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Section Title

SPIRITUALITY10 The Weave of Oneness13 Practical Spirituality: Unity or Separation?15 Reflections...OneHumanFamily16 Angels & Inspirations: Through Your Lens19 TheWayItIs:IfWe’reAllOne...24 Crystals&Gems:PowerofShapes29 Beyond Being: Return to Union

HEALTHYLIVING14 BecomingOnewithNature17 Captain’sCompass:GreaterthantheSum

TOOLS & TIPS8 ThePowerofIntuition12 AwakenthroughSpiritualMeditation25 Light, Love, Laughter: We Are One26 AskDr.ZZ30 PastLifeTherapyHealingMethod

TRANSFORMATION4 Awakening:MakingSenseofitALL7 AConnectionAmongAllThings22 Oneness27 BeingOnewiththeDivine

INSPIRATION6 EternalLifethroughFacebook20 EnlightenedRelationships:Happiness23 LearningtoFly28 AligningwiththeTruthofOneness19 HolyMoleCartoon

© Copyright 2012 Transformation Magazine. All rights reserved.

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Making Sense of it

ALLInoneofmyrecentarticlesIwasextollingthevirtuesof

livingapurposefullife,andyettodayIwilltellyoutoletitallgo—to just be—to just experience theOneness that you are.Thismonth’sfocus,Oneness,isdeep,profoundandmind-boggling.Mostworldreligions,largeandsmall,haveteachingsofonenessattheircore.Weexperiencelifeasindividuals,howeveratsomelevel,weare told,weareallOne. I believe thatEckhartTollecapturesthisconceptbestwhenhesays:

“Imagine a ray of sunlight that has forgotten it is an inseparable part of the sun and

deludes itself into believing it has to fight for survival and create and cling to an identity other than the sun. Would the death of this

delusion not be incredibly liberating?”

Indeeditwouldbeliberatingtoawakentotheremem-brancethatwearenotanisolatedfragment,wearethelightofthesun.Wecouldeaseintoalifeofpureblissaswereleasethefranticgraspingmostallofusexperienceaswefussaboutinafrenzied state of desperation, clinging to our possessions and identities, in anever-ending search for purposeandmeaning.OccasionallysomeofusglimpseOneness—throughmeditation,amomentofbeautyoranexperienceofdeepcompassion.

Even those of us with the best intentions for living a spiritual life spend more time discussing and pondering such abstract

concepts than actually experiencing them.

I donot knowwhat to tell you thatwill increaseyourexperienceof“Oneness.”OnethingIcantellyouisthathippos

Spiritually Speaking

with MarciaBender

An Apple a Day

With D. Carol Roberts, M.D.with Rev. Marla Sanderson

Ask

Dr. ZZEnlightenedRelationshipsAwakening

with the Editor

Natalie Amsden

spend18hoursadaywallowinginthewatertogivetheirheavybodiesarest.Lizardsandturtlesspendalotoftheirtimebask-inginthesun.Theydonotneedapurposetodrivethem.Theydonotfeelasthoughthereisnopointtotheirexistenceiftheyaren’tconstantlyaccomplishingsomething.

Just being alive is enough of a reason to live.

They justARE—theyseemtoexperienceOneness—andtheyenjoyit.Ashumanswehavethegiftofcriticalthinkingandconsciousthought,whichmeanswecanintentionallyevolveourselvesandimprovetheworldaroundus.But,therearetimesIthinkweallneedtotakemoretimejusttoBE—toexperienceOnenessliketheanimalsdo.Ithinkweneedtomakeitokaytowallowinthewateralldayorbaskinthesun.Toomanyofusareonoverdrivetoomuchofthetime.

Modernsciencetellsusthatwe—andeverythinginouruniverse—areallmadeofthesamestuff:stardust.Actually,weareoftentoldthatitisnot“dust,”butratherenergythatcompriseseverything.Others,includingmanyreligiousandspiritualperspec-tives,pointout that therehas tobeaSource (knownbymanynames)ofallofthisandthatthisSourceisourcomposition.Theysaythatthe“something”we’remadeofcamefrom“nothing.”So,perhapsthatmeanswefindour“Oneness”in“nothingness.”LikeIsaid,thistopiccanreallymakeyourheadspin.

“I have observed the power of the watermelon seed. It has the power of drawing from the ground and through itself 200,000 times its weight. When you can tell me how it takes this material and out of it colors an outside surface beyond the imita-tion of art, and then forms inside of it a white rind and within that again a red heart, thickly inlaid with black seeds, each one of which in turn is capable of drawing through itself 200,000 times its weight—when you can explain to me the mystery of a water-melon, you can ask me to explain the mystery of God.”

—WilliamJenningsBryan

I say that if the life of a simple watermelon seed is so difficult to comprehend, we can ease up on ourselves if we have difficulty wrapping

our brains around Oneness.

Ioftenwonderwhywe,myself included,putsomuchpressureonourselvestoliveaspirituallife.Iguessit’sbecausewe’reoftenafraid.Weare,afterall,apieceofsunlighttrappedinanillusionofseparateness.AlthoughOnenessasanintegratedexperienceinmylifestilleludesme,Idoknow—andhaveex-perienced—thatthereisnothingtofear;wehaveeverythingweneedandloveisallthereis.

We are One: There is nothing to fearAll fearhas itsorigin in the illusionofseparation.We

feellikewe’reunderconstantthreat,feelincomplete,feelaban-doned.However,ifweareallOnethatmeansthereisnothingoutsideofourself. Itwouldmeanthattherecanbenobadorgood, since it is all Source. Itwouldmeanno harm could be

Natalie, Publisher of Transformation Magazine, has worked with thousands of people seeking to live a life of purpose and genuine relationship with their true selves, others, and their world. She is the former Director of a counseling center for at risk teenagers and their parents. She is also a public speaker and leads workshops and retreats on Practical Spirituality, Finding Joy, Discovering Your Purpose, and Enlightened Relationships.

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Transformation

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done,whichmeansthere’snothingtofear.

You have it All: Look within“A beggar had been sitting by the side of the road for

over 30 years. One day a stranger walked by. ’Spare some change?’ mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his old baseball cap. ’I have nothing to give you,’ said the stranger. Then he asked, ’What’s that you’re sitting on?’ ’Nothing,’ replied the beggar. ’Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember.’ ’Ever looked inside?’ asked the stranger. ’No,’ said the beggar. ’What’s the point? There’s nothing in there.’ ’Have a look inside,’ insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box was filled with gold.”

“I am that stranger who has nothing to give you and is telling you to look inside. If you haven’t found the joy, peace, and abundance of your true self, you are a beggar even if you have great material wealth.”—Eckhart Tolle

IfweareOneness,thenwecontainandarepartoftheInfiniteWhole.Ourpointofconnectioniswithin,soasweseekinwardwecanopentoandreconnectwiththecoreessenceofwhat we truly are—theAll—in which case there is absolutelynothingthatwecouldpossiblylack.

There is only Love: All else is illusion

“Your love is not outside; it is deep within you. You can ever lose it, and it cannot leave you. It is not dependent on some other body, some external form. Love is not selective, just

as the light of the sun is not selective...”

“There may be one person who reflects your love back to you more clearly and more intensely than others... but the bond that connects you with that person is the same bond that connects you with the person sitting next to you on a plane, or with a bird, a tree, a flower. Only the degree of intensity with which it is felt differs.”—EckhartTolle

Thatbondthatconnects—that love—that isOneness.You,me, thebeggarsittingon theboxfilledwithgoldand thewatermelonseed—weareallOneness.Compassionandhatred,violence,andtenderness—allareOneness.Povertyandriches,equalityandoppression—allareOneness.Thegood, thebad,themagnificent, and the heinous—all ofwhich are labeled assuchbyourcollectiveegos,yetatthecoreitisallOneness.Itiseasy,forsome,toknowOnenesswhensittinginmeditationorseeingone’sreflectioninthebeautyofthesettingsun;however,thetruechallengeistolookOnenesssquareintheeyeofitAllandKnowwithinthedepthsofyourbeingthatittrulyisallgood.

It is all LOVE. It is all ONE.

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Inspiration

By Alan Cohen

IwassurprisedtoreceiveaFacebookfriendinvitationfromEricButterworth,arespectedauthorandministerwhoin-troducedmetothenewthoughtmovementmanyyearsago.TheastoundingelementofDr.Butterworth’s invitation is thathe isdead.Hepassedawayeightyearsago.HowhefoundhiswayontoFacebookisamatterofgreatinteresttome.

The Internet and Facebook bear huge metaphysical lessons.

Intruthnooneeverdiesandwearecapableofcom-municatinginterdimensionally.InthemovieTheLastStarfighter,ayoungJedi-likedisciplegrowssadwhenhelearnsthatoneofhisheroeshasbeenkilled.Hismentortellshim,“Heisnotdead.Heisjustbattlingevilonanotherdimension.”Onamoreearthlyplane,afriendofminetoldmethathismotherhadjustpassedaway.WhenIofferedhimmycondolences,heexplained,“Shereallyjustchangedaddresses.”

Just as the essence of a person never dies, neither do relationships.

All real relationshipsareeternal.Youmightbreakup,getdivorced,moveawayfromeachother,oroneofyoumightpasson.Noneoftheselogisticalshiftsdiminishtherelationship.Onlytheloveisreal.Everythingelseisjuststoryline.A Course in Miracles tells us, “Nothing real can be threatened. Nothingunrealexists.”

OneofmyfavoriteJohnDenversongsisAnnie’s Song. WhenIattendedoneofJohn’sconcerts,hementionedthatAn-nie’sSongisthemostpopularofallofhiscompositions.“WhenIwenttoIndia,peoplewouldstopmeonthestreetandsingtome,‘Youfillupmysenses....’”herecounted.WhenIreadJohn’sautobiography,Take Me Home,IlearnedthathewrotethesongforhiswifeAnnie,fromwhomhelatergotdivorced.InitiallyIfeltsadthatsuchanexhilaratingromanticsongyieldedtodivorce.Then I realized that the love John expressed when he wrotethesongwasgenuine.Whathappenedafterthatislessimpor-tant than thepassion thatflowedthroughhimat thatmoment.Thoughthemarriageended,thepassionthatinspiredthesongiseternalandavailabletoanyonechoosingloveatanytime.

Forms of relationship may change, but the energy that joins people in their finest

moments cannot be destroyed.

ImetJohnDenverwhenIwaswalkingalongaremoteroadonMaui.Drivingarentalcar,hepulledoverandaskedmeifIwantedaride.Iwasenjoyingmywalk,andmuchasIwouldhavelikedtoridewithhim,ItoldhimthanksbutIwouldcontinuewalking. I tookJohn’shandand toldhimhowmuchhismusichad inspiredmeovermanyyears.Hesmiled, toldme “Thankyou,”andcontinuedonhisway.AfewyearslaterIlearnedthatJohnhaddiedinasmallplanecrash.UponhearingthatnewsIwassogratefulIhadthatmomenttotouchhimandsaythankyou.LikeJohn’smusic,thatmomentismineforever.

Ifyouhavegonethroughabreakupordivorce,partedwayswith a friend, or experienced the death of a loved one,takeheart.Thepreciouselementsoftherelationshipareyoursalways.Peopleandcircumstancescomeandgo,butyourcon-nectioninSpiritisinseparable.

That’s why and how dead people can friend you onFacebook.Theydon’t really go very far fromyou, just behindacurtain.Youcan’t touch themwithyourfingers,butyoucantouchthemwithyourmindandheart.That’swhyI’mestablishinganalternativetoFacebook.I’mcallingitFaithbook.We’remak-ingamovieaboutitcalledThe Spiritual Network.OnFaithbookyouareconnectedtoeveryoneeverywhereallthetimeandyoudon’tneedacomputertocommunicate.Therearenoannoyingadsorsillygames,andtheorganizersdon’tkeepchangingtherules.YoumakefriendsonlybytheLawofAttraction,andmes-sagesthatyouwouldhavetoblockonFacebookneverget toyouonFaithbookbecausetheydon’tmatchyou.Youcaneasilycommunicatewithdeparted lovedonesbecauseonFaithbooknooneeverdies.

Allrelationshipsofferustheopportunitytodiscernbe-tweenrealityandillusion.Wemakeupallkindsofstoriesinre-lationshipsthatcauseuspainandsorrow.Therelationshipjour-neyevolvesfromthestorieswemadeuptostoriesthataretrue.Contrarytowhatsoapoperas,romancenovels,andmoviestellyouaboutrelationships,theonlyrealpurposeofrelationshipsistoexperiencedeeperlove.Thatlovedoesnotdependonwhatourbodiesaredoing. Itdependssolelyonwhatourheartandmindaredoing.

WhenFacebookbecamepopularIresistedjoiningbe-causeIdidnotwanttospendanymoretimeonthecomputer.NowIlikeit.Whereelsecanyougetmessagesfromdeadpeo-pleyoulove?Intheolddaysyouwouldhavetogotoamediumtogetmessagesfromthedeparted.Nowyougotosocialmedia.It’skindofcoolwhenyouthinkaboutit:Nooneeverdies.TheyjustmovetoFacebook.

Alan Cohen is the author of many popular inspirational books, in-cluding the newly-released Enough Already: The Power of Radical Contentment. Join Alan for Metaphysics and Miracles, May 30-June 3 at the Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, CO. For more informa-tion about this program and Alan’s other books and free daily inspi-rational quotes via email, visit www.alancohen.com, email info@alancohen.com, or phone 808-572-0001.

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ByJohnMathis

Theearlymorning’s embrace is cool and comforting.Bothmyhouseandneighborhoodarestillquietandsetthetoneformyexcursionintothegarden.Silently,Igatherafewgardentoolsandmybabies,stillstandingstraightintheirplasticflat,andtakethemtomyraisedgardenbox—ahumblealterwheregoodintentionsandMotherNaturemeet.AsIkneelbeforetheblackspaceofpossibilities,myfocusshifts.Whatappearstobeanemptyspaceisactuallyteemingwithactivity.Iammomentarilyabsorbedintheactivityofants,spiders,andworms,scurryingaboutwithintentionsoftheirown.Iadmiretheirenergyandtenacity.

