend pose for everyone. Stretched in child’s pose, sloth gives a sleepy time yawn. Close your eyes and breathe.

Amy Blackthorn

Blackthorn’s Botanical Magic: The Green Witch’s Guide to Essential Oils for Spellcraft, Ritual & Healing Weiser Books, Newburyport, MA 2018

Green witch and horticulturist Amy Blackthorn knows there’s power in plants.

Her main magic ingredient is fragrant essential oil, which is the plant’s soul distilled to its finest point. Blackthorn’s Botanical Magic is a guidebook for the magical practitioner stuffed full of plant knowledge, recipes, ritual and history.

Moving through the alphabet from Angelica to Vetiver, each plant description includes scientific and horticultural information, magical uses, warnings and herbal lore. Orange, for example, relaxes and combats depression. It can be inhaled, diffused, or used topically with care. Its sign is Leo and its magical uses are for joy, prosperity, attraction, beauty and sensuality. To spark happiness, visualize the sweetness of life while you peel and eat an orange. Restore a murky aura by adding a drop or two of sweet orange oil to a tablespoon of salt, stir well and add to a warm bath.

For the beginner, a botanical magic starter kit need only include four essential oils; bay, frankincense, myrrh, and lavender. It’s suggested to learn as much as possible about these four plants before adding more to your collection. Making hundreds of recipes from one plant you know really well is just as valuable as knowing hundreds of plants. Botanical magic taps directly into the heartbeat of Earth, the realm of magic, to which you add your will, desire and energy. You are the magic ingredient. The botanicals assist by lending an extra connection to the outside world. Blackthorn shares that magic is agency, and you can create magic without needing a lot of witchcraft accoutrements. A child’s birthday party has candle magic. The candles on the cake are lit, the singing of the birthday song raises the energy and sets the intention, and the birthday child blows out the candle, cementing the intention. This is the process for candle magic: decide on a goal, visualize the result, focus on your intent to manifest the result, light the candle, and set it and forget it. Let the magic do its work!

70 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

Imagine the soothing ritual of a child’s bed time. A warm bath, being held close while hearing a relaxing bedtime story, then tucked in under soft covers to drift off to peaceful sleep.

As teenagers and adults we don’t bring comforting stuffed animals or well-loved security blankets to bed with us; instead we’re likely to put our heads on our pillows thinking of worries from the day or anxiety about what is ahead of us tomorrow. Instead of relaxing into slumber we’re often tense and exhausted. How much better to go to bed thinking, “What a great day!

Can’t wait to get up and see what tomorrow brings.”

The most restorative sleep comes after we complete each day with a calm mind and an open heart. But evenings, with dinner to be made and dishes cleaned, and pets, children and other loved ones cared for, can be hectic. Homework, laundry and other unfinished nighttime business doesn’t exactly whisper tranquility as we flop into bed.

But if we take just a few minutes to switch gears before we rest, we can set the tone for a peaceful night’s sleep. A Mindful Evening is a collection of 200 short essays and exercises to help you let go of what has held your attention for the last twenty-four hours.

Instead of focusing on how the day has stirred your own joys and sorrows, consider your part in the larger, ever changing world. If xenophobic news stories keep ruminating in your mind, try focusing instead on offering hospitality to strangers. Hospitality as a duty is a core ethical imperative in most religions, yet we’re living in a time of fortress mentality, notes DillardWright. How can we come home to ourselves if we can’t welcome others? Breathe deeply and search your own consciousness for any animosity you may have towards someone who is not like you. Breathe into your heart center and remove any traces of resentment you find. Resolve to be more welcoming to all people.

Resolve to speak for justice for all.

Boundary rituals, to make a change from one part of the day to another, are particularly useful in the evening. Think Mr. Rogers, as he changed from his blazer and shoes into his play cardigan and sneakers.

Also, the way we ready children for bed is a boundary ritual. A change of clothing, meditation or a short reading, for example, can each help underscore a transition into the night. Reading, especially if done at or near bedtime, is best done from an actual book because light from the screens of electronic devices can mess with sleep cycles. It’s a good idea to keep electronic devices out of the bedroom anyway.

Teachers Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush share a many decades long friendship and an unwavering curiosity about what it is to die consciously. Walking Each Other Home is an enlightening guide for anyone who is ever going to die. Shared as a series of unfolding intimate conversations, they explore what it’s like to be close to death, and what it’s like to be at the bedside of friends who’ve died. They offer practices for preparing for one’s own death, such as instructions for welcoming the guide, and advice for being in loving presence with another who is dying.

Guidelines for being a loving rock for the dying include: Be yourself; Let go of your own fear; Don’t lose your sense of humor; Practice sacred listening; Don’t talk about the afterlife unless you are asked; and, most of all: Be love; send love. Some people, such as Ram Dass’s father, George Alpert, never want to talk about death, and it’s important to honor individual choices. Others, like Jean Yeomans, want help with the dying process: “Help me die, Ram Dass.

I’ve had enough. I’m so bored.” Ram Dass explains to Jean she’s bored because she’s busy dying all day, and dying is such big drama. We’re all dying; we just don’t stay busy doing it every minute of the day.

As we approach our own death transition, according to the Tibetan Buddhists, the five elements that composed and sustained our body begin to dissolve. The earth element is withdrawing when we become weak and frail, and when we lose control of our bodily fluids the water element is dissolving. The fire element dissolves when our mouth and nose are dry and our breath is cold, and warmth starts to leave the body, and sights and sounds are confused. The element of air is leaving when breathing becomes harder and harder. And then, as mind consciousness dissolves and breathing stops, the element of space withdraws too, as we return to our original state, soul. To prepare for this return to our true nature, meditate to practice being in the moment. Sitting in nature is also helpful.

Observe the changing nature of trees that have fallen and are rotting, notice new shoots growing and flowers that are blooming and dying. Nature doesn’t resist death. Ram Dass says, “If you know how to live and to love, you know how to die.”

Gail Lord is a freelance writer living in Massachusetts. Please send book review copies to 51 North Street, Grafton, MA 01519 or email socbookreviewer.com.

FALL/WINTER

CALENDAR SEPTEMBER SEEING WITH THE HEART — New class begins in September at Spirit Hollow, Shaftsbury, VT. Details at www.spirithollow.org. (802) 447-3895.

200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING BEGINS IN SEPTEMBER at State of Grace Yoga and Wellness Center, Uxbridge, MA. Deepen your practice or receive training to teach and inspire others. Contact Lori Maher, (508) 278-2818 or www.StateOfGraceWellness.com.

9/4 — LYME DISEASE PRACTITIONER TRAINING with Tommy Priester. This six-session class and webinar is designed to help practitioners address Lyme disease and co-infections in an effective and comprehensive way. Boston School of Herbal Studies. (781) 646-6319 or bostonherbalstudies.com.

9/5 — YOGA FOR STRESS RELIEF RETURNS TO CLINTON! Hatha yoga class for all levels using gentle yoga movements and meditation techniques to melt away stress.

Wednesdays. 5:30pm. (978) 665-5800. www.yogaanita.com.

9/9 — YOGA FOR TEEN GIRLS: TOOLS FOR HANDLING STRESS AND ANXIETY. Six-week series on Sundays from 4-5:15 is designed specifically for adolescent girls. $90. With Leigh Sloss, MEd, RYT-500. Call Alice (603) 867-3969 or Alice@yogalifenh.com. YogaLife Institute, Exeter, NH. www.yogalifenh.com 9/10 — KUNDALINI YOGA TO MELT UNHEALTHY HABITS. Six Mondays 6-8 pm. Break emotional patterns that keep you stuck in the pain of addictive habits. Heal mental trauma through physical practices involving movement, breath, and meditation. Yogaattheashram.org (508) 376-4525 9/12 — CALMING FOR MOMMY CLASS with Carrie Rowan at Fitzgerald Institute, Northboro, Wednesday evenings at 7pm, a 4-week introductory class that teaches quick energy medicine tools, mini meditations to help moms/ dads and caregivers reduce stress and stay calm for an easier and smoother day. Visit www.MerryGoMusic.com or call (508) 273-2610 to register today.

9/14 — BEE KIND MUSIC CLASS with Carrie Rowan inspires a love to music in little ones, 10am Fridays for 8 weeks at Playtown Express, 150 Cordaville Road, Southboro. To register call (508) 480-0022 or visit www.

Playtownexpress.com.

9/15 — FUNDAMENTALS OF SPACE AND HOUSE CLEARING with Elizabeth Foley. 1-4 PM. Align with the positive energies of Earth to clear space by working with

www.spiritofchange.org

the energies of the angels, sound and sacred geometry.

(508) 861-3090 to register. $60. Facebook.com/AshlandREIKI 9/15 — REIKI I CERTIFICATION. Wilton, NH. Libby Barnett, MSW. 38 years experience. Reiki Energy Medicine author.

Notebook, pin, certificate awarded. Credit cards accepted.

CEU's/contact hours. Call (603) 654-2787. www.reikienergy.com. Reiki II: 9/16.

9/15 — MINDFUL GODDESS RETREAT. Connect more reverently with your home, nature, yourself and your personal and professional connections. Lakeside in Central, NH with co-founders Trish Whynot, D.C.Ed, Deborah Blais-Godin, LMT and more. Visit www.MindfulGoddessRetreats.com for details.

9/16 — INSIGHT: LIVE EVENT with modern day mystic Rhys Thomas. 12-6pm in Milford, MA. Walk though the door into a new life! One clear insight changes everything. www. insightliveevent.com

9/23 — AROMATHERAPY CERTIFICATION WITH LINDA PATTERSON. Learn how essential oils work to heal body, mind and spirit. This comprehensive course addresses the body systems, their common ailments and the essential oils most helpful for each condition. Boston School of Herbal Studies. (781) 646-6319 or bostonherbalstudies.com.

9/26 — TOTAL LIFE CLEANSE BEGINS WITH JONATHAN GLASS, Ayurvedic practitioner. Concord, MA. Presenting a 28-day program designed to initiate and maximize detoxification and nourishment of your body, mind and soul, inspiring results that can last a lifetime. For more information www.healingessencecenter.com or www.totallifecleanse.com 9/27 — SINGER/SONGWRITER LINDA MARKS releases her new album “Moments” at Club Passim in Harvard Square at 8 pm. Joining her will be her seven piece band.

Rick Drost opens. Tickets: www.passim.org

9/21 — AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS: KRI LEVEL TWO KUNDALINI TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM. Understand how we sustain and honor relationships with capacity to be authentic and respond from our hearts. For Level 1 Kundalini Yoga Teachers. Yogaattheashram.org.

(508) 376-4525.

9/27 — FILM SHOWING: CONSCIOUS LIGHT, THE LIFE AND REVELATION OF ADI DA SAMRAJ. West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, W. Newton, MA. Excerpts of the film will also be shown at the Natural Living Expo on Sunday, November 11 at 11am. For more info and future showings call (508) 650-0136. “Reality itself is always already the case.”

9/21-9/23 — LIVING THROUGH CHANGE, ADAPTING GRACEFULLY: A three-day Yoga and meditation retreat with Siri Bani and Sarah Brassard happening at Angel’s Rest Retreat Center in Leyden, MA. (617) 763-7014. http:// siribanikaur.com/shop/events/living-through-change-adapting-gracefully/

9/28-29 — WORLD REFLEXOLOGY WEEK. Experience therapeutic mini foot, hand or ear reflexology treatment.

Your donations will benefit cancer patients associated with Lucy's Love Bus. 12-7pm on 9/28 and 10am-6pm on 9/29. Heart and Soul Holistic Healing Center, N. Easton, MA. Register by texting (781) 258-9942.

9/21 — MESSAGES FROM HEAVEN PRESENTS “A NIGHT OUT”: Dinner and Messages with Medium Bonnie Page at the Old Mill, Route 2A, Westminster, MA. 6:00-8:30pm. To purchase tickets visit www.bonniepagemedium.com.

9/29 — PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT, PAST LIVES AND ANGEL COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP with Ross J. Miller, psychic healer, medium, regression therapist. In this unique, experiential workshop you’ll learn how to identify your guardian angels and spirit guides by name and receive their guidance, healing and inspiration; discover your soul’s life purpose; experience two of your past lives and heal the residual karma from them; give psychic readings to others in class and more. 10am-5pm, Newton, MA. To register for the workshop or to schedule a psychic or past-life reading or healing session in person or over the phone, visit our website TheMysticWay.com or call Ross J. Miller (617) 527-3583.

9/22 — REIKI I CERTIFICATION. Weston, MA. Libby Barnett, MSW. 38 years experience. Reiki Energy Medicine author.

Notebook, pin, certificate awarded. Credit cards accepted.