My focusshiftsmore frequently than itused to. I rememberhaving touseaforceofwilltotakeamomentandsmelltheroses.Now,Icanbeinthemiddleofataskandsuddenlymyfocusshifts.Iamthenpresentedwithadeepermeaningtowhatever Iwouldhave formerly consideredameaninglessactivity.There isnowaconnectedness.IattributethistoaneardeathexperienceIhad.Sincethen,IcanseeaconnectionamongallthingswherebeforeIsawnone.Becauseofthis,IbelieveIap-proachthingswithanewmindfulness.Iknowthisyear’sgardenwillbequitedifferent.

Myfocusshiftsagain.IthinkaboutthesoilasImoveitandshapeit.Howlonghasitbeenhere?Overtheages,whatotherplantsandanimalshasitbeenapartof?Willitendupstayinghereorbecomingpartofatomatoplant?Willitthenbecomeapartofme?Ihaveneverbeforeconsideredthemanypathsofexistenceaspeckofdirtmightfollow.

Withatendertouch,Igentlyreleaseeachplantfromconfinement.Iholdeachplantinmyhandsforamomentandclosemyeyes.Ienvisionahealthyplantgrowingtoitsfullestexpression.AsIsitthereinthatmomentofexpectation,Ifeeltheenergystarttoflow.Inthe17yearsIhavebeenpracticingReiki,Ihaveneveruseditwhileplanting.ItseemssillythatIhadnotthoughtofthisbeforenow.Infact,inthepast,gardeningwasachore:turnthedirt,planttheplants,waterthewholemess,andmoveontothenexttask.My...howthingshavechanged.

The moment when I am sitting in a quiet garden with a living thing in my energetic hands has both reverence and mystery.

Idon’tknowwhattocallit,butinmyminditiswherereligionandmagicin-tertwine.Itiswhereagoodintentionbeginsitsmanifestationintoreality.Thesymbolsand colors I seebehind closedeyes tellme somethingdynamic is goingonhere.

Somesaywemakeourownreality. Inmylittle plot of reality, I pray that through divine alchemymy babies grow big, hearty, andwholesome.Theplantingbegins.Sincenoone isaround to think illofmybehavior, ItalksoftlytoeachplantasIsurrounditwithenergyandsoilandencourageittogrow.

Afterward,Isitattheendofmygar-denandreflectonhowitlooks.Thegreen,yellow,andorangestandinbrilliantcontracttothemidnightsoil.Ithinkitisbeautiful.AsIgazeuponthegardenathoughtappears.Agardenisareflectionoflove.

A garden is a result of the light of your love shown

through the prism of Mother Nature.

Yougiveofyourtime,energy,andhopeandwhatcomesbacktoyouismag-nified,manifold, and colorful.Your gardenreflects pure love without any human dis-sonance. Your love isn’t questioned. Yourlove’ssincerityisnotchallenged.Itsmotivesarenot indoubt.Lovespentinthegardenactuallycomesbacktoyouasmorelove.

We could learn a lot from plants.

Here’s my advice—skip the neardeathexperience.Plantasmallgardenandvisititdaily.Giveyourselfpermissiontoex-perienceaconnectionwherepreviouslyyouthoughtherewasnone.Soon,youtoowillseethatallthingsareintertwinedandthatamomentinthegardenmaybethemostim-portantpartofyourday.Youmaytakeawayfromitmorethanabunchofvegetables.

John Mathis is an award winning bass-baritone vocalist, author, nurse, pharma-ceutical researcher, corporate trainer, reiki master, and paranormal investigator. He has survived a coma, a near death experi-ence, bankruptcy, divorce, welfare, and the death of his last family member—all within the last 7 years. John’s hobbies include writing, carpentry, biking, and combining Reiki & astral projection. Contact John at alchemists.heir@gmail.com or visit www.alchemistsheir.com.

Transformation

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money Icouldearnonce Igraduated. I recentlysawMichaelEisner,theCEOofTheWaltDisneyCompanyfrom1984untilhisousterin2005,interviewedonCharlieRose.Hecomment-edonhowhedidn’tquiteunderstandwhyasyoungchildrenweweretaughttosharewhatwehadwithothers,whetheritbeourtoysoroursandbox,etc.,butatsomepointwereachedacertainagewhereallofthatwentoutthewindow.Atthatpointlifebecamemoreaboutbeing thebest,oftenat theexpenseofothers,asopposedtohowwecouldbesthelp,share,andcooperatewiththoseverysamepeople.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize that there are two voices operating inside of me,

often giving me very different messages.

Thefirstiscertainlythatofmymind,whichiseverpres-ent (if perhapseven toopresent),and it continues tohelpmenavigatemywaythroughthischallengingworld.Thesecondisabitofaquietervoice,alsoeverpresent,anditpatientlywaitsformetohear,shouldIfindthetimetolistenbeyondtheloudandincessantchatteringofmymind.

Forme, this voice seems to localize somewhere be-tweenmysolarplexusandmystomach,ormoresimplystated,betweenmyheartandmygut.Ibelievethistobethevoiceofmyintuition.Atfirst,ourintuitivevoiceoftenisn’tsoeasytohear.Weweren’ttaughtinschoolhowtohearit,orforthatmatter,evento listen to itatall.But Idobelieve that this isperhapswheretheproblemscreatedbythemindmightbesolved.Ourintuitionoftenscaresourmind,as itsmessagescanbenon-linearandillogical.Butmysenseisthat itverywellmaybethecompass

ByAndrewAppel

“The problems of the world will not be solved at the same level of thinking that created

them.” —Albert Einstein

Of all of Einstein’s famous quotes, this is one ofmyfavorites.Comingfromarguablyoneofthesmartestpeople intheworld,Ithinkittakesgreatcouragetoadmitthattherearecertain limitations to thinking, logic, andall the other gifts ourmindshavetooffer.

There isnodoubt thatourmindscanbeveryuseful,and the accelerated industrial and technological growth thatwe’veseenoverthelastcenturyiscertainlyatestamenttothat.Butitalsoseemstruethat,attimes,thinkingcanbeoverrated,andonemightarguethattheacceleratedinequitiesandcontin-uedsufferingsoftheworld,despiteourtechnologicalandindus-trialadvancements,canbeseenasatestamenttothat.

Personally, I find it very hard to reconcile the contin-uedsufferingsof theworldwith theongoingmaterial improve-ments and achievements of the last few centuries that havecomefromtheintellectandcreativityofmankind.Despitetheseachievements,theproblemswefacetodayseeminmanywaysmoredifficultandchallengingthantheydidevenadecadeago.ThankstothepoweroftheInternet,thereisn’tanythingthatanyofuscan’tfindoracquirewithintheinstantclickofamouse,andyetIdon’tknowtoomanypeoplewhowouldhonestlysaythatanyofthishasmadeusanyhappierormorefulfilled—perhapsithasmadeusevenlessso.

If it is in fact true that the problems of the world can’t be solved at the level of thinking that created them, then where are we to turn?

Myownchildhoodeducation,generallyspeaking,setouttosharpenmymindasmuchaspossible, inhopesthatIwouldbeable to utilizemy intellect as best as I could oncethrust into thecompetitiveadultworld thatawaitedme.Get-tingthebestgradeswouldhopefullygainmeentranceintothebestschools,whichwouldhopefullyhelpmemake themost

Tools & Tips

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thatcanbringusbackintoalignmentwithadeeperintelligenceand knowing that ismuchgreater than that of our egobasedlimitedminds.

How to Access Our IntuitionThere is a very simple yet powerful exercise to help

peoplebetteraccess their intuition.Let’s sayyouare tornbe-tweentwooptions,sayAandB,andtrulydon’tknowwhattodo.OptionAhasitsprosandcons,butsodoesoptionB,makingithardtoknowhowtoproceed.Perhapsyou’vebeengoingbackandforthforsometimenowbetweenthetwo,seeminglycaughtin“noman’sland”.

WhatIwouldrecommendisthis.Takeafewmomentstocalmyourselfdown—andquietyourmindasmuchaspos-sible.Theneitheraskyourself,orhaveafriendaskyou,inthemostsimpleanddirectwaypossible—isitoptionAoroptionB?Youwillneed tobeasawareandhonestwithyourselfasyoupossiblycan—inordertoheartheanswerthatcomesfirst—usu-allyinamillisecond—ifnotsooner.

The intuition usually knows instantly. Our challenge is to be quiet, centered, and aware

enough to hear it.

Usually, after this millisecond, most intuitive answersarefollowedbya“but...”containingallsortsofreasonswhyyou

shouldn’t listen to your gut instinct.My advice: Don’t listen toanythingthatfollowsthe“but…”Thisisjustyourmindtryingtotalkyououtofwhatyouintuitivelyknowtobetrue.

Sometimesanswersarenoteasytocomeby,andifthisisthecase,takeyourdilemmaintoyourmeditations,andtokeepaskingyourselfquestionsuntiltherightdirectionbecomesclear.Ifunsure,trytowaituntilyouare.Thereisnorush.Ourmindsoftentendtomovemuchfasterthanourintuitionswanttoorarewillingtogo,solearningtoslowdowncanoftenbeanessentialpartoftheprocess.Asoverratedasthinkingcanbesometimes,perhapssilenceandstillnessaretoooftenunderrated.

Listening to our intuition often takes a great deal ofcourageand faith,as itcan involveadramaticdeparture fromthemessagesand thinkingmechanismswe’vebeen taught tousesincetheearliestofages.Butmysenseisthatintimeandwithpractice, learning toaccessand followour intuitionsmayinfactbewherewefindmany,ifnotmostofthesolutionstosomanyofthepersonalandcollectiveproblemsweface.

Andrew Appel is the Creative Director for Beyond Suc-cess, a coaching and consulting firm that blends holistic and socially responsible ideas with the world of business and wealth management. For more information, please visit www.BeyondSuccessConsulting.com.

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ByDonnaPinkstonandLisaClift

We are all woven from the samecloth—thefabricofoursharedrealityanditsuniverse—butwemustnot forget thateachindividual also represents a single piece of yarn on the loom of creation. If just onestrandisremovedoraltered, itchangesthepatternoftheweave.

The illusion(orMaya,as it isoftencalled) of our perceivedworld is a dualisticcomposite—aninterlacingthatincludesfeel-ings, perceptions, thoughts, and conscious-ness—which creates the physical realm.Looking at it this way, it’s easy to see thatweareBOTHindividual threadsandpartofthewhole fabric, the source of all that is—the Oneness. We may even want to lookbeyond this conclusion and recognize thatwe areNEITHER finite individuals or fusedcompletely with the infinite becauseALL isinaconstantstateofflux.Regardlessoftheview that suits our current level of spiritualawareness and belief system, recognizingthat therearenoabsolutes canallowus tobecomemoreobjectiveinexploringperspec-tivesonOnenessandindividuality.

The Great Duel

“Polarity is paradoxical. The two poles of a polarity are irreconcilable opposites, yet indivisibly one because they

can only exist together.”

“What appears as either/or is es-sentiallyboth/and.Theprimalpolaritywhichformsthefoundationofexistenceisthelife-dreamer [you, the yarn] and the life-dream[theMayaorreality,thefabricofexistence],

whichappeartobetwobutareessentiallyone.Existenceisanessentialonenessap-pearingasduality.Thelife-dreameristheonenessofunconsciousawareness,whichis thepotential toexperienceeverything. Itspolaropposite is the infinitelyvariousformswhichcomprisethelife-dream.Awarenessbecomesconsciousthroughthesedifferentforms.”TimothyFrekeandPeterGandy,The Laughing Jesus.

“A yarn” also can be defined a story, the tale of each individual, each “aware” person as a unique thread or

perspective viewing the Oneness from its position in the weave.

If lookedat fromtheangleofquantumphysics,weareawareness in theNOW,withthepossibilityofexistingindifferentstates.“Forexample,mostofustendtothinkofanelectronasatinysphereoraBBwhizzingaround,butnothingcouldbefurtherthanthetruth.Althoughanelectroncansometimesbehaveasif itwereacompactlittleparticle,physicistshavefoundthatit literallypossessesnodimen-sion.[It]candissolveintoablurrycloudofenergyandbehaveasifitwereawavespreadoutoverspace.Whenanelectronmanifestsasawaveitcandothingsnoparticlecan.Ifitisfiredatabarrierinwhichtwoslitshavebeencut,itcangothroughbothslitssimultaneously.…Theelectron,likesomeshapeshifteroutoffolklore,canmanifestaseitheraparticleorawave.”—MichaelTalbot,The Holographic Universe

Thischameleon-likephenomenonillustratestheessentialandcontinuouslychangingnatureofreality,whichmakesitimpossibletoclassify“absolutes.”Ifwecanembracethisphilosophywhenitcomestounderstandingthenatureofourownex-istence,itwillmakeourworldmoreexpansive,moreexciting,andofferusunlimitedopportunitiestoexploreourownawarenesswithacceptanceofALL.

“Whatwegenerallyfailtoappreciateisthatit’ssimplybyourholdingontoaspecificview—believinginit,relyingonit,clingingtoit—thatitbecomesfrozenandex-treme.Because[such]viewsarebynatureconceptual,theyattempttofreezetheworldintosolid,separateentities,whether thoseentitiesareGoodness,Evil,selves,non-selves,books, light,enlightenment…orany thingor thoughtwhatsoever.Ofcourse,all such attempts fail.Theworld of experience simply isn’t frozen.Realitywon’t becondensedintoconcepts.Ourimmediate,directexperiencebearsthisout.

“Every atom, every miniscule part of the universe, is nothing other than movement and change.”

“The same is true of ourmental experience, our feelings, thoughts, andimages.It’sanindisputablefactofexperience—ofourdirect,immediateperception—thatallthingsareemptyofself.…Realityissimplythus—immediate,directexperi-ence,priortoanyideasorexplanationsatall.Toexplainrealityistoboxitupandcart

Spirituality

The WEAVE of

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tion, or the Maya (Effect).

Focus on polarity dissolving as these two truths are united through the breath. Simply breathe in and out visualizing the cross becoming the infinity symbol at the apex of the heart. With each breath comes the blessings of life, and we receive the truth of Cause. Then we get to experience it in the world of effect. With each breath we also re-member that all is impermanent and created anew in every moment.

Donna Pinkston holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of South Florida. Her goal has been to bridge multiple realities through Carl Jung’s work with the collective unconscious and archetypal identification. With 30 years experience in mysticism, Donna’s studies have fo-cused on ancient mythologies and systems of magic, shamanism, astrology, and the tarot. She is based in Sarasota, FL, and can be reached at 941-993-7478. Lisa Clift is a writer, editor for Trans-formation, and former editor-in-chief who is an active member of the spiritual community is Sarasota. She can be reached at lisa@suncoasttransformation.com.

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itaway.It’sto ignoretheterritoryforthemap.”—SteveHagen,Buddhism Plain & Simple

Exploring the Territory Often,we tend to identify “goingwith theflow”as the

bestwaytomanageourawarenessofhowweconnectwiththeOnenessandstillmaintainindividualityatthesametime.How-ever,thisinsinuatesthatweareafiniteraftonthewater’scur-rent.Intruth,wearetheriver.

“We are as a drop of water in the ocean—bonded in Oneness to it, being of it and unto it, yet having identity and self-perception.”

Theperceptionofselfwouldbeasthetotality.Theall-encompassing.Theantithesisof limitation, inall respects. It istowardthepinnacleoffocusthatyoustriveinthepresentmo-ment,regardlessofwhetheryouareawareorunawareofsuchconcepts.”—Rasha,Oneness

Fromanotherperspective,TibetanBuddhistsrecognizeTwoTruths,whicharecomplementary:conventionalreality(theappearanceofthingsasseparate)andultimatereality(thewaythingsreallyare,theirinterconnectedness).“GesheRabtenusestheanalogyoftwoplanksofwoodthatareproppedupagainstone another to form a trianglewith the ground.These plankssupportoneanotherandneithercanstandalone.Ifonefalls,sodoestheother.Theabilityoftheplankstostandisconventionalreality; theirdependenceuponeachother is theultimate real-ity.”—Rebecca McClen Novick, The Fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism.

For those ready tobuildupon theirownpersonalun-derstandingofOnenessandexplorenewterritory,welooktotheBuddhistviewthatthedirectexperienceofmeditationisthebestwaytogainaclearerunderstandingofthetruenatureofreality.

The following mediation is designed to expand ourawarenessoftheinterconnectednatureofallthatis:

Picture a cross. This is our body. The apex of the verti-cal and horizontal axis is at our heart. This is the pres-ent, the ever-changing NOW, the intersection point of our personal weave in the fabric of existence. If we zoom into the apex, we see a black dot. If we zoom out we see not only the cross but the suggestion of an infin-ity symbol: the number 8.

The vertical line of the cross is the divine/spirit de-scending into thought. As it rounds the corner and be-comes the horizontal line, thought comes into physical form. Where the two intersect, at the heart, is the por-tal between Ma (truth/ultimate truth/Cause) and Maya (illusion/conventional truth or reality/Effect).

According to Jewish Kabbalah, we each have 613 desires in our hearts. One of those desires is the re-turn to “Oneness.” Imagine we exist 99 percent in the Oneness, the Ma (Cause), and 1 percent in separa-

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ByAdonisAlexander

Whatwillwakeusuptothereallifebeyondthisexistence?Perhapsyouhavegiventhisquestionsomethoughtandcouldnotdiscoverthetruepathtoreachthisdivineaspiration.Perhapsyoudidnotunderstand theworkingof themind,andwithout thiswisdomthereisnomeansofachievingtruespiritualawakening.

Spiritualmeditation,whichisbeyondthemind,doeshavethepowertoawakenyou to thedivine reality.Thismeditation is notman-made. It enters one’s beingandbringsstillness,whichiscompleteorder.

Manyhumanbeingsallovertheworldsitinsolitudetryingtomeditatewiththemind.Inthesepracticesacertainillusionistakingplace—theillusionthatvarioustech-niquesandmethodsofmeditationcanusethemindtofreethemind.Inuniversaltruth,anymeditationthatisofthemindislimitedbythemind.Attemptsbythemindtostopitselfarefutilebecausetheyforceyoutostrugglewithinyourselftohaltthenoise.Thiscreatesconflictwithinduality,notspiritualtransformation.Somehow,thissimplefacthaseludedmostpeople.

There is nothing to be gained by trying to stop the mind from thinking.

Amindthatsuppressesitsnoiseandcausesconflictisnotfreeinquietude.Toarrestthemindfromthinkingcanbebroughtaboutbyartificialmeans,butthisonlycre-atessuperficialeffects,notatrueawakening.

Therefore,allsuchmeansofusingefforttomeditatecreatesmentalsuppres-sion,whichisnottherealsilencebeyondthislife.Thisdivinesilencecomesonlythroughtheprocessofunderstandingoneself.Inthisregard,spiritualrealizationisnotamentalattainment.Itisanawakeningtothesacred.

Moving Beyond the MindToengageinspiritualmeditationistounderstandthatconsciouslythereisnoth-

ing foryou todo.Thispracticecomes intoyouressenceandactsof itsownaccord.Thereisnomeaningandnoneedtofallfortheillusionsoflearninganykindofmind-basedmeditationtoattaintruerealization.

Howdoesithappen?Spiritualmeditationcomeswhenyouareseriously inter-estedinunderstandingyourself.Thiskeenwatchfulnessawakenswithinyou,withoutcon-sciousintervention.Itisthecreativeessenceofthedivine,whichbringsordertothemind.

Spiritualmeditationactuallydissolvesthemovementofthemind,openingthe

door to the eternal silence beyond thementalrealmandeffortlesslyawakeningthedivinewithin.

Living in confusion, practicing variousformsofmeditation,peoplefailtorealize that themind-as-thought is rath-er clever. It can create the illusion thatit has found silence to keep itself alive.Forexample,somanyaretrappedinthelatest phenomenon of positive thinking,andmanydifferenttechniquesofmedita-tion thatdon’tactuallydeliverwhat theypromise.

Tobespirituallyfreeistobeto-tallyliberatedwithin,andthefreedomthatcomesthroughspiritualmeditationisnota response to anything. Spiritual libera-tionisnottheoutcomeofanymeans,norisittheresultofanyaction.

To be free of the mind and its illusions is to awaken to

life beyond sorrows.

Sorrow is the outcome of anoise-filled mind, which is destroyingtheessenceofour lives.Inthisregard,manyofusare imprisonedbyourdailylives.Wearetrappedinourmortgages,ourmarriages,and theendlessdesiresofourmind.Aslongasthemindiscon-ditioned, it isenslaved. It isup toeachindividual to see the light of insight and tounderstandtheimportanceofspiritualmeditation to be free of the darknessthatpermeateslife.

Canamindthatisnoisyunder-standsuchathing,orwillitsimplytrytoimagine what it means? The mind-as-thought is noise that prevents clarity and understanding.Therefore,yourproblemsremainaslongasyoudonotunderstandyourself.

To realize spiritual meditation,you need to open yourself up and inquire intothisdoorway.Emptyyourselfforthedivine (which is beyond yourself) to fillyour being. Spiritual meditation cannotbeformulatedorpracticed.Itcontainsitsownmovementandcanbringorderwith-outanykindofeffort.

Inotherwords,thereisnomedi-tator in themind when it comes to thismeditation. It is the purity of meditationthatawakenswithin.Itdoesnottapone’sownmentalskills,knowledge,orabilities.

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responsibility tounderstandyour lifeand to freeyourself fromsorrow.

Ifonepersoncanspirituallyawakenwithoutanyformofmeditation, prayer orwhatever else themind can comeupwith,anyonecan.Seeingthistruthforoneselfthedivinemysteryawakenswithin.

Adonis Alexander is a spiritual teacher who resides in the United States. For more information visit www.spiritual-awakening-now.com or email guest@adonisalexander.org.

acsallhaveexplainedourhumanplightthroughmythsandre-ligions.Somehavebeenhelpful.Somehavebeendevastating.

Consider this:No. 1 – It’s not out there

Themoreyoutrytocontrolconditionsandcircumstanc-esintheouterworld,themoreyouforgetthatwithinyouliesthepeace,power, love,and the truly importantqualitiesyouseek.You can never control people or situations enough to feel happy andsecure.Haveyounoticedthat?No. 2 – There’s just ONE thing going on and you’re IT

TheLifeweliveandtheMindweusetothinktogetherarejustonething—andwhileeachofusisunique,weallarepartof thisoneLife.Theuniverseandeverything in itexistswithinthisALL-INTELLIGENTCREATIVEMIND.ItsnatureisLove.Itsnature isHarmony,Wisdom,Peace, andAbundance. It is thesourceofLifeItself,andweallpartakeofthatnature.YoucannotexistoutsidethisOneLifebecausethereisnooutside—there’snoplaceelsetogo.

CallitGod,callitGoldfish—itdoesn’tmatter.YouonlyneedtolookaroundtoseethatSomethinggreaterthanwearecreateditall.Ididn’tdoit.Youdidn’tdoit.ButwecanseethatthereissomekindofIntelligencerunningtheshow.Somelim-itlessSource thatkeepsproviding—Lifeandstuff—everabun-dant.Thinkaboutit.Gettoknowit.Callitanythingyouwant.No. 3 – Your thoughts become things

ThereisaSpiritualPrincipleatworkwhetheryouknowitornot,andthethoughtsyouthinkandthewayyouthinkdirectstheeventsofyourlife.

You’ve been given complete freedom, and you canuseittomakeyourselfhappyormiserable,prosperousorpoor,healthyorfrail.Youcanwrestlewiththeworldoryoucancreateyourworldfromwithin.

Ifyoucouldrealize,absolutelyandcompletely,thatyoucreateyourworldwithyourthoughts,what’sthefirstthingyou’dstop thinking?What’s the second? Keep asking yourself thatquestion.

Thenask,“What’sthefirstthingyou’dstartthinking?”Goodwork.Keepitup.

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Marla Sanderson has been a student of spiritual practice for more than 35 years. She began as Assistant Director of The Next Step, a psychic and spiritual community in a New Mexico ghost town. As workshop leader, teacher, practitioner, and minister, she has led relationship and personal growth workshops, taught psychic development and meditation, Living Love, and the Science of Mind. Marla is available for workshops and speaking engagements. She recently founded the New Thought Center for Creative Living at the Unity Peace Cottage in Clearwater (see ad ). Attend the Mid-Week Faith Lift service, Wednesdays at 7pm. www.newthoughtctr.org

Unity or Separation? Three Thoughts to Change Your Life

“Unitypasses intovarietyandmultiplicitywithoutdivi-sion.”ErnestHolmes,HowToUsetheScienceOfMind

In some way or on some level, don’t we all wonderaboutourplaceintheuniverse?

Wecomeintothislifeandseeweareseparatebeings.Weallwearourownskin,haveindividualexperiences,andthinkourownthoughts.

WeforgetwherewecamefromandwhoweareaswegetcaughtupintheGameOfLife.Wegetdistractedbythestuffaroundusandadoptotherpeople’sknowledgeandopinionstofitin.Somethingsworkandsomedon’t.Hopefully,welearnfromourmistakes.

Aswetrytocope,weuseaggression,competition,andcontroltodealwithourcircumstancesandconditions.It’seasytodevelopthe“us”and“them”mentality.Wesuffer thepainofseparationandmayevenbelievethatsomedeityispunishingus.

Saintsandsages,religiousleaders,tyrants,andmani-

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Spirituality

Spiritualmeditation comeswithin you and transformsyourlife.Livingthenbecomesarathersimpleexpressionofun-conditionallove.

Because spiritual meditation is beyond the mind, itstartswhenyoubegintounderstandyourselfandyourlife.Canyoulivefreeofbeingconsciousofyourself?

Spiritual awakening is to come face-to-face with the truth for oneself.

Thereisnointermediarytocomebetweenyouandthisrealization.NoBuddha,noChrist,andnoGuru. It isyourown

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Healthy Living

ByDoloresJ.Gozzi

Weareconstantlyseekingbalanceinourlives.Welooktoourhomes,jobs,the environment, and contemplateways to finda connection thatwill bring peace,happiness,andharmony.Strivingtobecomeonewithnatureandtheelementsisawonderfulwaytomovetowardthisserenity.

Tapping into the forces of the elements—earth, water, air, fire, and Spirit—can help to bring new perspective to our quest.

Alllifehasvalueandpurpose,yetmanyofusdonoteventakethetimetositoutsideinnatureandreceivethehealingqualitiesitoffersourbody,mind,andspirit.Weareallpartofthewebofcreation,butwedon’talwaysrecognizeitspowerfulinflu-enceonourwell-being.Weunconsciouslythinkweareseparate.

Thinkaboutthisforaminute:Mostofusalreadyusenatureforitshealingqualitiesthroughthenaturalelementsweselectforourhome,office,oroutsideintheyard.Doyouhaveawaterfountain?Doyouhaveplantsoutsideorinthehouse?Howdoyoufeelwhenyouareabletositdowninaparkoroutsideontheporchandjustlistentothesoundsofthebirdsorcricketsastheycreateaharmonyanddancethedanceoflife?Doesthisrelaxyou?Whatdoyoudowhenyouarejugglingamillionthingsatonetime?

Wemightsay,“Iamgoinghomeandjustturningitalloff.”However,inthiscasewemostlikelywillgowithinourselvesandusesomeaspectofnaturetobalanceandrecreateharmonyinourbeing.Nowisthetimetobecomeawareofthistendencyand use it to our advantage!