CEU's/contact hours. Call (603) 654-2787. www.reikienergy.com. Reiki II: 9/23.

9/22 — YOUR IDEAL LIFE BEGINS TODAY with life-changing intuitive development training with internationally renowned medical intuitive and master healers/teachers Sue and Aaron Singleton. This exceptional 7-module program initiates healing that enhances all aspects of your life. (978) 834-0341 or www.theWayToBalance.com.

9/29 — TACHYON FIELD DAY. “Bringing Energy into Matter.” Learn the basics of Tachyon and quantum physics, Sample the Tachyon Healing & Meditation Chamber.

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1-4 pm. Cost $25.00 at the door or $20.00 pre-register.

Raffle and door prize. https://celestialempowerment.com/ calendar-events. The Sanctuary for Celestial Empowerment. Call Celeste (860) 586-8700.

9/29-9/30 — THE BEAUTIFUL STATE. We all want to feel joy, happiness, contentment — and with the tools you get at this workshop — you can. Access and sustain a higher level of consciousness. Boston. www.ooacademyusa.org/ course/the-beautiful-state 9/30 — WELLNESS DAY. A day of wellness discussions, meditation, and mini sessions of Reiki, massage, acupuncture, card readings, and more. 10-5pm. $40 pre-register, $60 at the door. Bhavna’s Wellness Group, Shrewsbury, MA. (774) 242-2112. BHWellnessGroup.com.

OCTOBER 10/3/18— FREE LECTURE: READ & PLAY MUSIC World famous seminars (www.understandingofmusic.com) turns beginners into musicians, revitalizes and inspires even pro musicians. 7:30 pm, Boston. (781) 599-1476. sallee@ dlorien.com or http://signup.understandingofmusic.com

10/4, 11 — WHY DO I DO THAT? INTRODUCTION TO MIND BODY HEALING. NCE, Newton Center, MA. Join Judith Swack Ph.D. to learn Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), an effective way to quickly and reliably release irrational fears, phobias, and traumas. For a list of classes go to www.hblu.org 10/11 — INTRODUCTION TO AYURVEDA with Michelle Jones. This three-week course teaches Ayurvedic constitutional analysis and healing through food, touch, color, sound and aromatherapy. Boston School of Herbal Studies.

(781) 646-6319 or bostonherbalstudies.com.

10/11 — AQUARIAN TEACHER LEVEL ONE CERTIFICATION IN KUNDALINI YOGA BEGINS! 220-hour, nine-month program with lead trainer Hari Kaur. Become an instructor and learn the fundamental principles and practices of Kundalini Yoga. Yogaattheashram.org (508) 376-4525 10/12-14 — RESTORATIVE YOGA RETREAT. Join Cindy Brown and Richard Davis for a weekend of yoga, meditation, chanting, laughter yoga, amazing food, fabulous foliage views and much more at Angels’ Rest Retreat Center in Leyden, MA. www.restorativeretreat.com. (978) 760-1191.

10/13 — FIRST ANNUAL MASQUERADE BALL. Hosted

by A Touch of Magick, Uxbridge, MA. 18+ event. Dinner, DJ, dancing, cash bar, costume contest and raffles. Special guest performance! $20 per person in advance, $25 at the door.

(508) 779-7386. www.atouchofmagickconsignment.com 10/13 — REIKI I CERTIFICATION. Concord, MA. Libby Barnett, MSW. 38 years experience. Reiki Energy Medicine author. Notebook, pin, certificate awarded. Credit cards accepted. CEU's/contact hours. Call (603) 654-2787. www.reikienergy.com. Reiki II: 10/14.

10/13 — REIKI LEVEL 1 PRACTITIONER TRAINING. Learn how to use gentle energy healing to take control of your health and moods and feel less anxious in life. Receive a manual, practitioner certificate and lots of guided in-class practice. (508) 808-5696 or northeastreikicenter.org.

10/13 — FAUST FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS presents The Constellation Approach™ Seminar with Jamy and Peter Faust, facilitators. All issues with family lineage, career, relationship, illness and more are set up through the lens of this unique approach to Family Constellations. Seminar is experiential with multiple opportunities to participate and experience Ancestral Healing and Soul Agreements though your own Family Energy Field. Saturday 9:30-6pm. Belmont.

To register www.faustfamilyconstellations.com/seminars/ 10/13-14 — BECOMING WHOLE: ACCESSING THE WISDOM OF YOUR HIGHER SELF weekend workshop with David Dalton, founder of Delta Gardens. Explore the art of vibrational flower and gem essence healing with a master crafter of essences. Hilton Garden Hotel, Portsmouth, NH. $300. Email steve@deltagardens.com or call (603) 601-6929.

September 27: Singer/Songwriter Linda Marks releases her new album, Moments, at Club Passim in Harvard Square at 8 pm. See September listing or tickets www.passim.org.

72 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

10/19 — ADI SHAKTI AWAKENING FEMININE ENERGY & HUMAN WILL WITH YOGI AMANDEEP. Adi Shakti represents all divine energies. When activated, she manifests herself as creativity, prosperity, wisdom. Rare workshop uniting ancient science of Kundalini Yoga with modern research in Psychosynthesis. Yogaattheashram.org (508) 376-4525.

10/19-21 — IGNITING TRANSFORMATION THROUGH THE AKASHIC RECORDS with Linda Howe. Author Linda Howe teaches her Pathway Prayer Process© to access the heart of the Akashic Records in a Friday evening intro, and then leads a full weekend on empowering you to live the soul-inspired life you desire and deserve. The Akashic Approach to releasing obstacles will become a valuable tool in shifting your energy. Methuen, MA. www.circlesofwisdom.com.

(978) 474-8010.

10/19-20 or 21-22 — SERGIO MAGANA, TOLTEC HEALER, RETURNS TO BOSTON AREA. Two workshops: Toltec Dream Knowledge or Crystal Skull Work for Personal Transformation. Natick Mariott Courtyard. Sign-up required. FMI contact Sandy Corcoran: www/starwalkervisions.com.

10/20 — TACHYON FIELD DAY. “Bringing Energy into Matter.” Learn the basics of Tachyon and quantum physics, Sample the Tachyon Healing & Meditation Chamber. 1-4 pm. Cost $25.00 at the door or $20.00 pre-register. Raffle and door prize. https://celestialempowerment.com/calendar-events. The Sanctuary for Celestial Empowerment. Call Celeste (860) 586-8700.

10/20 — FOREVER TRUE: 21st ANNUAL FALL KUNDALINI YOGA & MUSIC FESTIVAL with Yogi Amandeep, musical guest Andi Flax, multiple teachers, gong relaxation.

Global shopping bazaar, food court plus Kidfest!

Yogaattheashram.org. (508) 376-4525.

10/21 — THE ART OF LETTING GO WITH YOGI AMANDEEP. How many burdens do you carry? When stress, obligations and responsibilities become really heavy, are you wise enough to let go? Free the mind from burden and experience tranquility in the here and now.

Yogaattheashram.org. (508) 376-4525.

10/25 — EARN YOUR CERTIFICATE AS A REGISTERED AYURVEDIC HEALTH COUNSELER ONLINE. One-year webinar program begins October 25. Learn to heal yourself plus family and friends and embrace a rewarding career. Credentialed by National Ayurvedic Medical Association and RIOPC. Sacred Stone Academy of Massage and Ayurveda (S.A.M.A.). SacredStoneHealing.com.

(401) 680-3934.

10/26-10/28 — DAOIST ARTS OF MEDITATION QIGONG & TEA CEREMONY. Qualifies for 14 PDAs (Professional Development Activity credit). Eastover Estate and Eco-Village, Lenox, MA. (866) 264-5139. Eastover.com 10/29 — HALLOWEEN COSMIC FAIR. 11am-5pm at the Purple Cat Vineyard and Winery, 11 Money Hill Rd, Chepachet, RI. Sponsored by The Cosmic Cat. For details: (860) 963-9500. Free admission! Reserve your reading online at www.thecosmiccat.com/events.

NOVEMBER 11/2 — FOUNDATIONS: PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES OF KUNDALINI YOGA AS THERAPY WITH DR. HARI KIRIN. Kundalini Yoga teachers gain the foundation needed to teach people with health conditions, with a focus on conscious living toward health recovery. Yogaattheashram.org.

(508) 376-4525.

11/3-11/4 — DAMANHUR, ITALY PAST LIVES RESEARCH. Considered an important tool towards understanding life’s gifts and challenges, this class can explain experiences existing in your current life. Pre-registration necessary. Sandy Corcoran: www.starwalkervisions.com. 1 slot, YOURS?

and beauty. November 30, 7:30-9pm. Free public talk: Living in the World. Register at inayatiorder.gardenlight. org. Call (617) 522-0800.

12/8 — FAUST FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS presents The Constellation Approach™ Seminar with Jamy and Peter Faust, facilitators. All issues with family lineage, career, relationship, illness and more are set up through the lens of this unique approach to Family Constellations. Seminar is experiential with multiple opportunities to participate and experience Ancestral Healing and Soul Agreements though your own Family Energy Field. Saturday 9:30-6pm.

Belmont. To register www.faustfamilyconstellations.com/ seminars/

11/3 — TASTE OF INDIA CLASS AT ORGANIC CAFÉ in Beverly, MA, teaches gourmet recipes that are wonderful raw, warmed or cooked, vegan nutrition for a fit body.

Creating a balanced New England plant-based diet with a hybrid of raw and macrobiotic foods. For more information, www.organicgardencafe.com or call (978) 922-0004.

11/3 — TACHYON FIELD DAY. “Bringing Energy into Matter.” Learn the basics of Tachyon and quantum physics, Sample the Tachyon Healing & Meditation Chamber. 1-4 pm. Cost $25.00 at the door or $20.00 pre-register. Raffle and door prize. https://celestialempowerment.com/calendar-events. The Sanctuary for Celestial Empowerment. Call Celeste (860) 586-8700.

12/15 — HOLISTIC HEALTH AND PSYCHIC FAIR. 10am5pm. Free admission. Sponsored by the Canton Spiritualist Church. Held at the Blue Hills, Canton, MA. Psychics, mediums, readings for a fee. Free healings. (617) 469-2568.

UPCOMING

11/10 — REIKI I CERTIFICATION. Wilton, NH. Libby Barnett, MSW. 38 years experience. Reiki Energy Medicine author. Notebook, pin, certificate awarded. Credit cards accepted. CEU's/contact hours. Call (603) 654-2787. www.reikienergy.com. Reiki II: 11/11.

FAUST FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS presents The Constellation Approach™ Immersion Program. Join a like-minded community working toward personal awakening in relation to family, ancestry and Soul agreements. Through the processes of family constellations, energy medicine and evolutionary Soul work, you will have the opportunity to experience all aspects of your life and heritage in a safe, healing and supportive environment. Enrolling now for classes October 2018 through May 2019. Visit www.faustfamilyconstellations.com

11/10 — FAUST FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS presents The Constellation Approach™ Seminar with Jamy and Peter Faust, facilitators. All issues with family lineage, career, relationship, illness and more are set up through the lens of this unique approach to Family Constellations. Seminar is experiential with multiple opportunities to participate and experience Ancestral Healing and Soul Agreements though your own Family Energy Field. Saturday 9:30-6pm. Belmont.

To register www.faustfamilyconstellations.com/seminars/

1/16/19 — FREE LECTURE: READ & PLAY MUSIC. World famous seminars (www.understandingofmusic.com) turns beginners into musicians, revitalizes and inspires even pro musicians. 7:30 pm, Boston. (781) 599-1476. http://signup.understandingofmusic.com or sallee@dlorien.com.

11/10 — FINDING GOD, FINDING HEALTH. With Michelle Nanouche, full-time Christian Science healer. 4:30pm at the Natural Living Expo. Visit us at booth #27 at the expo or visit www.christianscience.com.

11/10-11/11 — SOURCE AND SYNCHRONICITIES. Access the power of Source and the power of Consciousness to master three important zones of synchronicity: health, wealth, love. Discover the mystic science of creating synchronicities. Taught by Preethaji with O&O faculty. Boston. www.ooacademyusa.org.

11/10-11/11 — 12TH ANNUAL SPIRIT OF CHANGE MAGAZINE NATURAL LIVING EXPO. Royal Plaza Trade Center. 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlboro, MA. Saturday 9-6; Sunday 10-5. Featuring 275 exhibits, 90 workshops, readings, shopping and fun. Enjoy the spacious Healthy Foods Tent for delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner meals throughout the weekend. Special “Qigong Experience” room all day on Saturday; meditation sessions available all weekend long. Too much to see and do in one weekend! Plan to attend both days! www.NaturalExpo.org.

DECEMBER 12/1 — EMBODYING MIND-BODY LEADERSHIP with Linda Marks, MSM. Incorporating mind-body meditation, grounding exercises, group discussion and a unique mind-body tool

www.spiritofchange.org

October 19-20: Sergio Magana, Toltec healer, returns to Boston, for two workshops sponsored

by Sandy Corcoran. See October listing or www.starwalkervisions.com. called the Inner Board of Directors, learn how to stay grounded and connected with the flow of life, including challenging situations. 9am-5pm. Burlington, VT. $130 before Sept 15; $145 after Sept 15. Journeyworks.com. (802) 860-6203.

12/1 — TACHYON FIELD DAY. “Bringing Energy into Matter.”

Learn the basics of Tachyon and quantum physics, Sample the Tachyon Healing & Meditation Chamber. 1-4 pm. Cost $25.00 at the door or $20.00 pre-register. Raffle and door prize. https://celestialempowerment.com/calendar-events.

The Sanctuary for Celestial Empowerment. Call Celeste (860) 586-8700.

12/1-12/2 — MAKING ONE’S OWN NATURE: AN EXPLORATION OF CREATING A SELF. With Sufi Teacher, Pir Zia Inayat-Khan. Cambridge, MA. Through meditation, prayer, spiritual reflection and sacred sound we will explore fashioning ourselves in accord with our highest vision of meaning

1/26 — AKASHIC JOURNEY TO SOUL MASTERY ONLINE CERTIFICATION BEGINS. This is an excellent series for those who are on a healing journey of any sort, as we access the Akashic field of energy to clear your path and retrieve your soul’s dream for this lifetime. This class is designed to accommodate those beginning their spiritual path as well as those who already are familiar with meditation, visualization, energy work and their personal psychic centers. 6 month/7-session intensive program on Saturdays 10-4 EST with bi-monthly check-ins Wednesday evenings. Held via Zoom web conferencing. Additional sessions: February 23, March 23, April 13, May 4, May 25, June 8. $860 or three payments of $366. Start this intensive January 26. Contact Nancy for free Discovery Session.

Nancy@angelscapes.net. (978) 835-0005.

1/27 — 12-MONTH SCHOOL OF WICCA BEGINS at Women of Wisdom in Easton, MA. Learn the basic foundations of creating a Wiccan life and spiritual path, learning more about nature, energy, magick and yourself. Classes include energy work, hands-on activities, guest teachers and more. Meets one Sunday per month, 12-5pm.

(508) 230-3680. www.WomenOfWisdomInc.com.

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confirmation Reiki is flowing in your hands by the end of the class! (508) 808-5696. www.northeastreikicenter.org

2/13 — ECKANKAR PRESENTS DIVINE GUIDANCE: LISTENING TO THE INNER VOICE. Enjoy heart-opening talks, music, spiritual discussion, connect with like-minded people. Free and open to the public. Attend any or all sessions. Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, Springfield MA. See ad in this issue, visit www.eckinmass.org or call (508) 754-9042.

EVENING WITH ASCENDED MASTER VYWAMUS. Vywamus leads discussion about our life on this planet, what happens between lives, connecting with guides, and other topics of general interest. Join us, bring your questions! September 13, October 4, November 1. (617) 332-1541, www.andreaseiver.com

2/22-3/2 — ANNIE APPLESEED PROJECT 13TH ANNUAL COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE CANCER THERAPIES CONFERENCE. West Palm Beach, Florida. Organic food, giveaways, fascinating talks, exhibits, movie, yoga, networking and more! (561) 749-0084. www.annieappleseedproject.com.

3/8-3/10 — READ & PLAY MUSIC in a weekend! World famous seminars (www.understandingofmusic.com) turns beginners into musicians, revitalizes and inspires even pro musicians. 169 Mass Ave. Boston. (781) 5991476. http://signup.understandingofmusic.com or sallee@dlorien.com 3/30-3/31 — WOMEN’S GETAWAY WEEKEND. Relax, connect and be inspired to become alive with joy! Hosted

by Julie McGrath of The Joy Source. Ashworth by the Sea, Hampton Beach, NH. Register at www.thejoysource.com/ womens-weekend-2019 4/6-4/7 — LIVING NUTRITION COURSE AT ORGANIC GARDEN CAFÉ. Beverly, MA. Full 2 days receives Certification of Raw Chef Basics. Over 2 dozen recipes taught, demonstrated and served including detox, alkaline diet plan and food combining. For more information www.organicgardencafe.com or (978) 922-0004 4/27-4/28 — 3RD ANNUAL WEB OF LIGHT SPRING EXPO. Courtyard Marriot, Nashua, NH. Admission: $12 for the weekend. Contact www.WebOfLightExpo.com for tickets to attend, vending sign-up or expo info.

4/27 — HERBAL APPRENTICESHIP. 6 weekends to become deeply connected to herbal medicine, food as medicine, product making, your health and more. $1395 includes lunch, field trips, herbal preparations, health coaching sessions and more. www.mariefrohlich.com/retreatdays/2017-taproot-herbal-course or call Marie (802) 249-7551.

9/29-9/30 — WEB OF LIGHT 2019 FALL EQUINOX EXPO. Courtyard Marriot, Nashua, NH. Admission: $12 for the weekend. Contact www.WebOfLightExpo.com for tickets to attend, vending sign-up or expo info.

ONGOING SUNDAY YOGA WITH EXTENDED MEDITATION. 9:30am.

Dragonfly Wellness, Devons, MA. Discounts for seniors, students, veterans. For more info visit www.yogaanita.com or call (978) 227-8297.

REIKI PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION TRAININGS MONTHLY. Learn how you have the ability to heal with your hands, to feel healthier and less anxious in life. Receive

74 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

THE CENTRAL MASS LYME FOUNDATION, INC, helps educate the general public about Lyme disease. 2018 monthly meetings are held at 90 Holden Street in Worcester. September 9th, October 13th, November 10th. For more information, visit www.CentralMassLyme.org.

YOGA WITH ANN BISSANTI. Mon, Multi-level, 6-7:30pm; Tues, Basic 6-7:30pm; Wed, Basic 2/Int 9-10:30am; Thur, Int/Exp 5:40-7:10pm; Fri, Basic 9:30-11am and Gentle Yoga 11:40-12:50; Sat, Basic 10-11:30am. Worcester Yoga Center, 21 West Street, Worcester, MA. (508) 829-6300.

Worcesteryogacenter.com.

MEN’S CIRCLE. Monthly at Spirit Hollow, Shaftsbury, VT. Open to men 18 to ancient. For details and schedule visit www.spirithollow.org or (802) 447-3895.

RESTORE FOR LIFE. Create the life you never thought possible. Better health and body function on all levels, by blending science and ancient wisdom. Two-day workshops for 2018: 9/22- 23, 11/3-4. For 2019: 1/12-13, 2/23-24. www.restoreforlife.com LIVE GEMSTONE READINGS ON FACEBOOK @AHHedu every Monday at 7pm. Visit www.MyHealthHappenings.com for more healing services for pets and their humans from Patti Anastasia, RN, pet communicator and healer.

FOUR CIRCLES OF ASCENSION. Use your voice to heal your body and create the world your choose. First Saturday monthly at UU Church of Milford, MA. Contact Patricia (774) 606-7886.

SoundFoundationsCirclesofLight.com.

THE ECLECTIC INSTITUTE OF AROMATHERAPY AND HERBAL STUDIES offers European Based Aromatherapy certifications in Arlington, Sturbridge and Somerset and Aromatherapy and Herbal Workshops through Holyoke Community College beginning September. Level II Aromatherapy and Palmistry begin January. For details visit www.aromatherapyandherbalstudies.com DOWN TO EARTH CRYSTAL FAIRS. Held monthly: August 26th, September 30th, October 28th , November 18th, December 16th, February 25th, March 31st, April 28th, May 19th, June 30th, Cape Cod Center for Whole Health, 116 State Road, Sagamore Beach, MA, 10am-3pm, (508) 6806195. Free admission, 10%-20% discounts! Quality crystals, minerals and jewelry! downtoearthcrystals.com capecodcenterforwholehealth.com WELLNESS ROUNDTABLE HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS NETWORKING GROUP. Please join us at our monthly meetings, second Wednesday each month Sept-June in Westboro, MA. A welcoming community working for the greater health and wellbeing of all. Contact Ritu.Kapur@sohum.com.

October 20: Special guest Yogi Amandeep is appearing at the Forever True: 21st annual fall Kundalini Yoga and Music Festival at the Ashram in Millis, MA. See October listing or yogaattheashram.org.

BOSTON SCHOOL OF HERBAL STUDIES. Arlington & Lincoln, MA. Herbal Apprenticeships and Advanced Training, Aromatherapy Certification — two levels. Lyme Disease Practitioner Training, Introduction to Ayurveda.

(781) 646.6319 or bostonherbalstudies.com.

CLASSES IN CHANNELING AND SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION with ascended master Vywamus, channeled by Andrea Seiver. Have a personal reading. Enjoy Evenings with Vywamus September 13, October 4, November 1.

(617) 332-1541. www.andreaseiver.com HEALING WITH BARBARA FOSS, CH. Kinetic Chain Release, moxibustion and past life regression at Leapin Lizards, 449 Forest Ave, Portland, ME. Every third Sunday (9/16/18, 10/21/18, 11/18/18, 12/16/18) 11am - 5pm. For information, call Leapin Lizards at (207) 221-2363. www.hypnotherapycomfortzone.com.

NEW ENGLAND’S

HolisticDirectory FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

Categories Acupuncture and Asian Medicine. . . . . . . . . .75

Colon Hydrotherapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Astrological Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Consciousness Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Counseling and Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78-79

Retreats and Retreat Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Children's Health & Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Healing and Bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79-80

Skin Care, Salons and Spas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Classes, Certifications & Schools . . . . . . 76-77

Healing: Combined Modalities . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Spiritual Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Coaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Herbs and Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Yoga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Acupuncture & Asian Medicine moment you walk in our door. Treatments include the personal attention one would hope to receive at a one-on-one acupuncture session.

The mission of Open Circle Acupuncture & Healing is to create a model of practice that allows us to provide professional, highquality acupuncture in a more affordable way than the private practice model.

Treatments in our clinic take place in a beautiful group space. Our goal is to have the healing of your treatment begin the

ACUPUNCTURE OF WORCESTER Holistic Health since 1974

Dr. Yvonne Chen, Lic. Acupuncturist One of the first practicing acupuncturists in the United States, Dr. Yvonne Chen began her acupuncture practice in Washington, D.C. in 1973, moving to Worcester one year later. Trained in China as a medical doctor, Dr. Chen’s years of study and research included in-depth work with both traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Her approach to health incorporates keen knowledge on the nature of disease, use

www.spiritofchange.org www.spiritofchange.org

The symbol of a circle still being open shows that the path of healing is always in process and even though the circle is not complete, we recognize our wholeness during the journey towards better health.

411 West Main Street, Suite 2R Northborough, MA 01532 508-393-1212 a opencirclehealing.com

of energy balancing, nutritional counseling and the promotion of spiritual well-being.

Acupuncture is especially effective in the treatment of: • Pain: migraine headaches, stress relief, tendonitis, arthritis, lower back pain, neuralgia, whiplash, accident and trauma injuries and TMJ syndrome • Improving bodily functions: respiratory ailments, insomnia and impotency • Nervous system disorders: Bell’s Palsy, paralysis, multiple sclerosis and stroke recovery • Behavioral changes: weight control and smoking cessation.

Located at 110 June Street, Worcester, MA 01602. For an appointment or for more information, please contact Dr. Yvonne Chen at 508-755-5557.

Astrological Consulting

?

Questions?

Astrologer Eric Linter has answers.

Changes in relationships, career, health, finances or spiritual practice are inevitable.

Eric’s clarity will help you stay on the right path. His insights help you better understand and appreciate life’s challenges. His clients say Eric Linter is “profound and enlightening” and “one of the best astrologers on the East Coast.”

Astrology

&

Esoteric Psychology Monique Pommier, M.A., Ph.DE

Astrology illuminates one’s psychological landscape and journey. It times life developments and reveals their designs for the soul.

I offer astrological services and ongoing psychospiritual counseling with astrology, Jungian and esoteric psychology as a comprehensive ground of exploration and guidance

Eric, a professional astrologer for 25 years, works with individuals, couples and businesses. Specialties include career moves, personal creativity and karmic relationships. Consultations are available in person, by telephone, or on cassette.

Eric also offers classes, lectures and appearances at parties and special events.