Being in nature encourages us to see ourselves as part of the oneness of all LifeandtoliveinsustainablewaysthatcareforEarth,ourhome,andthewell-beingofallcreatures.

Ourancestors reliedon the rhythmsandcyclesofnature tosurvive. Thechangeofseasons,weather,foodcrops,andanimalmigrationsallprovidedsignposts.Theyusedthecyclesofnaturetoenhanceandenrichtheirlives.Tofeelconnectedtotheonenesstoday,weneedtofeelthatsamepulseofnature.Wemustfeelinharmonywithlifeandtheworldaroundus.Naturehasnolabels,nojudgment.Takeadvantageof its unconditional acceptance and love!

The Elements of BalanceWithinourenvironment there isa

naturalebbandflow. It’sup toeachofustorecognizewhensomethinghasbecomeunbalanced either internally or externally.Sohowdoesoneachievethisharmonyandhomeostasis?Wemustlearntoknowour-selves,whichincludesunderstandingwhento make corrections using our mind andto also recognizewhen it’s time to let theuniverse guide us to the solutions through intuition.

“The most difficult phase of life is not when no one

understands you; it is when you do not understand

yourself.” Author Unknown

Aswestepintotheactivephaseofthe year, learn to listen, to trust, and to act onyour innerwisdom tobringyourwholeself back into balance. In this processwecan look to theelementsasour teachers,andconnectwiththeirancientwisdomhelpopenourbeingtoitshighestpotential.

Earth. Earth is the foundation that holdsand contains all of the other elements.Afoundation is a starting point that everyone needs;ithelpstoensureagoodstructure.Looktothebodyasthefoundationforcar-ryingoutourlifeplan.Earthisthephysicalrealmthatcangroundandrootustounder-standandlearnabouttheworldinwhichwelive.Earthindividualsaresensibleandcanbetask-oriented.Thetrickistoleveragetheearthbutnottoget“stuck”ortoorootedsothatyoucannotorwillnotseetheotherele-mentsorsituationsinlifethatwillhelpustoexpandandgrow.

Water. Water teaches us about the emo-tional realm. We learn to understand thedepth of our emotions and how they canoverrunustothepointofnoreturn.Waterteachesusnotto“react”butto“respond”tosituations to help ourselves or those around usprocessemotions.Water istheonlyel-ement inwhichwecanseeour reflection,anditisamirrortooursoul.Watercanhelpcleanse us physically and emotionally. Italsocanshowushowtomagnetizeourde-sires!Water individualsneedto“feel”theirchoicesanddecisions. If it feelsright theydoit;ifitdoesnotfeelrighttheydonotdoit.

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Utilizewatertohelpexerciseyourintuition.

Air.Airteachesusaboutintention,communication,andthemen-talrealm.Itassistsusinworkingwiththoughts,focus,andelo-quentspeech.Airisanelementthatwecannotsee,butwecanfeel.Ittravelsaroundtheworld.Ourthoughtscanbecommuni-catedviaairfromonestatetoanotherorevenfromonecoun-trytoanother.Airisthebreathingmechanismweallneed.Inasymbiotic relationship,plantsproduceandfilterair forhumansto breathe, and humans exhale carbon dioxide to help plantsbreathe.Webecomeonewithintheweboflifeinthisprocess.Airindividualslovetocommunicatewithothersandcraveanex-pressiveenvironment.Useairtoconnectwithothersandshareideas through nature!

Fire. Fireteachesusabouttransformationandbalance.Itspro-cessislikethePhoenixrisingupfromtheashestotransformintoanewandbalancedbeing.However,bewareof toomuchfirebecauseitcanburnusout.Notenoughfireandwedonotfeelwarm,lackingtheenergyweneed.Firealsoisaboutactionandhavingpassionateenergy.Itisusedtohelpusigniteactionswithpassion!Fire individualsneedaconstantbalancedmovementinternallyandexternally.Changescancomeinrapidsuccessionwhenyoutapintofireandindividualswhoholditsflames.

Spirit. Spiritteachesusaboutouruniqueessenceandwhathasbroughtusforthintothisworld.UnderstandingSpiritmeansweunderstandourownuniqueinnergiftsandlearningtoworkwiththemtoguideusonourlifepath.AskyourSpirittoleadtheway!

Weallcanawakenour innergifts throughnatureandlearn toworkwith thesedivine forces,whichareboth internalandexternaltoourexistence.Notonlycantheelementsguideustomakechoicesanddecisionsforabetterlife,theycanhelpusexperience theeternal cycleof creation,which repeats thenever-endingpatternof“asabove,sobelow.”Embracetheires-senceandthrivewitheachcomingseason.

Dolores J. Gozzi is a nationally certified Licensed Massage Thera-pist and the founder of Healing Thru Bodywork & Nature’s Cycles (www.naturescycles.com). The company incorporates several modalities including aromatherapy, massage, bodywork, element bodywork, and meditation. Through continued education, Dolores is able to perform holistic therapeutic services and offer classes and workshops that promote healing. The mission of Healing Thru Bodywork & Nature’s Cycles is for each individual to be able to reconnect with his or her inner strength and guidance and create a personal world that is harmonious with the elements and guided by nature. For more information call 239-826-6960.

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Ricky Roberts III is the author of three books, an internet-radio host, youth advocate, inspirational speaker, and founder of YOU ARE VALUED, an organization devoted to promoting the value of the individual. His volunteer work includes Life Rolls On – a surf-ing program for individuals with spinal cord injuries and Surfing for Autism – a surfing program for individuals and families affected by autism. Ricky resides in St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife and their two dogs. www.rickyrobertsiii.com

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Spirituality

One Human FamilyOften timeswe let labels,heritage, religions,and job

titlesseparateus fromoneanother. Weallow thecategoriesinwhichwe falldefinewhoweare. Notonlydowe let themdefinewhoweare,wealsoallowthemtodictatehowwetreatoneanother.Intruth,nomatterwhatseparatesusinthesocialconstraintsofoursociety,whenyoupeelitallawayweareallapartofthesamefamily—human.

This is not to say thatwemust like our differencesorevenhavethesamebeliefs.However,thereissomethingweallshare—humanemotions. If thereisonethingwecan

allrelateonitiswhatitfeelsliketobehurt,letdown,ormis-understoodatsomepointinourlife.Ifwecanallappreciatethatcommonalitywecanappreciatethevalueinoneanother,despiteourdifferences.

Weareallboundbythehumanexistence.Regardlessofwherewelive,whoweare,andwhatwebelieve,weareallpeople.IamnomorevaluablethansomeoneinAfricawhogoeswithoutcleandrinkingwater,butmyresourcesallowmethingstheymayonlydreamof.

The more we are able to appreciate the needs of others as much as our own, the more we will experience the oneness in who we are.

Weareallpeopledoingthebestwecantosustainintherealityinwhichwelivein.

Trueequality in regard tohumanrightswillonlyexistwhenthereisnousorthem,thereisjustONE.Wecannotdic-tatewhoneedsourhelpmorethantheotherbecauseofageo-graphiclocationoranyotherreasonthatwedeemnecessarytodistinguishwhogetshelpandwhodoesnot.Allpeopledeservethesamerightstofairnessandwellbeingregardlessofwhoorwheretheyare.

Asahumanitywemustlearntoseetheneedsofsome-oneinAfrica,Egypt,Haiti,etc.inthesamewayweseethevalueofourownneeds. Ifweareever toexperiencepeace inourworld,wemusthonor theoneness inwhichweallshareasahumanfamily.

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“You each see your own version of reality. Your lim-ited perspectives guide your perceptions and understanding of things.” These words are in no way insinuating that we are lim-ited, but instead that we are each being guided and governed by limited experiences that do not give us the ability to accurately gage another’s way of perceiving reality. We can try and do our best to understand, but to fully know would require us to re-live our lives in the other person’s body with the same experiences they had.

I like to think that we could do this or at least intuitively connect to it, but since it’s not something that we collectively have mastered yet, let’s assume we can’t. The reason this is be-ing discussed is to remind us that we each have to do our best in remembering that the way we view a situation, experience, another person, an object, an idea, a belief, lifestyle, etc., is not how it will be viewed fully by another person and vice versa. So it’s essential for you to take time to consider this truth and take the steps necessary to honor others’ perspectives and points of view while still maintaining an honoring space for yourself.

In truth, if you were in disagreement with another person in regards to a situation and/or a topic, and you were taken back in time and given the opportunity to live life exactly

how it was experienced by this individual, it is highly likely that you too would feel the same as this person and hold the same perspective.

It’s not that you are being encouraged to agree with oth-ers all the time, but you must be open to the understanding that other people’s views and way of looking at life may be right for them, since it’s their experiences and uniqueness that have cre-ated the filters in their reality that determine what they perceive and understand.

On that note, remind yourself that you too are being governed by the same factors, and then sincerely step back and look at how your unique way of looking at life may be limited. It’s not that your view of life is negative, but it is important to periodically take time for introspection to determine what views about life are fully honoring you as an individual and which are serving as deterrents for growth, peace, love, joy, and success. Which filters color your world in ways that inspire and encourage enlightenment, and which ones are preventing you from seeing what you are meant to see?

You have a set of views and truths that make up who you are, how you respond, and what you feel guided to strive for in life. Words and the knowledge of things give you insights into understanding life, but please remember that words and percep-tions don’t fully encase the fullness of what something is, who someone is, and what reality truly is.

I hope I have given the adequate words to explain this truth that reminds us to take time to notice and be open to the unlimited potentials within our reality and the unlimited perspec-tives available to our mind.

Emily Rivera Andrews is a certified Angel Healing Practitioner, Reiki Practitioner, and an Angel Manifesting Master Practitioner. Emily shares techniques that have helped her become a Gifted Intuitive, In-tuitive Channeler, Healer, Manifester, and Angel Communicator. To ask your Angels a question, attend one of Emily’s local events or email emily@LivingtoInspire.com

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •Seeing Life through Your Own Lens

Everything you look at and experience through your senses is not seen or experienced in the same way by other people. If you and a friend were to look at flower, you would each see the flower, but the details that give life to the bloom would vary based on your personal perspectives. It’s a paradox that I am reminded of often. We are all one and have the ability to ex-perience life in a way that can be labeled by words and expres-sions; the problem is that words and expressions hold limitations at many levels.

I may call a flower by its name, but what I see and know to be the flower is not the same

“flower” seen by another.

No matter how similar our observations happen to be, I could never fully KNOW what the other person perceives in the “flower.” To do so, it would require me to step into the other person’s shoes and be a witness of the “flower” through the lens of his/her eyes. The new eyes that I would be looking from would guide my mind to interpret the reality of the flower through the filters that have been brought forth by the individual’s unique and personal experiences, teachings, beliefs, and understand-ings about life.

I find it challenging to put into words the concept that I am being guided to share this month. I would love to personally be showing you through a combination of words, gestures, and hand movements the knowledge being shared to me regarding this truth, which is part of the many paradoxes that make up our reality. However, since that is not possible, I will convey the truth in this message through the limited use of words.

As I sat down to write this column I heard the words,

“The images and the life seen by your senses is seen through your lens in a unique way.”

Spirituality

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anklecanhelprelieveneckandbacktension.Wecanseethatstructurallyourbody’s“oneness”actu-

allycomesfromthecoordinationandcooperationofanalmostcountlessnumberofcomponents.

Orientalmedicineillustrateshowthereisalsoasystemofactionsthatkeepuswhole.Accordingtothistheory,eachor-gansysteminthebodyisresponsibleforhelpingtogenerateorgently control anotherorgansystem. It is this intricate systemofchecksandbalancesthatkeepsourbodieshummingalonghealthily. For instance, when stress is managed properly, theliver remains inbalance.When the liver remains inbalance, itallowsforthesmoothdigestivefunctionofthespleenandstom-ach.Unfortunately,manyofushaveexperiencedthatparticularrelationship when it’s out of whack and undue stress createsdigestive turbulence.Wecanseehow important it is, then, tokeepeachofourorgansystemshappy(viadiet,acupuncture,supplementation,andexercise),astheyhaveadirectinfluenceontheirneighbors.

Together,thesephysicalcomponentsandtheiractionscreateus—they’rewhatmakeusalive!Theintegrityofourcellsreflects the state of our organs, and the health of our organsystemsexpressesourhealthasahumanbeing.Likewise,ourgeneralhealthand integrity reflect thewellnessof the largerorganizationsthatwecreate—ourfamilies,churches,commu-nities,andnations.Justaswearemadeupofnumerousbuild-ingblocks,weare thebuildingblocks for everythingwe seearoundus. It iscrucial tokeepourcells, tissues,andorgansfunctioningatoptimalcapacityinordertoensurealong,happylife.We,too,musttakecaretopreserveourbody’shealthandintegrity in order to create stronger ties and effective action in ourcommunities.

It’s said thatachain isonlyasstrongas itsweakestlink. Inordertobuildrobust,flourishingfamiliesandcommuni-ties,let’smakesurewe’refortifyingourowngoodhealthfirst.

Lauren Rathvon, DOM, AP is a nationally board certified Acupunc-ture Physician and Doctor of Oriental Medicine. She received her education at the East West College of Natural Medicine in Sarasota where she earned her degree in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine. Certified in acupuncture point injection therapy, Lauren has also been trained in Constitutional Facial Rejuvenation. She currently serves on the Oriental Medicine faculty at Mountain Meadow Mas-sage School in Ruidoso, NM, in addition to being an adjunct profes-sor at the East West College of Natural Medicine.

Christina Captain, DOM, AP, SLP, FSC is a board certified acupunc-ture physician and the founder of The Family Healing Center. She earned her degree in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine from the East West College of Natural Medicine, Sarasota, Florida, where she is now a senior faculty member and advisory board chairper-son. Christina received additional training in acupuncture injection therapy and earned a Masters degree in Speech Language Pa-thology and Communication Disorders and is an expert Feng Shui practitioner and teacher.

Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts

ByLaurenRathvon,DOM,AP

As the old song goes, “The leg bone’s connected tothekneebone.” It turnsoutwe’re(thankfully!)a lotmorewell-connected than that.Weare trulygreater than thesumofourparts—andwearepartofsomethingevengreaterthanus.

Withinthe50to75trillioncellsthatmakeupourbody,therearetinyorganellesworkingspecificjobstokeepeachcellrunninglikeaminiaturefactory.Eachofthecellsinourbodyisreliantuponanother for itsoptimizationandhealth—nocell isan island,sotospeak. It takesmillionsandmillionsofcells toformourmusclesandorgans; panbackabit further and youhave the connection between all of ourmuscles, organs, andvessels—ourfascia.

Whatisfascia?Ifyou’veeverhandledrawchickenandseenthatverythinwhitemembranesurroundingtheflesh,that’sfascia.Fascia isconnectivetissue in thetruestsense, forminglong,unifyinglinesinthebody,quite literallyfromheadtotoe.Infact,somebelievethismaybeoneofthereasonswhyacu-punctureissoeffective;manyofourfasciallines,asstudiedbyThomasMyers,closelyfollowtherouteofancientacupuncturechannels.Onesuchfascial linestartsaroundtheeyes,coversthehead,runsdownthebackandintothelegs,andendsinthefeet.Thisisjustonereasonwhyanacupuncturepinnearyour

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Healthy Living

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Gregg Sanderson has a rare view of the metaphysical universe. He traveled the road from Christian Science through Judaism, Agnos-ticism, Atheism, Living Love, Psychic Development, Spiritualism, Teaching of the Inner Christ, all the way to the International Centers for Spiritual Living where he is a licensed practitioner. He is the au-thor of What Ever Happened To Happily Ever After? and Split Hap-pens – Easing the Pain of Divorce. Gregg’s latest venture is Spirit With A Smile — The Way It Is (Unless It’s Something Else). Email to gregg@spiritwithasmile.com.

If We’re All One, Who Are All Those Others?

Let’sstartwiththepremise“Godisallthereis.”Eachofus isan individualizedexpressionof theOne

InfiniteIntelligencesooftenanthropomorphizedintoalimitedBe-ingthatlookslikeaperson(whiterobeandbeardubiquitousbutoptional).

IprefertothinkofTheOneasanunlimitedmulti-dimen-sionalPower.IcallItBOB,theBeingofBliss.Noanthropomor-phism,please.Ourotherpremise-Thoughtiscreative.

Our thought is an appendage of BOB’s thought. Thethoughtsandbeliefsofeachofusandallofuscreatetheexperi-encewecallLife.

Since Love—adimension ofBOB—is the stuff out ofwhichwe’remade,wheredidall theotherstuff come from? IfBOBisinfinite,thenthere’snoroomforOTHER.Backtothefirstpremise.

AsweexpresstheCreativeMind(BOB),wemusthave

freewilloritwouldn’tbecreative.Wethoughtupsome“rulestoliveby,”madeacoupleofmistakes,andvoila!Acosmicmess.

Mistake number one—Righteousness: The need to berightasallegorizedbytheTreeofKnowledge.UnconditionalLove knowsno such thingasgoodandevil, or itwouldn’t beunconditional.Noevil,onlyconsequences.

Mistake number two—Approval: Seeking validationfrom others, allegorized byCain andAbel competing for theirfather’sfavor.It’sasifmybigtoehasthepowertomakemyrightpinkie.OK.Howsilly.

I call thesemistakes the “RACETrap.” “RACE” is anacronymthatstands for “RighteousnessandApprovalCompli-cateEverything.”Wecan’tNOTbeSpiritualbecausethat’sthestuffwe’remadeof.OurconnectionwithBOBdoesn’tchange.Whereverwemay be,we’reSpiritual beings having a humanexperience (even those folks in the opposite political party, orthatascribetoadifferentbeliefsystem.

The next question is, “If it’s all Love, and BOB is allPower,whybotherwiththeRACETrapatall?”Myanswer:En-tertainment.

WeareallexpressionsofBOB,theBeingofBliss,anInfinite Intelligence beyond time and space. Just hanging outwas dull, so It got creative andmade up theGameof Life inSpace/Time.ItmadeitsLovetheprize,andhiditineachofus.

Theobjectofthegameistofindtheprize.Foragametobeinteresting,ithastohaveobstacles.TheRACETrapistheobstacle.

WhenBOBlivesthroughuswiththeRACETrap,Ithasaninfinitenumberofcomedies,tragedies,dramas,horrors,andsitcomstoamuseItself.ItlivesthemallthroughusatthesametimeaswealltrytogetbacktoLoveinourownwayaccordingtoourindividualBeliefSystems(appropriatelyabbreviatedB.S.).

OurlivesarepixelsonItsinfiniteviewscreen,providinginfiniteentertainmentfortheinfiniteBeingaswetrytofigureoutawaytogetbacktoLove—andwe’vebeenthereallthetime.Haha.Thejoke’sonus.

Ifthatain’tentertainment,Idon’tknowwhatis.

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Spirituality

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theabsenceofproblemswehaveamomentaryexperienceofhappiness.Thatis,ofcourse,untilweexperienceemptinessandbeginseekingmoreproblems.Ihavepeopleaskmeallthetime,

“How would I connect with others and what would I talk about if I am not talking about

my problems?”

Sowhychoosetobehappy?Happypeoplelivelonger,have overall better health, aremore productive, receivemorepromotionsintheircareer,andhavebetterrelationships,justtonameafew.However,itisimportanttoknowthathappinessisachoice,astateofmindthatapersonmustcommittoachieving.Partofthiscommitmentisrecognizingwhenwearegoingbacktoaparticularpatternthatcreatesunhappinessinlife.Therearesomekeyfactors thatresearchhasdemonstratedcreate long-termhappinessinaperson’slife,regardlessofculture,gender,where they reside, familybackground,orgenetics. In fact, theexternalsituationsanditemslistedaboveonlyaccountforabout10percentofourhappiness.

Principles of Happiness

Let go of expectations: This is critical. Across theboard, studies have demonstrated that themore expectationspeoplehaveontheirexperiencesinlifetheunhappiertheyare.IknowthateveryonehasheardoftheLawofAttraction,andyoumightsay,“Don’tIhavetohaveexpectationsandintentionsinordertoattractwhatIwantoutoflife?”Well,thereisadifferencebetween intention and expectation.Having a vision of our lifeandanintentioniscritical.However,wecannotbeattachedtotheoutcome.Havingattachments to theoutcome is thesameashavingexpectations.Inotherwords,wecancreateavisionofwhatwewantinarelationshiporhowwewanttoexperienceabundance,butwherepeoplegetstuckisthattheyhaveanex-pectationofhowitshouldhappen.

There are times that we have to learn certain thingsalongourpathandcreateexperiences thatwillhelpusget toourintention.Anotherwayexpectationscancauseunhappinessiswhenweplacethemuponourselves.Forexample,wemayhaveanegativeexperiencethatwethoughtwehadreleasedorovercomeandthensomethinghappensthat triggersthesameemotionalreaction.Thisisnormalandwillnotstopusfrombeinghappy in the long-term;however,placingunreasonableexpec-tationsonourselvesaboutovercomingsomethingpermanentlymay.Ifwedon’tmeetourownexpectations,wecan’tbeatour-selvesupover it; insteadweneedtoreleasetheexpectationsandbegratefulthatthatweareawareofthemandcanworkonreleasingthemuntilthewoundiscompletelyhealed.

Create meaning and purpose from experience: Eachexperience,whethernegativeorpositive,istheretogiveustoolsthatcanhelpusdevelopwhatweneedtogettoour intention.Weneedtoseewhatwecantakeawayfromeveryexperienceand how it can improve our life. Sometimes our biggest chal-lengescanbewhattransformsourlifeinthemostpositiveandpowerfulways.Wearedestinedtolivethesameexperienceover

Your Relationship with Happiness

Weallwant happiness—andnot just temporary hap-pinessfromanexperiencesuchaspayraise,anewtoy,orbe-causewe justwentonvacation toa remote islandandhadaweekwithoutanystress.Thisisnottosaythatthesethingsarenegativeorthatitiswrongtoexperiencehappinesswhensucheventshappeninourlives.However,itcanbedetrimentaltoourwell-beingwhenwearedependentonsuchexteriorexperiencestoexperiencehappiness.Realistically,mostpeoplewanttofeelhappierindailyliving.So,howdoweachievethat?

Inourculture,weareconstantlybombardedbymes-sagestellinguswhatcreateshappiness.Wearetoldthatifwedrinkaspecificdrink,haveacertaincar,takeavacationtoHap-pyville,wearabrandofcloths,oreataspecifictypeoffoodthenwewillmagicallybecomehappy.Undoubtedly,thesethingscanmakeyoufeelelatedforabriefmoment—butonlywhilethenov-eltyoftheexperienceisstillthere.Shortlythereafter,theexperi-encelosesitsnewnessandourlevelofhappinessgoesdown.

Many studies show that people in nations that have the most are also the most unhappy compared to those in less plentiful countries.

Thisdoesnotmeanthatyouhavetoliveinlacktobehappy;itjustpointsoutthatmarketinghasdoneagreatjoboftellingushowtobehappywheninfact,theywantustobeun-happybecausetheunhappierwearethebetterconsumerswebecome.

Another thing that commercials and advertisementshavesoldusonisthathappinessisthelackofnegativeexperi-encesorstressinourlife.However,itisunrealistictothinkthatwewillgothroughlifewithoutobstacles,and ifwearewaitinguntiltherearenoobstaclesbeforewecanbehappy...boyareweintrouble.Atthesametime,themediahasglorifiedproblemsanddramainourlives.Thiscreatesabeliefthathappinessandunhappinesshaveadance—whenwehaveone(positive)emo-tion thenweshouldhave theother (negative).So, ifwehaveaprobleminourlifeitmaygiveusasenseofpurposeand,atsomelevel,aconnectionwithothers.Therefore,atanuncon-sciouslevelweassociatehappinesswithproblemsbecausein

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Joeel A. Rivera, M.Ed., Ph.D. (ABD) holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and is currently completing his dissertation for his Ph.D. in Psychology. Joeel’s extensive career as a relationship coach includes certifications in P.R.E.P, a 30-year research-based program for couples, Nurturing Father’s curriculum, and Parenting 21st Century. Contact Joeel at joeel@transformationservices.org

Inspiration

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andoveruntilwelearnthelessonfromtheexperiencethatlifehastogiveus.Trustme,lifeispersistentinthatway.

Learn to appreciate the smallest things in life: Peo-plewhohavethemostgratitudearethehappiest.Infact,someresearchstudieshavefoundthatoneofthesideeffectsofbeingappreciativeisthatnotonlydoesitamplifyourhappinessitalsoamplifies thehappinessof thosearoundus.Wemust changewordsfrom“Ihaveto”to“Igetto”.Wegettopaythebills!Thatisgreatbecausesomepeopleareunemployedandcan’t.

Be present: Stopandsmelltheroses!Ouronlyrealityiswhathappensinthenow.Weneedtotakethetimetotrulyen-gagewithourenvironmentandthosearoundus.Ifthereisnoth-ingthatwecandotosolvesomethingatagivenmomentthenletitgo.Forexample,ifwearelateandintrafficwecandecidetobefrustratedforanhourorchoosetospendthehourobservingthesurroundings,listeningtoourfavoritemusicorjustrelaxing.

Develop intimate relationships: Whethersomeoneisanintrovertorextravert,thatpersonisasocialbeing.Weneedaconnectionwithothers.Thatconnectionishealingforourbody,mind,andspirit.Thehappiestpeoplearethosewhodeveloptrueintimateandmeaningfulrelationshipswithfriendsandfamily.Atthesametime,itisimportanttorememberthattherelationshipswechoosealsowillimpactouroverallhappiness.Forexample,if we are around someone that is negative, evenwithout thatpersontalkingtouswecanfeelthebadenergy.Actually,ithasbeenproventhatwefeedoffotherpeople’senergy.Howdoyouthinkyourpresencemakesothersfeel?Ifitisnotpositive,whatshouldbechanged?

Have a spiritual belief system or path: Regardless of cultureorbeliefsystem,whatmatterswhenitcomestohappi-ness,accordingtoresearch,isthatwefindaspiritualpaththatworksforus.Inotherwords,findyourowntruth.

Accept YOU: You are at the right place in your life that youneedtobeatrightnow.Acceptyourselfforwhoyouareandloveyourself.Weneedtolookatthethingswewanttoimproveandslowlychipawayatthem,butwemustnotbeatourselvesupoverthem.Also,wemustknowwhathappinessmeansatapersonallevel.

Rememberhappinessisastateofmindineveryexperi-encethatwehave.Thisnottosaythatsomeexperienceswon’tbringaboutsadness,anger,fear,oranxiety.However,

How long we allow negative emotions to be our reality ,and what we learn from them, is

up to us.

Soaskyourself, “What relationshipdoyouhavewithhappiness,andhowdoyoudefinethisstateofbeing?”

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backyard, and the grandfather’s backyardwasconnected to our backyard. Whenever thesechildrenplayedintheirgrandfather’syard,whichwasfilledwithallkindsofexoticbirdsandper-fectlymanicured gardens, theywould come tomysideofthefenceandtalktome,wantingtoknowwhoIwas.

Onedaytheirmotherfoundthemtalk-ing tomeand immediatelystarted telling themthat I was different then they were, that theywerebetterthenIwas,thattheyshouldnottalktofolkslikeme.Iwasnotrichliketheywere!Iwasonly7yearsold.

Even though theirmother did not likeforthemtobecomefriendlywithme,theywouldsneakandcometotalktomethroughthefence.That is when I realized “differences.” I neverthought ofmyself as being “less than” anyoneuntilthen.Wedidnotstoptalkinguntilthegirls’mothercametotalkwithmymother.

Was it fear? Was that it?

MuchlaterinlifeIlearnedthatbyfac-ingmyfearsIopenmyselfuptoamuchHigherSelfwithinme,something that ismuchgreaterthanwhatothersmayobserveexternally.