For more information and to schedule a private session, contact Eric by email or call: stars@ericlinter.com ✸ 508-541-4115 ✸

“I learned more from one session than I did from 5 years of analysis.”

- J.G., Cambridge, MA

on current issues and lifelong questionings.

By accessing the deeper order of your life, you gain transformative insights into the evolutionary meaning of particular challenges and new perspectives to direct your choices.

My background includes an MS and PhD in Esoteric Psychology and Philosophy. Jungian psychology, Eastern and Western Traditions are key foundations in my approach.

I have been in practice for 25 years. ✵ Astrological Consultations ✵ ✵ Psychospiritual Counseling ✵ www.astrologicalpsychology.com 617-524-7072

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Classes, Certifications & Schools

Centers Westford’s Center for Counseling and Holistic Therapies Vita Therapia caters to helping businesses that need flexible space licensing options. Be part of a community, without taking on the risk of a long-term commercial lease. We love working with holistic businesses because we support the work they do in helping others. If you are looking for a supportive, flexible office solution, schedule a tour today.

Looking for a space? If you are in need of a warm, welcoming space to host your next workshop, class or retreat, give us a call. We have packages to meet all budgets.

Looking for a practitioner? We have many wonderful businesses at our center, including therapists, massage therapists, Reiki practitioners, Tai Chi classes and coaches — all available to assist you.

We are open every day by appointment only. Contact us for a referral to one of our great practitioners.

Westford, MA info@vitatherapia.com 978-228-5330 vitatherapia.com SCHOOLS OF WISDOM

Celebr

ating

20+

Years!

Women of Wisdom HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER

Usui & Karuna & Holy Fire Reiki Hypnotherapy ✧ BARS ✧ Massage Crystal Healing ✧ Past Life Regression Integrated Energy Therapy Akisni ✧ Inner Child Healing

Holistic Practitioner and Professional, Earth Medicine, Angel Alignment; Holy Fire II Reiki; Akashic Soul Mastery, Hypnotherapy, Mediumship, and Animal Communication; Training for Reiki, IET, Gaiadon Heart, etc., plus workshops daily GIFT SHOP

Restore for Life RestoreforLife.com

/

603-770-6177

Eclectic Institute of Aromatherapy and Herbal Studies Instructor Linda Patterson offers over 20 years of experience in the science, art and principles of herbalism and aromatherapy.

❖

Hours: M-F 10 AM-8 PM, S/S 10 AM-6 PM 118 Washington Street, N. Easton, MA

❖ ❖

womenofwisdominc.com 508-230-3680

Learning through nature and outdoors The child as an active learner Project-based learning Challenging academics Focus on physical activity At least one hour of recess daily Focus on creativity and the arts No standardized testing Small class sizes Come visit us!

Grafton, MA 508-839-0038 touchstoneschool.com

Empowered, Confident, Joy, Fun, Ease...

PARENT COACH

k 617-359-9166 k AmyWParentCoach@gmail.com

www.aromatherapyandherbalstudies.com 978-297-4502 AFFORDABLE HERBAL EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

❖

Herbal Apprenticeships Advanced Training Aromatherapy - Levels One and Two For more information on all of our classes:

Amy Wagner

Ongoing certification courses offered throughout the northeast including: ✴ 7-Month Herbal Certification ✴ 4-Month European-Based Aromatherapy Introduction ✴ 4-Month Advanced Aromatherapy Course ✴ 3-Month Conscious Nutrition Course ✴ Palmistry a tool of diagnoses

Unique Jewelry ✧ Healing Tools ✧ Statues Crystal Bowls ✧ Ritual Items ✧ Angels Mediums or Psychic Readings

Children's Health & Services

Touchstone Community School is an independent school serving students in grades PK–8, cultivating a joy of lifelong learning through transformative intellectual, social, and emotional growth.

Restore for Life is a holistic integrated healing therapy based on a blend of science and ancient wisdom passed down for centuries for better body function.

Restore enables your body to work efficiently and effortlessly for better body function, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Restore can act as preventative care, but can also work directly on a multitude of other health conditions.

Come to a workshop to create a life you never thought possible for yourself and others.

Those are just some of the words you will use to describe your parenting journey after coaching with me. I mindfully guide parents to trust themselves and to parent from inside out rather than a set of imposed rights and wrongs. No challenge is too big or small. There is always a solution and together we will find it!

For more info and to schedule a FREE 15-minute consult, visit: AmyWParentCoach.wixsite.com/website

76 Spirit of of Change Change || FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER2018 2018

bostonherbalstudies.com Arlington, MA ❖ 781.646.6319

Massage | Aesthetics Polarity | RYSE Ipswich • Plymouth • Westboro You deserve an education that honors who you are and who you are becoming.

A great education is spiritually transforming: You overcome your limitations and realize your highest potential, at the same time you learn the foundation and skills to succeed.

Excellent education is not by chance; it comes from years of listening to employers, graduates and students to find the best way to teach the most valuable information to make you successful.

As a leader in energy medicine and

Intensive 7 Month Herbal Apprenticeships

Advanced Training – Levels two and three Aromatherapy Certification – Two Levels

Weekend Intensives with Phyllis Light and Tammi Sweet HERBAL CLASSES

February 24 – Aromatherapy Level One March 3 – Aromatherapy Level Two March 24, 25 – Major Mental Health Issues April 28 – Creating an Herbal Garden June 30, July 1 – Cannabis; Pain & Inflammation

energy based education since 1980, Nancy Risley recognizes that your education is a transformational healing process. As a successful therapist, author and teacher, her vision is to help you realize your dream of work that is creative and supports all aspects of who you are. Whether you work in a spa, clinic, or have your own business, you gain the required skills to create satisfaction as well as increased flexibility, control and income.

The next step to fulfilling your future is to call for a no obligation, information interview with our Admissions Representative. We look forward to meeting you and learning about your future.

Programs take from 4 to 12 months, depending on your schedule: Full-time, mother’s hours or part-time evenings.

Accredited. Licensed. Financial Aid available for qualified students.

800-262-8530 ❖ www.spatech.edu Classes, Certifications and Schools, continued

Classes, Certifications and Schools, continued

Experience healing, loving, empowering life energy in your hands Take control of your health and moods with the healing and self-care benefits of Reiki

Northeast Reiki Center

61 Nicholas Road, Framingham, MA 01701

Learn how to use the natural, loving, renewing life energy of the Universe to feel less anxious and more content in life. Our one-day comprehensive, certification training provides the instruction and in-class practice you need to confidently bring Reiki’s healing to yourself, your loved ones and pets.

Receive training in the inspiring tradition in which it was meant to be taught, from a Reiki Master-Teacher with 15 years of experience. Receive a manual, your Reiki practitioner certificate, and ongoing afterclass instructor support. Plus, have the confirmation that Reiki’s energy is flowing through you by the end of the day.

508-808-5696 • NortheastReikiCenter.org

Isn’t it time to express your full human potential?

Relieve stress, pain and chronic conditions

New England Institute of Reflexology & Universal Studies ~ Now teaching throughout New England ~ www.walkinbalance.com 508-317-3044

RHODE ISLAND HYPNOTIST CERTIFICATION TRAINING

Colon Hydrotherapy DEBRA GRAHAM, ND, CT I-ACT Certified (Advanced) NBCHT Certified 2 Narrows Road Suite 104 Westminster, MA 01473 * Reasonable Rates * Flexible Hours

COLON HYDROTH E RAPY

Call Today

Experience the Angel of Water, the premier colon hydrotherapy system.

413-522-0061 7 deb@drdebma.com www.drdebma.com

Approved Continuing Education in Reflexology, Massage, and Reiki

Experience colon hydrotherapy in a safe, relaxed environment using state-of-the-art FDA registered equipment.

Integrative techniques strengthen foundations and create a balanced treatment style

Stephanie Dumas

NCBTMB provider

Our goal is to act as a bridge between complimentary and conventional medicine through the training of qualified holistic practitioners. Join us!

100-Hour National Guild of Hypnotists Approved certification course Includes 1 year FREE NGH Certification upon graduation

I-ACT Certified Colon Hydrotherapist, Owner

Lexington Medical Building 16 Clarke Street, Lexington, MA

Cleansing for the body, the mind, the spirit

Consciousness Transformation

You will learn: 1 How to hypnotize

The Gabriele Publishing House – publishes the prophetic word of the present time given through Gabriele, the prophetess and emissary of God, in written, audio, and visual form.

1 How to use hypnosis to help clients

make personal changes

1 How to turn hypnosis into a profitable

part-time or full-time business

Certified Instructor John.Koenig.Hypnotist@live.com GreaterRhodeIslandHypnosisTraining.com 401-374-1890

Instructor John Koenig has practiced hypnosis in Rhode Island since 1998—his work featured on national television and author of The Hypnotic Coach.

Next Class Starts Soon Apply Now!

Coaching What is your journey and how can I help you get there?

Inspire Your Journey SUSAN KAPATOES

Holistic Health Coaching can help you: b Cultivate positive lifestyle changes

The Free Universal Spirit is the Teaching of Love for God and Neighbor toward People, Nature, and Animals

Andrea Seiver, Ph.D. Channeled Readings Classes

b Decrease your stress and anxiety b Experience more joy in your life b Improve career satisfaction

Call for a FREE Consultation today!

Certified Professional Coach, Guided Meditation Instructor, Reiki Master, and Author

Depending upon where you live, we can meet in-person, talk on the phone, or use Skype.

Offices in Norwood, MA and Walpole, MA

508-282-7877 b inspireyourjourney.com

www.spiritofchange.org www.spiritofchange.org

stephanie@healthyspiritcleansing.com 781-860-5116

Have you spoken with an ascended master recently? Vywamus, channeled by Andrea Seiver, is a master and teacher who is working to help all humans make the shift into the higher levels of consciousness.

Readings with Vywamus cover your life work, relationships, past lives, and other

THE FREE SPIRIT – NOT A RELIGION! NEW! The Great Cosmic Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth are available to all people for the first time in the history of mankind through the work of the divine Wisdom, Gabriele. Hardbound, 880 pgs. gabriele-publishing-house.com 844-576-0937

issues with his characteristic warmth, humor, and practical advice.

Channeled Classes and Spiritual Tutoring help you personally evolve and begin to live in a state of higher consciousness.

Evenings with Vywamus: Vywamus shares his energy and discusses your questions on topics of general interest. Donation $10.

Other Classes: Learn to Channel • Advanced Channeling For information, contact Andrea at 617-332-1541 • www.andreaseiver.com

Available Now! The Next Big Bang: The Explosion of Human Consciousness A Vywamus Book Read more at www.andreaseiver.com

FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER2018 2018| |Spirit Spiritof of Change Change 77

Counseling and Therapy

HELPING PEOPLE

live better lives

GLENN BIGONET, M.A.

Holistic Counseling Concepts Trish Whynot, D.C.Ed. Doctor of CORE Education Author of “Why Me? Why Now? WHY NOT? Finding opportunity in your obstacles.”

Dr. Trish Whynot’s approach is a blending of personal growth and spiritual wisdom incorporating ASAT™ C.O.R.E. Counseling, meditative techniques, and wise guidance that comes through the Mineral Kingdom.

Get to the root of physical, social and financial problems. ✧ Learn approaches to living and loving that expect opportunities even during challenging times. ✧ Thrive on the wisdom, compassion and understanding gained from life experiences and open to an array of extraordinary futures. ✧

“What impressed me about Dr. Trish Whynot was her ability to see through the chaos of life’s web and identify the root cause of any problem.”

— Bob Olson, Afterlifetv.com Workshops and Sessions Available In Office, Phone or Skype

Pittsfield and Windham, NH trish@trishwhynot.com www.TrishWhynot.com ✧ 978-314-4545

Mental Health Counselor Clinical Hypnotherapist Initial consultations are free.

Counseling Individuals, Couples & Families Weekly Group ✧ Workshops Offered

Conveniently located in Wellesley.

Just a short drive from Rte. 128/I-95.

www.CompassionateAcceptance.com 617-462-6642

COMPASSIONATE ACCEPTANCE

PATH TO THE PRESENT Diane Spindler, LMHC, LMFT Healing and teaching for over 25 years h Relief of PTSD and depression h Elimination of phobias

Center of the Heart Whole Health Integration

Joan Holzman, Psy. D. Lic. Psychologist, Lic. Marriage and Family Therapist Dance/Movement Therapist From the time we are very young we take life’s experiences to heart. Over time we may forget our core, hurts and feelings, but they remain with us. Our heartfelt experiences help shape our sense of self and our interactions with others.

Body-Centered Psychotherapy Listen to your body…follow your heart.

The heart is the first organ to form in the body, and is the organizing factor for physical formation, including brain formation. Trauma, deprivation or neglect creates heart wounds, which keep us from accessing our deepest selves.

Emotional-Kinesthetic Psychotherapy (EKP) facilitates an emotional, energetic rewiring, helping us activate and express the power of the heart. Emotional safety,

I offer a variety of modalities such as: EMDR, Sandtray Therapy, Relaxation Techniques, Therapeutic Movement & Psychotherapy to help heal our core issues and attain a more integrated sense of health and well being. I look forward to meeting you.

Client Comments: Sandtray – “Sand tray therapy helped me see my life more clearly.”

EMDR – “I had insights I never had before.”

Therapeutic Movement – “It was great to feel the freedom in my body after working with you.”

42 Thoreau Street, Concord, MA 01742 978-369-6138

words, touch, meditation, movement, presence and silence facilitate verbal and non-verbal expression. Meaningful work, fulfilling relationships, self-esteem, purpose and passion, love, intimacy and sexuality follow. Straight, GLBT and poly-friendly.

Coaching for soul-centered living. Body psychotherapy groups Sunday nights in Newton. Apprenticeship training.

Books: Living with Vision, and Healing the War Between the Genders Blog: www.heartspacecafe.com/blog Mediation for couples and families.

Coaching for soul-centered living. Body psychotherapy groups. Apprenticeship training.

Newton, MA www.healingheartpower.com LSMHEART@aol.com 617-965-7846

78 Spirit of of Change Change || FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER2018 2018

Glenn Bigonet brings a rare level of compassion, acceptance and hope to his work. As a relationship specialist, his clients report increased connection, intimacy, better communication, and more joy. In addition, he is skilled at helping clients with trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, self-esteem, anger, and co-dependency.

h Reduction of anxiety, panic attacks,

unexplained body pain, nightmares, flashbacks, and dissociation

Psychotherapy clients have reached a point where they know why they feel badly, but don’t know how to release these bad feelings that keep them attached to their old stories and in the past. Using Gentle Reprocessing and other leading edge therapies, I help clients let go of these old stories so they can move on to a happier future.

If you’re a veteran, a first responder, a victim of physical, mental, or sexual abuse, a victim of a disaster, a person with a traumatic background, a person who has anger issues, or a person who is afraid of public speaking, this process could be for you. h 508-886-0007 h

www.GentleReprocessing.com

Barbara Madden Johnson

“Barbara has a unique gift. She really helped me find the person I was meant to be buried under the layers of what people wanted me to be.”

Certified Master Hypnotist NLP Practitioner Energy Medicine Practitioner

You can do this. You can find peace of mind. You can make positive changes permanent. You can heal your body, mind, and soul. You may not know how to connect to the part of you that knows the way, but that part of you is still in you.

Barbara will help you reconnect and guide you on your unique healing path.

Barbara brings a rich blend of deep experience as a clinician, clinical supervisor, college administrator, and professor. She helps individuals resolve health issues, including learning disabilities, dyslexia, immune and auto-immune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and depression, as well as issues relating to career, identity, relationships, and more recently, gender identification.

Holistic Psychotherapy Lori Miller-Freitas, LICSW Get to the core — Transform your life!

You are on this earth to be happy and realize your true potential.

EMDR ✲ TAT ✲ Hypnosis ✲ Reiki

I use a combination of traditional, body centered and energy therapies to increase the speed and deepen the level of holistic healing.

– Sheryl C., Boston, MA

Be at your creative potential now.

Barbara Madden Johnson, MA, CAGS, LPC 617-484-1716 UcanEmerge@aol.com

Brainspotting A neurobiological tool for releasing traumatic/emotionally-charged issues within the brain.

Holistic Psychotherapy Clinical Consultation Using extensive professional experience to resolve issues related to: Trauma, Grief, PTSD, Anxiety and Phobias.

Certifications: LICSW, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, National Board of Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists.

Visa/MC acccepted.

294 Pleasant St. ✲ Ste. 103B ✲ Stoughton, MA www.eaglespirittherapies.com 781-297-2003

Deborah Strafuss is a dedicated practitioner committed to the health and wellness of her clients, and a devoted teacher gently guiding her students into their own experience of Reiki through attunement and training.

Healing and Bodywork

Healing is Your Natural State Offering ReConnective Therapy (RCT) in person and long distance

RCT provides your body and Higher Self the opportunity to choose where to reconnect to the information of your higher frequencies, opening you to healing at the energetic source of physical, emotional, and mental issues for truly personalized healing—for people and animals.

SHARON ADAMSKY h 207-790-0049

rcthealing@gmail.com h rctsharon.com

WHAT HER CLIENTS SAY:

“Deborah is a caring professional who puts a - Brenda new client at ease.”

DEBORAH STRAFUSS

Reiki Master and Teacher, Usui Reiki Ryoho

“I felt so at peace last night. I slept through the night and am still at peace this morning.” - Steff WHAT HER STUDENTS SAY:

Creating a Personal Path to Inner Healing through Reiki Crystal Reiki offers traditional Usui Reiki, Crystal Chakra Balancing, Space Healing and Clearing and Reiki Training, Shares and Classes for those desiring to incorporate Reiki into their lives and work.

OTHER UNIQUE OFFERINGS: ✦ Reiki

Are you looking for a sanctuary for your healing journey?

Let Abundant Wellness Center help you with holistic alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage, reiki, reflexology, yoga, tai chi, qigong, intuitive psychic tarot and medium readings, plus a beautiful metaphysical retail gift shop. And we are now carrying high quality CBD hemp products!

Contact us to schedule an appointment

413-592-2828

✦

AbundantWellness.net

Training

✦ Sacred

Shamanism

✦ Monthly

Detox Sessions with Wellness Guru Rachel Ginther

Spontaneous Remission Advanced Energetic Hands on Healing from the Mayan Lineage. Miraculous Healing for all issues that require attention.

Experience healing, loving, empowering life energy in your hands Take control of your health and moods with the healing and self-care benefits of Reiki

Northeast Reiki Center

61 Nicholas Road, Framingham, MA 01701

508-808-5696 • NortheastReikiCenter.org Relieve stress, pain and chronic conditions

Reiki Healing

Vibrational Blessing—receive a ‘personal’ attunement and blessing from Debee Boulanger

✦ High

“Creating a positive change in your lifestyle can be challenging; thus having caring skilled practitioners added with the convenience of a safe accessible space would only enhance your quest for that goal. We are here for you!”

~ Abundant Wellness Center

Divine Intervention is “Where the Impossible Becomes Possible.”

Divine Intervention

THE JOHN HARVEY GRAY CENTER FOR

Rev. Claire Luft is a Master Healer and Master Teacher of Divine Intervention Healing. This healing technique is sacred, powerful, and produces Physical Plane Results.

Heart’s Singing Healing Center Woburn, MA 781-281-2888 ◆ www.heartssinging.com

Learn how to use the natural, loving, renewing life energy of the Universe to feel less anxious and more content in life. Our one-day comprehensive, certification training provides the instruction and in-class practice you need to confidently bring Reiki’s healing to yourself, your loved ones and pets.

Receive training in the inspiring tradition in which it was meant to be taught, from a Reiki Master-Teacher with 15 years of experience. Receive a manual, your Reiki practitioner certificate, and ongoing afterclass instructor support. Plus, have the confirmation that Reiki’s energy is flowing through you by the end of the day.

Isn’t it time to express your full human potential?

Lourdes Gray, Ph.D. Awaken your healing skills immediately and be a powerful channel for Reiki energy!

The John Harvey Gray Center for Reiki Healing was established by John Harvey Gray and Dr. Lourdes Gray in 1996 to empower and develop a student’s capacity for healing. The Center offers the most thorough Reiki healing training available, ‘with no cut corners’, as it was taught by Mrs. Hawayo Takata. John Harvey Gray received his entire Reiki training from Hawayo Takata. He was one of the original 22 Reiki Master Teachers trained by her.

He was also the longest-practicing Reiki Master Teacher in the Western Hemisphere until his passing into spirit on January 12, 2011.

Elements Hot Tub Spa is an independent, locally-owned spa founded in 2007 by Diana and Jeff Krauth, former proprietors of Beyond Words book shop. We are dedicated to health and wellness, use only the highest quality, natural ingredients in all products, and retain a highly dedicated and experienced team of fourteen healing practitioners.

Visit our website for information, coupons, and instant gift certificates.

ElementsHotTubSpa.com

“I love your space, the location, the energy of it, how prepared you were. I think you are a very professional and comforting presence.” - Bonnie Find Crystal Reiki at The Gentle Place Wellness Center in Framingham, MA ✲ 508-353-5136 ✲ www.CrystalReikiEnergy.com

Lourdes was initiated by John Harvey Gray as a Reiki Master Teacher in 1996 after intensive one-on-one training by John Harvey Gray. As a Reiki Master Teacher, Lourdes has taught over 700 Reiki workshops and trained more than 8,000 Reiki students to date and serves as the director of the John Harvey Gray Center for Reiki Healing.

Each workshop consists of two full days of learning and hands-on practice. You will immediately be able to effectively channel Reiki healing energy for yourself, others and pets. In Reiki First Degree you will:

✴ Quickly and easily develop your natural,

intuitive powers. Within minutes, be able to scan and feel a person’s aura and chakras for analysis. ✴ Effectively treat any condition with Reiki energy— physical, emotional or spiritual, chronic or acute. ✴ Immediately be an effective Reiki healer, confidently bringing comfort and calm to family, friends, clients and pets ✴ Receive a training manual & certificate.

The John Harvey Gray Center for Reiki Healing P.O. Box 696, Rindge, NH 03461 Visa/MC Accepted

See Full Class Schedule: www.learnreiki.org ✴ 603-899-3288 Bodywork modalities include: Swedish Relaxation Massage Therapeutic Deep Tissue Massage Couples Massage r Hot Stones Pre-Natal Massage “Body and Soul” Session – Massage + Reiki Ayurvedic Bodywork Cranio-Sacral Therapy Myofascial Releae r Kinesiotaping Our Spa Services include: Professional Facials and Skin Consultation Relaxing Bio-active Face Treatments Sugar Scrubs r Herbal Wraps Foot Treatment with Reflexology Hot tub rooms include private, indoor and outdoor state-of-the-art hot tubs, Far Infrared saunas, and aromatherapy steam.

Healing and Bodywork, continued

www.spiritofchange.org www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER2018 2018| |Spirit Spiritof of Change Change 79

Healing and Bodywork, continued Bringing complimentary and alternative care to our community...

We are a dedicated and professional group of practitioners providing compassionate care to assist our clients on their journey to wellness.

Acupuncture Reflexology Cupping Massage (over 10 types, including prenatal!)

18 North Meadows Rd, Unit 12B, Medfield, MA holisticwellnesscenter.org | 508-359-7400 Now located in the Medfield Crossing Shopping Plaza on Route 27

Patricia Warren Reiki Jin Kei Do

Gua Sha TuiNa Therapeutic Ultrasound Reiki IET Polarity Holistic Health Coaching and more!

…and if that isn’t enough, crystals & gifts too!

Union, returning 13 times, as well as to thousands of people in medical, religious and educational settings throughout the Caribbean, Europe and Middle East since 1989. ✦ ✦

InternationallyExperienced

New Englands most InternationallyExperienced Reiki Master since 1989 Patricia has taught healing techniques of Buddhist, Sikhs and Christians for over 25 years. She is the appointed East Coast representative of Reiki Jin Kei Do ~ Buddho Healing, authentic and advanced teachings of Usui Reiki in the lineage of Buddhist Monk Seiji Takamori. Patricia was the first woman to teach Reiki in the former Soviet

How Can

Shamanic Healing

Help You?

For over a decade, I have dovetailed various healing techniques including Hypnotherapy, Guided Meditation, Sound Healing, and the Unconditional Love Vibration into my Shamanic Healing sessions.

22-Strand DNA Activation

Bring your Divine Blueprint into Physical Plane Manifestation and experience greater empowerment, improved health (mental, emotional physical and spiritual), increased utilization of your brains potential, greater creativity, and increased energy and clarity.

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All Levels of Reiki Jin Kei Do Training Buddho Healing (advanced Reiki classes) “His Garments Hem” Christian Healing Touch Gung Fu Chinese Tea Ceremonies Past Life Regression Justice of the Peace Spiritual Director ✳

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Patricia Warren, Reiki Master Teacher 508-528-5888 ✦ warrenhealing@gmail.com www.patriciawarren.com

I work with adults, children, animals, homes and land. Shamanic Healing can shift depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, PTSD, localized and chronic pain and illness or generally feeling “stuck” in your life. I have much success doing remote phone sessions and in-person healings.