We are holding ourselves back by believing in the opinions other people have about who we are.

Thisresultsinsolidifyinganeedtobeapartfromothers,tonot letthemgettooclosefor fearofbeinghurtor fearofbeingdifferent.Our differences keep us from realizing howmuchalikeweare,thatweallwantpeace,love,understanding, joy,abundance,prosperity,andabetterlifeforusandourchildren.

It’stimetocomehometoourHigherSelf.

Elena C. Jones is the author of the 7 Simple Steps to Creating My Intentions, which was published in 2011. In addition to being a published author, she is a motivational speaker, Reiki master healer, spiritual life coach, Certified Access Conscious-ness Bar Practitioner, mentor, teacher, and spiri-tual counselor. She is the founder of Alma Quest and the “Creating My Intentions Conference,” which was held on October 15, 2011. Elena is an internationally Renowned Psychic Medium, a clairaudience, and clairvoyance. For more infor-mation please visit: www.almaquest.com or call 727-321-3366.

ByElenaC.Jones

There are many spiritual paths that lead us to what I call “home”—to our Creator.

Regardlessofwhattermweusetorefertothishigherpowerorcreativeforce,ourideasandbeliefsaremoresimilarthanwerealize.However,ourchoiceofterminologymaydivideusandcauseustosegregateintoexclusivegroupsordenominations.

Onceweseehowconnectedwereallyareandhowweareall tryingto reach thesamedestination,wecan learn toacceptouronenesswithGod/Goddess/Sourceandlearntocoexistpeacefullywitheachotherandacceptourdifferences.Weallhavedifferentwaysofexpressingourspiritualnature,whetheritisthroughmusic,art,religion,meditation,etc.Weareeachuniqueinourownmaking,andweallhaveonethingincommon—thatistoliveinjoyandharmony.

I truly believe that fear is what keeps us from that realization that we are all one.

Asa result,we spendway toomuch time looking for our differencesinsteadofcelebratingouroneness.

We teach our children to be with people who are just like them, in the same society, not realizing that we are creating

separation instead of unity.

WhenIwasalittlegirllivinginSouthAmerica,thereweretwolittlegirlsthatlivedonanotherstreet.Theirbackyardwasconnectedtotheirgrandfather’s

Transformation

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Inspiration

theSpiritoftheCondorofthesouth.Inthismoment,eachwomanwhowentoutontherockandallowedherSpirittosoarwiththeCondorwasofferingaheal-ingtoherselfandforourgreatMotherEarth.

AsJorgehelpedthelastwomaninourgroupinchoutbackwardontotherock,Ifeltadeepsenseofsadnessforher.Shehadbeenbornwithoutherlefthandandwouldonlybeabletoholdonefeather.Isawherasawoundedbird,attemptingtoflybutstrugglingtodosowithonlyonewing.Thiswastobemyper-sonalandverypowerfullessonfromtheCondoraboutseeinglimitationswherenonereallyexist.

She obviously didn’t see herselfwoundedinanyway,assheconfidently toldJorge to tie theotherCondorfeathertoher leftarm.MyeyesfilledwithtearsasIrealizedthiswasexposingadeeperlayer of my own set of beliefs about my personallimitations. With a beautiful Condor feather in herright hand and the other elegant feather tied to her left arm, she lay back onto the rock and began tomove the feathers in great sweeping arches. Shewasflyingwithallof theenergy,beauty,andgraceofthemagnificentCondor,showingmethattheonlylimitationsthatkeepusstuckarethoseweallowourmindstoproject.

That day the Great Condor taught me how to take wing and soar above

my own self-limiting beliefs.

When I feel stuck in themuckof life, I vi-sualizespreadingmygreat featheredwings. I takealeapoffaithandjumpfromthemountaintop.Ifeeltheaircurrents liftmeupas Isoar inpuredelight,knowingIdonotflyalone.IamjoinedbytheGreatCondorofthesouth.Weflytogether,strongandfree.

Gayle Lawrence is the owner of Journeys of Discov-ery Travel, a company offering worldwide specialty tours to mystical sacred sites; eco-nature retreats; facilitated tours and workshops with noted authors, healers, and workshop facilitators; unique wild dolphin swim retreats; and snorkeling encounters with hump-back whales. For upcoming 2012 tours visit: http://www.ajourneyofdiscovery.com, call 727-785-5563, or email info@ajourneyofdiscovery.com.

byGayleLawrence

In themystical landofPeru, theAndeanCondor flies high in themountainsattheTempleoftheCondor.Withawingspanof12feet,itisthelargestflyinglandbirdonearth.Therearenotmanyofthemleftinthewild,buttheSpiritoftheCondordwellsinthisancientstonetempleatMachuPicchu.

Onarecentspiritualquestwithawonderfulgroupofwomen,ourshamanguideJorgetoldusthatthattheCondorwouldteachushowtofly.Everyoneassumed thiswouldbeaguidedmeditationuntil Jorge led thegrouptotheFlyingRockonthesideofthemountainandproclaimed,herewewillflywith theCondor!Aseveryonegazedatanoutcroppingof rockstickingoutintomidairfromthesideofthemountain,highabovetheSacredUrumbambaRiverinthevalleybelow,Isawsignsofpanicontheirfaces!

IhadbeentotheFlyingRockonMachuPicchuonprevioustripstoPeru,soIwaswellawareofwhattheCondor’steachingwasabout—howtoovercomefear.Fearofflyingcankeepustetheredinthesameplace,stuckinthesamerut,neverexperiencingtheexhilarationandfreedomthatspreadingourwingsandsoaringhighcanbringus.Thistransformationisaboutspread-ingourwingsandflyinghigh,soaringtonewpersonalrealmsinourlives.

TheCondoristhesacredspiritualbirdinAndeancosmology,themessenger of the upperworld. He soars at great heights and views theworldfromaloftyperspective.Heseesthebiggerpictureandteachesushowtoseewithspiritualeyes.FlyingwiththeCondorisaliftingupoftheSpirit,a timeofactionandsalvation through linking thephysicalwith thespiritualinpowerfulnewways.

Fear is an interesting teacher and immediately begins to tell us we can’t do it, better play it safe, don’t take a chance, don’t even try it, and don’t trust the process.

Jorgetookthehandofoneofthewomenandhelpedhersitback-wardontheFlyingRockfacinghim.Heencouragedhertofaceherfearasshetentativelymovedoutfurtherontotherock.ShesatquietlyashegavehertwolongbeautifulCondorfeathers;shenowhadherwings.

Jorgehadherclosehereyesand laybackonto therockwith thefeathersacrossherchest.Icouldseeherbegintorelaxassherealizedshewasverysafeandnotgoingtofall.Hetoldhertoopenherarmsandspreadherfeatheredwings,thentomovethemupanddownandbegintoflyliketheCondor.Aslowsmilespreadacrossherfacefromthepurepleasureoffeelingthefreedomofsimulatedflight.Jorgethentoldhertoopenhereyesandseetheworldfromanewperspectivebylookingupsidedown.Nowtherewasnofear,onlylaughterandwordslike“wow,”“awesome,”“thisisamazing!”Icouldsensethefeelingofprideshehad inmovingbeyondher fearandallowingherselftospreadherwings,openherheart,andflywiththeCondor.

As Iwatchedeachwoman learn to fly, anancientHopi prophecycametomind.WhentheEagleoftheNorthandtheCondoroftheSouthflytogether,wingtowing,thenstartsthehealingoftheearth.IfeltasenseofthishappeningaswebroughttheSpiritof theEaglefromtheNorthto joinwith

Lessons from the Condor

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Marcia began her career as a school teacher, working with pre-school through inner city high school students. She has worked with all aspects of Metaphysics for over 40 years and specializes in Tarot and Numerology. Marcia’s clients and students are in every state and throughout Europe. Marcia has taught over 400 students to “read” the Tarot for the purpose of self-guidance and to use the powerful symbolism of the Tarot to reach higher levels of spirituality. Her column, Spiritually Speaking, originally ran for 8 years in At-titudes Magazine in the Sarasota area. Email marlou2000@aol.com

Crystals and Gems, Part 1: Power in Shapes

Thisisparttwoinaseriesofcolumnsdevotedtocrys-tals, stones, and their propertiesandmetaphysical uses. Lastmonth focused on color, this month will be shape, and nextmonthwilladdresssemi-preciousstones.Ifyoumissanyarticlesintheseries,youwillfindthematwww.suncoasttransformation.com. Ifyouareoneof thegrowingnumberof individualswhoarebeginningorexpandinganexistingcrystal/stonecollection,IhopethatthisseriesofSpirituallySpeakingwillaidyouinde-cidingwhichcrystals toobtain. If you justenjoy thebeautyofwearingjewelry,perhapsyoumightchooseyournextpurchasebyunderstandingthatcolor,shape,andthestoneitselfhaveapurposebesidesjustbeingattractive.

Ihaveanextensivecollectionofcrystals,andIperson-allybelieveintheirhealingpowers.Ifyouareopenandreceptivetotheworldofcrystals,thenyoucanexpectthesameresults.Iamnotanexpertoncrystalsandstones,butIhaveusedtwoexcellentbooksinpreparingthisseries:Cunningham’sEncyclo-pediaofCrystals,GemsandMetalMagic,byScottCunningham,andCrystalEnlightenment,byKatrinaRaphaell.

Nowlet’sdelveintotheshapeofstones,regardlessofcolor,consistency,andthespecialpowerscommonlegendandloresaytheycontain.Someoftheseshapesareformedbynatu-ralprocessesandsomeareshapedbyskilledcraftsmen. It issaidthatstonesthatarenaturallyformedhavemorepowerthanthose that are artificially shaped and polished.Natural stonesthat are found in the ground and on the ground are often shaped andformedbytheelementsofwaterandwind,whichaltertheir

formsastimepasses.Ifyoufindapeculiarlyshapedstone,letitspeaktoyou.Whatdoesitlookliketoyou?Whatareyouras-sociationswiththatform?Senseitsenergiesandworkwithittodiscoveritspowers.Mypersonalcollectioncontainsamixtureofnaturalstones,polishedandcutstones.

Shape Glossary

Round stones: Roundstonessymbolize theuniverse, femaleenergy, and receptive powers. They are used for increasingspiritualityandpsychicawareness.They“attract”goodthingstoyou—health,love,success,fertility,etc.

Square stones: Squarestonessymbolizetheearth,maleener-gy,andstability.Theyaresaidtoincreaseprosperityandabun-dance.Theycanbeusedattimeswhenlifeistooscatteredorwhenoneneeds“grounding.”

Egg-shaped (oval) stones:Egg-shapedstonesaresaidtopro-mote fertility andwere carried bywomen to promote concep-tion.Thesestonesalsoaresaidtostimulatecreativityandfreshideas.Theyareidealforwriters,performers,etc.

Long, thin stones: Long,thinstonesareobviouslyphallicsym-bols,andaresaidtoaidinfertility.Theyarebelievedtobepro-tectiveandrepresentelectricity.Asenergystones,theyarecar-riedandwornforprotectionandphysicalwell-being.

Heart-shaped stones:Thesestonesareusedtostimulateanddrawlovetothewearer.Theycanbecarriedtobringloveintothelife,tomagnifythelovewithin,andtoallowyoutogiveandreceive love.Preciousstones,suchasdiamonds, rubies,etc.,areoftenformedbyajewelerintoheartshapes.

Triangular stones: Triangularstonesarewornorcarriedforthispurpose.Legendsuggeststhattheywillguardthehomewhenplacedinthewindowfacingtheneareststreet.

L-shaped stones: Thesestonesarethoughttobringgoodluckandgoodfortune,asthisformsuggeststhejoiningofthespiritualwiththephysical.Theyoftenarecarriedasgoodluckcharms.

Stones shaped like parts of the body: Stonesthatresemblepartsofthebodyaresaidtostrengthenorhealthebodypartthattheyareformedlike.Kidney-shapedstonesforthekidneys,etc.Theyaregoodstonesforvisualizationofhealthandwellness.

Pyramid-shaped stones:Thepyramidshapeisaverypowerfulformforastoneorcrystal.Itisraretofindnaturalstonesofthisshape,butmanyfinecraftsmenareformingalltypesofpreciousandsemi-preciouspyramidstones.Thisshapeisgoodforpros-perityandforanymeditationpurpose.Itisalsoconsideredaveryspiritualshapeandenhancespsychicability.

Diamond shaped stones: Theseshapesmakeusthinkofthepreciousgem,thediamond,andanydiamond-shapedstoneissaidtoattractmoneyandmaterialsuccess.

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Spirituality

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Holey stones: Stoneswithnaturallyoccurringholesproducedby erosion, wind or wave action, sea creatures, or by othermeanshave longbeenprizedasprotectiveobjects. Inancienttimes,theywerehungonthebedposttopreventnightmaresandtoprotectthesleeper.Theyareoftenwornaroundtheneckorhungfromthefrontdoorofahomeorfromatreetoprotecttheproperty.Holeystonesareusedforhealthpurposes,astheyaresaidtoabsorbthediseaseandarestillusedinhealingrituals.Theyarealsosaidtoenhancepsychiccapabilities,aidinvisual-ization,andimproveeyesight. Holeystonesarefoundinareaswheretherearelargebodiesofwater,andcoastalareasareabundantwiththem.Theywashuponthebeachonaregularbasisandareveryinterest-inginshapeandsize.Nexttimeyouarenearanybodyofwater,lookforthem—theyarenothardtofind,arealwaysinterestingto

lookandmaybe,justmaybe,theywilldosomeofthethingsthatlegendsaystheycando.

Dependingonyourparticularwantsandneeds,obtain-ingstonescanbeeasyordifficult, inexpensiveorcostly.Yourownneedsand interestswillaffectyourchoiceofstones,andfindingyourownstonesatthebeachoronthegroundisaveryrewardingandinexpensivewaytobeginacollection.Takesometimeandlookatthestonesthatyoualreadyhave.Youmayfindawholenewwayoflookingatanoldringthatwaspasseddowntoyoufromyourgreatgrandmotherifyouexaminethecolorandshapeofthestone.