TINA D’AMORE Shamanic Practitioner and Teacher 3 Crows Healing Shamanic Medicine and Animal Whispering 3crowshealing.com 3crowshealing@gmail.com

Also, bring forth your greatest talents and abilities, clear many karmic and genetic patterns, hold greater amounts of light in your physical body, and much more.

Great for those who feel ready to shift out of those “stuck” areas into tremendous empowerment, improved health on all levels, and living your higher destiny agreements and highest potentials.

Rev. Claire Luft Master Teacher/Master Healer Ancient Mystery School Guide & Ritual Master Heart's Singing Healing Center, Woburn, MA 781-281-2888 v www.heartssinging.com

80 Spirit of of Change Change ||FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER2018 2018

©

Libby Barnett, MSW, RMT Awaken Your Healing Touch Libby is a gifted, knowledgeable Reiki Master with 38 years experience. Libby learned Reiki from John Harvey Gray in 1979, and is the longest practicing Reiki Master Teacher on the East Coast. Her book, Reiki Energy Medicine, Bringing Healing Touch into Home, Hospital, and Hospice has sold over 75,000 copies in five languages.

Use Reiki to create more joy, ease, and happiness. Let Libby’s warm, heart-centered approach help you take your next step toward self-love and inner peace. Reiki brings balance and harmony, supporting you doing the work you were born to do.

Reiki facilitates transitions, promotes creativity and wisdom, and accelerates spiritual growth, helping you manifest your magnificence.

Libby has been teaching Reiki at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health for 15 years. She has taught medical and nursing students at Harvard, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brown, Tufts, and Yale, as well as staff at Mass General, Brigham and Women’s, Beth Israel, Mt. Auburn, Emerson, DartmouthHitchcock, Southern New Hampshire, New York Columbia Presbyterian hospitals, and social workers at the University of Maryland. Libby was featured in a Reiki segment for the PBS nationally televised series, Body and Soul.

“Libby has a beautiful way of teaching and creates a perfect atmosphere for healing and learning.”

MANAGE YOUR

Back Pain

80% of People Experience Back Pain at Some Point in their Life 1. Does it hurt to shave your legs?

2. Can you drive more than 10 minutes without intense pain?

3. Were you told never to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds?

4. Can you walk the golf course or swing a club without pain?

5. Were you prescribed an opioid and afraid you’re going to be hooked?

The good news is most pain will resolve with doing the right movement and with positional changes.

One of Libby’s passions is teaching hospice staff and volunteers. Fueled by Reiki energy, their healing touch is enhanced, creating greater effectiveness in calming agitation, soothing pain and providing comfort.

In class, a powerful slide presentation captures the essence of Reiki and highlights the latest research. Reiki stories from Libby’s extensive experience will uplift and inspire you, showing how anyone can learn Reiki. You receive attunements and practice giving and receiving Reiki. You leave class with an illustrated notebook, certificate, and Reiki pin, fully trained and certified to do Reiki on yourself, family, friends, and animals. “Hands on, Reiki’s on.”

"My commitment to teach the Usui System of Reiki Healing in the authentic, traditional manner inspired me to visit Japan to retrace the roots of Reiki. I am dedicated to teaching this sacred healing art to promote health and conscious living on the planet. I invite you to give yourself the gift of Reiki. It is an easy, effective self-care tool to love, heal, and empower yourself. I look forward to meeting you and sharing Reiki.”

Reiki I, Boston Area Classes: Weston, MA: Sept. 22 or Nov. 3 Concord, MA: Oct. 13 Reiki I, Wilton, NH Classes: Sept. 15 or Nov. 10 Reiki II Class: on day following Reiki I Class Reiki Master, Wilton, NH Class: Oct. 6 or Dec. 1

Graduates of other Reiki teachers welcome.

Reiki I, Reiki II, and Reiki Master classes offered at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in March.

Additional Reiki training dates can be found at: reikienergy.com All credit cards accepted.

Social Work, Nursing and Massage contact hours/CEU’s available. Reiki Master Teacher Training info available on request.

To register or for more information: reikienergy.com reiki@reikienergy.com • 603-654-2787

Consult an MD if: 1. The pain is unrelenting.

2. The pain is worse in the middle of the night.

3. You’ve had recent unexplained weight change of >10 lbs.

4. You have weakness or numbness in both extremities.

In 2017 treatment guidelines started to move away from medication and rest as being the first line of treatment for back pain.

Now the recommendations are returning to normal activity, exercise, manual treatment, acupuncture and yoga.

Find positions that decrease pain even for a minute. You CAN get back to doing the activities you enjoy, for life.

Visit our website for more information on how to manage your back pain.

LAURA TURNER, PT DPT MoveBetterLLC.com ❖ 507-571-8239

Healing: Combined Modalities 7 Health and Wellness Coaching, Massage,

Long Term Wellness is Possible...

We provide evidence-based holistic approaches to prevent and treat illness for long term wellness. Instruction in all aspects of Wellness of Body, Mind, and Spirit for all ages and populations. Services include:

Acupuncture, Reiki, Integrated Energy, Cranio-sacral and Myofascial Release Therapy, Shamanic Healings, Grief and Spiritual Counseling and Allergy Release Therapy 7 Workshops available on: Sound Healings, Mindfulness for Children, Discussion Circles, Mandala classes, Reiki shares, and more 7 We also have community programs for schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

with Lisa

For more info, visit: dragonflywellnesscenter.net 7 978-487-7181 7

Assistance with weight loss, addictions, Arthritis, Lyme disease, PTSD, allergies, sleep issues, focus, pain, chronic health conditions, depression, sleep apnea, anxiety, public speaking anxiety and relationships.

LISA SEMLE

Health, Life and Nutrition Coaching

Energy & Mind/Body Healing, Nutritionist, Medical Intuitive Life & Wellness Coach

Uxbridge, MA Lsemle@msn.com 978-877-1226 G healingwithlisa.com

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TRUE QUANTUM HEALING ON ROOT CAUSE LEVELS Healing sessions via phone or skype. See our website for more information and youtube videos. info@nicolakb.com nicolakb.com V 857-526-1651

CAROLYN JENKINS

Hypnotherapist Aromatherapist 781-608-6462 EssentiallyHoly.com carolyn@essentiallyholy.com

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of self.

Light Body Healing – Shamanic Energy Medicine Cathy Stubbs, RN, Shaman, Certified Light Body Healer eagleflighthealing@gmail.com 203-535-8849 eagleflighthealing.wordpress.com

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HEALING MODALITIES Cranio-Sacral, Reflexology, Reiki, Myofascial, Somato-Emotional Release, Spiritual Development Barbara Ann Strassman, Owner 66 Washington St, North Easton, MA 02356 781-784-1955 ✦ solewoman9@gmail.com heartandsoulholistic.com

LIFE FORCE

PAULINE KOSOWAN

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Reiki Master Practitioner and Teacher Aromatherapist

AROMATHERAPY

67 Coddington St, LL2, Quincy, MA 02170 508-737-1384 G lifeforcereiki.com

Mind Body Spirit Well-Being with Reiki and Essential Oils

pauline@lifeforcereiki.com

I will travel to you, your loved one, or furry friend with prior appointment requested and scheduled!

Do you want to heal the root cause of your problem?

Through True Quantum Healing, I use pendulum dowsing and a series of charts to identify where the problem is within your body and its root cause.

I use sacred geometry tools to amplify this healing to deeper levels.

RUSSELL RICCIO lightandlovehealing.com r

Effective on mental, emotional, physical and spiritual levels.

With specialties in weight loss, smoking cessation, inner child work, spiritual practice and development, I also support general vocational and personal growth and development goals. Call today to schedule your private appointment.

to dream and live consciously in the moment.

Sessions offered remotely via Skype or phone.

Do you suffer with pain or anxiety? Are you feeling down or have no energy?

Both aromatherapy and hypnotherapy work at the level of the subconscious to bring healing and hope to troubled areas of the body, mind, emotions, and soul.

❂ Feel present, positive, peaceful, able

on your session.

Serving Middlesex & Worcester Counties since 2015 176 Jackson Road, Devens, MA

Yoga 7 Tai Chi & Qigong 7 Stretch Dance 7 Pilates and Gentle Movement Meditation and Mindfulness Classes

HEALING

❂ Bring well-being and a renewed sense

intuitive HEALING

Wendy Marks

M.Ed, C.A.S., FAPA ✲ Medical intuitive sessions, energy heal-

ing and integrative therapy

✲ 30 years of experience in traditional and

complementary healthcare

603-935-9106 r

✲ Improve your physical, mental, and

spiritual health

✲ Works with individuals to develop their

own intuitive skills “By healing ourselves we create changes that have a ripple effect on the world around us.”

Looking for practical guidance to create your own spiritual path? You’ll find it in Wendy’s book Your Soul’s Companion, available on her website and at amazon.com. www.wendymarks.com ✲ 781-449-5368 wlm922@wendymarks.com

FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER2018 2018| |Spirit Spiritof of Change Change 81

Herbs and Gardens

Hillside Herbals Rachel Ross, RN, CNM Classes, Herb Walks, and Consultations Hillside Herbals offers healing through herbal care for the whole family. I craft healing teas, tinctures, and skin care from certified organic herbs, locally grown herbs, and mindfully harvested wild herbs.

Sept. 8 Sept. 15

by

FALL 2018 EVENTS

Clinton Olde Home Days Wachusett Meadow Hey Day at Princeton Audubon Sanctuary Nov. 10 Wachusett H.S. Craft Fair Thru Oct. Princeton Farmer’s Market, first and third Sunday 10-1 Thru Oct. Holden Farmer’s Market, Tuesdays 3-6:30 Check my FaceBook page for Fall herb and full moon workshops.

30 Wahlstrom Lane, Jefferson, MA 01522 508-847-8615 hillsideherbals.com

…In the presence of loving Angelic energy Connecting to Spirit for inspiration, sustenance and support for your life’s journey READINGS AND SESSIONS IN ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Nutrition Holistic Nutrition Services, LLC BETH COLON, M.S., HHP Nutrition and Wellness Counselor Certified GAPS Practitioner Specializing in digestive wellness and gut repair.

Come on a journey with me to improve your health with holistic nutrition.

Nancy Johansen RN, CCH, RMT

PROGRAMS FOR: ✳ Digestive Wellness ✳ GAPS

at Angeltouche

✳ Cancer Recovery Nutrition ✳ Brain Health

✳ Detoxification

Psychic Intuitive ✳ Angel Therapy Practitioner ®

978-340-0448 www.HolisticNutritionServices.com

Psychic Medium

she is having a one-on-one conversation with you. She shares her world, making it relatable to your own life, and connecting you to loved ones. Her book has won two very prestigious awards, “Reader’s Favorite” and “Mom’s Choice.” It is available through her web site, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble book outlets.

q

PSYCHIC MEDIUM | NEW AGE AUTHOR $225 for an hour appointment. Call for Readings: ✺ 978-420-8213 ✺

psychicmediumkelle.com Kelle Sutliff’s work has been seen on ABC, CBS, and FOX, and in The Boston Herald and The Boston Globe.

Kelle’s psychic predictions for 2016 were #1 on Google out of 1.5 MILLION psychics making predictions for the new year.

Her award-winning book, Listen UP! The Other Side is Talking has influenced people around the world, showing them how to connect to their loved ones. Kelle writes like

“I am a psychic medium, author, psychic investigator, and former radio show host who has been practicing for over fifteen years. As a psychic investigator, I have provided accurate information in missing person cases using my expertise for private investigators, individual families, and national missing persons organizations.

My show “Psychic Cup of Coffee” was affiliated with CBS radio and Transformation Talk Radio for three years. I am currently connected with the #1 talk show host in Boston as a permanent guest on “Night Side With Dan Rea” on WBZ radio.

I conduct in-person readings at my office at 505 Middllesex Turnpike, Suite 13, in Billerica, MA. I also take appointments for national and international readings via phone and Skype. I look forward to having the opportunity to read for you.”

82 Spirit of of Change Change || FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER2018 2018

~ Much blessings, Kelle

ONLINE CERTIFICATION

6 month/7-session intensive program on Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm EST with bi-monthly check-ins Wed. evenings held via Zoom web conferencing. Starting Sat., Jan. 26, 2018 with additional sessions: Feb 23, Mar. 23, Apr. 13, May 4, May 25, June 8. $860 or three payments of $366.

Explore the mystery of your soul, past lives and soul contracts.

Contact Nancy for free discovery session.

North Andover ✦ nancy@angelscapes.net www.angelscapes.net ✦ 978-835-0005

Connecting you with your Angelic Dream Team, creating your Happily Ever After Angel Readings ✳ Past Life Regression Angel Therapy® ✳ Reiki ✳ Hypnotherapy

✳ Practical Nutrition

Readings KELLE SUTLIFF

Spiritual mediumship Spirit portraits of loved ones in Spirit Akashic record life readings Group sessions and classes Free “Wing Tips” at angelscapes.net

Nancy guides you into a connection with spirit and your soul for guidance, healing and direction. If you want to connect with a loved one who has passed, or work through questions and challenges, allow spirit to inspire you in a reading session with Nancy.

Akashic Journey to Soul Mastery

&

Intuitive Reader KRISTEN CAPPUCCI r r r

Specializing in one-on-one readings Spirit Group galleries Paranormal work

Private sessions in person or distance by phone and e-mail.

Classes and workshops ~ North Attleboro, MA Nancy@Angeltouche.com www.Angeltouche.com ✳ 508-577-4552

Kristen is a Boston area native, mom of two, and knew she was empathic at a very young age. She has appeared on many TV and radio programs and studied metaphysical topics including astrology, crystals, candle magic, essential oils, flower essences, scrying and seance work.

Delivers messages from the heart, lovingly connecting you to the other side...

Email Kristen to schedule your reading today: kcappucci78@gmail.com

Retreats and Retreat Centers Newly built main house with five guest

rooms and 3.5 baths

Outdoor water-view dining deck

An artist-owned bed and breakfast retreat center with your hosts, Tao and Amy LaBossiere.

Still Waters is nestled among 100 acres of conservation forest and a private, 12-acre pond. We offer artfully appointed, rustic and comfortable lodging and retreats for small groups and individuals/couples.

Mid-week Bed and Breakfast Retreats Monthly R&R Retreats Small Group/Wedding Weekends

Two seasonal, unplugged waterfront

cottages

Art and yoga studio with massage room Private hiking trail in 100 acres of forest

with art and sculpture

Sunrise yoga platform

Grand re-opening in Spring 2018 after a four-year renovation.

Voluntown, CT stillwaterspond.com Instagram: @stillwatersretreatcenter Facebook: Still Waters Pond

Skin Care, Salons and Spas “I feel I’ve been blending products and potions for centuries. I love meeting your skin and wellness needs from season to season. Healing with oils and essences is always a life-giving blessing to me, as is sharing the gift of health with all I teach about personality and self care.*”

Holistic Skin Care Body and Soul

– Nikki Davis MA, Holistic Therapist

A warm amethyst bed awaits you, along with transporting scents, hot stones and healing hands in this total relaxation session, that rejuvenates your skin and nurtures your whole being.

Creative Strands HAIR

&

BODYWORKS

Chill Out, Ease Stress & Restore Balance Treat yourself to the ultimate in relaxation!

* FREE uplifting astrological insight graces each session For an appointment with Nikki, call 617-332-0890 or visit HolisticOasis.com Skin care and hair care products for all skin types and hair care needs. Our whole team continues to keep up with the latest trends and state of the art techniques.

Check out our monthly specials on our website, www.creativestrandsllc.com, or check out our page on Facebook at Creative Strands Hair and Bodyworks.

3 Boston Road, Sutton, MA www.creativestrandsllc.com ❉ 508-865-1141

Yoga

Ann Bissanti Worcester Yoga Center Hatha Yoga begins with refining the physical body but does not stop there. The exercises involve slow precise stretching, strengthening, and breathing techniques, which not only tone the muscles but affect internal organs, nerves, skin, and virtually

Spiritual Practices When we change... the world changes.

Methods of achieving stability and clarity of mind become more and more essential as our social, political, and economic structures change dramatically. Raja Yoga is a simple but powerful form of meditation that can help you to develop peace of mind, resilience, and inner strength.

The Brahma Kumaris is a worldwide spiritual organization, affiliated with the UN and recipient of seven Peace Messenger awards. Classes include meditation and a range of other practical tools for self-transformation. Workshops, group meditations, and retreats are held regularly.

All activities are offered free of charge, as a community service.

The Greater Boston Church of Spiritualism ARLINGTON MASONIC TEMPLE 19 Academy St., Arlington, MA (off Mass Ave., easy access by T via Harvard Sq.)

all body systems, making Yoga a superior wholistic method for physical fitness and preventive and corrective health care.

Certified Yoga teacher and therapist Ann Bissanti, trained in India by B.KS. Iyengar, has studied Yoga and meditation for the past 30 years. She has taught Yoga at Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick, at various fitness centers and adult education programs, and privately.

Call us for more information.

Worcester Yoga Center 21 West Street, Worcester, MA 01609

The Greater Boston Church of Spiritualism embraces a religious and spiritual belief blending ancient wisdom with contemporary thought. Services are held at 10:30 AM every Sunday, with mediumship, live music, inspirational talks, and healing by laying on of hands.

Please contact us or visit one of these New England locations: ❂ Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace

75 Common St, Watertown, MA 617-926-1230 • bknewengland.org boston@us.brahmakumaris.org

❂ Inner Space Meditation Center & Gallery

1110 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 617-547-1110 • innerspaceharvardsq.org info@innerspaceharvardsq.org

❂ Shrewsbury @ ATFS Center

433 South St, Shrewsbury, MA 617-926-1230 shrewsbury@bknewengland.org

❂ Providence

123 North Main St, Providence, RI 401-354-2693 providence@bknewengland.org

❂ Manchester

575 W. Willow St, Ste 209, Manchester, NH 603-622-5500 manchester@bknewengland.org

As an evolving spiritual community, The Greater Boston Church of Spiritualism offers weekday evening classes in mediumship, healing, and meditation; mediums days are the last Sunday of the month; and seminars and workshops through the year.

For a brochure with upcoming events, or to speak with the Pastor, call us. Visit our website for current events or more information.

An affiliate of the Spiritualists United Network

(SUN) and the International Spiritualist Federation

Our mailing address: 40-44 Spring St., Watertown, MA 02472 617-923-4334 GreaterBostonChurchofSpiritualism.com

A photographer gets people to pose for him.

A yoga instructor gets people to pose for themselves.”

WorcesterYogaCenter.com | 508-829-6300

– T. Guillemets

Share your story!

Share your natural healing success story at www.spiritofchange.org in the

Journal of Natural Healing Now accepting submissions!

Email carol@spiritofchange.org for details. www.spiritofchange.org

FALL/WINTER FALL/WINTER2018 2018||Spirit Spirit of of Change Change 83

Directory of Holistic Specialties ANGELS

EMF PROTECTION

QIGONG

Ross J. Miller, psychic. Meet your angels

The Rejuvenizer®, protection from EMFs and other

Eastover Retreat and Eco-Village. Classes, retreats,

and spirit guides. 617-527-3583.

Visit www.The MysticWay.com

ANIMAL SERVICES MASH Integrative Veterinary Care, since 1982.

Dr. Margo Roman & Associates. 508-435-4077.

MashVet.com

damaging frequencies. www.lighthealing.com. 512-301-2999.

FENG SHUI Feng Shui Services of New England. Julie Pelletier-

energy healing with authentic qi masters. 430 East St., Lenox, MA. 866-264-5139. www.eastover.com

READINGS

Rutkowski, MS, RN. Consulting and education. www.FSSone.com.

Nancy Smith, spiritual medium and Akashic life readings. 978-835-0005. www.angelscapes.net

GHOSTS REMOVED

REIKI

From Your Home/Aura. Ross J. Miller, psychic

classes, daily forecast. stars@ericlinter.com. 508-541-4115.

medium, healer. Call 617-527-3583. www.The MysticWay.com

Libby Barnett, MSW, MSW, Reiki Master Teacher and author. 38 years Reiki experience. 603-654-2787 www.reikienergy.com. CEU’s.

CERTIFICATIONS

HEALTH FREEDOM INFORMATION

Patricia Warren, Reiki Master Teacher. All levels of

Hypnotherapy, NLP, Reiki, IET and Crystal Healing.

Health Freedom Action Massachusetts is dedicated

ASTROLOGY Eric Linter, over 25 years experience. Readings,

Reiki Jin Kei Do training plus Buddho Healing.

508-528-5888. PatriciaWarren.com

to passing health freedom legislation in the Bay State. www.hfama.org

The John Harvey Gray Center for Reiki Healing.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH

HERBS

Sacred Song Reiki and Sound Healing. Priscilla

Touchstone Community School. Education for ages

Hillside Herbals. Rachel Ross, RN, CNM. Classes,

workshops, herb walks, and consultations. www.hillsideherbals.com

Northeast Reiki Center. All levels of traditional Reiki training. www.northeastreikicenter.org

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

HOT TUB SPA

Holy Fire II Reiki Training. Women of Wisdom. Katie Malloy Ramaci, Holy Fire II Advanced/RMT. 508-230-3680. WomenofWisdominc.com

508-539-2885. Clinics and crystal fairs. www.capecodcenterforwholehealth.com

4-14. Grafton, MA. 508-839-0038. www.touchstoneschool.com.

Constance Jones. Since 1980. I-ACT certified instructor. NBCHT certified. Manchester, CT. 860-287-4558. www.cleanmycolon.com.

Elements Hot Tub Spa. Private indoor and outdoor

Genesis Alternative Health. 34 years of experience.

MEDICAL INTUITIVE

I-ACT certified instructor. NBCHT certified.

603-347-1861. detoxgenesis.com

tubs, saunas and aromatherapy steam. Amherst, MA. ElementsHotTubSpa.com

Sue Singleton, over 28 years, 8,500+ readings.

603-899-3288. www.learnreiki.org

Gale, Reiki Master/Teacher. SacredSongReiki.com.

RETREAT CENTERS Wild Dolphin Swims. Yoga, healthy food, Atlantean legends. www.wildquest.com. 800-326-1816 Brahma Kumaris Peace Village Retreat Center.

Westminster, MA. 413-522-0061. drdebma.com

Identifies and heals Root Cause, eliminates pain/illness to regain health. 978-834-0341.

TheWayToBalance.com/medical-intuitive-readings

Elemental Energies With Chris Ann and Jeff. Over

Intuitive Healing with Wendy Marks.

SOUND HEALING

Debra Graham, CT, ND. I-ACT and NBCHT certified.

CRYSTALS

1,000 varieties of crystals from around the world. www.chrisann-jeff.com

Over 25 years of experience. 781-449-5368. www.wendymarks.com

DATING

PAIN RELIEF

Tantra Speed Dating: Leading the way to healthier

relationships. Monthly at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. http://bit.ly/tsdboston

Pat Lebau, MA, ERYT-500, Kripalu Yoga teacher, offers Integrated Positional Therapy sessions. Discover how to relieve your pain. PatLebau.com

DEPRESSION & ANXIETY TREATMENT

PAST LIFE THERAPY

Healed in 2 Hours. Ross J. Miller, psychic healer. 617527-3583. www.TheMysticWay.com

Ross J. Miller. Relive past lives and release blocked

Haines Falls, NY. 518-589-5000. www.peacevillageretreat.org

Sounding Spirit with A. Michelle. Relax and heal with gongs, singing bowls, flutes, drums, and channeled vocals. Events: soundingspirit.com 401-954-4674.

YOGA Worcester Yoga Center. Ann Bissanti, CYT. 30 years experience Iyengar yoga. 508-829-6300. worcesteryogacenter.com

energy. 617-527-3583. www.The MysticWay.com

Add your listing! Next deadline: January 31, 2019. Email advertise@spiritofchange.org.

84 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

AKASHIC RECORDS

DREAM CATCHERS

SPACE AVAILABLE

PET PSYCHIC

Beautiful space for rent in the center of Shrewsbury for practitioners of body and energy work, consultations, classes, meetings, etc. Full, part-time and hourly rates available. Please contact Bhavna's Wellness Group: (774) 242-2112.

ASTROLOGY

PSYCHICS

YOUR DAILY READING.

Psychic Entertainment with Wally the Psychic Comedian and Clairvoyant.

Why comedy? Wally the Psychic Comedian combines his genuine psychic abilities with his comedy performances, creating unique entertainment for your parties and other events. Great Energy teachers always told jokes and humorous stories. Email: laughter_guy@msn.com www.wallypsychiccomedian.com

Visit spiritofchange.org for astrologer Eric Linter's daily word.

CALENDARS 43rd annual edition of The Lunar Calendar: Dedicated to the Goddess in her Many Guises. Features complete and accurate moon data for 2019 plus the art and poetry of 24 luminaries! $24. Discounts for 2 or more. www.thelunapress.com

PYRAMIDS All About Pyramids. Meditation/experimental tabletop models. Worldwide research. (805) 649-5721. www.dowsing.com. Catalog: P.O. Box 30305, Santa Barbara, CA 93130.