Next month our discussion will be on semi-preciousstones.Untilthen,remember,Knowledgeisthegreatestpower, sowalkintheLight.

We Are OneOneness comes in glimpses—at least for me.

SometimesithappenswhileI’mstaringintotheGulforlisteningtoasymphonyofbirds.Othertimes,itoccursduringanintimateconversationoramomentoflaughter.

My most intense experiences of oneness always arrive on the heels of forgiveness.

MybrotherandIareverydifferentpeople.Ourrelation-shiphasbeenvolatile, andalthough I’mcertainwe loveeachother,thathasnotalwaysbeenevident.AsI’vetraveledmypath,theangerandhurtI’vefeltoverslights,bothrealandimagined,havesurfacedtobehealed.

Thepainfrompastmemoriesrangedfromthestingofapapercuttotheagonyofathird-degreeburn.AttimesitfeltlikeIwasbeingswallowed.Overtheyears,Irecognizedhowmuchhis lashingouthadnothing todowithme. I felt thepainhe’dbeenin,anditsoftenedmyanger,eventuallydissolvingit.

Gradually,Ifoundmywaytoforgiveness.Theroadwaswindingandincludedvisitshome,privatetempertantrums,elimi-natingcontact,andeventuallyexchangingperceptionforpeace.Justwhen I thought I had completed this leg ofmy journey, Irealizedtherewassomeoneelsetoforgive:me.

Although this tookashorter time, itwas justaspain-ful.TolookinthemirrorandtakeresponsibilityforhowIpartici-pated—howI’dprovoked,challenged,andattimesantagonizedhim—wasachallenge.IalsorealizedthatI’dpersonalizedalotofhisactions,causingmyownsuffering.WhenIfinallyacceptedthathadIknowndifferently, Iwouldhaveacteddifferently, for-givenessformyselfbegantosettlein.Andagain,Iexchangedperceptionforpeace.

During this time, I became friends with a man whoremindedmeverymuchofmybrother.Mikechewed tobacco,hunted, and could bemore thana little gruff—all qualitiesmybrotherpossessed.Throughgettingtoknowandlovehim,Ire-leased judgmentaboutsomeofmybrother’schoices:particu-larlythehunting.

Because I could talk to Mike without any emotionalcharge,ourconversationsshowedmethathistripstothefamilyhuntingcabininGeorgiawerereallyspiritualretreats.Hespenthoursinnature.Whileontheplatform,hewascompletelyinthemoment.HehuntedmuchlikeaNativeAmerican,thankingtheanimalforsacrificingitslifeandnotwastinganypart.Mybrotherhuntedthesameway.Insolitude,Mikefoundpeace,aprerequi-siteforfeelingoneness.

ThenexttimeIheardmybrotherwasgoinghunting,Iconnectedthedotsandtheonenesscameintofocus.Althoughmyspiritualpathlookedquitedifferentfrommybrother’s,ourde-siretocommunewiththatwhichisgreaterthanuswasmutual.Themethodsweredifferent,buttheyearningwasthesame.Foramoment,therewasnodifference.Therewasonly“oneness.”

MybrotherandIdon’tspeakoften.Wearestillverydif-ferentpeople.Wedon’tdiscusspolitics,money,orreligion.Butouronenessstill livesinmybelly,renderingthe“reality”ofourrelationshipirrelevant.

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An Intuitive, Author, and Storyteller, Staci shows other how to remove the blocks that keep them from knowing who they really are. She’s the author of the novels The Fifth Goddess and Where Fat Girls Haven’t Gone, and created the Out Your ego! book and card deck. Staci offers messages of Light, Love & Laughter at events and gath-erings and can be heard every Wednesday at 4 pm on GSHRadio.com. For more information, visit www.StaciB.com

Tools & Tips

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•••••••••••••••••Question: IhaveawonderfulboyfriendwhoIloveverymuch,butIfindmyselfhookingupwithotherguyswheneverIgooutandhe’snotaround. Idon’t knowwhy Ido it. I strugglewithwhetherIshouldcleanupmyactorcuthimloose.Doyouhaveany thoughts on this?

Dr. ZZ: You cannot clean up your act without understandingthereasonforyourbehavior.Althoughyousayyouloveyourboyfriend,chancesaresomething ismissing inyour relation-ship. On a deep level that you would probably prefer not toacknowledge, youmaybehoping that oneof theotherguyswill rescueyou,or thatyourboyfriendwillfindoutandbreakupwithyou.Inotherwords,byhookingupwithotherpeople,youmaybeindirectlytryingtoavoidtheresponsibilityofbreak-ingitoffwithyourboyfriend,hopinghe’lldothatforyou.Ifthisisevenremotelypossible, thenyouandheneed to talkseri-ously—notaboutyour infidelities,butaboutwhateachofyouexpects from the relationship,and ifyouwant tocontinue. Inspiteofyourloveforhim,youmaynotfeelreadytocommittojustonepartner.Ifso,youwouldbewisetofacethefacts,andletthingscooldownwithhimuntilyouaremorecertain.

Thepromiscuityyoudescribeisoftenanactoflowself-esteem.There’s apossibility that youdon’t think youdeserve suchagreat guy. You may be messing around and messing up toprovetohim,others,andyourselfthatyouareunworthy.Ifthisisso,youwillneedtoconcentrateonareasofyour lifeotherthan romanceanddo things tomakeyourselfproudofYOU.Everyonedeserves to loveandbe loved. Iencourageyou tothinklongandhardaboutwhatisgoingonforyoubeforeyoueithercommittoalong-termrelationshipordecidetoseparate.

Question: Iama16-year-oldjuniorinhighschoolwhowouldliketoknowhowtoaskagirltobemygirlfriend.Idon’tknowbecause I’ve never done it before. Is it OK to just go up toherandsay,“Willyoubemygirlfriend?”Iwouldliketoknow.Pleasetellmethebestway.Thankyou.

Dr. ZZ: You sound like a polite youngman, and your ques-tionisanexcellentone.Itgivesmeachancetotalkaboutthe“Oreocookie”cyclewhichIfindhelpfulinapproachingalmostanybodyaboutalmostanything.Thefirstthingyouwanttodoismakesureyouhave theotherperson’sattention.Openingyourconversationwithasincerecomplimentortwoisahandywaytodothat.Girls,inparticular,putalotofenergyintotheirappearance,soyoumaywant tostartby tellingher thatyoulikesomethingaboutthewayshelooks:hernewhair-style,thedresssheiswearing,thebookcoversshemadeforherbooks.Tellingherthatyoulikethecolorshe’swearingisafairlyneu-tralplacetostart.

Onceyouhaveherattention(thefirstlayerofthecookie),it’stimeforthefilling(thereasonwhyyou’retalkingtoher inthefirstplace.)This iswhereyouapproach thedifficult stuffandaskherifshe’dliketogooutwithyousometime.Ratherthanaskaquestiontowhichshecanreplyyesorno,it’sbettertophrasetheinvitationinawaythatgivesherachoicebetweentwopositiveresults.Say,“I’dliketoaskyououtsometime,andIwaswondering ifyou’drathergoto themoviesorgoto thebeach?”Ifherreplysoundsevenfaintlylikeanacceptance(“Ilikethemovies.Myfriendstogothebeachalot,butI’malwaysgetting sun-burned.”), then you’re ready to close the deal. Ifyou’ve done your homework, you can tell herwhat’s playingandaskhertochoosebetweentwofilmsortwoshowtimes.

Thenexchangephonenumbersandcloseonapositivenote(the final layer of the cookie). Reinforce the idea that this isgoing tobe fun,and thatyou’re looking forward to it.Letherknowyou’regladyouaskedandevenmoregladsheaccepted.Leaveherwithasmileonherface,andyoucangiveyourselfanA+.

Question: Myhusbandisanalcoholicwhodoesn’twanttobecured.Our relationship isdead.As Iam45, Idon’thaveanyhopeoffindingsomeoneelse.Besides, Idon’twant to leavehim.We’velivedtogetherforover20yearsandhavethreechil-dren.Heseemstohaveneverlovedme,andIfeellonelyandhumiliated.WorkistheonlythingIhave.I’musedtofeelingthepositiveattitudeofpeopletowardsmeeverywherebutathome.Whatcanbedone?

Dr. ZZ: Theanswer to “What can be done?” is “Whatwouldyouliketodo?”You’vecometotermswithyourmarriageandseem to feel that lifewould beworsewithout your husband.You’vealso found fulfillingworkandhavegoodrelationsout-sidethehome.Thebestyoucandoisprobablytocapitalizeonyourpositivesandacceptthechoicesyou’vemade.Whateverittakes,enjoyyourlife.

Disclaimer: All information provided in this article is intended as general information only and is not to be misconstrued as medical or psychological advice, or as diagnosis, treatment or cure for any condition or ailment. Send queries or comments to askDrZZ@yahoo.com. All identifying information is kept strictly confidential.

Dr. ZZ’s bold, upfront, directive style plays an inspirational role in the lives of people she touches. Drawing on a non-traditional Ph.D. in counseling and natural healing, ZZ works in Sarasota with shaman elder Jack Alexander (“Golden Feather”), who offers land blessings, shamanic training, Life Purpose readings, and all-faith, community-based spiritual guidance. This forum proposes potential solutions on health, emotional, and personal matters. For more, see www.shaman.mosaicglobe.com.

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TheyfirstwenttotheareathatisnowEgyptandsometraveledtothePolynesianIslandsthatformedtheancientlandofLemuria.Theyhadrainbowbodiesofpurechakracenters.Theycould communicate telepathically, clearly express their truth,comefromtheheart,manifestonthephysicalplaneeasily,andliveultimateblissandjoy.

TheywerenotseparatedfromSource.Eventuallytheybegan forgetting their divinity and becameunbalanced.Theybegan to rationalize and suppress their feelings as they ranlessenergyinsomechakrasandmoreenergyinothers.Thiscaused some to be greedy, willful, and controlling. IntuitivelythePriestsandPriestessesknewitwastimeforthemtoleavewith their knowledge so they went to other locations in theworld.Theyvowedtogothroughoutlifetimestoremembertheancientwisdom.

Now is the time when the world is ready to reconnect to our Divine Source and see the

divinity in everything.

Similar towhenwefallasleepatnightandlosecon-sciousnessandthenwakeup,civilizationisalsogoingthroughacycleoffallingasleepandreawakening.Thisoccursovera26,000yearperiodknownastheprocessionoftheequinoxes.Wearenowat theendof thiscycleandanewawakening ishere.The resurfacing of ancient knowledge is not only com-ingtousthroughnews, lectures,books,andtheInternet,butalsointuitively.Thereisaninnerawakeningamongus.Somebelievetheendofthiscalendar(26,000years)istheendofacycleandmaybecatastrophic.Rather, I believe that it is anopportunity to reawaken and beONEwith our new levels ofconsciousness.

Are you ready to make this quantum leap to the path of enlightenment?

Reverend Maggie Batt is a spiritual and holistic health consultant, certified TriYoga® teacher, herbalist, Certified Advanced Kahuna ARCH® practitioner, Usui/Tibetan Reiki Master, and a Certified Ka-runa Reiki® Master Teacher from the International Center for Reiki Training. She has been practicing and teaching her knowledge for 11 years. Maggie’s yoga teaching paths are Hatha Flow, Kundalini, Kids, Parent/Child, and Prenatal. Her other practices and studies include meditation, ear coning, flower essences, holistic health and natural medicine, feng shui, natural childbirth, natural mom coun-seling, and magic. In 2003, she was cast in “Health Cops: New Orleans.” for the Discovery Health Channel. She also appears as an alternative practitioner helping to change someone’s life in 12 weeks on the FitTV channel. For more information, email info@wheelsoflight.org or visit www.wheelsoflight.org.

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ByMaggieBatt

WeareallaspectsoftheDivineSource.OurpurposeistogothrougheachlifetimeevolvinguntilweareenlightenedenoughtojoincompletelywiththeDivineSourceagain.

Forinstance,allofthewateronthisplanetisthesamewater.However,whenwelookupintotheskyandseethedif-ferentcloudformswemaynotrealizetheyareallmadeupofthesamewaterparticles.Thecloudsfloatoverthemountainsandputapieceofthemselvesoutintheformofrainandsnow.Thiswaterthengoesthroughthestreams,rivers,andlakesuntilitisemptiedout intotheocean,whereit isonceagainevaporatedbackupintotheclouds.Thisrecyclingprocessisthewaythatallofthewaterkeepsitselfcleanandpure.

Usingthisanalogy,itisalsoourjobstobecomecleanerandmorepure—lifetimeafterlifetime—untilwearereadytobeabsorbedbackintotheDivineSourceagain.Themorethatwecan remember that we are a piece of theDivine Source, thequickerwecanevolve.

To be ONE with the Divine Source is recognizing the Oneness in everyone and

everything—including you. This is the key to conscious healing.

In my ARCH Kahuna training I learned these common Hawai’ian beliefs:

1.AllarepartoftheCreator.2.Allareone.3.Alllifeisfoundedonlove.4.Everythinghasmana(energy)init.5.Whenthemanaisstrongandpeopleacceptthem-selvesasthepowerfulbeingsthattheyare,all thingsarepossible.

According to some mystic teachings, when early beings inhabited this planet they

knew that they were not separate from the Divine Source.

Transformation

Being ONE with the

Divine

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ByAndiSchenbeck

Inanyconversationregardingnon-duality,itbecomesdiffi-culttodiscusstheTruthbecauseultimatelyourlanguagehasbeenconstructedfromadualisticperspective.Thereisabeliefinsepara-tion;thatthereisameandthereareothers.Eventheword“we”suggestsmore thanone.Scientific research todaynowfullysup-portsthisideaofOneness,andwhileithasnotyetbeenadoptedbythemassesastheTruth,ithasservedtoinitiateavastshiftinperceptionwithregardtotheconnectednessofusall.