ENERGY HEALING

REFLEXOLOGY

Edgar Cayce based Intuitive Guidance, Coaching, Energy Healing – Time for a reset? I can help. Contact me now for a free 15 minute consult: caycecoach@gmail.com

Rosalie Cryan, Reflexology, advanced certification. Reiki Master. Promoting balance and stress relief for 17 years. Experience bodywork for the first time or change your current routine. Quincy, MA. (617) 471-4190.

Mention this ad: $60. Quincymassage.com

HEALING

Upper Cape Tech in Bourne, MA, near Cape Cod Canal is a leading provider of career and wellness training offering Culinary Arts, Health Careers, Nurse’s Aide, Real Estate, Computers, Technical/ Trade, HVAC, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, Releasing Stress, Weight Loss and Smoking with NLP. 600+ online courses and more. Visit www.uppercapetech.cc or call (508) 759-7711, ext. 211 for details.

Kathryn McGlynn, Certified Hypnotist. Past Life Regression and metaphysical hypnosis.

Schedule your private or group session today for a transformative experience.

(781) 340-2146. www.hypnosis.ws

DOWSING

JEWELRY

All About Dowsing. Discover the science of dowsing. Self-instructional DVD's, books, Original Cameron Aurameter. dowsing.com.

(805) 649-5721. Catalog: PO Box 30305, Santa Barbara, CA 93130.

Simply famous for rings. Infinite stone and ring design combinations. Visit Booth #912 at the Natural Living Expo. (412) 996-9213, www.BlackStarJewelry.com

www.spiritofchange.org

HYPNOSIS

SPIRITUAL GOODS Mystical Banners. Hand painted wall hangings and altar cloths. Sacred symbols, angels, mantras and mandalas.

Divine designs with a magickal twist!

Please visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/ MysticalBanners.

VOLUNTEER

SELF STUDY Improve your Life using Energy Awareness and Mental Holograms. A Mental Hologram is a 3-dimensional energetic re-experiencing of an event from your past or future life, that you can explore as if walking around inside of it, so you get insights about your abilities, creativity and potential. Learn how to create and explore your own Mental Holograms, to become more aware of what works for you and expand your potential. Taught by Walter Ness.

InteractiveMindfulness.com/holograms

CLASSES

Are you looking for a flexible office solution for your holistic, counseling, or helping business? We are looking for you. Join Vita Therapia, a welcoming co-working office space, where you can book office space by the hour, by block, by day either monthly, bi-monthly, or as needed. We also have a great group room for classes, workshops, and retreats. Call for a tour and learn more about how we can help. Jenna Amara at (978) 228-5330 or info@vitatherapia.com. Vita Therapia LLC, Westford’s Center for Counseling and Holistic Therapies, 234 Littleton Road, Westford, MA.

SPACE AVAILABLE Newton Center Office Space For Rent.

Full-time/part-time availability.

Inviting, furnished psychotherapy suite includes private office, waiting room, clerical space and bathroom.

Contact Chris Gruener (617) 965-6552, crossroads-counseling-services.com, chris.gruener@comcast.net.

Make a Difference and Become an Ascend Hospice Volunteer in Massachusetts

Contact one of our Volunteer Supervisors for more information Lisa O’Clare: Lisa.oclare@ascendhealth.com Jenn Fenuccio: Jennifer.fenuccio@ascendhealth.com Visit our website to learn more about our specialized hospice care and services AscendHospice.com

WILD DOLPHIN SWIMS Swimming with Wild Dolphins. The ultimate human-dolphin connection. Meditative, healing Caribbean Island retreats. Yoga, healthy food, Atlantean legends. www.wildquest.com. (800) 326-1618.

Place your Classified ad! Email: Advertise@spiritofchange.org Spring issue deadline: January 31, 2019 FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 85

Monique Pommier ......................................... 75 Pure Science Lab........................................35,52 Pyramid Books ................................................. 5

A A Touch of Magick ......................................... 13 A Wealthy You ................................................ 59 Abundant Wellness Center.......................14,79 Adidam of New England ............................... 55 Ageless Yoga .................................................... 25 Alternative Health Inc.................................... 60 Alternatives for Health................................... 23 Anastasia’s Health Happenings ..................... 59 Angels’ Rest Retreat........................................ 17 Angels Teach ................................................... 49 Angelscapes ................................................31,82 Angeltouche .................................................... 82 Annie Appleseed Project ............................... 63 Arvigo Massage............................................... 31 Ascend Hospice .............................................. 85 Rebecca Austill Clausen ................................ 57

R

Index of Advertisers Fall/Winter 2018

B Libby Barnett................................................... 80 Beadniks .......................................................... 28 Bhahma Kumaris ............................................ 83 Bhavna's Wellness Group ................................ 9 Glenn Bigonet ................................................. 78 Black Star Jewelry ........................................... 49 Boston School of Herbal Studies, The.......... 76 Mark Braunstein ............................................. 47 Bronte Moon ................................................... 46 Susan Burdick ................................................. 76 C Canton Spiritualist Church ........................... 28 Kristen Cappucci ............................................ 82 Cartomancer, The ........................................... 60 Central Mass Lyme Foundation ................... 42 Yvonne Chen ................................................... 75 Circles of Wisdom .......................................... 39 City Compost .................................................. 42 Copper Zap ..................................................... 23 Cosmic Cat ...................................................... 63 Creative Strands Hair & Bodywork.............. 83 Crystal Enchantment ..................................... 62 Crystal Hope Reed ......................................... 85 Crystal Reiki .................................................... 79 D Tina D’Amore .................................................. 80 Dancing Jaguar Inspirations.......................... 41 Delta Gardens ................................................... 3 Lori Diamond, Spiritual Medium ................ 41 Down to Earth Wood..................................... 14 Dragonfly Wellness......................................... 81 E Eagle Flight Healing ....................................... 81 Easton Yoga Center ........................................ 25 Eastover Estate and Retreat ........................... 51 Eclectic Institute of Aromatherapy and Herbal Studies, The ................................. 76 Elements Hot Tub Spa.................................... 79 Elemental Energies ......................................... 19 Enchanted Fox ................................................ 59 Essentially Holy .............................................. 81 F Rich Fanelli ...................................................... 17 First Church of Christian Science ................ 45 Barbara Foss .................................................... 16 Four Winds One Breath................................. 51 The Fourwinds Society .................................... 5 FrogPond Yoga Centre ................................... 25

Spring/Fall 2019 deadline:

January 31, 2019

G

L

Gabrielle Publishing House........................... 77 Arthur Gertler................................................. 43 Golden Ratio Products .................................. 10 Deborah Graham............................................ 77 Greater Boston Church of Spiritualism ....... 83 Groton Wellness Center ................................ 21 Gracelyn Guyol ............................................... 55

Learners Learning Inc .................................... 11 Pat LeBau ......................................................... 27 Light and Love Healing.................................. 81 Light Unlimited .............................................. 87 Eric Linter ........................................................ 75 Little Beaver Dream Catchers ....................... 45 Living Well Life Coaching ............................. 41 Lotus Flower Living........................................ 24 LoveLight Illuminations ................................ 11 Claire Luft ...................................................79,80

H HandTales ........................................................ 26 Healing Choices .............................................. 53 Healing Essence Center ................................. 23 Healing from the Body Level Up .................. 15 Healing Through Divine Love ...................... 85 Healing with Lisa ............................................ 81 Health Matters ................................................ 61 Healthy Spirit .................................................. 77 Heart and Soul Holistic Healing..............24,81 Heart Matrix LLC ........................................... 23 David Helfand ................................................. 51 Hetherman Health.......................................... 28 Hillside Herbals .............................................. 82 Holistic Nutrition Services ............................ 82 Holistic Oasis .................................................. 83 Holistic Wellness Center...........................43,80 Joan Holzman ................................................. 78 Hug Patrol........................................................ 45 I Inner Traditions .............................................. 47 InnerVision Crystals ...................................... 39 Inspire Your Journey .................................53,77 J Jack Press ......................................................... 62 John Harvey Gray Center .............................. 79 Barbara Johnson ............................................. 78 Joy Source, The................................................ 32 Just Bee and Me .............................................. 24 K Annie Kay ........................................................ 21 Nicole Kehoe-Barbosa ................................... 81 Marianne Knox ............................................... 32 John Koenig..................................................... 77 Pauline Kosowan ............................................ 81

86 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018

M M.A.S.H. .......................................................... 61 Maha Yoga Center .......................................... 25 Tina Marian..................................................... 60 Linda Marks .................................................... 78 Wendy Marks .................................................. 81 Massachusetts Satsang Society, Inc. ........31,32 Massage Envy .................................................... 2 Medical Aesthetics of New England .............. 4 Merry Go Music ............................................. 47 Metrowest Thermal Imaging......................... 16 Raphael Michaels ............................................ 61 Ross Miller.............................................35,37,52 Lori Miller-Freitas .......................................... 78 Move Better, LLC ............................................ 80 N Natural Living Expo ......................................... 7 Nature’s Rite....................................................... 4 NE Institute of Reflexology ........................... 77 Northeast Reiki Center .............................77,79

Rhys Thomas Institute ................................... 88 Kristine Romano1 ............................................ 9 Rowe Camp & Conference Center ............... 13 S Sacred Song Reiki ......................................29,55 Sacred Stone Academy of Massage and Ayurveda .................................. 29 Salve Regina University ................................. 37 Sanctuary for Celestial Empowerment, The ...................................39,46 Leslie Anne Scatena........................................ 52 Science of Spirituality..................................... 13 Andrea Seiver .................................................. 77 Sheepskin Mama............................................. 26 Sound Foundations Circles of Light ............ 62 Source Reunion Corp .................................... 45 Spa Tech ........................................................... 76 Spirit Hollow ................................................... 45 State of Grace Yoga ......................................... 27 Still Waters Retreat ......................................... 82 Kelle Sutliff ...................................................... 82 T Taproot Herbals .............................................. 16 Tarot By Jacqueline ......................................... 46 Touchstone School ......................................... 76 U-V-W Vendetti Wellness Group PC ........................ 21 Tina Vesely ...................................................... 62 Vesta ................................................................. 10 Tamara Villeux ................................................ 28 Vita Therapia ..............................................45,76 Amy Wagner, Parent Coach .......................... 76 Pat Warren ....................................................... 80 Way to Balance,The ........................................ 13 Web Expressions ............................................. 33 Web of Light Expo .......................................... 19 Wellness Roundtable, The ............................. 43 Jane Wentzell ................................................... 85 Westborough Yoga.......................................... 25 Trish Whynot .................................................. 78 Wisdom of the Ages ....................................... 47 Women of Wisdom ...................................33,76 Worcester Yoga Center ............................25, 83 Wu Healing Center......................................... 64 X-Y-Z Yoga Anita ....................................................... 24 Yoga at the Ashram ........................................ 29 Yoga Studio, The ............................................. 25 YogaLife Institute ............................................ 26 Your Health Matters ....................................... 35

O Olson Media Group ....................................... 59 Open Circle Acupuncture & Healing .......... 75 Open Heart Healing ....................................... 79 Opening Lotus Yoga ....................................... 25 Organic Garden Cafe ....................................... 5 Osher Center for Integrative Medicine........ 53 P Bonnie Page ..................................................... 57 Path to the Present.......................................... 78 Pets and Spirits................................................ 49

Contact Us: (508) 278-9640 advertise@spiritofchange.org

THE REJUVENIZER Phyllis Light, Ph.D & Telepathic Healer

®

A LIFETIME OF HEALING AND PROTECTION

“Since wearing the Personal Rejuvenizer, I’ve seen a real difference in my health and energy level. When I’m around people who are sick with colds and the flu, I don’t get sick anymore, like I used to. Also, I used to be so tired, I’d practically be dragging myself around, and I don’t feel that anymore.”

THE REJUVENIZER IS DESIGNED TO HELP :

• Protect you from EMFs and other

R.R., Manchester, Connecticut

damaging frequencies

(from computers, cell phones, microwaves, TVs, satellites, wireless internet, etc.)

BEFORE

• Combat fatigue, headaches, and eyestrain

• Protect you from other people‘s negative energies

• Strengthen the

This woman had only a few hours sleep the previous night and felt exhausted at the time this photo was taken.

immune system

• Uplift you spiritually

AFTER

and more!

After wearing the Personal Rejuvenizer for only 20 minutes, she reported feeling more awake, energized and refreshed.

Light Unlimited www.spiritofchange.org

(512) 301-2999

www.lighthealing.com FALL/WINTER 2018 | Spirit of Change 87

88 Spirit of Change | FALL/WINTER 2018