When we attempt to interpret the concept of Onenessthrough theeyesof dualitywecan trulybecome frustrated, con-fused,andlost.Wehavecometorelyheavilyonourfivesensesandthusdefiningourselvesbywhatappearstobeoutsideofus—thisiswheretheparadoxcomesintoplay,andwhereourunconsciousbeliefsystemsandconditioningkeepusattachedtotheillusionofduality.InourattempttoviewtheconceptofOnenessthroughthelensofourexistingbeliefs,itisinterpretedas“unattainable.”

We view Oneness as something we have to create or get to…when the Truth is, Oneness already IS.

When we have released all of the belief structures wehavecreatedtomanifesttheillusionofseparation,Onenesswillnolongerbesomethingwestrivetounderstandintellectually…itwilljustbeourexperience.

HowdoweshiftourpointofviewtoalignwiththeconceptofOneness? If there isONEpresence,ONE life thatappears tobecurrentlyexpressing itselfasbillionsofpointsofview,howdowebegintoreleasetheattachmentswehavetothisparadigmofseparation?

First,wecanstopreinforcingtheideaofseparation,daybyday,andthoughtbythought.Beingmindfulofourthoughts,wecanchoosetonotidentifywiththemandreplacethemwiththoughtsthatalignwiththeTruthofOneness.Onesimplewaytodothisistonoticewhenwegointojudgmentaboutsomething.Ultimately,sincenothingexists“outthere”forustojudge,theideaofjudgmentinandofitselfisatooltocreateseparationbecausebyitsverydefini-tionweseeourselvesasseparatefromthatwhichwearejudging.

Ifweare judgingourselves,weare creating separationbynot acceptingour ownperfection in theexpressionofOnelife;thus,separatingourselvesfromwholeness(inourmind).

AllofthishappensintheMind.Itisanillusionthathumanityhasidentifiedwith,anditisperpetuatedeachtimetheseparation is reinforcedby themindandwechoose toacceptitastruth.Weeachhavethefreewilltostopthiscycleifwechooseto:Thiscycleofthemindthatfeedsourpercep-tionofseparation.

Presence is essential: As we remain aware ofthoughts and emotions as they arise, we can simply al-lowthemtoexpress themselveswhileNOT identifyingwiththemandnotresistingthem.Whenwitnessingemotionsasreactions tosituations thatarise inourexperience,wecanbecomeanawareness(which isournaturalstate) that justallowsthemtobeandtoexpress;breathe,andallowthemtoprocessandintegratethemselves.Thekeyhereisaccep-tance:non-judgment.Ittrulyisaboutreleasingthestorythatourmindwouldhaveusidentifywithinregardtothethoughtsandemotions.Whenwedothat,likecloudsinthesky…theycomeandgo,andweabidemorefullyinournaturalstateofpeace,neutrality,andallowing.

The tools of non-judgment and presence are amazing ways to retrain the mind and to release emotional conten; however, they

take time and practice.

Humanity is ready to shift NOW! It is no surprisethatmanynewpowerfulprocessingtechniqueshaverecentlyemergedthatcanassistusinshiftingtheunconsciousmindswiftly and releasing limiting beliefs, paradigms, and emo-tional content that appear to beperpetuated in our currentexperience.Thecyclesofthemindcanbebroughttorestinseconds,makingiteasierforustochooseagainwithoutthedistractionsoftheoldwaysofbeing.SowhilethereisonlyOnelife,wecanenlistthesupportandassistanceofotheras-pectsofourselves(aka:otherpeople)toshiftourawarenessmorequicklyandtobringintobalancethevariouspolaritieswehaveattachedourselvestointheillusionofduality.Withthat comesPeace.Aswebecomealignedwithournaturalstate,theappearanceoftheworldwillchange.

“It is my highest intention to support you in remembering your True Self” ~ Andi Schenbeck is a certified ThetaHealing® Prac-titioner, and Spiritual Advisor. Her ability to connect with The Di-vine, while in a completely non-judgmental state of mind, allows for an opening of “sacred space” through which The Divine can be expressed. This is facilitated through energetic transmuta-tion and release of belief structures, paradigms, and emotional content that do not serve the Highest Good. Andi offers private sessions and facilitates a group session, Inspiring Your Jour-ney, once a month in St. Petersburg, FL. For more information visit www.ChooseToInspire.com.

Inspiration

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A Return to UnionByJimToole

Eachfacetoflife,uniqueinitsownway,isamaz-ing.Ifweareopen,discoveryandexplorationofourexis-tencestirtheenergiesofcuriosity,fascination,andawe—anditistheseforcesthathelpustomovebeyondourselvesandmergewithallthingsintheuniverse.

There is a continual longing in the heart of mankind to further examine and

understand life in an effort to experience it more deeply.

Wehaveacontinuingdesire to “take itall in.” Itseemswithin our grasp to reach enlightenment if all as-pectsoflifearediscovered,explored,and“integrated.”Thisquesthasbeenthemotivationandinspirationformanyto“wanderandwonder”throughlifelookingfornewopeningsandportalsintodeeperanddeeperinnerwisdom.Thegoalistofindthatplacewhereitispossibletotapintoanddrawuponthemostprofoundreservoirofinnerknowingthatex-istsattheverycenterofthesoul.

Manybelievethatnowisthetimetobecomede-voted to a discipline or philosophy that facilitates access toandprovidesexperienceofthepurityofthesoul.Theyfeel that once the essence of Being is experienced andbecomes the focus of human expression, the world willbecomeabetterplace.Itwouldbeasifallofmankindac-

cessedthesacredtempleat thecoreofBeing—which isfilledwithpurelove,light,power,wisdom,andbeauty—andthensur-renderedintoit.

Theworldwouldmostcertainlybeabetterplace.Therewouldbemuchmorepeace,balance,andharmony.Althougheachindividualwouldexistwithinaplaceofsolitude,judgmentandperceptionwoulddissolve,allowingtrueunityandonenesstoserveasacatalystforpuredivineconnection.

ItwouldbeanaturalreturntoCommunion.Nottobeconfusedwithareligioussacramentorritual,Communionsimplydefinedmeanssharing.Bylookingmorecloselyattheword,wefinditmeanscommonunion.Bylookingmorecloselyourselves,wewillseeitisthebasisofcommunityorcommonunity.

Whatappearstoberetreating inwardtoconnectwiththedeepestandmostdivinepresenceandspiritwithinbecomesthesalvationoftheexternalworld.

Thisisnotbecauseofredemptionorforgiveness.Itisbecauseaseachofus“returnshome”withinourownheartandsouland,asaresult,thereisaremembranceoftheconnectiontoeveryoneandtoallthings.Itisthroughthisremembranceandthenaturalre-emergingoftheawarenessofcommonunionandunitythatthebridgebetweenoneanotherANDtheotherrealmsandearth iscompleted.Wecannotattempt tounderstandthiswithourmind,asitcannotbecontainedinthought.Itcannotbecontainedatall.

Aswereachthecompletionofagreatcycleinthepro-cessionoftheequinoxes,theveilsarelifting,thewallsaredis-solving,and thestructure thathasheld “lifeasweknow it” inplace is “comingapart at the seams.”This is not apatternofdestruction;itisacycleoflooseningandopeningwithintheveryfabricoflife.Thisaspectofevolution“opensthedoor”toallowfortheessenceofoursoul,thepresenceofourbeing,andtheperfectionofourradiancetobereflecteddirectlyintorealitywehaveco-created.

Nomatterwhatisoccurringinourworld,takeadeepbreathandletoutahugesigh.Allowthetensiontofallfromourbodies. Let emotions flow like anendless stream inwhateverdirection they seek to travel.Release thoughts in themind tothewindsofchange,tobecarriedtowheretheyaredrawn.Re-lease,ifonlyforamomentortwo,intopureconsciousness.

By choosing to live from this place,within theworld,thenaturalsplendorandbeautyofourbeingshallfinditswayintothecracksandcrevices,thenooksandcrannies,oftheveryfoundationoflifeitself.Theessenceofourbeing,initspureandperfectform,willnaturallypenetrateintoandalterthestructurethat“holdsitalltogether.”Inthismoment,thereisnothingtodo,feel,think,orconcernourselveswith;forwehaveenteredintothestate“BeyondBeing.”

Jim Toole is the director of Radiance of Sarasota, a nonprofit com-munity-based inspiration and wellness center. A native of Sarasota, Jim has devoted more than 25 years to understanding, teaching, and facilitating techniques and principles that heal and change lives. Blending various modalities of energetic healing with coun-seling and intuitive abilities, Jim offers a full spectrum approach focusing on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. For more information, visit www.radianceofsarasota.com or email ccc1jim@aol.com.

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Spirituality

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By Carol Wentz Randaci

Generally,weareunawareofthescriptsthatdirectandmotivatewhoweareandeverythingwedo.Asifparticipatingintheatricalproductionsormoviescreenplays,weappear toactoutvariouspartsthroughoutourlife.Thesepre-existingscriptsbecomeavailableforresolutionattheconceptionofeachincar-nation,andhealingcantakeplaceusingPastLifeTherapy.

Thememorieswebringwithusintothisworldexistascellularorsoulmemoryatbirth.Inthetheoryofreincarnationwelivemanylives.Eachtimewetakeanewincarnationwebringwithusremnantsofpreviousincarnationsthatwethenunknow-inglyproceedtoactupon inourcurrent life.Sometimes theseexperiencesseemharmless,almostgood,butthenotherscanbeparticularlytroublesome.

Past Life Therapy can resolve the scripts that cause our life’s patterns, which are

the root cause of everything from illnesses, to addictions or obsessions, to unwanted

personality traits and characteristics.

Themind is a phenomenally intricate device. It worksfrommultipleplanes.Thereistheconsciousmind,whichisusedtodecipheranddecodetheworld,decideonactions,makedeci-sions, and is responsible for our basic thought processes.Thisconsciousprocessing iswhatwecall the rationalmind, theob-jectivemind,andthereasoningmind.Withtherationalmindwenavigateourdailylives,disputeideas,andestablishconcepts.Butwheredotheprogramsfortheseintricatecalculationscomefrom?

Alongwiththerationalpartofthemindthereistheun-consciousmind, theunrecognizable, the irrational component.Whatwe thinkwith our consciousmind filters into theuncon-sciousmind,whichdoesnothavethesameabilitytoargue,de-cipher, calculate,ordecide right fromwrongas theconsciousmind does. The unconscious mind perceives by intuition andrecordedimpressions.Itistherepositoryofmemory.Whatevertheunconsciousmindistolditacceptsasfact.Theunconsciousmindactsasaninfiniterecordingdevice.Itrecordseverythingwehear,sense,andfeel.It’sallthere,recorded,andsealed.

The unconscious carries all the events, feelings, thoughts,andemotionsasalibraryofimpressions.Thislibraryisourmemory.Itstoreswithoutdiscernment.Itislikeahandprintpressed into freshconcrete.Theconcretedoesnotmakeanythoughtsordecisionsaboutthehandprint;itsimplyacceptstheimpressionandrecordsit.

Oneof themostamazingaspectsof theunconsciousmemory is howeasy it is to access. InDr.MorrisNetherton’smethodofPastLifeTherapy,forexample,de-hypnosisisusedtoallowtheunconsciousmindtoopenitsrecordsandbringtheinformation to the forefront. Dr. Netherton’s work begins withthepremisethatanytraumaticeventcreatesatypeofhypnoticstate, and it is the hypnotic state that seals the event behindtheconsciousmind.Hesaysthattohypnotizeoverahypnoticstatedoesnotalwayspresentthebestresults,whichiswhyde-hypnosisisamoreeffectiveoption.

De-hypnotizing accesses the unconscious mind toreveal the sourceof unwantedhabits, patterns, illness, or un-healthybehaviorthatobstructone’slifebyrevealingandresolv-ingtheeventthatcausedthepatternstobeginwith.ThisprocessofPastLifeorevenPastEventTherapyhasmanyveryusefulandhelpful features.Themostadvantageousbeingthat it isadeeplyhealingtherapycreatedtobringapersontoaresolutionandreleaseunwantedobstacles—insteadofsimplyviewingpastlifeadventures.

Abeliefinpastlifeisnotnecessary.Itdoesnotmatterwherethestoryorinformationcomesfromthatisheldintheun-consciousmind.Justthefactthatthemindhasastorytotellin-dicatesthatithasitsownreasonforhavingthatparticularstory.Theoriginisnotimportant.Thecriticalissueisthatthetalehascausedsometypeofobstacleblockingaperson’sabilitytoliveinastateofpeaceandcompleteness.TheNethertonMethod’sgeniusistheabilityforanindividualtoaccesstheirunconsciousmindinarelaxed,self-awaremanner.

PastLifeTherapy isaprocessofself-knowledgeandintuitionbased in the thought thatat thecoreofany illnessorconditiontherecouldbeatraumathatestablishedthepatternsofbehaviorthatcurrentlyisobstructingfurtherdevelopment.Whatmakes thisprocesseffective is thatbyaccessing thememoryandbringing it to theconsciousmindwe inevitablyhonor truefeelings,emotions,andperceptionswithoutbeingjudged,criti-cizedorsubverted.Thepersonisguidedtostayfocusedonallthesensationsandfeelingsthatcomewiththeexperiencewith-outbeingre-traumatized.

Thisisagentletherapythathaschangedmanypeople’slife,allowingfordeeperhappinessandpeace.Theobjectiveistomovethroughthepointofconflict,confusion,fear,anger,sad-ness, or any other sensation.Healing then can take place byreleasing,resolving,andunderstanding.

Carol Wentz Randaci, DOM, is an Acupuncture Physician and En-ergy Therapist offering the Netherton Past Life Therapy, Lightworks Healing method, Oriental medicine, Meditation classes, Medical Qi Gong treatments and Distant Energy transmission. She hosts “The Way To Wellness” on WSLR-fm 96.5 and can be reached at Ener-geiaHH@comcast.net or 941-284-8894.

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